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Post by Behax on Nov 16, 2019 18:02:27 GMT
If Astrin saw the brand on V's hand, he didn't comment on it, just as he hadn't commented on a lot of things. He wasn't exactly pretending not to notice either, nor being sheepish about it. Simply put he was respecting V's autonomy by not prying. It was becoming clear to Astrin that V had or at least felt that he had very good reasons for behaving the way he did and cultivating the reputation he had. He wasn't going to press the man about that.
He took his hat off, and hooked it onto the back of a chair. It was shortly followed by his over coat. He was removing his various weapon harnesses when V's question hit his ears. He turned and gave the half demon a confused look. "What do you mean 'who'? The bed is more than large enough for the both of us."
A beat, and then a sly sort of smile.
"Don't worry, despite my 'reputation' I am quite capable of keeping my hands to myself," he promised with a playful tone.
Astrin then continued to relieve himself of his effects and clothes, seemingly unconcerned that V was there. He at least had his back to V. He stripped off his under shirt, while the scars he held were nothing akin to the kind that littered V's body, he had a few of his own. A few that looked like they came from a whip of some sort. There were Jhouran letters carved into the middle of his back, and below that a jolly roger, and not the one associated with Astrin's crew. Where his tail met his back, where fur transitioned to bare flesh was a slave brand similar to the one on V's hand, however this one was crude, either someone had fucked up when they branded Astrin's skin, or the metal iron had been a poorly made imitation. Likely a combination of both. The way the scar was stretched suggested Astrin had been much smaller when it was made.
He made his way over to what appeared to be a vanity table. He pulled his hair out of it;s high pony tail, though he left the thin braids in. Picking up a brush he put it through this long fluffy locks that now reached practically down to his knees.
Seeming content he appoched the bed and pulled back the covers.
"Ooooh Fancy," he explained as he felt the sheets.
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Post by Grimm on Nov 23, 2019 18:46:42 GMT
Dismay was probably clearly spread across his face when Astrin said the bed was big enough for the both of them and his fingers fumbled the item he was toying with when the playful tone reached his ears. It clattered to the wooden floor and V was quick to pick it up and play it off as a careless fumble.
Violet watched Astrin disrobe from the corner of his eye while he appeared to be inspecting the item he had just dropped for damage before placing it back where he found it. And by the time the beast kin had started to brush out his hair, Violet’s attention was less shy with the direction of his gaze. That wasn’t to say that his heart beat hadn’t accelerated and he could feel the warmth in his cheeks. The way he looked at Astrin was not in a lustful manner but more in a captivated curiosity. Curious at the physically attraction but also about the obvious cruelty Astrin’s suffered at the hands of someone else.
When Astrin pulled back the sheets, V put the cigarette between his lips puffing on it as he disrobed to an extent. His assortment of knives were placed to the side. Hesitant at first V unhooked the bright purple corset around his waist, freeing himself their restraints for the night but also missing the comfort of their compression against his abdomen. Maive had actually gotten further with his shirt than he had realized, his white shirt completely unbuttoned revealing more than he ended meaning too, but he was a bit to intoxicated to care. And perhaps Astrin’s visible history on his back help put him at ease a little bit.
He sat down on the vanity chair to steady himself happy for his feet to be free of the boots he had become accustomed to wearing, wiggling his toes in their liberation celebration. Back on the island footwear had always been optional and he had always enjoyed the sensation of being barefoot.
“Promise to keep your hands to yourself?” Violet asked with a small worried tone rattling on the edge of his question.
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Post by Behax on Nov 26, 2019 22:51:55 GMT
Astrin couldn't help but be amused by V's apparent dismay and discomfort at the idea of sharing a bed with him. He sat down on the plush expensive looking sheets and began removing his boots. He unlaced them just enough to be able to comfortably slip his legs in and out. He then stood briefly to remove his trousers. Leaving him in nothing but but a tight fitting pair of briefs that covered down to his mid thigh.
"I promise that I will keep my hands to myself and make no unwarranted or unwanted advances upon your person," Astrin promised even making a crossover where his heart was. Compared to his back Astrin's front was much less scarred, there were a couple here and there, likely knife wounds. The deepest was a large scar on his left leg that looked like it might have been fairly deep. Thinking there was little else for them to discuss for now, Astrin pulled the covers back even further before climbing into one side of the bed.
------
Astrin was true to his word, he made no moves to touch V in a way that could be considered inappropriate. However Astrin was a deep but active sleeper, and by the morning had not only rolled himself closer to V, but was now hugging him tightly. He didn't know he was doing it of course. His head resting against the half-demons upper chest, one ear pressed against V's chest while the other was just under his jaw, flicking occasionally at the ghost of contact it had with V's skin.
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Post by Grimm on Nov 30, 2019 20:19:22 GMT
It took V a few more moments to reassure himself that everything was going to be okay. After all, this man had already sat in your lap once…sleeping in the same space shouldn’t be so bad and Astrin seemed like a man to keep his promise. V stood up and walked to the other side of the bed. His shirt was fully open revealing the set of letters crudely carved across his abdomen, as if someone had signed V like a work of art; of course that someone’s name was Von Lear.
V touched the sheets with his ungloved hand appreciating the thread count of the fabric and how smooth it was to his touch. Violet climbed into bed with Astrin, still in his trousers since unlike Astrin, Violet didn’t wear skivvies. The half-demon slept on his back and was out as soon as his head hit the pillow. He had used a lot of mana during the initial fight and again during the retaking of the ship from the Sirens. His belly full of food and alcohol certainly helped as well.
Usually V was a light sleeper, unless he had used an excessive amount of magic during the previous day. But the comfort he felt pulled him deep into slumber that when he awoke he was still heavy in it’s pull. The exotic comforter was warm and almost as if it was hugging him. A flick of Astrin’s ear brought V’s hand up to swat at the fly near his chin when his hand touched the silky smooth fur. Subconsciously V allowed his finger tips to explore the super soft warm texture, his mind starting to wake up.
And when Violet realized that Astrin had been the warm security blanket he semi been clutching to, V was out of the bed before his next heart beat. It wasn’t so much that it had been Astrin holding him tightly, but that anyone was. It sent his mind into a of state panic reliving nightmares that wouldn’t stay buried in the past.
Violets horns were a blaze as he went to the window and opened it for fresh air but also wanting to leap from it. He had a death like grip on the window seal, trying to calm himself with a breathing exercise he had learned from Naga.
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Post by Behax on Dec 1, 2019 22:32:33 GMT
Astrin was in most cases a heavy sleeper, there was only a few things that would wake him instantly. So when V suddenly jumped out of the bed, it wasn't enough to wake him. The most it got from the beast-kin was a grumble and Astrin moving into the recently vacated space. Like a true cat, attracted to the heat radiating out of the empty space. He curled up in it, and eventually grabbed a pillow to hug in V's absence. Completely obvious to V's panic, burying his face into the plush pillow. There was something almost child like about it.
After a while there was a knock at the door. Astrin grumbled at the sound, his voice muffled by the pillow.
"Captain?" It was Astrin's first make.
More grumbling.
"Captain!?
Even more grumbling.
"Captain V is you're in there, can you unlock the door please?"
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Post by Grimm on Dec 2, 2019 18:20:37 GMT
Violet was able to calm himself down and what he thought might have been an awkward explanation was met with Astrin still dead asleep. The half-demon rubbed the bridge of his nose, his ungloved hand rubbing fingertip against fingertip trying to remember the softness of the ‘comforter’ they had touched earlier. Part of the pirate wanted to walk over and boldly touch the man’s ears; after all if that didn’t wake him up certainly touching his ears wouldn’t.
When there came a knock on the door Violet froze, finding himself halfway back to the bed with a hand outreached toward the fluffy white fuzz. With a frown he retreated, relighting the unfinished cigarette he had last night and began to button up his shirt as he went to unlock the door.
“It’s open.” Violet called back through the door.
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Post by Behax on Dec 17, 2019 20:30:21 GMT
Enzo let himself in at V’s beckoning, the man signing with deep exasperation at the sight of Astrin hugging tightly around a pillow. He walked forwards, leaned over the bed and then seized his captain by the ear and dragged him forcefully out of the bed.
“Ow. Ow. Ow!!! Okay okay I’m up I’m up!” Astrin complained.
“You’re the captain, but you are easily the laziest member of this crew sometimes,” Enzo sighed. He didn’t seem to care that he’d just embarrassed his captain in front of another. Astrin made his apologies before getting dressed, and going about business. His first port of call was his navigator who had by now been able to work out where they were (with a small margin for error).
“It’ll take us 3 weeks to reach The Cove…..” Lock informed him.
“Provisions?”
“You’ll have to speak with Kio and Enzo on that matter.”
It later turned out they had 2 weeks worth of provisions when you considered the size of their crews and the prisoners in the hold. Even with the prisoners being on lower rations. However to get to The Cove, they had to pass back in to Jhoura waters, which meant there would be a number of small islands they could stop at and potentially restock the ship. A number of them would clearly need to be avoided as they were under Ly’ren control even though they were almost in Jhouran waters. However Astrin new of a few settled Islands that were pirate friendly.
He had the Ly’Ren ship flags removed, and replaced with a generic pirate flag for now, and underneath it, and this was the important part, flew the Jhouran flag. This meant that the Jhouran navy would be likely to let them pass without incident if spotted.
It was a week and a half before they were closing in on their stopping point for resupply. In that time at least one of V’s crew had actually got up the balls to try and attack Astrin. The result hadn’t been pretty.
He’d managed to get a knife in Astrin. When the Captain of the Heresy had warned V that retribution would be executed with extreme prejudice he hadn’t been exaggerating. Astrin had retaliated by headbutting the man and then kicking him in the balls, all while still holding the knife in his side. Then the unfortunate idiot found himself dragged off by Enzo, Kio the cook and Mikhale the helmsman.
When the muffled screaming had finally stopped and the three returned, the body they dragged with them wasn’t even recognisable anymore. Then the poor idiot still breathing was hung from the main mast and left there for 3 days. When the body was finally lowered and thrown overboard Astrin had only one thing to say.
“I know my reputation isn’t as vicious or bloody as V’s. That doesn't mean that me and mine are pushovers. The next one of you who attacks me, I won't hang you from the mast, I will hang you from the gangplank, still alive, and bleeding in the ocean, and I’ll watch as the sharks circle for you.”
That had at least stemmed further attacks for now.
They were soon closing in on their resupply destination, but hadn’t quite made landfall yet. It was early morning, and V would find himself waking yet again with Astrin plastered to his side, arms wrapped around him. This had been the routine almost every morning. Astrin was still locking the door at night, especially after being stabbed. He still had bandages around his midsection covering the stitches.
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Post by Grimm on Dec 21, 2019 20:41:39 GMT
As the days passed, Violet pretty much stepped aside and allowed Astrin and his crew to run the ship; although that wasn’t to say that Violet had yielded his part of authority. Violet and Maive certainly had been talking about something but had kept their conversations private. The more time past, the more the restless Grim’s crew became with the inaction of their Captain until one of them had attacked Astrin directly.
Violet was happy to see him strung up from the mast, he had warned them but they never listened. The Grim crew was governed by fear and they needed reminding, even if it was from a different Captain. Violet was sure they would need reminding again before they made port. The half demon was watching them starting to seethe at his laid back stance and was expecting a confrontation himself soon. Until then he would let Astrin do all the work. And little by little the Heresy Captain was growing on him.
Another morning came and it was another morning that Violet woke to being wrapped in the arms of warm security. Yesterday he tried to maintain his fear and today he would try again. The panic that usually over came him had been dulled to anxiety that pain was just one fingertip away. Astrin’s slumber embrace was rather pleasant. Astrin’s head was on his chest again and Violets ungloved timid hand gently stroked the soft white tendrils, holding his breath afraid he would wake the heavy sleeper. It was one of these passes with his fingers when he pushed back the hair that always seemed to shroud the other side of Astrin’s face. Curiosity had gotten the better of him and when he had peeked behind the veil, Violet quickly let it fall back in its place.
Feeling a bit ashamed, Violet slipped out of Astrin’s grasp silently getting dressed. His red eye watching the door, listening for Enzo’s knock and when it came Violet was quick to swing the door open. However it was clear that Violet was intent on blocking his way by the way he leaned against the doorway, an unlit cigarette hanging from his thin lips. His gloved hands buttoning the last of his prudish shirt.
“Why is it that every time I wake up, your Captain has his molesting mitts on me?” Violet did not seem the slightest bit amused in his tone or with his demeanor. In fact he seemed dangerously irritated.
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Post by Behax on Dec 28, 2019 14:19:36 GMT
If peeking at the hidden side of Astrin’s face was any kind of intrusion, it was not one strong enough to wake him. Though the slight jostling of his hair, was enough for the pirate to try and bury his face in V’s chest before he managed to extricate himself from Astrin’s grip. Astrin rolling into the warm newly vacated space and finding a pillow to hug instead, was just as routine as the rest of their mornings had become. He seemed to either be oblivious to what he was doing, or just didn’t care to mention it.
When Enzo knocked on the door, he was not expecting it to open so quickly. He went to move past V, and became quickly aware that the other captain was intentionally blocking his path. He looked a little vexed by this but inclined his head questioningly.
It was immediately clear Enzo did not appreciate the insult to his captain by the way his ears flattened and his tail began to flick.
“ Probably because he doesn't like sleeping alone. However unless he has actually molested you, which I doubt. I would appreciate if you didn’t insult him so,” Enzo answered his distaste for V’s choice of words clear as he pushed his way past.
“I’m sorry if it makes you uncomfortable, but since you aren't complaining about him biting or scratching you in his sleep, I’ll take it as a sign he is actually managing to sleep quite well. Might I suggest you put some pillows between you both if it bothers you so?” He wasn’t about to go into explaining the why of Astrin’s behaviour to V, not without his captain’s permission at least.
This time Enzo didn’t even try to rouse Astrin with words, just pulled him up by his ear. The room was soon filled with almost childlike complaining, while Enzo explained that Yuki had spotted land on the horizon so they should be able to stop and resupply soon. Enzo left shooting V a glare, while Astrin began to dress. The other side of his face briefly visible as Astrin wrestled with his hair to tie if back.
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Post by Grimm on Jan 2, 2020 19:08:17 GMT
It was a devilish smile the half-demon cracked when Enzo pushed past him. Violet knew the words he choose would have gotten under the first-mate’s skin; simply put angry people tend to be more forth coming with information. While Enzo roused Astrin, V thought about his answer as he continued getting ready for the day himself. A pillow could do the trick, but Violet was unsure if he was ready to try it out just yet. Pulling his fingers through his white hair enough to smooth out some of the bed-head but his messy hair was in need of a good comb through - it was clearly something Violet neglected to do often.
And Violet most certainly cocked the edge of his mouth in a slanted grin when Enzo looked at him that way. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the Heresy crew members, but Violet had an asshole reputation to uphold and it was better when people could hate him easily. It was enough that he had Ren and Mal in his corner; both Violet considered weaknesses when it came to achieving his goal. Which was one of the reasons he was trying to dump the young half-elf with the Heresy crew. And that was also the reason why Malachite was now throwing open the door and stalking up to V with restrained tears in his eyes, Ren just behind him trying to get the teenager to stop while trying to balance a mug in his hand.
“Is it true?!” Mal asked him trying to keep his voice was squeaking. “You don’t want me on your crew?”
Violet’s red eyes flickered to Ren who gave him a wry apologetic smile and held out the mug for his Captain to take. Violet took the mug, seeming to ignore Malachite’s question when Mal stomped his foot on the ground. “You don’t want me?!”
“Mal, get to your post.”
“Answer me!” Another stomp of his foot, the tops of his ears turning red as he shouted this time.
“No,” V turned a stern look to his smaller doppelgänger and took an intimidating step forward. “Now get to your post or I’ll throw you in the brig.”
Malachite shrunk back with a step, the frown pulling tightly across his boyish features. The teenager turned on his heel and retreated the way he had came.
“Sorry Captain. My tongue got the better of me.”
V waved off the intrusion. “Apologies.” Ren said to Astrin as he left and closed the door behind him.
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Post by Behax on Jan 5, 2020 1:15:06 GMT
When the doors burst open, Astrin’s hand automatically when for his sword, though he let out a sigh when he saw that it was Malachite and Ren. The Heresy’s captain remained quiet throughout the whole exchange. It wasn’t his place to interfere in another crew’s problems, even if he would be the one taking Mal in.
He merely nodded his acceptance of Ren’s apology when the first mate left. Silence filled the void once the drama was over and Astrin wasn’t quite sure how to break it. He couldn;t find fault with V’s logic, nor in his handling of the situation. Maintaining his authority, even over crew members he liked was paramount right now. The Grim’s crew was an ever ticking time bomb being kept in place by fear. Showing leniency even to one boy wasn’t wise when you didn’t know who else was listening.
“We;; that was a dramatic start to the morning,” he said eventually. He finished tying his hair back and pulled on his coat and hat before making his way out of the room. He wasn’t going to interfere for now. Instead walking out onto the deck.
“Yuuki! How goes it!?” He shouted up to his crewman already at his post.
“Land in sight captain!”
“Clear waters?”
“Nay!”
“Colours!?” Astrin’s voice had a slight edge to it.
“Appears to be black Captain, but we’ll have a better idea once we’re closer.”
Astrin considered this. The island they were approaching was known to many pirate crews, particularly those captain by beastkin.
“Keep me updated!” He shouted up finally before disappearing below to find his own breakfast.
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Post by Grimm on Jan 6, 2020 22:47:27 GMT
V made a face at Astrin’s comment. As far as the half-demon was concerned every morning waking up with the beast kin’s arms around him had been a rather dramatic start to his days.
V tucked the unlit cigarette behind his ear and followed Astrin out of the cabin. Red eyes followed up the rigging to where Malachite was climbing his way up to Yuuki, the anger melting away to tears by the time he reached his post.
As Astrin disappeared below in search of breakfast, Violet was already in possession of his. The mug that Ren had given him was filled with a warm broth, it was all he ever had for breakfast. Violet too went below deck but went past were everyone was gathering for breakfast to another room toward the rear of ship. In it Maive was waiting for him, she was stroking a SeaLark, trained birds used by the Ly’Ren Navy to carry messages long distances quickly.
“Are you sure you want to put this plan into motion?” Maive asked handing over a piece of paper for Violet to read, while tucking the bird gently in her sleeve.
“It was in motion the moment we got ahold of this ship. As soon as The Victory comes sailing into that harbor, Ly’Ren informants will send their own messages out. We can at least buy us some time if Von Lear thinks the situation is still in his control.” Violet read over the message and handed it back to her. Maive rolled up the message and placed it in the carrier on the back of the bird while Violet reached over opening the small window. She let the bird go and it flew from the window on it’s way to Port Royal.
“I fear I should warn you V.” Maive reached out and touched his arm only for him to pull away.
“I’m not underestimating him. I know what Von Lear is capable of. I know he might not take the bait, but if it keeps the entire Ly’Ren Navy off our backs…The Heresy nor the Grim can take that kind of heat, not even in Jhoura waters.” Violet explained the need to control the situation, but Maive just raised her eyebrows unimpressed, the lower half of her face hidden by the mask she was always seen wearing.
“I’m talking about your crew. They plan to use Devos to challenge you soon. Win or lose they’re going to kill you anyway and take the ship for themselves.” Her condescending tone was emphasized when she shifted her weight reaching out to touch his chest.
“Where’s Devos?” V stepped away from her rather fluidly, her fingertips barely brushing against his shirt.
“Breakfast, where else.” Maive seemed bored with his question and without lingering a moment longer V left.
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Post by Behax on Jan 6, 2020 23:08:26 GMT
Yuuki only looked up from his telescope long enough to register that Malachite had joined him in the crows nest. He switched from looking at the island they were approaching, to the opposite horizon, and when satisfied went back to the island. This island was not their final destination, but merely a stopping point. A small island, with a small populace, they were pulling up to a dock that could barely house two ships of the size it was soon to accommodate. Yuuki only hoped the other ship there was one they were friendly or indifferent too, otherwise a battle that close together would turn nasty very quickly.
“Bad morning?” He asked eventually, still not actually taking his eyes off the island they were approaching.
-----
Astrin was weary but carefree as he disappeared below deck to get his breakfast. Greeting members of his own crew who were not already at work. He greeted some members of the Grim, at this point just to antagonise them, wondering when the next one would get up the balls to try and attack him. It had ended so well for the last one. Astrin smiled to himself at the thought.
He took no pleasure in violence, but he took much in people underestimating him because they assumed he was just a whore. Mostly he showed his face in the galley to make sure V’s crew were behaving themselves. Though he hoped most of them now had a healthy fear of his cook, along with several other members of his crew who had near tortured one of the Grim to death for his unfortunate transgression.
“Cap’in” It was Mikhale.
“Mmm?”
“I think those two’er up to something,” they said indicating in the direction of the room V had walked to.
“Oh I don’t doubt it, but if he was going to kill me, he;s had ample opportunity over the last week or so.”
Mikahle looked unconvinced.
“You’re free to keep an eye on him, but it’s the rest of his crew I’m weary of.”
Mikahle gave an understanding nod to this before disappearing back up to the deck to resume his own duties.
Astrin eyed the room V had disappeared into while he ate, but took no action to try and snoop. The other captain was up to something, but Astrin assumed it had more to do with his grudge against this Von Lear, than it did with him.
When he was finished he walked back on deck.
“Yuuki! News!?”
“Aye captain. Friendly”
“Who?”
“It's the Witch’s Wrath Captain!”
Astrin’s face broke into a broad smile.
“Keep the black, raise the white and raise the Jhoura colours!” He ordered before climbing the stairs to the upper deck. Those of his crew currently on deck got to work immediately.
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Post by Grimm on Jan 7, 2020 16:40:22 GMT
Malachite quickly tried to dry his eyes off on his sleeves, grateful for Yuuki’s dedication into his observation. “That’s putting it lightly.” Malachite’s tone was bitter as he tried to get angry again instead of sad. What kind of badass pirate cries…
“V doesn’t want me on his crew anymore.” Mal said with a sniff and with that the tears in his green eyes started again. V had been the closest thing to family since he was sold by his and it felt like that betrayal all over again.
——
Violet intended to find Devos, the half-demon brute that Slade was planning on using as a proxy to challenge his leadership. Devos was as big as an ox and about as smart as one too. He no sooner spied the hulking crew member before he spotted Slade next to him, the greasy weasel no doubt conning him into helping Slade replace V as Grim’s Captain. The conspiring pair looked up to find V watching them from the other side of the space, who in returned gave a small disapproving shake of his head. And with that Violet headed topside, just in time to hear the name of the other ship. He wasn’t familiar with it but by judging from Astrin’s reaction he was.
“Friends of yours?” V asked Astrin, a little relieved that the answer would be at least positive. Violet was about to say something when Slade walked past him, condescendingly greeting V but not Astrin. Devos was following close behind but V’s hand shot out to stop the towering mass from moving forward. In his gloved fingers he was holding the unlit cigarette he had been keeping behind his ear offering it to his crew-mate.
“For you Devos. I was going to smoke it myself…but I figured I should let you have it.” V’s offering looked rather innocent or pitiful - depending on which way you looked at it. A small reward or a pathetic attempt to get into his crew-member’s good graces. But the manner in which V offered it up made it clear it was neither of those things. Devos had a particularly bad habit of smoking and he took the cigarette when V offered it.
“Why?” The other half-demon sniffed at the gift suspiciously, but when he deemed it to be safe put it away in his upper pocket. Devos was nearly a foot and a half taller than Violet and the size of the half-demon’s biceps were the size of Violet’s torso.
V drank what warm broth was left in his mug and tilted his head to the side regarding the brute that was most likely going to try to kill him later. “I figured one last smoke might clear your head before you end up doing something incredibly foolish.” V could only hope his intimidating flat tone could make Devos think twice. Devos appeared to be sizing up his Captain and then Astrin. An amused grunt snorted from his nostrils and the sailor moved off to do his work.
“Fair Warning.” Violet looked at Astrin with a curt smile, hoping that the other Captian would catch his drift.
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Post by Behax on Jan 10, 2020 16:19:00 GMT
Even as Malachite answered his question Yuuki kept his attention on the small doc they were approaching. It’ll be a tight squeeze to get their ship in there next to the Witch’s Wrath. This small village was not built to service two ships at once.
“Well from my limited understanding of the Grim’s crew…...It’s full of murderous assholes…..No offence. Might be your captain thinks you’ll fit better, be safer at least with us. Astrin tends not to associate with the kind of cutthroats V fills his crew with.” Yuuki at least tried to sound sympathetic to Malachite, however he didn’t know the boy’s history so couldn’t see why he’d want to stay with a crew who were likely to gut you as soon as look at you.
“You’d certainly be in danger if those others ever did get the best of V.” This was just an objective fact even Yuuki could make.
He frowned a little as he realised he could see none of the Witch’s Wrath’s crew on the dock. Likely they were staying out of sight since spying the unfamiliar ship. Likely weary that a clearly Ly’Ren ship was flying Pirate and Jhoura colours.
-----
“You could say we are intimately acquainted,” he said with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows, as he continued up the stairs to join his navigator. He pulled out his own telescope to watch the approaching shore line and dock with. His eyes watched the shore line, but his ears were listening to V’s conversation with his crewman. Though he soon turned his attention to V and his thinly veiled threat.
Astrin smiled slyly at the way Devos sized him up. The man must be of little brains if he thought muscles would win him a fight. Well watch him try, Astrin thought to himself.
“Trouble in paradise?” Astrin asked half amused once Devos had walked off. He put his telescope away. He wouldn't need it for much longer, and he was done pretending he was actually doing something. ---
After another 20 minutes they were almost on the island. Astrin yelling commands to his crew, and anyone on V’s that would listen, which unless they wanted to crash and potentially damage the ship while docking they would. More than once Astrin had to tell Mikhale to ease up.
Soon they were docked at what looked to be a small fishing village, though there was scarcely a soul in sight. All in hiding waiting to see who disembarked Astrin was sure.
“My advice,” he started as he descended to the deck. “Make yourselves look as harmless as possible, this particular village is used to being hit by raiding crews, and the other pirate crew docked here, will take no quarter if they think we’re here to start a fight,” Astrin warned as a couple of his less important crewmen lowered the gangplank.
He descended without another word, as he got to the bottom of the plank he raised his hands in a peaceful gesture.
“I am Captain Astrin Haine of the Heresy, in my company is Captain V of the Grim. Vitalis if you’re standing by you need not hide from me and mine,” his voice held authority but also warmth.
“When my scout spotted a Ly’Ren ship approaching, I sure as the 9 hells didn’t expect it was you,” the voice came from behind a large tree and out stepped another feline beastkin. This man stood at most an inch or so taller than Astrin, his complexion a light brown, his hair black, long and wild thought not as fluffy as Astrin’s. His tail was thin and black. His attire black and silver, not too dissimilar from Astrin’s.
“And in such…..Odd company,” Vitalis added as he eyed V and his crew.
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