Feral

[WildKitsune]

One of Garran's crew, perhaps a bit overly eager to sneak a bit of the captain's private stock, greedily wheeled out a cart with dark oak barrels from a nearby store room while everyone was distracted, pausing momentarily as Rolnak and Garran clashed words before continuing the discretely wheel the brew over towards Neon and the others. The captain had said the drinks could wait, but it would be in poor service to their guests to keep them waiting, right? Locking the cart in place near the others, the sailor tried to sneack back below deck, planning to “appear” in a few minutes once the casks had been opened to steal a drink or two.

Meanwhile, Mark, having been left behind by Sieg, wretched in an empty hall, green moss splattering against the deck. It seemed using the bugs at the harbor had taken a bigger toll on him than he had realized. It had been too long, he had spent too much time away from the swamp. “Oh well,” he thought as he began to ooze between the cracks, sliding down the outside of the ship, “I suppose nobody will miss me if I go away for a while.”

In his current state Mark lacked the strength to make the full journey. Instead, he drifted underwater and latched onto the underside of the boat, fanning out to form a layer of moss on the planks. He would have to remain there for a while, feeding off the algae in the water to recover his strength. It was less than ideal, but necessary if he was to continue his travels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Neon tensed up at the sound of Rolnak's voice, the raging bull having been uncharacteristically subdued thus far, to the point that she had completely forgot that he joined them on the ship. She still felt there was unresolved business between the two of them, regardless of how much they needed his skill, a sentiment echoed by his own description of the group. Furthermore, tensions were mounting between Garran and Rolnak, a potentially explosive combination if left unresolved. Even with his as-of-now calm attitude, Neon couldn't help but wonder if, or rather when, he would snap. All the signs were there, and while she continued to write off his aggression as that of a man born and raised in violence, it was obvious the feralism was there, even if she wanted to deny it. Then again, perhaps that was all the more reason for them to push forward. If ever there was a poster child for “the dangers of feralism,” Rolnak was it.

It wasn't until Rolnak offered his hand to the captain that Neon was able to breathe again, and even Shade and Sieg appeared from below to join in the festivities. She jumped slightly as the somewhat broken Nathan coughed, or grinded, or... something. Choosing to be the bigger woman and hold her tongue, a rare instance of self control on Neon's part, she walked around the edge of the ship towards the others, stumbling over a sailor trying to make his way below deck. She was about to yell at him when her attention was caught instead on the oak barrels ahead of her. “Oh sweet gods be praised!” she said as she ran ahead, the sweet smell of fine liquor emanating from the barrels, “we can stop drinking this horse piss” Neon added, dumping the contents of her mug as she said it. Pulling the stopper out of one of the barrels, she ran the tap, dark amber ale pouring into her now empty mug. The brew was thick, a strong hoppy aroma matched by a rich color. “Shade, Sieg! Come over here and get some of this! You two look like you could use a drink.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Torva grinned, blushing slightly as Hagumi's seduction as she fell backwards, bringing him with her until they were sprawled on the deck. The others, distracted by Garran's tense interactions with Rolnak, took no notice. Empowered by the brew in his body, Torva leaned forward and responded to Hagumi's suggestive motions, “It would be even better if we weren't so dressed.”

Hagumi laughed, and Torva hoped it wasn't what he had said, but when asked she simply replied “it was nothing.” Realizing the private stock had in fact been drawn out, as evidence by Neon's drunken shouts of joy from the other end of the ship, Torva climbed off of Hagumi, lifting her easily with one arm to her feet and pulling her by the hand towards the others. Overhearing Rolnak, Torva whispered “go join Neon, I'll be there shortly,” before reluctantly letting go of her hand and trotting towards the burly men. Someone had to vouch for Rolnak, after all why would the captain believe him on his own, and Neon certainly wasn't going to do it. “Captain,” Torva interrupted, doing his best to act and speak sober, “he's with us. Actually, you were looking for someone capable of out drinking you, if I recall, and there's no man or daeva on land or sea more capable than the bull before you.”

[Marcus XVI]

It had to be noted that Cadogan had very accute sense of hearing - he could be a tad bit absent minded and a little rude, but hear he could. He had gotten used to people just simply walking in without knocking and shook his head a bit before pulling away from the machine he had been modifying. Calmnly the pale man took his cane and while trusting on it's support made his way upstairs after very carefully stepping over a small pile of firearms and muttering to himself about tidying the place up a bit.

Before opening the door Cadogan made sure that his hair was a bit less messy and that he had remembered to get his coat. After he was satisfied his pale fingers wrapped around the doornob and pulled inwards. The red door opened with a creak and the Great Inventor stepped out to see a rather tall man - whom Cadogan would guess was a seraphim - with missmached eyes and blonde hair. The pale man leaned on his cane and smiled warmnly "Well, what brings you to Feraldo's Repairs? No, don't tell me yet, you can tell me whilst I finish my current assignment - itshouldn't take long..." He turned on his heels and headed inside "Would you like some tea while you wait?" The Great Inventor inquired politely as he headed towards the open hatch on the floor "Please, follow me - it's a bit messy here, but hopefully you'll manage - please, please.. this way!" He motioned with his free hand.

Cadogan did not actually stop to wait and check if the man was following him - though he hoped that the man did. "So, what can I help you with?" He inquired again after he had gotten the modifications on the machine underway. "What can Cadogan Feraldo do for you today?" He took a quick bite from an apple before continuing on the task at hand "Please keep away from the few barrels that are still littered around... they contain a very potent mix of Blasting Powder."

[pyrak]

-Sarth-

I stepped in and followed Cadogan "thank you for the offer of tea but I will pass, my name is Sarth Atarith and I was wandering if I may use your work shop since I am on a family buisnes trip and am currently in need of a temerary work space and I like a more humble place than the ones they rent out for usage, and on another matter I might buy some blast powder from you for my stalk is running low" and Id like to test them against my mix see which is better but I'll do that after my project is done.

(the Atarith family is one of the best known merchant buisnes especially among upper class people)

[Marcus XVI]

"An Atarith, eh? Members of that fine house are allways welcome here, but I'd rather not let someone else tinker with their own things within these walls - it is bad for buisness and there might be nasty rumours..." Cadogan rolled his eyes and grinned "With you I'm gonna make an exeption though." He pointed at a table that had a large metallic... thing... laying on it "If you would be kind enough to help me move the ...hmmm... for a lack of better term... uhm... the warwalker... and you can use the table..." The tall man quickly moved towards the table "It's a bit heavy so I'd appreciate the help..." The Great Inventor quickly dashed back to the other table and finished his apple before moving towards the warwalker. "I got some minor difficulties with this one... Now, let's move it over there..." He motioned towards the closest corner and smiled "Come on, you propably have even more work to do than I got..."

[pumirya]

Hagumi had smiled up at Torva and replied that their state of dress could be easily fixed, later, when they were alone, though, Hagumi was beginning to wonder how much more she could drink without passing out. Hagumi was quite sure that the captain’s private stock was stronger then what she and Torva had been drinking, so it was possible that, very shortly, they would be too drunk to even stand.

Although ne didn’t need to be standing for romance, of course! As Hagumi was thinking this, Rolnak appeared, and of course became involved in an altercation. When wasn’t Rolnak in a fight, verbal and or physical, Hagumi wondered? Hagumi was fairly certain she could have liked Rolnak a lot more then she did, if he were not so damm abrasive. Rolnak was someone who could teach her how to better handle herself with a sword, if he wasn’t so damm unapproachable.

As Torva helped Hagumi to her feet, Captain Garran and Rolnak continued to exchange pleasantries, and Hagumi wondered if the two men were going to exchange blows. Given Rolnak’s lack of patience and overall people skills, it was a distinct possibility. A new Rolnak disaster was averted, however, when Torva spoke to Captain Garran, telling the captain that Rolnak was a member of Neon’s group; then touting Rolnak’s considerable drinking skill(s).

That was the other thing Rolnak was god at, Hagumi conceded to herself as she made her way, on unsteady footing, over to where Neon was standing beside s several barrels made of a dark wood. “Hey; Neon,” Hagumi said in a slurred voice as she stumbled; then practically fell into the dragoness. “Is that the private stash?” It had to be, Hagumi thought as she watched Neon take a long drink of the brew. “Here’s to us,” Hagumi said with a grin as she lifted her tankard in a toast, while holding onto Neon’s arm for support.

[ReaperZ]

Shade was listening intently to the conversations happening between his drunk allies. He had a good tolerance for alcohol and even then never drank enough to get himself drunk. It was a discipline that saved his life more than once. Hagumi's words were sending quite risque images to his head. He wondered for a moment if perhaps he shouldn't plant a shadow in their room to capture anything that might happen. While he didn't foresee the need to blackmail either of them in the near future, one might never know when such information might come in handy.

After all, he had gotten many a seraphim off his trail by simply threatening to publish the knowledge of their illicit activities. More so if they were nobles like Hagumi. He might need to extort a favour from her in the future, especially since she would probably not approve of most of the things he'd done, even if they did benefit the group.

Pushing the thought aside, Shade started making plans for their arrival in Dumont. He didn't think the enemy would attack them immediately, but he couldn't be certain the humans would not help them either. Besides, with the number of daeva in their group, they would be hard pressed to find an inn that would accept the lot of them. Perhaps one of his own hideouts in the area would work? He spared one glance at the others and sighed inwardly. The others sure were carefree. Was he the only sober one left?

[Banshee2020]

It had seemed like a good idea at the time, leads had dried up about his family and the assassin in Boaz so he’d decided to head up to Dumont to see if there was any information to be found there. Having worked on the docks up until the last few days he hadn’t earned enough to travel in style so he’d had to settle for hiring his services as a sellsword out in return for transport. The only person who needed it was a trader who had to have the most uncomfortable cart in the whole country. That was a day ago and he was certain he would need a new spine by the time he reached his destination. There hadn’t even been any trouble to distract him from the ever increasing pain in his back. He’d only a few possessions, they were in or attached to the small rucksack sitting beside him. Each bump caused the cutlass on his left and the main gauche on his right to clatter against the wooden floor as he sat cross legged looking out at the road that led back to Boaz.

He was grateful when the cart rattled to a stop outside an inn, the trader who owned the torture device was stopping for some lunch. Hopping nimbly off the cart too he stretched out some of the aches and headed inside too. He’d be complained at if he stayed inside too long, the trader wanted him out protecting his goods from the invisible bogeymen intent on stealing whatever items he had. Jay was sure that whatever they were was important to someone. He ordered the meat broth and a lump of bread, paid for it and when it arrived sat in the corner of the room to eat it. He didn’t like anyone being able to walk up behind him and preferred to see who was approaching.

Finishing up he thanked the barmaid for the meal and headed back out to the cart which was, unsurprisingly, fine. It was another hour before the trader himself came wandering out and they started on their way again. Jaedric tried to block out the bumping, jerking, bone-rattling ride by thinking about what he would get work doing when he arrived. Manual labour of some kind seemed the most obvious, he’d been working on the docks shifting cargo around so it was something he was used to. He didn’t think anyone would be looking for a soldier at all but he would have to keep an ear open for the possibility. That’s if he survived this trip in one piece and didn’t end up like a jelly.

[pyrak]

-Sarth-

I helped move the machine noting the weapons and thinking of a tone of runes that could make it alot more efective to the corner than went and got my stuff and set it all up were I could work using one of my lamp stones (also created by me) to provide light it is a vary handy tool since it didn't leave shadows in a five foot radius meaning I did not have to move the light around my device and I continued my work often siting there thinking for a while than carving a rune into the metal or selecting a peace of metal than setting it down to pick up another of difrent grade and type creating the device was some challenge since it was much more advanced than most projects I had done before and required prossice calculations because if its the first of it's kind than he wants it last and be better than the ones that he will market.

[Marcus XVI]

Cadogan continued his work on the farming machine - he had gotten bored of coming up with proper names for the things he built so a farming machine it was. He glanced at Sarth and whatever he was building "You know, Sarth, was it? In my travels I had a chance to study your kind's magical abilities - in theory, mind you, for as you know us humans don't really possess any innate magical abilities..." The Great Inventor sounded slightly amused for some reason "Still I was wondering..." He dropped his tools on the table and walked over to the warwalker "...Since it is possible to combine magical with technical..." The black haired man took out a sharp object and carved few suprisingly accurate runes on the metallic warriors chest. "I know how this kind of magic works in theory, but lack the ability to truly produce the desired effects.. Would you be so kind and... uh... what's the word... Activate these runes?" He glanced over his shoulder at the seraphim before opening the back of the warwalker to tinker with it's inner workings "...Who knows with a little combined effort we could produce more of these things."

[pyrak]

-Sarth-

"...had a chance to study your kind's magical abilities" I was working on one of the very delicate piece when he began to speaking so I finished the rune I was working on and listened to what he was saying. Once the man was done I set down my work and looked at the runes that he created on the metal "impressive work most people don't do this type of magic and don't draw runes since most my people don't build things and prefer to just use a spell rather than permanently fusing magic into objects, however you need to set a limit to this rune or the power going through could end up blowing it up and this piece of art would be a bunch of little over heated pieces if metal you could fix that by adding a flow limiting rune that will stop the extra energy from building up in this rune and if you were to add another rune like lightning or protection here and link it to the Shield here than that would make the shield more powerful" I pointed at each of the things where he could see it, "and I've never tried activate runes that I did not create so it might not work."