Horatio had managed to migrate below the deck in the time prior to the attack. He helped the crew members in the weapons room, assisting with arming the cannons. It was simple, familiar work, similar to a gig he had on a tour he traveled a few years back. As the ship began into the storm, the young rogue could easily hear the sounds of swirling winds and crackling energies smashing up against the ship. It was to be expected, they [i]were[/i] flying through a storm after all, but the sounds of screeching and scratching were what really got his attention. The hands posted at their battlestations, and fired off the cannons and prepped to rearm for more. Joey did his best to keep up with some of the more expedient workers, patting down the gunpowder before loading the cast iron ammunitions. Through all the commotion and noise, Commander Raven's command came through loud and clear. 

As Joey and a crewmate pushed a cannon back into firing position, something from the outside gave it a hard tug. Before the cannon's wick could be lit, another extremely firm tug yanked the cannon out of its post, taking a crew member with it. Joey may've not seen of the mate's demise, but he could hear his screams spontaneously silenced by the crunching of bone and gnashing of teeth. Before Joey had time to curse, an imposingly large, dark feathered monstrosity eagerly entered the hole the cannon once occupied. It hastily squeezed its way in, screeching and snapping at the men that dared to oppose it. 

"Bloody hell-!" Joey exclaimed, dancing back a few steps as the monster thrashed about the war room. [i]"This must've been one'a the harpies the Commander talked about."[/i] His thoughts were rather calm for someone laying eyes on such a thing for the first time. He let out a long, absentminded whistle, one that immediately got the harpy's attention. Joey looked as if he might've mistakenly said something inappropriate. "Oops. I didn't just insult you in your bird language, did I?" He asked, beginning to ease back with a hand slowly edging towards his pouch. In a flash the harpy flapped and bolted towards him, only to receive a handful of sand to its beady, black eyes. 

"SCRAWWWW!" The harpy screamed as it reeled back and forth, noticeably blinded by the dirty move. Never the one to waste a perfect opportunity, Joey pounced onto the beast, successfully performing a guillotine grapple 'round the stank beast's neck. This move was hard to hold however, as the harpy possessed more strength than Horatio could anticipate. With a simple flex upwards, Joey was flipped head over heels, right over the birdy's backside. The dusty Earthshaper scrambled back to his feet. It was still impaired, for the most part, its feathery appendages made it a challenge to really get the stuff out. As it continued to crash and thrash about, Joey exchanged glances between the entrance leading to the top deck, and the other frightened crew hands occupying the space with him. "I'm gonna need another strategy..." He pondered. Maybe he could just rush it again.