• Graded • Fingles Gravy: Pirate Enthusiast

With the escalation of hostilities between Etzos and Rhakros, a series of small walled towns is being established as a network of early warnings and defenses against Rhakros' reprisals. Only the very bravest and most formidable of characters should risk themselves on the Witches' Wilds frontier.
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Fingles Gravy: Pirate Enthusiast

60th Zi'da 717

“How’s your progress on the gem?”, Yana asked, pulling the oars towards her, then pushing them away, sending the sloop through the calm waves of the sea. They’d come a long way, and her arms were getting tired, and she was fairly sure that Fiona was taking advantage of her proposal. In hindsight, maybe she ought to have specified a time limit for this thing, as she really had no idea how long identifying the gem would take, or how complex the process was. The intricacies of Magic wasn’t a subject she was very knowledgeable on at all, despite seeing mages here and there in her time with the Etzori army.

She was very definitely sure of one thing though: Fiona was taking advantage of her ignorance.

Correction: Fiona had long taken advantage of her ignorance. This was just one more in a list of ‘oh, you silly non-magical mundane’ grievances they had going all the way back to the Etzori regulars.

“It’s going really well.” Fiona said, her hands clasped over the gem snugly on her lap. The mage wasn’t even pretending to exert effort. Brown haired, pretty as a dime, and with a charming disposition roughly approximating a arcanic rabies-infected pitbull crossed with the territorial instincts of a king crocodile, Fiona’s friendliness was as transparent as ever, used only to mock rather than to assure and comfort. “I’m sure we’ll get answers once we reach the crew. I would help you with those things,” She gestured towards the oars like she had just noticed them. “But you know how I am with wood.” Or trivial manual labor for someone else to do, was the real silent response.

“I’ve been led to believe you were quite good at handling wood,” the Yludih remarked without missing a beat. “Especially hard wood.” The Fiona she had met in the Etzori army, a young girl bordering on the feral and all-too-bitter about being conscripted against her own will, would have scowled or snapped back or threatened physical violence. The young woman she had become in the present simply responded with an unsmiling wink. Yana stared for a moment, contemplating whether or not it was a good idea to get into an argument with someone she would need later on. Or might need. Besides, Fiona was … volatile to put it lightly. “I said I would row us around today, didn’t I? Dropping the facade is the least you can do.”

Fiona gave her a hard look that said so much that she didn’t need the words to vocalize what she was saying: you hypocrite. You absolute fuckin’ hypocrite.

“Of course.” came her real response. “I have come to the conclusion that this gem,” she leaned in a little closer, beckoning Yana to do the same. “Is magic.”
Last edited by Zip on Thu Jan 18, 2018 8:42 pm, edited 1 time in total. word count: 483
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Yana was tempted to smack her with one of the oars she had just lifted out of the water to start a new cycle of pushing and pulling. Or she could smash both oars into her skull. It was tempting indeed, though she had to make do with a very sarcastic: “You don’t say. I’m impressed.”

“It’s a memory siphon.” Fiona said, leaning back. Even she seemed to tire of this game. “It’s a repository for the mind.” She placed a hand onto the gem again, as if trying re-confirm her assessment. Yana had little expertise on magic, but she had some knowledge on Fiona’s particular expertise: analysis and alteration of the inorganic - sometimes extending to other magical items.

And, her missing eye throbbed as to serve as a reminder, energy beams...bolts… missiles… whatever it was she shot from her hands. Mages were endless frustrating things, with abilities that boggled the mind and were annoying to say the least. “How does it work?” she questioned, guessing that the mage had probably figured that out as well.

“It takes your memories, places them inside like they never happened to you. You can retrieve them whenever you want - if you can remember to.” Fiona pressed the gem back onto Yana’s lap, lingering for a trill too long.... But Yana saw something else. The slightest twitch to the left suggested that she was going to feign almost dropping it into the sea - but the Fiona she knew couldn’t go through with that. The Fiona she knew wouldn’t permit even the chance of that kind of lost control.

The more things change, the more they stayed the same.

“Could be useful. Thanks. Now, let’s hope the fish bite today, right?” The Yludih took a moment to stuff the gem in a pocket of her outfit, then continued her rowing, her arms and back feeling hot and sweaty, though the fatigue she felt wasn’t as bad as she had figured it to be yet. Well, she was used to drawing a bowstring taut after all, not to mention hauling and swinging swords and shields around. If anything, she had some stamina at least. “I’ll keep this up for another quarter break, then I’m taking a little breather.” She eyed Fiona for a moment, as if to gauge her reaction.

“Didn't seem winded so soon the last time.” Fiona said, staring into her remaining eye. Flashes of their last fight on the pier after her desertion from Etzos, of her jumping into the water and holding fast, flashed through Yana’s mind - and she suspected Fiona’s too. The mage shrugged and looked away. “You’re the fuckin’ captain, captain. At your pace.”

So it was written, and so it was done.
Last edited by Yanahalqah on Fri Jan 12, 2018 8:06 pm, edited 2 times in total. word count: 471
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Fingles Gravy: Pirate Enthusiast

The next break or so was spent alternating between rowing and resting, where Yana did all the work battling the small waves the sea threw at them, and Fiona just sat around staring at the water, probably trying to figure out a way to lure dolphins or baby seals to their little sloop to butcher. Until she straightened up a little more, staring past Yana and watching the horizon. The Yludih turned to follow her companion’s gaze, spotting a ship in the distance.

“This better be them,” she muttered, as she changed course while Fiona helpfully gave directions. Fortunately, the ship was heading their way, so they were bound to intercept it sooner rather than later, which Yana’s arms were thankful for.

When Yana had first come to Foster’s seeking the scum who’d captured and tortured Quiome, she had sought help from Fiona in seeking out the filthy Ne’haerians. Fiona had been immensely helpful in some ways - it was she who confirmed the cargo of a shapeshifter by one of the pirate crews and got her the name of a crew that was, while not exactly what you called friendly, at least willing to listen parley with etzori. Said crew was currently skirting in and out of Foster’s waters, harassing treasure hunters. In a perfect world, the crew would have the information she needed and they would be on their merry way.

But Fiona had been unhelpful in many other ways too.

Dragging her along for half a season for one. She was always busy, busy, busy - something about administration and setting up a mercenary company and the huge bounty that was placed upon a very familiar-looking bird that had hired her for a very specific job. Going by her character, that didn’t seem to be too much of a lie, but it delayed her plans by a large margin. Well, if worst came to worst, she’d just have to travel to Ne’haer and burn the entire city down. Or rather, have Faldrun do it for her. She might kill some ‘innocent’ Ne’haerians, but at least she’d have removed the thorns in her side as well. The only problem was that it wasn’t personal enough, and not slow enough either. Still, she had enough time to come up with a better idea.

Relying on Fiona Zippomaria O’Connor, an etherist so vicious in her youth that even the destructive Defiers in their Wing wanted nothing to do with her, smacked of a desperate need of said ‘better idea’. She hid it better now, drew a curtain of casual quips and restrain and passive-aggressive defiance over it, a shell she constructed to fit her evolving role from soldier to peace officer to whatever she was now... but nobody changed. Nobody really changed at all, and she knew Fiona was the same mad dog she was underneath this finalized mask of civility she had been building towards even as she knew her.
Last edited by Zip on Sat Jan 13, 2018 6:03 am, edited 3 times in total. word count: 504
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As the ship drew closer and closer, more and more details became visible. It wasn’t a pretty ship at all, not as large as some merchant vessels, nor with as much decorations. This one was of medium size, had two masts, and was built for speed, from what Yana could tell. If she had to guess, the pirates aboard usually chased down slower vessels, and left the scene quickly after they had moved the goods from the ship of the rightful owner to their own. Other than that, it wasn’t anything special. On the highest mast the wind played with a jolly roger, and at the bow hung the figurehead of a well-endowed winged woman.

“The Bismuth,” Fiona said. “Small-time pirate crew operating under Crux Dregoon, one of the infamous Pirate Lords of Ne’hear. They’ve not usually part of the usual raiders the sailors encounter, but it seems nobody can stay away from the new smell of treasure.”

“Any idea how many of them there are?”

“Can’t be more than 20.”

“Hypothetically speaking, should they have plans other than answer our questions, think you could restrain all of them at once? I’ll cover you if you need me to.”

“Hypothetically speaking, I could sink the boat.” Fiona said. “Realistically speaking, I make no promises.”

“I don’t care if you kill fifty, seventy-five, or ninety percent of them,” Yana spoke, “We only need-”

“One with a working tongue. Got it.”

“You know me too well.”

The pirates threw down a rope ladder and Fiona said, “Ladies first.”

Yana rolled her eye, carefully lifted the oars from the water and placed them into the sloop, and stood, grabbing the lowest rung of the ladder to begin her climb up the hull of the ships. Her arms really did not want to, but at least her legs were begging for a bit of exercise. It was a struggle, but she clambered over the railing after a few bits, standing eye to eye with a smelly bunch of pirates, each one uglier than the last. Fiona would get nightmares of their hygiene and their … unique fashion choices. Not one had their shirt tucked in their pants, though that might just have been for the best.

A few trills later, Fiona emerged onto the ship behind her - and the look on her face confirmed that, yes, nobody really changed. Yana had to make an effort not to snicker.

“Welcome to the Bismuth, lasses.” The man who greeted them had to be the captain by virtue of the fact that his attire was the most presentable. Years out at sea had done a number on his face and his pepper-and-salt-accented beard nearly reached his chest. This was the one they called Skunkbeard… or at least that’s how he wanted to be called. The name never caught on as much as he wanted it too. Jimmy Blisping was his real name from what they knew.

Yana was loathed by the fact that they had to give in to this insane request if they were going to have this be civil.

“You must be … Skunkbeard, yes?” she said, reluctantly pushing the name past her lips. Fiona pretended to cough, most assuredly hiding an eyeroll as she bent her head to cover her mouth.

“Aye, CAPTAIN Skunkbeard to be exact. You must be the Zippo… Mariah… lass?”

“Zipper will do,” Fiona said, and Yana marvelled at how she actually sounded like she wanted to be there. The Fiona she knew would have smitten him with an energy something by now. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain.” Yana noted the lack of the Skunkbeard. Pretty clever. The Yludih guessed she’d done this kind of thing before, else she probably wouldn’t have managed to make the ‘pleasure’ part believable. “This would be my trusted bodyguard, Fingles ‘one eye’ Gravy.”

And with that, Yana lost her respect for the 'new' Fiona immediately. She had not changed at all.
Last edited by Yanahalqah on Fri Jan 12, 2018 8:05 pm, edited 1 time in total. word count: 674
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Fingles Gravy: Pirate Enthusiast

Of course. It wouldn’t have been very Fiona-like not to get a little jab in, but honestly, Fingles Gravy? That was nearly as bad, if not worse, as Skunkbeard, which obviously was the point.

“Call me Fi,” she told them, keeping her face in check. Unamused as she may be, there was no point in not going along with it. For now, Fingles Gravy would have to do. Bah.

“She likes it casual,” Fiona responded without a beat. “But as this is a meeting with dignitaries of the sea, Miss Gravy, I would like them to afford you the respect you deserve and call you Fingles.” There was a smile inside her smile, and though she continued facing Skunkbeard, it was only for Yana.

The Captain nodded, stroking his long beard. “I would have to agree with Miss Zippermary on this.” There it was. The briefest closing of eyes that was the easiest way to pinpoint Fiona’s ever-rising frustration. Yana suppressed a grin, the younger woman had dug a hole and fallen into it herself.

“There’s no place for informalities during an official meeting, Miss Fingles.”

The Yludih forced herself to shrug, wondering if she could wipe the memory of the name with that gem later. Nevertheless, a bodyguard had no need to take part in negotiations, which left Yana with time to assess the numbers of the crew as well as the weapons they carried. Not all were armed, it seemed, though they could have simply been hiding some shivs or daggers under their clothes. Yana counted seven heads --captain included-- standing around near them. Then there were two or three who appeared on and disappeared from the deck without a regular pattern. The rest would be below the deck, logic dictated, but how many could not be determined. Fiona gave her a small nudge and a little gesture with her arms: a personal Wing code that meant there were 5 more below deck. For all the trouble they were, she missed having the convenience of a mage on her side.

“Firstly, I would like to thank you for not killing the messenger. He’s had a hard time getting captured by you guys.”

“Not a problem, Miss Zyppermoré.” She rubbed her hands before catching herself. Old habits indeed died hard. “He’s a tough lad. Took what we gave him nice and proper.”

Fiona smiled and nodded. “Secondly, I would like to reiterate the agenda of this meeting: I represent Foster’s port in extending a non-harassment agreement with the Bismuth. In exchange for the full list of names and hideouts in Etzori waters, the Bismuth will not find no Defiers amongst the treasure boats coming here.”

“Damn wavehunters nearly capsized us last time, Miss-”

“And now we’re here to make sure it we come to an agreement so it doesn’t happen again. It would be of great benefit to you if we have that list.”

“We don’t be having the whole list. We don’t have a fancy pirate club where we hang around and change names for kicks.”

“But surely you do know some of them.”

“Aye but I ain’t gonna be snitching on my brothers and sisters of the sea.”

Fiona nodded. “But not all of them are Ne’hearians. The sails of Augiery, of athart, of distant ports come calling too. You have a commitment to your brothers and sisters and I respect that, but you owe no obligation to shadow women, birds, and foreign invaders coming for us.”

“Aye, that be true.” He pulled at his pepper beard, as if thinking really hard.
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“What about their cargo? I’m sure you could give us that information?” Maybe if she hadn’t pulled the Fingles Gravy stunt, Yana would have let Fiona take care of it, and strangle her if she didn’t fulfill the terms on which Yana had agreed to come along on this ship. Now though, she was unwilling to trust her with that. Fiona turned to her, that facade of her smile breaking ever so slightly to reveal the classic Zipper scowl underneath, before turning back to Skunkbeard with a renewed smile.

“As you can see from her eyepatch, Fingles here is a bit of a pirate enthusiast. She really admires your free way of life.” Fiona said. “Perhaps we could regale her with some of the greater hauls once we’re done with business?”

“If we’re done with business,” Skunkbeard said, the tone he took reminding Yana that, for all the nonsense of his moniker, he was still a seasoned killer. “Then we can drink to it. No wavehunters in our business?”

“No wavehunters in your business. Foster’s may even have some work for you.”

“Nah,” Skunkbeard said. “We’re free men and women of the sea. Slavery is anything less than that.”


More rubbing of hands.

“Captain, with your permission, could I take a look around the ship?” Yana did her best to sound excited as she interjected. Pirate enthusiast and all that.

“I don’t think-” Fiona started, but Skunkbeard interrupted

“I don’t see why not. You’ll be having an, um, escort, for a concession. Jim!” He called out, and a boy of no more than sixteen arcs scurried out from behind a pair of burly men. Probably a cabin boy, Yana thought, with the lowly social status on the ship to go with it. “Keep your eyes peeled on this fine lady, will ye? And make sure she doesn’t get into any of the private space. Be a good tour, Fingles Gravy.”

“Yes, enjoy yourself, Fingles Gravy,”
Fiona added, unable to to resist the parting jab.

“My thanks, Captain, Miss Ziplockhorromarnia.” Fiona’s smile turned as wide as a shark’s and with about half as much warmth. She gave her a parting pat on the arm - with the ever slightest ignition of an ether missile grazing her on the way out. Even with the little searing itch inflicted on her, Yana considered it a victory. Fiona had just lost her own game along with her temper, after all.

“Sore loser,” she murmured.

“Still got two eyes,” Fiona shot back.

Yup, definitely a victory.
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I quite enjoyed the tit for tat Zip had in this thread as well as her penchant for annoying as many people as possible. Well done, most entertaining.

Below is your well deserved loot. If you have any questions, please PM me. Also please add the provided stamp to your review request found here and please update your CS with all of this information.

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      [center][img]/gallery/image.php?album_id=39&image_id=12064[/img][/center]
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Skill Points +15 --
Magic Points available? N/A --
Fame N/A --
Injuries N/A --
Knowledges
Skill Knowledge:
  1. Deception: Exploiting those ignorant of Domain magic
  2. Detection: Sensing hypocrisy
  3. Detection: Gauging the limits of how far one can push a prank
  4. Linguistics: A careful choice of words to convey respect
  5. Negotiation: Making a deal
  6. Negotiation: Opening up a meeting with undeserved social pleasantries
  7. Intelligence: Acquiring information on the pirates of Foster’s bay
  8. Intimidation: Vocalizing displeasure with a stare


Non-Skill Knowledge:
Yanahalqah
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Is the thread greater than 1500 words? 1530
Knowledges appropriate? --
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Such a friendly and family friendly inner monologue. It was quite amusing, and well, Zip brings out the best in people...

Below is your well deserved loot. If you have any questions, please PM me. Also please add the provided stamp to your review request found here and please update your CS with all of this information.

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      [center][img]/gallery/image.php?album_id=39&image_id=12064[/img][/center]
Loot
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Skill Points +15 --
Magic Points available? N/A --
Fame N/A --
Injuries N/A --
Knowledges
Skill Knowledge:
  1. Rhetoric: butchering names as an insult
  2. Deception: Roll with the role you’ve been given
  3. Strength: Rowing a sloop
  4. Endurance: climbing with tired arms
  5. Discipline: Not smacking someone who tests your patience
  6. Tactics: know the enemy numbers
  7. Tactics: assess whether the enemy is armed or not
  8. Etiquette: don’t speak out of turn


Non-Skill Knowledge:
  1. Gem of memory: Can store memories
  2. Zipper: Can identify the properties and abilities of magical items
  3. Zipper: Sometimes convenient to have around, usually not
  4. Zipper: Easily annoyed by butchering her name
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