Re: A Cruel Mistress Indeed (Round Three)
What a strange set of events that fell before the halfbreed. Sure strange indeed. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to try and tour the world by sea. The worst part was... there were no oceans or ships in the Maelstrom. Ciaran was not used to the slippery, shifting ground beneath him, the salty sea air, the unknown yet vast void of water around him. The halfbreed made sure to remain cautious since he had learned a lot of the misfortunes of men at sea.
Hopefully, he wouldn't end up a castaway on a deserted island or devoured by a monstrous aquatic serpent. The thought of these things terrified Ciaran greatly. Now he felt stupid for reading about tales and mysteries of the sea from the bookcase in his cabin. All that mythological madness had leeched to his mind. But there's no way he'd lose his life to some slithering snake in the sea. Never to a raging ocean storm. Although, that didn't stop the raging ocean-like storm feeling in his gut.
"You know," a muffled, cynical voice mocked, barely audible from under Ciaran's drenched cloak sleeve.
"Marcus... don't," Ciaran warned.
"If you would only," Marcus mocked again.
"I warning you, I swear to God," Ciaran said, raising his voice.
"Listen to me when," he continued to mock.
"Seriously, last chance to shut up!"
"I told you to!" Marcus laughed. "You always get yourself into one of these messes, ask me to bail out, blah blah blah. Well not this time, maybe you'll learn a lesson on taking my advice."
"You're just 'basking' in this, aren't you?" Ciaran irritatedly asked.
"Oh yes, I love it," he chuckled.
The halfbreed left out an angry sigh and tried to stand up on the slippery deck of the ship. He glanced toward the sky, seeing no trace of clouds or any foul weather. Nothing but azure sky and radiant sunshine overhead. A few birds soared through the calm air, squawking exuberant cries of joy. The sea died down from massive, murderous waves... to a gentle caressing current.
"Well, it looks like it's actually nice here so the joke's on you!" Ciaran explained, breathing in the glorious new weather.
"Whatever, enjoy it while it lasts because-," Marcus began to admit defeat when he stopped mid-sentence. "You aren't alone anymore... there are others stirring on the ship!"
"Oh, probably just some sailors finally brave enough to step outside," Ciaran said, hoping he was right.
"No... they seem more powerful than average, mortal sailors," Marcus cautioned. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but be careful!"
Ciaran agreed to heed his friend's words and walked around the helm of the cog. If there was supposed to be a map of their location up here, it was definitely missing. Not only that, but chunks of the sails' fabric had been shredded by the fierce winds. Thankfully, lightning decided to spare the vessel and let it stay afloat. He almost jumped out of his skin when he heard someone ask, "A-Anybody there?"
It was a quivering and sort of... timid voice. Must've been a sailor that survived the storm. Or was it. The halfbreed decided not to take any chances and ducked behind a waterlogged barrel, but peeked to the side to catch a glance at the other. Ghostly white hair with a tall, lean body, but that's not what Ciaran was concentrated on. It was the fangs. Another vampire. Not to mention the strange pistol looking crossbow. Maybe he shouldn't expose himself just yet.
The vampire suddenly jumped out of his skin when he heard another being on the cog. Ciaran tried to snatch a glimpse what... scared a vampire. A young woman sporting a dark black coat and plain brown boots with purple eyes and short, brown hair. She didn't seem to carry any weapons, so Ciaran took a deep breath before standing up.
"Who's there, I don't mean any harm."