A Cruel Mistress Indeed (Round Three)

BOOM! went the furious skies that loomed overhead. Ominous clouds of an angry storm hung in the air, controlling the white-water waves to devour the trade cog with its mighty clutches. The cog bounced up and down, like it was a mere plaything in the hands of a giant, still deciding on whether to let it float... or simply crush it. The nighttime sky made everything even worse for the crew tying everything loose to the deck, and making sure everything was secure lest the tide takes them.

Ciaran Alton felt the ship being bobbed up and down, side to side, and decided to see how bad the weather had become since his cabin lacked a window. The halfbreed looked around his capacious and welcoming suite complete with a warm and comfortable bed, oil lantern, and a small collection of mythology books...

...maybe going outside wasn't the best idea...

Then again, he should check on the route and so Ciaran opened his doors, past the other cabins in the hallway, headed up the creaky, soggy stairs and opened the door to see the deck bombarded by the water. Ciaran tightly closed the door behind him and continued up the stairs, the only illumination were the failing lanterns and the occasional strikes of lightning. As Ciaran cautiously walking up to the hell, the captain trying to navigate, one of his sailors holding the map and a lantern next to his head.

"What are ya doin' up here boy, it'd be dangerous for ya!" he warned.

"I just wanted to check on the ship on where we are!" Ciaran, returned, making sure he was heard over the crashing waves and roaring thunder.

"We're on course, but it'll take forever if we wait the storm out!"

"You're going to try and sail through it!?" Ciaran exclaimed, making sure he didn't have water in his eyes.

"Get back down to the cabin, I've been doin' this all my life, boy!" the captain remarked, not taking his eyes off the sea ahead of him.

Ciaran couldn't believe what he was hearing and decided to head back down to the cabin until a massive wave struck the side of the ship and he stumbled to the slippery deck. Now he couldn't believe his eyes as a gargantuan wave rolled toward the cog. Ciaran lied there, paralyzed until the sound of a man yelling, "INCOMING!" Ciaran quickly ran up to the helm, the captain abandoned the wheel, looking for something to tie himself down to. The halfbreed didn't have much time and he shoved his gauntlet through a spoke on the steering wheel and then activating the staff.

After a couple attempts, he fit his staff between the spokes of the wheel and put his elbows around it, then clutching the shaft with all of his will. Then came a crashing wall of water and the cog titled so far enough that you could reach the water with your arm, just by leaning over the deck. He saw another rolling wave and grasped his weapon for survival. Wall after wall of sea water swarmed him, Ciaran went unconscious when a piece of debris from the ship struck the side of his head.

"W-what... happened.. where am I?" the halfbreed asked. Ciaran saw he had still clung to the ship's wheel. The comforting breeze and embracing warmth overjoyed him as he compared this to what just occurred.

"Captain... sailors?" Ciaran asked, looking at the unmanned crow's next and tattered sails. "Oh God... the sea has taken them now."

Ciaran bowed his head for a quick moment and looked ahead of them to hear the steps of someone else on the deck. Hopefully they meant no harm, but Ciaran had his staff ready in case he'll need. He hoped not.
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OoC: Ok, let's start this up. Your character starts in the cabins so let's rock this boat and have some fun with it.

OoC: Yays. ^_^ Alrighty, I'll be using Kai for this little battle.

BiC:

Up and down. Left and right. The boat rocked in all four directions and more. In fact, the dragoon was surprised the ship was still holding together on the torrential sea. Unfortunately, all the movement had Kai slightly green in the cheeks. I should have never come aboard, she thought sullenly. Water wreaked havoc with her lightning abilities and who knew when she would need to use them. The lady simply hoped that nothing to terribly large or fearsome decided to set its sights on the cog.

The dragoon decided to set herself down on the bed that was provided in her cabin though she highly doubted any sleeping would be done. Her room was fair-sized, especially with how much she payed for it. A simple bed sat on the left side and had a white pillow with a red blanket. A sturdy, round table stood beside the bed and had a candle sitting on it for light. A small flame attacked the gloomy, storm-born darkness feebly yet effectively. A bookcase stood against the opposite wall with three shelves full of books on mythology, history, and maps. It appeared that most of the topics were, not surprisingly, about the ocean. Finally, the last object to adorn the room was a small bucket pushed accusingly into a corner; its uses for more private things. Kai prayed that she wouldn’t need to use it anytime soon.

Unfortunately, her prayer went unheard as the boat made a particularly large lurch to the left and up and made a large lurch back to its proper position. The dragoon ran to the bucket, dropped on her knees, and emptied her stomach contents. Feeling somewhat miserable, she stayed hunched over the container and rested her head against one of the walls, “Oooooh, I wish I hadn’t decided to take this boat.” However, she had made her choice since this boat was the only one left in the harbor that was going across and taking passengers. Trying to go by land would’ve taken her probably a week or so. It wasn’t that she needed to get to anyplace quickly, the warrior had simply not felt like flying over that long of a distance. “Though, compared to this,” she mumbled, “The flying would’ve been better.”

Sensing that the worse of her ill reaction had passed, the dragoon rose to her feet and looked distastefully at the bucket. A disgusting smell rose from it and her stomach shifted as the scent entered her nostrils. I need some fresh air, she decided quickly. With no window, however, the lightning dragoon would have to go topdeck. As she reached for the door, the cog gave an even greater lurch to the side and she was knocked off balance. Shouts could be heard from the deck but the boat continued to pitch from side to side with ferocity, preventing the dragoon from regaining her footing. The planks groaned and creaked with protest and, with a panic, Kai thought, The whole ship’s going to fall apart! The cog jumped to the other side and the dragoon was thrown against a wall. Several of the books of the sea flew off the shelves and pelted the walls. Unfortunately, one found the dragoon’s head and, her already being dazed from the throw, finished the boat’s work of knocking her unconscious.

A small moan wisped out through the dragoon’s lips. She slowly sat up and panicked slightly when she couldn’t see anything but blank darkness. Then Kai realized that the candle had simply gone out, Without lighting anything on fire. That has to be a miracle, and she created an orb of lightning in her palm. Instantly, a violet light shone on the room, revealing an utter mess to her. Books where lying everywhere, the table was on its side with the candle nowhere to be seen, and the bed was missing the pillow and blanket which had been tossed near the bookcase. The lady was mildly surprised to still be alive. Standing up, her whole body aching from the cog’s erratic dance, she went to the door and opened it. A wave of fresh yet salty air greeted her like an old friend and the dragoon took a deep breath. She also felt the breeze brush against something warm on her face. Reaching up and wiping the spot, her fingers came back with red liquid. Great, I’m bleeding. Probably from that book that hit me in the face. Tracing the small line of blood upwards, she came across a small cut on her forehead. It wasn’t anything bad and would be nothing more than an irritation, thankfully. Kai stepped gingerly up the stair, careful since they were slippery from water. “Hello?” she asked the empty deck, hoping someone would answer her. Only the wind gave a small whisper. All the crew members... They aren’t dead, are they? she wondered with a different kind of fear than when the boat was rocking amongst the waves. If no one was left alive, there was no way she would be able to get back to land. She could fly, yes, but she no idea if she would reach anything before tiring.

Her heart picking up the pace, the dragoon started wandering around the deck, wanting to find anybody. It didn’t take long before she noticed movement near the helm of the cog.

OoC: Mkay, I'm using Kevin. :]

BiC:

Doing daring things, committing adventurous deeds, and just being all around fearless was the opposite of what was on a certain half vampire's agenda. Among those many things he'd much rather not be doing would be “taking a boat cruise”, along with “taking a boat cruise during a storm”, and “taking a boat cruise during a storm against your own will”. Sadly for Kevin, all of the above would apply to his upcoming trip. Even worse for him, an extra adventure would tag along on its own accord...

~

The gentle rocking of the boat soothed the marksman's nervous demeanor, each sway bringing him one step closer to falling asleep on his luxurious bed. Still, having been put on this trip forcefully, it was only what was expected. He was to go on this boat and complete the task given to him at his destination. Little did he know, the course was not marked correctly for long and that his destination would soon become out of the question.

A sudden lurch of the ship made his eyes snap open and his body jerk up instantly becoming aware of his surroundings. I can't afford to fall asleep. Not on this monster of a ship. Especially with the weather the way it is. His thoughts came in short bursts, coming into pattern with the motion of the ship. He tried to remain strong, clenching his fists and maintaining a firm grasp on his bed. Yet, the trembling of his joints and the sweat that beaded his forehead did not hide his true feelings.

In an uncharacteristic rash decision, he rose from the mattress, stumbling through the room and toward the door. Very much unused to the feel of a boat, or water for that matter, he could feel his knees ready to give in several times. Sweating profusely both from the fear and the difficulty in getting to the entryway, he made one last leap, slamming his body against the door. To Kevin this felt like a matter of life and death, so it was a surprise he didn't lose consciousness right then and there. Still, he carried on, turning the doorknob so tightly his knuckles turned paler than usual.

That very moment, as if on pure luck, whether it was bad or good depended on the view point, the boat had been tossed to the side by what must have been a colossal wave. The effect of this must have been felt by all its passengers, more so by those in the hallways. Among them was the half angel, compressing his eyes together firmly in the hopes that when he opened them again, everything would be normal. That wasn't the case when his plum colored eyes reopened to find water pouring in them. His body had been thrown down to the hardwood floor and his legs lied sprawled across the floor. He felt like a rag doll caught in an updraft, but he was no where near that.

When in a panicked situation, fear was not an option. But, fear was the only thing Kevin knew and the only thing he was willing to accept. How much he wanted to fear the water, the boat, the weather, yet he could not. All he could do was stutter out a, “O-oh, man... w-why does something like this a-always happen to me...”

The water seemed to suffocate him as he flailed around in an attempt to regain control. Planting his hands firmly on the floor and lifting his body steadily, he fought the vicious current and violent rocking of the ship. Leaning onto the wall for support, he could hear it creak under his weight, not used to someone nearly laying down on it. Quickly, he tried to make his way toward the top of the ship, to the deck. There, at least he could fly away if anything too bad were to happen.

After a few long jumps up a swaying flight of stairs, he fell, face planted on the soaked floor of the deck, and body still hanging limply on the stairs. Taking in his surroundings, he turned his head up, staring straight at the angered heavens.. Protectively, he wrapped his arms around one of the wooden planks he had just used as a step. His eyes darted from side to side, hoping to see some ray of hope. When his search came up fruitless, he could feel himself get light headed, the feeling far too familiar. He sighed quietly, eyes rolling into the back of his head as he finally lost consciousness...

~

A soft cooing was what first make Kevin aware of his current location. He opened his eyes, staring straight at a seagull that had been perched on his shoulder. Had it been any other creature and he would have jumped back and yelped. But, the bird actually comforted him. Only for a moment though, before he realized that the ship had survived through the storm, though not in the condition or in the location he had hoped. Woah... what happened? Tentatively, he unwrapped his arms from the staircase, feeling his joints groan in protest. He rose to his feet, instantly sensing the presence of at least one other person. Afraid of someone sneaking up on him, the angel called out, “A-anybody there?”

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."