|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:02 am
 |
|
|
|
“Rise and Shine, Princess~” He crooned as a sinister grin twisted his mouth. Grasping tight to the shaft of a mop he continued poking at his only halfling friend, “You look like Essd ripped your soul from your body, shook it up in a mixer, and poured it back...” Mash’al did his best not to laugh through his clenched teeth, “.... mostly Intact.”
His crew cackled behind him, only for their master to wave them away, “Get back to it!” He snarled, “You have a job to do!” Pointing to a pair of deckhands he continued, “You and you… Get a bucket of water.” Turning back to Gaddok’s pathetic mass huddled into a ball behind some barrels in the corner he spat, “You have until they get back to move your a** or you’re going to have one hell of a wake-up call, Dragol.” with his warning asserted, Mash’al walked back up to the deck to continue barking orders at his men.
[1/10]
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:05 am
|
|
|
 |
‘Jatine… that’s what it was called right?’ Gaddok continued now that all the shouting had subsided. Wherever he was it was surely noisy, a tavern maybe? Would they be able to stay at a tavern? Well, if he passed out there’s a chance it wouldn’t matter whether they were allowed or not, it would have happened regardless.
‘I think I met his mother...Liesheth….Liese- Lie..Lie...’ he felt the hum of his vocal cords in his chest as he mouthed his thoughts; coherent or not the vibrations felt funny. He coughed, flinched, groaned and cradled his throbbing head, “Chi’s tears…” he murmured, “What have I done...”
He could hear creaking of wood, a gentle sway or was he still spinning? Placing his foot firmly against the wall with a thunk that reverberated to his head he snarled from the pain… waited… nope, he wasn’t spinning. Where was he? Peeking through one eye he saw a crack of light coming through an open door just a few feet away and up a small flight of stairs. He was huddled behind a few barrels of some sort of root vegetable… It smelled of the earth they were harvested from; In the desert?
[2/10]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:07 am
|
|
|
|
Mash’al returned with two of his deck hands and gave them the nod to go ahead and rouse their guest in a traditional sailing fashion.
The Matoran goons exchanged glances and with a playful grin, they counted down “One… Two… Heave ho~” They thrust the bucket forward, sending the ocean water sailing over the barrels and onto the stubborn, sleepy earthling.
“Essd Mercy~” Mash’al snickered over the flailing and sputtering of his traveling companion, “You’ve been in a semi-conscious state for the last 36 hours… I had started to question whether you had died~”
The duo had torn up the town of Jatine, then continued the party onto his ship until well after the sun was peeking over the horizon… Admittedly, Mash’al had lost track of Gaddok a number of times throughout the events of their shenanigans, and literally just discovered him a couple hours ago in a nearly corpse-like state. It was a relief the man was still alive… A little hard to turn him in to Zena’s authorities if he’s dead. Well, Realistically, Mash’al would still get a reward, but his leverage for the other half of his plan would be nonexistent.
[2/10]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 12:41 pm
|
|
|
|
Gaddok had slipped back into slumber shortly after determining he was no longer spinning; content that he was somewhere dark and cool. Who cared where they were! This was the prime place for sleeping off this hangover.
“One… Two… Heave ho~”
Suddenly he found himself engulfed in a blanket of salty, frigid, moisture; a lot of it! Through a flurry of punches and kicks, fighting off his liquid assailant; Gaddok found himself on his feet, hunched over and looking for a fight. His eyes locked on the Matoran men who ditched the bucket and scrambled to exit the storage area.
That left Mash’al, who was, of course, standing there with that same smug a** grin, “What… In Bergchi’s name did you do to me.” Gaddok snarled as he clawed his way through the barrels and joined his Oban “friend” in the center of the room, “And while we’re on that topic… Where are we?” He asked while turning in a circle to see his surroundings. The floor shifted, causing Gaddok to stumble and catch his balance on a pillar in a few paces away from where he had initially been standing.
“What’s going on?!” He growled while clinging tightly to the pillar. This wasn’t the alcohol… Well, maybe a little bit of the alcohol, but something else was in play, messing with his balance.
[3/10]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 5:03 pm
|
|
|
|
Mash’al threw a cloth at Gaddok to towel off with, “You’re on my ship, remember?” He snorted while watching the drenched earthling fumble with the fabric. “You really don’t do well around liquor, do you?” he huffed while turning to peek up the stairs to the deck. ‘I’ll make a mental note of that for later....’
“Someone get down here and straighten up these barrels!” Mash’al ordered to his crew, “Last thing we need is to do is lose food.”
Once Gaddok was dried enough to not be dripping, and fairly balanced Mash’al brought him to the deck, “We’re just past Matori, and in a couple hours we will see the plateau of Saudi… You’re from there, right?” He asked trying to give the sickening Earthling a distraction, “We were talking business briefly last night… I informed you that I could ship your goods to various parts of Tendaji faster than you could move them by land...” Mash’al knelt down to look at Gaddok, “Are you going to be okay?”
[3/10]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 10:42 pm
|
|
|
|
Gaddok stepped onto the deck, and though the sun felt wonderful on his clammy cold skin, the brightness sent an electrical jolt through his brain. His senses were scrambled, his vision blurred, ears rang, clinging to his head he bent at the waist and groaned, “A ship? We’re on… a-” his thought was halted by a churning in his stomach. Releasing his head for his abdomen, Gaddok gathered his hair and made for the railing.
Spewing the contents of his stomach into the ocean, Gaddok trembled, in anticipation for the next wave of nausea. He was at sea, on a vessel belonging to a man he barely knew, going who knows where. After a few more bouts of sickness, he pushed away from the railing and took in a deep breath of fresh air, “Yes,” he started, “I was born there. Lived there most my life… and with any luck I’ll be returned to the earth there when I go.”
[4/10]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 10:47 pm
|
|
|
|
Turning to look at Mash’al he placed his hands behind his head, “So, you show interest in my trade company?”
“Well, I want to negotiate a partnership~” Mash’al mused while patting Gaddok on the back, “Now-”
Gaddok released a hand to stop Mash’al mid sentence, “Problem.” He spoke with a smirk, “I’m getting out of the business.”
“No, no you're really not.” Mash’al’s demeanor shifted as his less than amused scowl returned.
“It’s true~” he continued with a weak chuckle, “As you’re aware I’ve found myself in a bit of trouble with the law, and have people in place to step up and fill my shoes… Things will run fine without me.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 7:20 pm
|
|
|
|
Mash’al paced the deck as his crew went about the tasks they were hired to; like the cogs in that great floating death contraption his brother conned him into taking on their last vacation. Had he gotten over his fear of soaring through open space he may have delved a bit further into how it all worked and implemented some of its designs on his ships… Less fish to train. Seeing as he didn’t he would have to deal with the men his brother insisted on keeping. Growing increasingly agitated with the pace at which the crew moved he made his way to the captain’s cabin on the far end of the ship and pivoted on his heels while yanking the door open, entering and slamming it shut.
Circling around the desk off to the left of the room he rested into the sturdy dark wood throne-like chair with gold leaf embellishing the carvings into the back and a soft maroon velvet cushion. Looking across the sea of paperwork on his desk he rested his head in hand and let out a sigh. What he had enjoyed so much as a child was becoming tedious, a nuisance, boring. Dealing with the paperwork -the finances was important, don’t get him wrong, but it wasn’t what he enjoyed… especially since their primary income is floundering.
‘This had to work.’ He told himself as he reached for the glass decanter and a rocks glass in his lower right desk drawer, ‘I will not let that halfling ruin everything I have put in motion here...’ Pouring the amber contents into the glass he placed the decanter back into the drawer, for safe keeping, and leaned back in his chair as he swirled the contents, “Soon we will be in Zena… Soon it will be done.”
[5/10]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2017 9:22 pm
|
|
|
|
Mash’al was roused from his slumber by a rather hefty pounding on his door.
“Sir, we’re about a mile out from port. You’ll be needed for docking.”
Slipping from his silk sheets, Mash’al dressed in his standard oban noble attire but added a fur lined full-length coat, mid shin leather boots, and fur lined mittens. The elements around Zena were harsh and he wasn’t going to be caught unprepared again~ Bursting through the door of his cabin he inhaled the piercing air and coughed an exhale, “I hate this place...”
Making his way up the stairs to stand beside his “First Mate” he looked out over the deck, “We’re prepped for docking?” He murmured through the knot of his scarf.
“We’re in the final phases, the mainsail is lowered; just have to coast in closer before we-” the man stopped his explanation due to the distraction of his superior, “Sir?”
Mash’al watched as a dark mass circled above their ship. Squinting into the sun he was able to make out a fairly wide wingspan, long neck and tail… wasn’t like any bird he had seen around here, “What in Atun’s name-”
“Had I not known better I’d say it was a Sailscale, sir...” The crewman replied, “Fairly common in Sauti so I’m not sure what one would be doing out here...”
Mash’al remembered that his contact with Remus was generally through a Sailscale… Apparently, it was how the Dragol family got their start in the trade business, “Notify me if anything changes… It’s far too damn cold out here.” Not waiting for any affirmation from the man, Mash'al started back to his quarters.
[6/10]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 4:08 pm
|
|
|
|
Rising to his feet Gaddok dipped into a side lunge, pressing deep into the stretch, then switching sides. As he wrapped up his routine he heard some commotion from just outside his door, people shouting, footsteps; They had to be pulling into port by now… Soon he would find himself a prisoner of Zena, and if these charges hold, a victim of its justice system. As he gathered his pack he noted a strange scratching noise, the men outside were shouting to one another about catching something. Placing an ear to the door he heard all the commotion getting louder and louder until it came crashing through the door. Stepping back just in time to receive a flash of purple flying at his face he, “Ruu?~”
Heart pounding the little critter crawled up over his master’s face onto his pack, one claw clinging tightly to his shoulder, it craned his head to peer out the other side at the crew clambering after him. As the men drew their weapons and surrounded the door Ruvaak let out a resentful hiss and flicked his tail through the air.
Holding out his arms, Gaddok halted the men, clearly ready to make the Sailscale bait for their fishing endeavors, “Woah, woah, woah guys~” he kept his stance wide, his arms out and his eyes constantly scanning the crowd, “Let’s rein it in… It’s just a Sailscale.”
As the crew began lowering their weapons they received a call from above deck; They have arrived. Sheathing their weapons one of the crewmen held out the cuffs, “Put these on.” he demanded, though his eyes were more pleading than spiteful; he was just following orders.
Gaddok compiled with the order and was escorted up onto the deck where he found several guards, some councilman, and his father waiting just down the length of the dock, “Oh~ this is just lovely…” Gaddok murmured to himself, doing his best not to grit his teeth from the seething rage seeping through, “Let’s make everything public; make an example of your son - y’know he’ll love that~”
[7/10]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2017 4:23 pm
|
|
|
|
Mash’al stepped off the ship following the entourage of armed deckhands holding tight to their prisoner when he noted the purple set of wings perched on Gaddok’s bag, “What is that… why is that here?” he pointed to it and gave a look of disgust, “How was that thing able to make it on board without someone dispatching it?!” Mash’al’s voice built as his anger grew. “Someone grab that damn thing and kill it!”
The guards turned to grab Ruvaak as he let out a hiss, flared his wings and swatted his tail at any hands that got too close, but before anyone could come close to harming the poor sailscale a voice broke through the crowd, “Touch a hair on that boy’s head and Bergchi be damned I will have you all at my mercy!”
The voice was presumably feminine but with all the anger it carried behind it, there was some doubt. Mash’al scanned the crowd forming on the shore for the source of the taunt and couldn’t place it. Stepping past his men he started for the counselors only for them to be forced apart by a petite older woman with long curled umber hair, “You have no right getting in the middle of this,” She jabbed a pointed finger to his chest and stared into his eyes, the shifted and yelled back at the counselors, “Just as my husband had no right ordering this arrest. My boy is innocent and so help me-”
“Aerilyn that is Enough - We will handle this. You need to go back home and wait for all this to pass.” One of the counselors with fair hair and piercing blue eyes stepped forward, “Please Aerie, you’re not making this-”
“No!” Tears welled in her eyes as she shoved Mash’al from her path, “I know precisely how you will handle this and I will have to return my poor boy to the earth far earlier than intended.” Starting down the dock, despite her husband’s pleading requests for her to stop, Aerilyn ducked under her boys arms and pulled him close, sobbing into his chest, “I won’t let them take you, baby.” She cried while looking up to be nuzzled by Ruvaak, “You either, sweet thing~ Whatever it is they think happened is- this is madness… you would never- I mean...”
Mash’al brow furrowed as he watched what transpired. It was clear that he hadn’t received the full story, but he didn’t care. He was moments away from getting what it was he needed to keep his family safe, their status upheld, and their business - quite literally - afloat. As the counselors approached the dance began, “Your bounty notice, and the key to his release. - If I could, I would like to have the cuffs back once he is safely placed in a cell.” Mash’al handed off the item to the Ice Earthling counselor flanked by two guards, “And If I could have a word with Mr. Dragol -in private- It would be most appreciated.”
“You will have what is requested once the fugitive is behind bars.” the man said while eyeing the rolled up bounty, “I assume you want the reward transferred onto your ship?” he asked, waving over one of his men to present a small chest filled with coin, “A job well done.”
Mash’al’s lips coiled into a forced smile, “I do what I can to ensure the safety of Tendaji~” he had to try hard to not spit the words; still slightly bitter from the defeat years back. Mash’al ordered his men back to the ship until the docks had cleared, “You there!” he pointed to the ship’s helmsman, “See to it this chest makes it to my desk. I expect it there when I return.” he snarled in warning as he looked over his crew, “The rest of you are free to explore this port city until dark in rotating shifts. At least four of you must remain at all times to ensure the ship is tended to.”
[7/10]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
