(silly me, vanishing for a few months)


"How about we get someone to show ye around" Tauroch says, whistling sharply into two fingers. "Zarrie! Come give our newcomer the grand tour" he calls over to a human woman in her mid twenties, who salutes her captain as she approaches.

"Yes sir!" She replied enthusastically, turning her attention to the mink before her. "Adonijah, correct? My name is Zarrie, I'm one of the boatswains deputies" She introduced herself. Being familiar with sailing, you knew boatswains were often in charge of task supervision and the condition of the parts of the ship.

Leading you on board the ship, Zarrie shows you the main deck. It was a standard deck as far as they came, and a decent sized ship with three sails and a crows nest. You're also introduced to the helmsman and head navigator, an older human man named Pierro and a younger human man called Wayne respectively.

Below deck, you were shown the crew's quarters, and shown an open hammock where you could sleep at night. You were also given a tour of the mess hall, where the cook, a human woman named Yenna, was working on dinner for the night while she talked to a human man called Calchas, who apparently was the best dealer on the crew during card games. After that, you were shown the medical ward, which was a room on the smaller side packed with medical equipment where you met the crew's doctor, Quack.

You end the tour in the artillary room, where spare weapons, cannonballs, and gunpowder were all packed and well organized and currently being tended to by a few larger men. "Pretty impressive place, if I do say so myself" Zarrie smiled proudly. "Sorry the captain couldn't give you the tour himself, he's busy with depature management. Any questions?" Zarrie asked. Her chipper attitude was a rare change of pace from the typical grim and gruff faces and personalities you meet on these seas.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=106825&page=3#25 Author: Murph Time Posted: 2/11/2024 at 7:15 PM Zarrie smiled at the compliment, then pondered the question of the cannons for a few moments. Hmm I dont know, I dont really use the cannons much myself, but theyre probably- Cmon lass, ye can answer better than that the burly man in the room interrupted. Sorry bout her. Shes a great gal, really knows her stuff where it matters, but she aint exactly handling the artillery. Shes also a bit fresh to answer a question like that he chuckled, ruffling Zarries hair. His hand was swatted away by the younger girl. As for yer question, the cannons have changed only a bit, with better casting and alloy composition in them, although when it comes to actually manning then, it hasnt changed much, its just a more effective shot he answered you. yeah, Gresh is definitely right, I couldnt even tell you half of that stuff. I guess with age really does come wisdom Zarrie elbows the older man with a short laugh, met with a chuckle from Gresh. The older man ran a hand through his hair, taking a glance at your weapon. "That's a good cutlass ye got there, I'd be careful if I were you though. Not that anyone here would try to take it, but some of the younger dogs on board might want to challenge ye. Nothing personal, but you know how young ones are, eager t' prove themselves and full of energy, but I have no doubt you'll put em in their places if they want to spar. You should've seen Zarrie when she first joined up, she tried to fight everyone on this crew at least once" Gresh laughed recounting the tale. "Hey, that's no fair, I had to prove I could hold my own" She lightly punched Gresh in response. A loud horn bellowed above deck, and the ship rocked slightly underfoot. You were a practiced enough seaman to not be shaken by the sudden movement. It seemed like the boat was departing from shore

Adonijah chuckles at the exchange, a faint sound that has his lips pulling back to reveal the tips of his teeth. "I think the challengers will make an exception for me, given my arm," he says, shifting his empty sleeve for emphasis. "Rather hard to duel when you're dominant hand."

His dark eyes twinkle, a single eye fluttering closed in a quiet promise of adventure and darkening seas. "Proving otherwise will have to wait for our first battle," he adds, leaning close as his voice takes on the tone of a conspirator's whisper. "Of course, between the three of us, I'll agree that this one is perfectly functional."

The Captain rocks back with a soft hum, letting his words linger for a moment of space before he asks, "Speaking of work, how should I be helping?"

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=106825&page=3#27 Author: Murph Time Posted: 2/21/2024 at 2:44 AM "Ha! You'd be surprised what these overeager whelps will get up to, one arm or not." Gresh laughed. "I'm sure they'll get bored of ya soon though, new things are always exciting for kids. You should've seen Zarrie when Tepo first join us, she wouldn't leave the little bear alone for a month!" Gresh chuckled. "Hey, if it isn't too much of a touchy subject... what exactly happened to you?" Zarrie asked, disregarding Gresh's comment, going on to answering your own question. "If your eye is pretty good, you could help with lookout. Rumors are saying one of the seven warlords has been active in the area we're going to be traveling through, and as much as the captain loves a good fight, most of us aren't too keen on the idea of fighting one of those dogs. You recalled your time as a marine and the seven warlords. You never knew them personally, but almost everyone on the seas knew of them. The government had allied themselves with seven pirate captains, giving them free reign and pardoning their bounties in exchange for them doing the government's dirtywork. Most pirates looked down on them for following the government's orders, but no one could deny their strength. No longer being affiliated with the marines, you were free game for any of the seven warlords to hunt to their hearts content

The Captain raises an eyebrow at Zarrie's question, despite the amusement evident in the twist of his lips. "I suppose I'm not so touchy that I wouldn't share with the deputy," he finally says, teasing even as he lets his face relax into to something impassive as he recounts the story.

"The ship I was sailing was sunken during a battle. I was fortunate enough to survive by hanging onto a piece of flotsam, but my arm was injured during the skirmish, so it got infected while I was drifting at sea. I had to get it amputated when I got back to shore."

Of course, that's leaving out the fact that it was his ship, that it was skirmish for Devil's Fruit, and that the memory of that scene still clings to him like a second shadow despite his claims of recovery.

For a second, the Captain lets the sound of the crew wash over him, perfectly at ease even as he sinks beneath the weight of his memories. The ghost of salt on his tongue, flooding into his mouth as he drowned. The impression of heat on skin, rolling over his body despite the all-consuming cold of the sea as the waves sought to pull him under while his ship sank in billows of brilliant flame. Then, he snaps himself back with a practiced ease, eyes fluttering shut to extinguish the remnants of specters.

It's strange. Even though he's learnt to hide every sign of his falls, he's never quite been able to pull back without a focus.

Still, Adonijah reorientates himself, making a thoughtful noise as he considers Zarrie's arrangement. "That, I'd be glad to do," he says, an easygoing smile leaving his mouth arching. "Gotta thank you for taking me on, after all."

With a practiced wink, Adonijah turns to leave. "That was for you as well, Gresh. I appreciate the warning."

I did an oopsie and forgot to ping. >-<

hello, now that i've returned, would you like to continue?