Akasha Govad
Level 3
Sailing, sailing, over your stupid heads!
Posts: 259
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Post by Akasha Govad on Jan 24, 2008 23:35:37 GMT -5
Akasha Govad stood, legs akimbo, on the above deck bridge of The Slanted Truth. The large sails were unfurled above him and catching the trade winds blowing north along the coast of Cantana: he was currently sailing around Pesso. He watched the horizon to the port, scanning the endless blue that stretched before him: he did not like what he saw.
A huge storm front was moving in. He frowned lightly. Grabbing his spyglass from next to the main wheel, he swept his magnified eye along the coast of Pesso. The port city of Thanil sat within easy distance. Truth could easily make the distance, draw in canvas, and settled down for the storm. He reached over and reseted a hand on the large ship's wheel. A series of shocking blue lines of magic streaked from his hand and unlocked the technocratic locks that were holding the ship on course. As he was about to turn towards the port, a cry from the bow of the ship distracted him.
"Merchant ship ho!" one of the random deckhands he had picked up after his last raid on a trading vessel. "It looks to be from the Solea Merchants Guild! High and to the port!" Akasha licked his lips. The Ship was more than likely running full steam to the docks of Thanil to escape the storm. That meant they were on a direct intercept path. Port or pillage? There was much treasure to be had. And the cargo holds were empty...
Screw port.
"All hands to the guns!" the captain roared as he thew the ships wheel to the port. The ship turned slowly, the water making her sluggish: she was made for air after all. He reached down and slammed a lever forward. The Alchemy Furnace flared to life and the propellers began to spin faster. The sails billowed again as a breeze swept up from the southwest. He smirked.
"Ready grapples and ladders! I want to take this ship in tact people!" the captain roared. He pulled his Bowless Repeater up and extended the barrel to it's furthest length. Ahhh...what a glorious day for theviery.
"Let's be bad guys crew! Hit them hard and fast!" He cackled with glee as the first two shots fired from the bow alchemy cannons. The black pirate flag was run up the crow's nest. His handfull of crew, no more than fifty, crowded the deck, cheering as shot and magic flew towards the merchant ship.
"A pirate's life for me," Akasha growled gleefully, licking his lips. This was going to be fun.
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Post by Hauke on Jan 24, 2008 23:46:33 GMT -5
Someone bangs on the wall next to my head and I sit up quickly, cursing imaginatively as I bang my head on the bunk above me.
"What's up?" I yell.
"Merchant ship!" Someone shouts back.
I grin. Bet Cap'n's happy about that! I dive out of the small room and rush up the stairs, easily dodging men and whatever they're throwing around. Above deck I scan the sea and spot the approaching ship. It looks like we're on line to ram it, but the Captain will probably be able to just pass along side. Ducking a sailor with a load of shells, I make my way up to Captain Akasha and tap his arm.
"Anything you want me to do?" I grin, and look around the Truth. A "stowaway" is just an extra body, so unless there's something specific, I'll just stay out of the way and watch.
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Akasha Govad
Level 3
Sailing, sailing, over your stupid heads!
Posts: 259
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Post by Akasha Govad on Jan 25, 2008 0:30:15 GMT -5
Akasha looked down at the little runt that had stowed away on his ship. Hauke was an interesting young boy. Cute too. With practically no suitable skills for being on a combat/shipping/smuggling ship. At least none that he had seen yet. He raised an eyebrow and stared down at the kid.
"You're just itchin to be useful, ain't ya?" he asked lightly, twirling the spyglass lightly. He handed the brass and glass object to the boy and pointed towards the town on the starboard side.
"Keep an eye on that city. If you see a ship move or a flag raise in that fort, you yell loud and until you get my attention," the captain said. He pointed to the starboard side. "Go!" He eyed the merchant ship and watched as several puffs of smoke from the long and bulky trading ship appeared. He smirked.
"INCOMING SHOT! Looks like we got a fight boys and girls!"
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Post by Hauke on Jan 25, 2008 0:51:40 GMT -5
Sigh. He still doesn't think I can do anything, does he...
I walk across the deck, my mind focused on nothing- I spin the spyglass in a complicated maneuver I saw a juggler do once. Reaching a momentarily clear space, I put the spyglass in one of my many pockets and run towards the ropes crisscrossing the ship. Jumping lightly, I catch one about eight feet above the deck with one hand and spin around to the other side. Glancing briefly through the spyglass, I decide that I'm not high enough.
Turning around, I clamber up the thick, rough rope as if I'd been doing it all my life, instead of just recently. I finally reach the beams that hold the bellowing sails and take a standing leap, catching the beam and pulling myself temporarily into a handstand before bending all the way back and turning gracefully onto my feet.
Can't do anything, huh? I smirk to myself. Just because I'm a newbie...
I walk over to the very end of the beam and balance lightly as I dig the spyglass out of my pocket again and put it to my eye.
Nothing, yet... but... I focus the glass on some sea birds above us. but those birds don't like the wind, I think. The line of clouds behind me, when I quickly look that way, are a dirty gray color, and the sky is already turning dark.
Resigned to being considered extra baggage for the moment, I turn back towards the mainland and raise the glass to my face again to watch.
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Akasha Govad
Level 3
Sailing, sailing, over your stupid heads!
Posts: 259
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Post by Akasha Govad on Jan 25, 2008 22:54:02 GMT -5
Akasha watched as the little stowaway dashed across and around and up the ropes. He watched with interest as the young thing swung around. My...he did have a nice ass. The captain shook his head and smirked. They boy was energetic, he'd give him that.
Turning the ship towards the approaching storm front, Akasha locked the wheel and hoisted his Repeater. He stepped forward carefully, gliding along his ship with the natural grace from someone that knew every bolt in the craft, until he stood in the bow of the ship. Hefting his Repeater, he aimed it at the ship and sighted through the metal tube, watching as the lenses he had enchanted the last time he was on land shifted and the illusion magic magnified the ship.
"A big trading vessel!" he roared, eyes glowing happily. He was about to order his men to pull out grapples and get ready to board the ship when a fork of lighting slammed into the cargo ship. A huge ball of fire and molten slag ripped from the bridge and furnace. Through his scope, he could make out the burning images of men throwing themselves into the water.
"Press forward!" he yelled as the ship pushed into the heat wave rolling off of the wreckage. "Search for survivors first, un-destroyed cargo second!" he barked out. Sliding an arrow into the Repeater and attaching a giant spool of wire to the bolt, he aimed at a near by piece of wreckage that had two sailors floating on the jetsam.
"I should have gone to port!" he yelled as he fired the bolt.
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Post by Hauke on Jan 26, 2008 0:05:30 GMT -5
Nyosik!
Momentarily blinded by the bright flash, my feet slip out from under me and I just manage to catch myself before sliding of the beam. A crack of thunder rolls across the sky and the rain slanted down from the darkening mass of clouds.
That happened faster than I thought it would! I brush my hair out my eyes impatiently. In a matter of seconds, just about everything's been soaked through and down below I can barely see the Truth's crew prepared to salvage whatever's left of the merchant ship.
I cling for a moment as the wind tries to tear me off my uncertain perch and quickly decide that it probably isn't the best place to be. I carefully scoot my way backwards towards one of the ropes, dismissing my former show of acrobatics in favor of safety in uncertain conditions. When I get level with a suitable guide rope, I wrap my legs around the beam and reach out during a momentary lull in the wind.
Catching the swinging rope, I pull myself on and lower my feet so that they rest on a cross rope further down. Threading one of my arms around one rope, I loosen up the other and grab the spyglass once more. Whatever magic is on it keeps the sight clear, even through the downpour. I glance through it to the deck below and briefly watch as Captain Akasha shouts an order to have some of the men from the other ship hauled aboard. One of the newcomers looks like a normal sailor-type. The other is dressed in a fur-lined cloak that he's obviously declined to do away with, even with the chance of having it drag him down.
The guy's lucky he's still alive, wearing that much weight on him!
I look, then, back towards shore and note a couple of small, fast boats skimming the water towards us. From the glow around them, I figure they're magicked to keep afloat, even in such horrible sailing conditions.
I rapidly skim down the rope, not caring that my hands are getting burned from the speed and friction. Seeing a clear space directly below me, I wait a bit for another break in the wind and the ship's agitated rocking- jumping the last ten feet to the deck and purposefully somersaulting a couple times to take care of the inertia. Bounding up, I weave my way across the deck and find Akasha, staring out into the water as his pirate crew "rescues" whatever they can.
I run up and tap him on the shoulder. "Cap'n! There's some skimmers comin' this way!" I pause, trying to recall the number. "Three, I think. But some more might've joined 'em by now."
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Akasha Govad
Level 3
Sailing, sailing, over your stupid heads!
Posts: 259
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Post by Akasha Govad on Jan 26, 2008 1:23:03 GMT -5
Akasha whirled around and stared at the boy with narrowed eyes.
"Skimmers? Bloody hell," the captain grumbled. He looked around and scowled darkly. "By the NINE!" he roared, slamming the repeater into the hands of Hauke. "You, come with me. CREW! GET THE NEAR BY FLOATERS AND GET BELOW! WE'RE TAKING OFF!" He turned and ran back down the ship, sliding along the rain-slicked surface. He dashed up to the overhead bridge and slammed his hand into the wheel.
"Hauke! Hold onto something!" he yelled over the winds. He pushed the throttle forward and spun the wheel around. As the Slanted spun in the water, Akasha urged his crew down into the underbellies of the ship. While the Slanted was built with large, open air decks, there was more than enough space below decks for crew, cannon, and cargo. And right now, that's where they needed to be.
"Brace yourself kid," he yelled. He yanked back on the wheel. The bow of the ship lifted up over a wave and clear of the water. One of the skimmers slammed into the bow and shattered. The light boats were made of wood and couldn't stand the force of a true ship, even with their dampening fields. He smirked darkly as the engines behind him roared.
The Slanted Truth was taking flight.
"Now we have some real fun!" he cried over the roar of the engines. He smiled happily, despite the driving rain. "Let's see if we can out run mother nature."
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Post by Hauke on Jan 26, 2008 1:52:15 GMT -5
I stagger back a little as Akasha's weapon collides with my chest. I quickly grab it before it has a chance to fall.
Wait. Did he just tell me to come with him? My eyes grow wide. I'd thought he'd just take the information and then ignore me. Seems not the case. I run after him; the repeater digging awkwardly into my torso. I jump lightly up the steps and find myself standing next to Akasha as he puts a hand on the wheel.
Never been up here before... I wince a little, remembering the hard smack upside the head that someone gave me when I tried to walk into "the Cap-i-tain's terry-too-ree."
Captain Akasha yells for me to hold onto to something and I scramble over to the guard rail and sit down, wrapping my legs around one of the posts. Belatedly, I recall the repeater in my hands and cradle it as best I can.
"Brace yourself kid," Akasha shouts to me with glee evident in his face. Suddenly the ship lurches and gravity pushes down on me for a breathless moment. I close my eyes against the force, but it just as suddenly tapers off. The wind and rain sting my face, and I decide to open my eyes.
My jaw drops in awe as I cautiously get to my feet and look around me. Flying! We're flying! I remember, now, that the Slanted Truth is meant to be an airship, not a water ship, like that of the merchant. I look at Akasha, who's face is split in a grin of delight and walk over, impatiently shoving rain-soaked hair out my eyes again.
"This is awesome, Cap'n! Can the ship do anything else?" I skip in place in delight.
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Akasha Govad
Level 3
Sailing, sailing, over your stupid heads!
Posts: 259
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Post by Akasha Govad on Jan 27, 2008 1:20:59 GMT -5
Akasha looked down at the boy bouncing on his heels and rolled his eyes. That fool-hearty kid was going to land on his rear the second a strong gust of wind slammed into the ship. There was a reason his shoots had magnetic seals built into them. His red eyes flashed turquoise for a moment, and the boots began to glow and the seals activated.
"Of course brat!" the captain yelled out, blinking blankly as the ship shuddered: the rudder and lower gun assembly had ripped through another of the skimmers was shattered by the strong metal of the undercarriage. He shrugged and spun the wheel landward. He chuckled as Hauke slid a bit on the metal.
"We have to climb!" he yelled over the roar of the winds, rains, and engines. He maxed out the throttle and laughed into the face of the storm. Nothing was going to stop him at this point. He had worked too hard to get this far. "Once we're clear of the storm, we have to get a bearing and get a destination." He wiped water and hair from his eyes and laughed again.
"Hauke! My bunk! Eastern Sea Charts of Cantana! NOW!"
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Post by Hauke on Jan 27, 2008 1:57:29 GMT -5
Whoops The ship shakes a little and my bare feet start to slid. I quickly bend my knees to compensate.
Wa-wait. His bunk? I hope one of the crew members doesn't think I'm lying and swats me again.
I sketch a salute to Akasha and rush down the stairs, careful to keep a hand on the guardrail. Everyone seems to be pretty busy mopping up, so I have no trouble getting to the captains' quarters. I open the door and slip inside and gasp. It looks just like I thought it would! A real window instead of a porthole is set into the wall directly across from where I stand- the window's surrounded by thick drapes. A real bed, not a berth occupies one corner. The middle of the room boasts a thick set table and set of chairs.
I wander around, looking, and notice an odd set of drawers. They're a lot thinner and longer than would be practical for storing clothing. Grasping the handle of one drawer, I haul it open.
A map! I scan the map briefly, deciding that it isn't one of the Eastern Sea. I close that drawer and start opening the others at random.
"Ah-ha! Found it~!" Humming happily, I carefully take the map out of the drawer and roll it up. I start to walk towards the door, but look back at the map drawer, my fingers twitching.
I walk back and open a drawer near the bottom and stare inside. It's a map of a large city, intricately detailed; the colors rich even still. The words on the beat-up looking map swim in front my eyes for a moment, then I read the calligraphy at the top. "Colossae? I've never heard of a place like that!" Even I would have heard of a city this large!
I carefully reach for a corner of the paper and lift up. A small, blank section tears off. Nyosik. At least it didn't have writing on the corner... I close the drawer and stand up quickly, remembering that I have to get the map in my hands to Captain Akasha.
The room abruptly spins around me for a second before righting itself. I put a hand on the door in front me to keep myself from falling.
How long has it been since I've had blood? I try to think, and come up blank. I'll have to tell the Captain... does he know I'm part Rhasto?
I tug the door open and step outside, grimacing as the relatively bright light starts to give me a headache. Trying to ignore it, I bound up the stairs, and hold the map to Akasha.
Which should I ask him first? ....
I put a grin on my face. "I found it! Say, Cap'n. Do ya know of a huge city called Collosae?"
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Akasha Govad
Level 3
Sailing, sailing, over your stupid heads!
Posts: 259
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Post by Akasha Govad on Jan 27, 2008 15:11:58 GMT -5
Akasha raised an eyebrow as he snatched the map from the boy's hands. He unfurled the large map, grunting as the runes on the paper glowed and the water bounced off of the paper. He scanned the coast lightly, searching for any port of call that would be away from prying eyes. He smirked and touched the city of Xheqa in Pisce. He checked his ships location on the small sphere next to the wheel and nodded: a two day's hard burn across land and rivers.
"A what?" Akasha replied distractedly as he reached over and yanked a lever. A canopy was stretched over Akasha and Hauke's head and the mechanism clinked into position. The canopy blocked the rain and Akasha shook his head, sending droplets flying in every direction. Vents from the furnace opened under the canopy and blasted hot air upwards, drying the two pirates.
"Now what were you blabbering about?" the captain grumbled, turning to look at the boy as he rolled up the map. "What city? I've never heard of any place by that name." He spun the wheel, sending the ship on a heading that flew away from the clouds and towards the continent itself.
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Post by Hauke on Jan 27, 2008 17:45:40 GMT -5
I wring a little water out of my hair and lean against the guardrail, bracing myself against the turning of the ship.
"When I was looking for that map," I point to the ones in Akasha's hands, "I found one of a huge city called Collosae. I'd've brought it up with me, but it's so old- I was afraid of tearing it. Looks like a pretty fancy place, too! Even got a palace!"
I pause, trying to remember what else I could say about it, and frown as my headache intensifies despite the canopy now blocking most of the light.
"Um... From the looks of it, it might be near Pisce... or maybe Piscesula? It's on an island, though..."
I rub my forehead irritably. The headache's not going away, and I doubt it will until I've gotten what I need. But how do I do that? Everyone's practically a stranger to me, still...
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Akasha Govad
Level 3
Sailing, sailing, over your stupid heads!
Posts: 259
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Post by Akasha Govad on Jan 27, 2008 18:58:34 GMT -5
Akasha raised an eyebrow and looked down at the boy. He had only one map that depicted a city in any detail. It was in his lowest drawer. And it was unreadable, at least to him. Underneath that particular map was a sea and sky chart, depicting the treacherous currents around that area. He bopped the boy on the head lightly with his map.
"You have to be mistaken. I've only got one city map. And it's in some sketchy writing that even the people on Fasemoor that I stole it from can't read," the captain said blankly. He laughed lightly at the look that crossed Hauke's face. It was slightly petulant. Akasha's grin turned to a frown when the young boy grabbed at his forehead and pitched forward. The captain caught the boy deftly.
"Well he doesn't look sick," the man grumbled, feeling the boy's forehead. It wasn't hot. There was no swelling around his neck. He rolled his eyes and hefted the boy over his left shoulder. He slammed his fist into the center of the wheel. It locked into place. Akasha strode out of the canopy and down into the ship. He yelled at a crew member as he passed to take the wheel and keep it running North. He threw open the door to his quarters and dropped him upon his bed.
"Great..." he grumbled, walking over and pulling a book off a shelf. He flipped through the Primary Reference on Aliments Dangerous to Ships blithely, looking for any signs of the illness or its symptoms. "If you're awake over there, any help as to what you're feeling would be welcome."
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Post by Hauke on Jan 27, 2008 19:12:01 GMT -5
I start to tell him that I can read the writing when the world reels around me again, and I stagger forward- only to be caught by Akasha. The man easily picks me up and carries me down into his chambers. I blush with embarrassment.
Nyosik. He must think I'm some sort of invalid...
Akasha starts leafing through a large book. "If you're awake over there, any help as to what you're feeling would be welcome."
Illness? I was right, he thinks I'm sick. My fault for not saying something sooner.
"Ah... You won't find it in there, Cap'n. I'm not... sick. Exactly. I've just not been takin' care of myself. I'm half Rhasto, and... well.."
I start to fiddle with the edge of a blanket that's on the Captain's bed. "I should be fine if I get a little blood..." I try to say this nonchalantly, unsure if it actually comes out sounding that way.
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Akasha Govad
Level 3
Sailing, sailing, over your stupid heads!
Posts: 259
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Post by Akasha Govad on Jan 27, 2008 20:08:47 GMT -5
Akasha frowned deeply. He scowled lightly and snapped the book closed loudly.
"You're what?" the captain growled out. He grabbed a knife and threw it: the blade slammed into the wall next to Hauke's head. With a murderous glare, Akasha slowly walked forward. "You mean to tell me you're half a blood hungry creature after you've been on my boat for nearly two weeks?" he growled out. Coming to stand at the foot of the bed, he towered over the boy, eyes fierce.
"I've seen what blood-drunk or blood-starved Rhasto can do. I was in Itis for a while. I've seen the attacks. Now tell me," he scowled and leaned down, "why do I not fling you over the railings and watch you spiral into nothing?" He was furious.
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Post by Hauke on Jan 27, 2008 20:31:10 GMT -5
I press myself into the bed, as if that'd help get me further away from the angry captain. I glance at the knife, still quivering in the wall next to my head and gulp.
"I'm sorry... I know I shoulda told you b'fore..."
Akasha leans in and narrows his eyes; I can't seem to take my eyes off their almost sanguine color and mewl a little. "I'm sorry?"
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Akasha Govad
Level 3
Sailing, sailing, over your stupid heads!
Posts: 259
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Post by Akasha Govad on Jan 27, 2008 20:49:31 GMT -5
Akasha sighed deeply and stalked over to the table. He threw himself down and into a chair and sighed deeply. He ran a hand through his hair and gave a shaky smile across the room at the boy.
"Look, I'm sorry ok? I just don't like being taken advantage or lied to," the captain said softly. He shook his head. "I've got a crew, male and female, to deal with and to protect. Having someone that is half Rhasto could cause more than a little panic on the ship." He chuckled to himself.
"So what do you need Hauke?" he asked blankly. "I'll do whatever I can to help. I've got a few members of the ship with special needs. So how can I help?"
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Post by Hauke on Jan 27, 2008 21:59:45 GMT -5
I cringe and sit up slowly. I manage to ignore the knife in the wall by keeping my eyes on his. I realize then that I'd never had to explain it before. The people in my relatives' village just took it as something obvious.
"Um... well. I need blood. Not as often as full Rhasto, but...at least two... three times a week? I don't go beserk or anything. It's like-" I pause, trying to find a parallel. "If I try to stay away from drinking blood it's like trying to go a few days without drinking water."
I pull my legs up and wrap my arms around them, resting my chin on my knees as I continue to stare at Akasha.
"I've heard someone in the next village from my aunt 'n' uncles' would make blood wine... usually out of animals, and chill it. But animal's blood tastes bad... Chilling works alright, though, if I can't get f-fresh." I blush, realizing I'm rambling.
"I-I don't know what you want to do about it... unless asking people if they'll bleed or something." My blush creeps up to my ears. "I can learn how do loads of things, so I'll work real hard not to be bother, Cap'n! Please don't throw me off the ship! I'll do anything you ask!"
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Akasha Govad
Level 3
Sailing, sailing, over your stupid heads!
Posts: 259
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Post by Akasha Govad on Jan 27, 2008 22:32:56 GMT -5
Akasha arched an eyebrow. Anything he asked? Really. He chuckled lightly and stood, his chair boring and too far away from Hauke. Stepping slowly across the room, the captain smirked and looked down at the boy.
"You should be careful...about promising anything on a ship full of outlaws and buccaneers," the captain drawled. He shed his wet coat and threw it over the table. He shrugged lightly, popping his shoulders and releasing a little tension. "They make take advantage of you..." He smirked and sank onto the bed. He crawled slowly across the soft surface, and Hauke backed away from him, eyes wide.
"We can come to some arrangement. You need blood. And I could always use someone around for odd jobs..." he smirked lightly as Hauke hit the wall. He reached past and rested his hand on the knife hilt and on one of Hauke's knees.
"Blood is inherently personal," the captain whispered. "If you reach this arrangement with someone, they have leverage to take advantage of you. Not to mention the danger to the rest of the crew." He frowned and looked at the boy who was looking at him with wide eyes. "You will only come to me for blood...am I clear?"
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Post by Hauke on Jan 27, 2008 23:12:11 GMT -5
My back hits the wall with a thud and I blush like mad.
Is he... coming on to me or something? But he's a guy! And I'm a guy!
Akasha puts his hand on my knee and leans in. Unerringly, my eyes return to gaze at his, mesmerized by their hue.
Akasha's voice has gotten a little more gruff as he says, "You will only come to me for blood... am I clear?"
I nod quickly. "I... I can do that. What do you want me to do?"
I pause. I think he is coming on to me! Is stuff like that really possible?!
Trying to think of a way to divert the man's attention, I glance over the room, and my eyes alight on the map drawer. "I-I can read all kinds of weird languages. I can tell you what that map says... I bet there's loads of treasure in a city like that..."
I return my attention to look at Akasha, and I realize he's leaned in even closer to me. Seeing him from this close, I now see just how red his eyes really are.
As red as blood...
My tongue unconsciously licks my lips and I shiver.
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