Plotlogs
Blood And Brine Sr Korina 240923
In an epic confrontation on a cursed island, a group faces an unimaginable challenge. The island, known for its perilous aura and connection to a vast, ancient artifact, grips Rachel, Konstantin, Ash, and Dean in a deadly trial that tests their limits.
The group arrives at this forsaken place, led by Dean's relentless pursuit stirred by a deep-seated curiosity. Unsettlingly, the island is plagued by zombies that sway in a mystifying dance of death, unaffected by the group’s attacks. Dean, fueled by a blend of rage and dark curiosity, slashes through the undead with Rachel's arcane assistance, seeking the heart of the island's curse.
Konstantin and Ash, caught between duty and the unnerving task at hand, contribute their own strengths to the ordeal. Konstantin's brute force and Ash’s magical prowess add layers to their strategy, though the true nature of the island's curse continues to elude them.
As the island begins to collapse into itself, swallowed by the monstrous maw at its center, Dean takes a drastic plunge into the abyss, driven by a fervent desire to confront the curse head-on. This act of valor pushes the group to their limits, racing against time and the island's devouring force to save Dean and themselves.
Rachel, desperate to save the group, initiates a risky path to escape. She channels her powers to open a gateway back to safety, her focus unwavering even as the ground crumbles beneath them. Konstantin, embodying resilience, assists by hoisting Dean, ensuring no man is left behind.
Their return is marred by Dean's transformed state, a feral wolf consumed by the curse's vile influence. His descent into savagery is momentarily halted by the group’s collective effort to drag him back to sanity and away from the island's fatal embrace.
Nessa, a key figure with a personal stake in the island's fate, faces her own battle. As Dean targets her in his relentless hunger, she transforms, revealing her true might and narrowly escaping the jaws of death.
The confrontation with the curse and the island's malevolent force culminates in a dramatic escape. The group, battered and bruised, manages to pull Dean from the clutches of madness, retreating to the pirate ship that awaits their return.
In the ship’s safety, they report their harrowing ordeal to the Pirate King, claiming the curse's destruction with the island's demise. Despite their success, the atmosphere is tense, the weight of their actions heavy in their hearts. The crown, a symbol of their harrowing journey and the curse's end, is their only trophy, along with the haunting memories of what they have witnessed and endured.
Their story concludes with a mixture of relief and somber reflection, as they vacate the pirate ship, leaving behind the cursed island and its nightmares. They return to familiar shores, carrying the scars of their adventure and the hope that their actions have indeed ended the curse.
(Blood and Brine(SRKorina):SRKorina)
[Sun Sep 22 2024]
At a cove in sight of an impressive flotilla
Nestled between tall, jagged cliffs, this hidden cove is sheltered from the open sea. The air is thick with salt, the scent of the ocean mingling with the damp earth beneath, and a pale mist curls along the shoreline, parting just enough to reveal an impressive flotilla in the distance. Dozens of ships, bound together in formation, drift upon the water with sails furled, the distant sounds of bustling crew activity heard from here.
The cove itself is calm, its dark waters lapping gently at a shore strewn with driftwood and broken crates. Gnarled trees cling to the rocky cliffs above, and hidden paths snake upward, offering precarious vantage points over the flotilla. The waters appear deceptively serene, though fleeting shadows dart beneath the surface here and there, the marine life quick and elusive.
It is night, about -6F(-21C) degrees, and the sky is covered by dark grey stormclouds. There is a waning gibbous moon.
Also Konstantin will be joining us in a bit, he got pulled into a patrol.?
After a meeting at the gate in the Wilds, the group follows a path through the otherworldly forest led by the Pirate King's envoy: a woman with turquoise eyes and hair the color of seaweed bound into a fishtail braid that cascades down her back. Pretty neat, for a pirate, all things considered. She introduces herself as Nessa - no surname provided - in accented English, as they make their way through the forest path, landing eventually within this sheltered cove.
It being the Wilds, of course, it's a nice peaceful nine in the evening instead of the ungodly three in the morning as Haven was. The waning moon is high in the sky, casting its silver light upon the ocean and the waves that lap softly against the shore of the cove. The air is thick with the scent of brine, the night still aside from the occasional splashing of water as a fish decides to jump free, the waters teeming beneath the surface despite the outwardly solemn appearance.
In the distance a few minutes by rowboat away, a flotilla can be seen, donned with furled, black sails and lit with lanterns that manage to pierce through the gloom of night. There's an ever-present hustle and bustle upon the ships heard from even here, the din of sailors going about their regular business, the nightlife vibrant. From here, it's possible to make out the individual ships upon the flotilla: the one at the center, the largest warship, has a mermaid figurehead that looms at the prow, dwarfing the rest of the ships with its reinforced iron hull, while other ships flanking it serve as resting quarters, marketplaces, armories, and even training grounds. Guards can be seen patrolling the walkways in the distance, marching to and fro one ship to another to keep the peace - or as much peace as one can keep in a den of pirates - and pirate lookouts in crow's nests keep a watchful eye over the sea.
Nearby, a boat awaits, with a man in it. Notably, it's ungodly cold here - colder than it should be in such a supposedly-tropical climate. It's likely not Vaelys' influence - her rime hasn't quite managed to penetrate all the way to Navvere yet... but with /this/ weather, does it really need to? The dark sky above is covered in darker clouds, limned in silver, ready to unleash hailstones down any second now.
"Thanks," Rachel says to someone as they arrive. She's dressed appropriately, but even so, the cold grabs her. She stuffs her hands in her pockets. "Do we owe you anything for ferrying us?" No one said she was going to be doing the hard labor in rowing - Rachel's hoping, perhaps. Subtle.
"Thanks," Rachel says to someone as they arrive. She's dressed appropriately, but even so, the cold grabs her. She stuffs her hands in her pockets. "Do we owe you anything for ferrying us?" No one said she was going to be doing the hard labor in rowing - Rachel's hoping, perhaps. Subtle.
"Thanks," Rachel says to Nessa as they arrive. She's dressed appropriately, but even so, the cold grabs her. She stuffs her hands in her pockets. "Do we owe you anything for ferrying us?" No one said she was going to be doing the hard labor in rowing - Rachel's hoping, perhaps. Subtle.
Ash sings as they walk through the Wildgate - into Haven, rather then out, "Pour your misery down, pour your misery down on me. Pour your misery down, pour your misery down...." And then they look around, noting Dean and Rachel, looking prepared. They fall silent, giving an upnod and dusting sawdust off of their clothes instead. They swing their rifle from where it was hanging on their back, adjusting the strap so that it's at their side, easy to pick up and drop as needed. They check their sabre, at their side, before standing straight, falling in line behind Dean with comfortable practice.
They shiver from the cold, but one gets the impression by their movement that they've been in the cold all day - they may even lose Sanctuary to Haven at this rate. They nod to someone, silent currently, their rainbow mask hiding any expression the little snow sprite might be making.
Ash sings as they walk through the Wildgate - into Haven, rather then out, "Pour your misery down, pour your misery down on me. Pour your misery down, pour your misery down...." And then they look around, noting Dean and Rachel, looking prepared. They fall silent, giving an upnod and dusting sawdust off of their clothes instead. They swing their rifle from where it was hanging on their back, adjusting the strap so that it's at their side, easy to pick up and drop as needed. They check their sabre, at their side, before standing straight, falling in line behind Dean with comfortable practice.
They shiver from the cold, but one gets the impression by their movement that they've been in the cold all day - they may even lose Sanctuary to Haven at this rate. They nod to Nessa, then the man in the boat - silent currently, their rainbow mask hiding any expression the little snow sprite might be making.
Rachel's about to learn the consequences for talking business with a pirate real fast. Nessa flashes her a shark-like grin, and holds up her finger. "Three gold coins." That's pure gold for you, ma'am. She looked like she'd have done it for free though.
Following Nessa, Dean is quiet. Too quiet as he follows along and trudges on through the frost laden path of the beaten, otherworldly forest and the eventual landscape of ice that dominates this portion of the realms. He's dressed thickly, cargo pants, boots, fingerless gloves to break the wind - and his armor is undoubtedly underneath the warm pullover he has over him - indicted by how padded it looks. As well as the claymore that rests between his shoulderblades. His crossbow is absent, currently.
It looks like his silence would persists in silent appraisal of the are with wide eyes, a near neutral expression - until Nessa over there tries to steal some coin from the gullible Hand operative. Without breaking his stride, or displaying any of his usual rage, Dean simply tells aside, with a hand in the pocket of his hoodie and another at the neckline of it, tugging at the hem. "Piss off, we don't owe you anything, get your gold from the pirate." A completely sane and amiable representative of Vaelys indeed. Perhaps just as ruthless, if nothing else.
A spot of gold glints at Rachel's neck, but of course, she doesn't offer to pony up. She's in the middle of taking the measure of the boatman and the pirate when Dean speaks up - how hard to simply toss them into the ocean? - when Dean speaks. She's been giving him a wide berth. That continues.
Ash makes a soft chuckle, but doesn't add anything to the shenanigans. Whether it's at Rachel's expense or at Dean's bluntness, it's a mystery... they're very mysterious. With their mysterious rainbow mask, and their unusual silence.
The woman cackles out loud in response, throwing her head back in amusement at Dean. At least she's approving enough instead of taking offense to that one, and the fingers that were held up now lower, hands going to her hips as she stalks off towards the water. "Ye'll catch some fists if ye natter like that around the rest o' the crews," she tells Dean, whatever natter's supposed to mean anyway, and then tips her chin towards the man in the rowboat.
"That's Jeb; he's a canvas shy of a full sail, 'n mute to boot. He'll take us on the jolly boat 'ere. All in one, get yer sea legs under ye," Nessa tells the group in a loud voice that's used to carrying over distances once they've all recovered their bearing from the pathing, an eye keeping watch for anything unexpected on the shore, and a hand resting upon the sword sheathed at her hip. She's certainly used to ordering people around, that's for sure.
Jeb appears to be the man on the boat, waiting to ferry them to and fro. Nothing remarkable about him, other than those arms, thick as tree trunks. That's a man suited to his job, that's for sure, even if he may be 'a canvas shy of a full sail'. Nessa herself steps ahead, braid swaying, and climbs into the boat first to claim the best seat for herself - which is, admittedly, just a less bumpy and water-warped piece of wood than the rest of them.
Konstantin hangs around beside Rachel, watching the pirate named Nessa discuss things with her while Dean is angry.
Ash nods to Konstantin, their prismatic mask shimmering in the moonlight, more pearlescent than the typical chromatic swirl it holds in the sunlight. They don't move, though, until either Dean or Konstantin moves... though they may have some hesitation if the former goes first - as he's wont to do - as they apparently have two different superiors to defer to for this mission.
"You're going to catch some fists if you don't watch /your/ fucking mouth." Dean snarkily retorts back, though, his manner of snark is all fangs and drawn lips to display them in disgust. Even then, it doesn't hold any real heat in his tone. Just modulated, disinterested attitude of his usual make while he starts to move after Nessa before anyone else can. Dean hardly cares for the introduction, but Jeb, as their ferryman, does get a slight nod of recognition before the boat by the shore shifts in place with the deceptive weight of a wolf stepping inside.
He doesn't make haste, but he does guide himself to another waterlogged piece of timber fashioned into a seat to settle in. The claymore at his back is drawn from its resting place, laid tip-down against the boat's floor between his legs, and his forearms hang over his knees in a slight slouched position, hands connected together around his blade. The pommel rests just a hand or so above his head, over his shoulder, while green eyes take in the Wilds from a new vantage. "If you have any question to them, ask while we're being rowed." That isn't for the ferrman Jeb or their guide Nessa - its for the entourage waiting outside.
"Fae first," Rachel informs Ash, stating a rule never before heard. She's probably not into the idea of sitting on whatever rickety contraption's ahead of them - without proof that it can sustain considerable weight, at least. It comes off reasonably polite, all being said.
There's no holes in the boat that anyone can see, at least, so it should in theory, be safe enough. Three planks of wood make up the seats; one is already occupied by Nessa and Jeb, and the other half-occupied by Dean now, leaving one whole plank (and a half) free. Perfectly calculated.
Konstantin heads for the boat, clambering in. He appears to be a little paler than usual but the rowing hasn't started yet so it can't be the queasiness of sea sickness. He adjusts his heavy thermal gear, beckoning for Rachel and someone. "Alright, you heard him." Beyond that, nothing else.
Konstantin heads for the boat, clambering in. He appears to be a little paler than usual but the rowing hasn't started yet so it can't be the queasiness of sea sickness. He adjusts his heavy thermal gear, beckoning for Rachel and someone. "Alright, you heard him." Beyond that, nothing else.
Konstantin heads for the boat, clambering in. He appears to be a little paler than usual but the rowing hasn't started yet so it can't be the queasiness of sea sickness. He adjusts his heavy thermal gear, beckoning for Rachel and Ash. "Alright, you heard him." Beyond that, nothing else.
Actually, you know what, with one-and-a-half planks remaining - plus the fact that her choices are Dean or Konstantin to sit by - Rachel /does/ make haste. She claims the spot next to Konstantin, her bag held high as she gets on, as if she were liable to drop it in water somehow.
Ash looks to Dean, then to Konstantin, then to Rachel - there's no shit eating grin to be seen, as Dean not only goes first, ignoring her - but also removes any excuse for her not to climb in. Still, there's no reason for them *not* to climb in, so... they do so. They're a snow sprite, not a spite sprite, today. They reach a gloved hand out to her, though, to help her in if she needs it - but then she brushes past. They shrug, and seem to have no problem sitting besides Dean. She still can't see their smile, but the lift of their chin - are they smug? Who knows.
Feel free to move north. ?
Konstantin leans over the side of the boat, staring into the water. "Probably too cold for swim. Shame."
Ash shrugs. They finally speak up to drawl, "Not for me, fortunately - I might feel warmer swimming. But I'm not really up for the... process." Whatever process that may be. Still, they inadvertently give a reason free of guilt to be tossed overboard... not that anyone would do that, surely.
Konstantin is correct - it's certainly way too cold for a swim, and they probably don't want to meet whatever shadows lurk beneath the waters. The boat sets off once they're all in, Nessa watching with some amusement, and the flotilla comes into closer view as Jeb makes steady progress on rowing them across the water's surface, his arms straining and the wood beneath creaking. Each splash of water that ends up splattering onto the people sitting in the boat is cold as ice, penetrating into skin and bones both.
They make it eventually, to the side of a smaller support ship flanking the flotilla, and a ladder is lowered down to them. Rusty and slippery from saltwater, its nonetheless all they get - no handicap access here - and Nessa waits for them to climb up first before she makes her way over in the flank, alongside Jeb and the boat itself, being hauled up last to be carried at the stern of the ship for future trips.
And yes, nobody looks like they want to toss Ash overboard yet, though Nessa does give them the occasional curious glance, likely because of their get-up.
And yes - this is the time they should take, while the boat rows along quietly, to ask questions.
Rachel takes one look at the ladder and decides that, no, physical exertion isn't in the cards this morning. Little warning precedes the vanishing of her limbs and the collapse of her torso such that, by the end...
It's clear how much Dean detests having to go first into the boat. Who'll cover the flank, then? But there could really be anything up above, and so, Dean remains at the helm. He leaves his spot slowly, drags his blade where it belongs between his shoulderblades and moves. The rickety boat underneath them shivers with each step, wavering precariously as if it's made to carry the unseen burden of something weighing half a ton, at least. He takes hold of the rusty, slippery ladder to begin climbing on and up until he''s out of sight and out of mind of other. It looks like he has no questions after all - the mindless mercenary is here to get what is offered, likely not by crook but by brute.
Rachel(common raven) might've chosen a more thematically appropriate bird -- a parrot, maybe. That being said, ravens are rather well known for their ability to imitate. Maybe she'll give them all a good 'ay, matey' down the line. As it stands, she decides to perch on Konstantin's shoulder.
Konstantin turns to speak aside to the woman sharing his bench; "Feeling the thirst today". Then, however, she turns into a bird. Rude, bad conversationalist, and inconsiderate. He goes back to watching the waters pass by. "Someone update me on plan so far?"
Ash asks Nessa, "Who is this new king? And what of his offer for the Heralds? I presume he wishes rid of it - this weather can't be pleasant for those who are used to tropical warmth." They seem amused with the end part, before commenting to Konstantin, "The newest Pirate King has something special for the Brumal Empress, and has come to treat with Her representatives. We go to meet him. He's offered no more than that."
"Brumal", Konstantin echoes before nodding once. He's up to date, ready to go. He's even brought a fresh set of winter gear. He reaches aside, idly scratching the back of Rachel(common raven) with his fingernails. "How important is pirate king? Some prick with fifteen gopniks under him or a man of true power?"
"He's newer than the ol' king," Nessa says with a lazy grin, leaning back in her seat all casually, her booted feet coming to prop themselves up upon the plank in front of her between Ash and Dean. "The name's Ren; the last cap'n was his pop." Family business? "Been three months since he's taken o'er - but he's the one who'll talk to ye about the deal." There's a wave of one hand through the air, swish swoosh.
Konstantin's question earns another bark of laughter, shark-like teeth on display again. "Y'see that?" she says with a gesture over at the flotilla - it's a dozen ships, at least, bound together and anchored. "All his, 'n growing. The strongest man I know."
Rachel(common raven) begins to click her approval of Ash's and Konstantin's line of questioning - that, or she's rather satisfied with Konstantin's treatment of her back - before she abruptly stops at 'gopnik.' She cackles alongside Nessa, which might be alarming for anyone who didn't know she could.
In response, Nessa cackles even louder. It's unending.
Konstantin doesn't cackle one bit.
And then she leans in to peer closer at Rachel(common raven), attempting to reach a hand out to scratch at her - it's cautious, she'll probably pull away if the raven looks like she doesn't want any of that.
Ash hums in acknowledgement, tilting their head at Konstantin before chuckling a bit with Rachel(common raven), more interested in the answer than the manner of question.
Ash then asks, "How'd he manage it, then?" They tilt their head at the approaching fleet. "When his pop couldn't manage this much? And so fast, too."
Ya boy Dean is already gone, but he too doesn't cackle one bit.
Dean can probably hear the conversation reasonably well, to be fair. He's free to cackle! Not that he does.
Rachel(common raven) tilts her head, showing off a keen, glinting eye. Her beak opens and she extends her neck long, thin, in a clear demonstration of an intent to bite.
Right, none of that, then. Nessa just gestures rest of the gang up the ladder.
I may have missed it if either of you emoted before accepting the summons. ?
Konstantin quietly murmurs alongside to Rachel(common raven) "This is why you struggle making friends."
For the record, Rachel(common raven) did not climb that ladder. Rachel(common raven) would not climb that ladder. Rachel(common raven) does, however, 'WHAP' Konstantin right upside the head with her wing. It's completely an accident. She just meant to readjust her seating.
Ash climbs when there's nothing left for their questioning, the time having come. The small boat was unpleasant, and the way the ship sways even more so. They move nearer to Dean, watching his back, though there's something stiff about their movements. They don't seem seasick, exactly, but there's a nervousness about them.
In the ship above that rocks back and forth with the passing of waves, there's the constant din of sailors making their way across decks, and the group gets more than a few curious glances from passing sailors, though Nessa's presence seems to reassure them enough. One of them yells a question over to her in Wildling, and whatever she yells back is enough to make some nearby pirates laugh, and the questioning ceases immediately - likely an insult of some sort. Nessa switches to English again next:
"'ere's Mercy. we'll be making our way across 'er, to Fortune to Tempest," she gestures at the ships next to this one in turn - Fortune seems to be the one with a whole market upon it, shining golden with lanternlight and hazy with smoke, while Tempest is imposing warship at the center of the flotilla, seeming occupied by a number of armed pirates at all times. And then, there's a sweeping gesture of her hand towards the gangplank - the /very narrow/ gangplank flanked by thin ropes that barely provide any sort of stability at all. "Ladies first," she tells Rachel(common raven), pulling her plumed hat off her head and bending into a bow at the avian. It's mocking.
That said though, she does simply walk across herself next, with nary a stumble in her stride, though she remains in earshot.
The last of Ash's questions appears to have gone unanswered - it may be on purpose, it may not be on purpose.
Rachel(common raven) shoots Nessa the dirtiest of looks. It's lucky the woman's turned her back, because it might otherwise not have been Dean throwing fists, but the two women. Now, Rachel(common raven) hasn't been particularly excited about the prospect of 'going first' in any of these maritime hijinx, but in this case, she hops right off Konstantin's shoulder and makes a point of clack-clacking her way across the gangplank. Ash might not be spite sprite, but she sure is.
Ash takes a moment before reacting, looking up sharply to see that Nessa and Rachel(common raven) - walking instead of flying - are already across. They shake their head slightly, emerging from some sort of reverie. They look at Dean, to see if he's going first - they seem to already know that if he's taking the rear, they're going ahead of Konstantin.
Up ahead, Dean stands on the firmer ground of the ship. It's still not to his liking, that much is evident in the knit of his brows, and he's reserved to only wait and watch with both hands in the pocket of his hoodie. Not an ounce of trepidation shows - but then, there isn't his usual rage either. He's calm, and assessing, and narrow eyes pan with that neutrality in his features while he inspects the boat. Sails, ropes, the cleats and anything of note that may be influenced by time and prolonged exposure to seawater. It's the trained stare of someone warlike - someone who, given the necessity, prepares in advance to seek weakness and tear through whatever is in his path.
When Nessa moves ahead again, however, Dean hardly waits for Rachel(common raven) to chase after the woman with her tiny bird legs. His quiet is prevalent, persistent, and eventually, slowly but surely, Dean heads on over to the gangplank - doesn't dare thread it, only leans forwardd and starts to bend his knees. It's hard to miss the telltale sign of telekinesis when he hurls himself ahead in a single leap; lands on his boots with a loud bang on the other side. Today is blindside Ash day.
Rachel(common raven)'s the sprite kite. The vex peck on her wrath path. The dread spread. The fury flurry. The--
Dean slams right into the deck, between a group of people on the merchant ship, and there's a number of screams to be heard from there, startled. At least three dozen swords come out.
Feel free to move two rooms east015! ?
Feel free to move two rooms east! ? (I'm bad)
Ash doesn't seem surprised when the large man jumps - probably because their face is hidden to hide it - but it *does* make sense. They move along next, ahead of Konstantin, though they pause to watch Dean before going.
Ash doesn't seem surprised when the large man jumps - probably because their face is hidden to hide it - but it *does* make sense. They move along next, ahead of Konstantin, though they pause to watch Dean before going.
Landing where he did, Dean slowly rises to his full height again. His hands are still in his pockets anyway and while a more than a few dozen blades are drawn all around in that familiar sound of metal leaving sheath, he sets his eyes. Green pierces the bunch, though he doesn't quite seem afraid, smiles, in fact, something that hardly reaches his eyes, but it does show in how much fang he displays in a lopsided, half-smirk of sorts. "Adorable. I could eat them all up."
Entirely unexcitingly, Konstantin crosses the plank. If he were to employ his talents, here, he'd be calling in a rapid response peacekeeper team to carry him across on their shoulders or something. Instead, he walks.
Arriving, Konstantin notes all the freshly drawn swords and tips his head aside towards Dean. "Mostly not joking. We're just passing through."
Rachel(common raven) and her tiny bird legs become much harder to track amid the flurry of activity. She bobs and weaves through the crowd and - oh, she's on the wrong side, standing alongside some of the folks drawing swords against Dean.
Right - there's the pointing of a thousand - or at least a dozen swords at Dean after he lands upon the deck with a thunderous crack by the time Rachel(common raven) and Konstantin and Ash are making their way over across the gangplank, and there's Nessa, looking /thoroughly exasperated/. "If brains were cannonballs, ye'd be firing blanks," she tells Dean. "More brain in my parrot." She lifts her voice again after that to yell out things in Wildling, sounding authoritative enough and the swords go away after that, if slowly and distrustfully, plenty of people shooting Looks at Dean still. Maybe someone would be down for a brawl if he really wants.
The marketplace is, while outwardly glamorous, the first thing of things being a little amiss. Crewmates and tavern wenches alike hush a little wherever Nessa passes by, in the way a room of people quietens when the person they were talking about suddenly appears. There's a few guilty glances shot her way, which she ignores with ease, and only calls out to the man behind the tavern, "Rigg! Save me a clap o' thunder, I'll be over after dealin' with /these/ landlubbers." That's them. They're the landlubbers. Yes, you too, Rachel(common raven), even if she's cheating by turning into a bird.
The warship where the captain's quarters presumably exist can be spotted across another one of those narrow-ass gangplanks to the east, where Nessa seems to be slowly leading the gang off to - unless they want to start any tavern brawls.
A stampede of feet here, a chair moved there -- Rachel(common raven)'s struggling not to get trampled over. When someone gets too close, she extends her wings and croaks at them ('back off'), before she hops her way back over to Dean, Ash, and Konstantin. And Konstantin said she couldn't make friends. Not a landlubber. She's a proper people-lubber.
Step, step - Dean walks through everyone that had drawn their swords around him with the careless attitude of someone who truly didn't give a fuck. Though, following after the green-haired pirate, Dean keeps his words to himself - even with her taunting insult. Whatever brews within is undoubtedly bad, for her, for him, for the operation - and if not for his alliances, Dean looks jusst about ready to go ahead and start claiming heads. Thankfully, his hands remain in his pockets, and he continues on past the crowd a few paces behind Nessa to wherever their destination is.
`Another two rooms east, whenever you like! ?
Another two rooms east, whenever you like! ? (I'm bad, again.)
Lubbing land thoroughly, Konstantin is nods appreciatively at the notion of Nessa dealin' with these landlubbers, all business. The mention of a clap of thunder draws his eye for a moment. New and exciting ways to indulge his vice?
He follows along
Ash doesn't sigh - quiet and observant is how they try to be, following after Dean and looking back over Konstantin to ensure no pirates are trying to fuck up their boss in some way. They look over Rachel(common raven), too - perhaps belatedly, though, as an afterthought. She can fly away if things suck too bad, she'll be fine.
And off they go. Nessa comes to a stop near the door to the quarters, and they definitely don't get shanked by any pirate on the way here, and there's a heavy thud of her knuckles against the door, calling out something in Wildling - announcing her presence, likely - before she pushes her way into the room to the south - the pirate's quarters, likely.
Rachel(common raven) circles back 'round to roost on Konstantin's foot. She's not heavy, obviously, so he's free to walk around as he will, just with her as a feathery accoutrement.
The SR has absolutely no idea at all why that desc is over there, so just roll with it please. ?
"Nessa," the man within the captain's quarters says in greeting in a low voice, leaning back relaxed and casual in his throne-like chair, one arm draped over his backrest. He switches to a Wildling dialect after that, something indecipherable to most ears here, but likely just confirming that /yes/, these are the Earthlings, and yes, they almost started a fight, and yes, they haven't managed to spew the contents of their stomachs all over the ship yet, but there's still time for that, right? His eyes flick across each of the gathered assemblage in turn while Nessa reports to him, and there's a sweep of his ring-laden fingers at the chairs present nearby - none as grand as his own, of course. The meaning is clear, of course.
"NESSA," repeats a parrot in a loud, loud sqwack; it'd previously been sitting hidden amidst the lanterns - there's a flapping of wings, and it makes it way over after hearing the sound of voices talking to perch upon the man's chair, the jewel tones of its feathers gleaming brilliantly under the dim lantern-light. Its eyes shine as it takes in Rachel(common raven).
"PRETTY BIRD." It... knows english. That's surprising. "BLACK BIRD. SQUWACK."
Presumably, Nessa was the first to enter the captain's quarters. No way Dean would be allow to storm through on ahead as he did and often does. In that situation, he's quck to follow her along, but sacrifice nothing of his casual demeanor, and the stern make of his features. While the buccaneer and his pirate discuss that yes, these are the mish mash lunatics that could and maybe would crash the whole place down over his head, Dean reserves himself to standing. He glances at the lower chairs first, then at Konstantin - with a brow tipped up. The meaning is blatantly clear; the disrespect is not welcome, but he looks to the other man to decide whether to wreak havoc or simply sit and power through the perceived slight.
Nessa /was/ the first to enter, it's true.
Konstantin meets Dean's gaze, expressionless as ever. If he has his own personal feelings about the tone of the meeting thus far, he doesn't make them known. All business baby. He looks from Nessa to the big chief here behind the desk.
"So", Konstantin begins, "We are here for Valtys." He glances at the others, having perhaps expected another to speak up, before moves head anyhow. "Here for doing her trade deal."
Ash waits for Konstantin to sit first, despite moving to wherever Dean moves to sit - unless he just stands, of course. And it seems like he plans to, so they instead move to sit across from where Konstantin does. If he takes too long... they may even end up sitting first. They seem to relax in the seat, after adjusting their rifle so as not to clink and clank as they settle, then they lean back, stretching out their legs, hands crossed over their belly... for a moment.
They sit forward when they realize that there's a delicious feast sitting before them, spread out on the table - maps, maps galore. They look them over carefully, choosing not to be so rude as to take out their camera and start taking pictures, but seeing what they can while they wait for the group to settle.
Unlike Dean, Rachel(common raven) doesn't wait for Konstantin to anything - and in fact, sort of overlaps the beginning of his speech. She's been addressed by a new friend. With the flourish of her wings, she separates herself from Konstantin's boot and glides to rest on the captain's desk. "HELLO," her croak comes. She's human, of course, but this provides a point of fascination. How much of a conversation can the parrot hold, and with what level of cognizance? It's time to parley.
Unlike Dean, Rachel(common raven) doesn't wait for Konstantin to anything - and in fact, sort of overlaps the beginning of his speech. She's been addressed by a new friend. With the flourish of her wings, she separates herself from Konstantin's boot and glides to rest on the captain's desk. 'HELLO,' her croak comes. She's human, of course, but this provides a point of fascination. How much of a conversation can the parrot hold, and with what level of cognizance? It's time to parley. (fix)
Konstantin clears his throat and then adds with a slight nod aside. "Apologies. Vaelys. I am from Russia; that is our way of pronouncing."
Pokerface.
Ash looks over to Konstantin with a tilted head, away from maps before saying, "We're representatives of the Brumal Monarch, Heralds of Winter's Grasp, and trusted allies. We are honored to meet you, King Ren." Who the fuck is Valtys? It's the question their body language asks Konstantin - and then he says the forbidden name correctly.
Ash no longer seems relaxed.
This must, presumably, be Ren, as Nessa had named earlier. He seems like a no-nonsense sort of guy, much less prone to cackling as the woman had been, and he takes a slow drag from his pipe as he watches the Havenites. Despite his casual lean, the signs of tiredness are evident in the bags beneath his eyes, and he pauses, just briefly, before nodding his head at Konstantin and Ash, the two to have spoken up.
"HELLO," the parrot says back, and Nessa runs her fingers adoringly down its back before going to lean against the back of the throne; they seem close, whatever they are, and she seems relaxed, letting the man himself take over the dealings.
"No dilly-dallying here," Ren says, exhaling out a slow sigh - and smoke along with it. "The sea is cursed." This is troubling news indeed, especially for a pirate. His English seems less prone to pirate-ness, perhaps he's learnt it in a different way than Nessa has, or just hasn't spent as much time speaking it.
Ash nods to Ren, asking in their lazy drawl, "And the artifact is tied to it? This weather ain't right." It's about as much as they suggested to Nessa earlier, declaring an awareness of an obvious issue.
'NAME,' Rachel(common raven) prompts the parrot, but only once Ren and Ash speak their piece. She creeps along the table, sidestepping papers. It won't do to put puncture holes in anything of use. Her head tilts; it moves down, then up again. Her tail feathers wag. This must be how birds extend offers of alliance.
OOC: Dean is a beast of judgement, but his player spilled coffee all over his floor and was busy mopping that up. Sorry about that.
Unless, of course, Rachel(common raven)'s about to follow this query up with 'date of birth' and 'mother's maiden name.' Although, maybe pirates would rather appreciate her proactivity even then.
"No." The answer comes simple and straight. "The weather, the sea, the mist, the /dead/. It is all connected, but not to the artifact." Ren glances askance at Nessa for a few seconds; there's some unspoken conversation that takes place there, and the woman slips out and away to the back of the room somewhere.
The man explains while she's gone, reaching out to casually scratch at the back of Rachel(common raven)'s neck as she moves even closer to the parrot - no caution here, unlike Nessa. If he gets bitten, he gets bitten.
"The artifact is old. Older than us, older than curse. The curse is new. It started after my pa died." Pa, like he's some sort of rural urchin. Who taught this man English? "Curse is caused by the Maw of the Void." A charming name, to be sure.
The parrot hops close to Rachel(common raven), and goes SQUACK right in her ear. "NAME." he repeats. "NAME. NAME. NAME."
This thing, Dean, doesn't speak as of yet. He's simply waiting - after he has exchanged his furtive glance with Konstantin. Though, he does introduce himself, too, belatedly and curtly - standing up as opposed to sitting down. "My name is Dean, I'm one of Vaelys' Frostguards." And true to his name, he stays frosty. Just watching, where green eyes burrow into this so called Pirate King through a stern visage.
Konstantin' eyes track the hand as it reaches for Rachel(common raven), but he doesn't react beyond that. Instead, he opts to instead ask; "What is this Maw of the Void? A cave?"
Crossing his arms against his chest, the swishy sounds of gortex rubbing on gortex sound out; his black and gray cold-weather gear constrasting somewhat ridiculously against the piratical backdrop.
Ash leans in, tilting their head to Ren. He can see his face reflected in their mask, warped like oil with prismatic spread. If he had the acute eyesight of many supernatural, he might make out where the eyeholes are, behind the layers of resin. As it is, they maintain their flamboyant 'poker face'.
"The Maw of the Void," they repeat. It's half reflecting that they're listening, but there's also a question in their voice, encouragement. Go on.
They're here for diplomacy. They're here for diplomacy. They're here for diplomacy. Uncertainty tips Rachel(common raven)'s head again -- she shouldn't bite. She's bristling, though, with her feathers upping her size considerably. She's the only one who doesn't introduce herself, maybe because the parrot's blowing out her eardrums. "SOFT," she demands of him while she's side-eying Ren. Her beak opens juuuuuuust a little.
They're here for diplomacy. They're here for diplomacy. They're here for diplomacy. Uncertainty tips Rachel(common raven)'s head again -- she shouldn't bite. She's bristling, though, with her feathers upping her size considerably. She's the only one who doesn't introduce herself, maybe because the parrot's blowing out her eardrums. 'SOFT,' she demands of him while she's side-eying Ren. Her beak opens juuuuuuust a little. (fix)
He wasn't the cackling sort, but the dark haired man does look like he'll cackle at Konstantin's question. He doesn't, but it's a close thing. Instead, he shakes his head and reaches down to grab both Rachel(common raven) and her new friend in one hand to shift them aside, off one of the maps they'd been standing upon. If he gets pecked, he gets pecked... again. The map is unfurled, and a finger taps at it.
Even though it's labeled in Wildling, it's not hard to make out at all. There's a coastline, with cliffs nearby, an X - that's them, presumably. A ways over yonder, there's an island, with the beach mapped out, and the center of is just a mass of black scribbles, like someone tried to color it in and got horribly distracted. "It is the Maw." he tells Konstantin. "No cave. It is hungry. The men will not go there. The curse, bad omens." There's likely more to it than he's saying too, but that's all they get for now. "In return... I will give you from my treasure. Old, from the depths of the sea, but when I heard of your Queen, I knew it is hers."
That's about the time Nessa makes her way back, a box in hand. It's opened to reveal a crown, as though forged of pure ice instead of metal. The aura of power around it is unmistakable. He must be truly desperate to be rid of this curse if he's trading that away.
The parrot is shuffled along with the man's hands, and he listens to Rachel(common raven)'s words with a parroty coo. "soft," he says. "soft, soft, soft, soft."
Yeah, that's not getting any less annoying.
Off to the side, only when the map is revealed does Dean move. Slow steps, carrying him around the perimeter of that table so he can get a better vantage point and look down at it. The markings, where they lead, he watches it with narrowing green eyes absorbed in interest to whatever this 'curse' is. Almost unbeknownst to himself he reaches out to touch the edge of it, then set both hands on the rim of the table to loom above it, peer down at the blotched mark of their curse with vested interest and an intense stare. All other questions are dispelled for him, any other notion - even the crown is gone when he looks aside and over at the dark-haired buccaneer. That piercing stare seeks to embed itself deeply, like he's searching the man's soul. "Tell me what you know about this thing - everything."
Konstantin stares at the icy crown. He's feeling a little Harry Dubois at the moment on account of his sickness but not recognising what he's looking at would be fairly impossible. Cold hat.
Dean comes in with the real question, then, and Konstantin steps over to peer down at the map while he listens to the response. He reaches up, popping off his helmet and scratching his bald dome.
Ash sits up when they see the crown, keeping their hands in sight as they lean in a bit, just to get a good look. It's the power they're looking at, and they quickly turn to Dean and nod - though he could likely smell it just as powerfully as they can sense it. Turning back to the king - and then to Nessa, knowing that she seems to have a better understanding of English, they command, "Tell us of the curse and omens. We must be prepared." Though, as their words coincide with Dean's, their soft voice washed away by his typical intensity.
Oh, it'll get less annoying, alright. Rachel(common raven) can't peck Ren - no, that'd be rather detrimental to the deal that they're forging - but no one could blame a bird for establishing its eminence over another. Helps that she's shoved along, actually, as that puts her in proximity of her foe. She tries to pin the parrot down with her talons, then pepper it with jabbing strikes from her beak.
Be. Quiet. Or. Else.
At least she avoids anywhere too vulnerable, like the eyes.
The buccaneer meets Dean's eyes without hesitation, and without a flinch, sea-green into moss-green. "It is old. The Hunger Below lives in the Maw." He begins, taking a minute to consider where to start the story from. "A creature from Beyond." Beyond what and where, he doesn't seem like he knows himself. "It takes minds, but only if you let it in. And it takes the dead and makes them alive again. They walk on the island."
The curse, it unleashed three months ago." If anyone's been paying attention, that's the same time when Ren's good ol' pa had kicked the bucket and gone swimming with the fishes. "It has..."
Another pause. His eyes look away, finally, coming to land on the birds. That's a good place to land on. Dean wins that staring match, and Ren takes another deep drag of his pipe, releasing ringlets of smoke. "The crews were scattered, and his mind was broken. Insane. I did him a mercy. Cleft him to the brisket. Told the men I'll do better by 'em, take care of those Imperial /dogs/, once and for all."
A shake of his head. It didn't quite work out like he'd planned, huh?"
The buccaneer meets Dean's eyes without hesitation, and without a flinch, sea-green into moss-green. "It is old. The Hunger Below lives in the Maw." He begins, taking a minute to consider where to start the story from. "A creature from Beyond." Beyond what and where, he doesn't seem like he knows himself. "It takes minds, but only if you let it in. And it takes the dead and makes them alive again. They walk on the island."
"The curse, it unleashed three months ago." If anyone's been paying attention, that's the same time when Ren's good ol' pa had kicked the bucket and gone swimming with the fishes. "It has..."
Another pause. His eyes look away, finally, coming to land on the birds. That's a good place to land on. Dean wins that staring match, and Ren takes another deep drag of his pipe, releasing ringlets of smoke. "The crews were scattered, and his mind was broken. Insane. I did him a mercy. Cleft him to the brisket. Told the men I'll do better by 'em, take care of those Imperial /dogs/, once and for all."
A shake of his head. It didn't quite work out like he'd planned, huh? (fix, oops)
The pirate sqwacks again, and pecks Rachel(common raven) in return, lightly. He seems to think it's a show of affection, because he's now trying to preen her feathers. Unless he stabs her eye out first, pinned as he is beneath her talons. He's got no intentions of breaking free, even if Nessa's eying her a little bit.
Dean's jaw shifts in place, but even when the King Pirate looks elsewhere, Dean does not. His eyes remain, unblinking. Whatever the notion of the curse is, whatever the explanation, it has stirred something inside Dean visibly, and that almost lazy, easy-going attitude is gone. Lost among the ether of his sudden, but subdued rage. He asks his next question, right away, without an ounce of care for the man's perceived misery in the loss of their padre; and truly, he couldn't care less, with his lack of sympathy or empathy. "Who will take us, and when." It sounds like he's eager to go, right away.
That was, obviously, the PARROT and not the PIRATE.
Konstantin looks aside at Rachel(common raven) for a moment, mulling something important.
Ash starts to talk - but then pauses. They let Dean speak, before tagging afterwards, "And tell us how did your father died - your highness." It's a bit more quiet, but there's a firmness. They made sure to say *and*, recognizing that their fellow Frostguard will demand his answer first. But, *@ash* is not done and ready - they need more. Whether sympathetic or not, they don't show it either way. This is business, and they need to know.
They ignore the birds - one gets the idea that they are accustomed to shenanigans.
Ash starts to talk - but then pauses. They let Dean speak, before tagging afterwards, "And tell us how did your father died - your highness." It's a bit more quiet, but there's a firmness. They made sure to say *and*, recognizing that their fellow Frostguard will demand his answer first. But, * Ash * is not done and ready - they need more. Whether sympathetic or not, they don't show it either way. This is business, and they need to know.
They ignore the birds - one gets the idea that they are accustomed to shenanigans.
Rachel(common raven) disengages from the fight. She tamps down on the parrot's leg - just a warning - before releasing. After that, she allows for all the preening, grooming, and general displays of friendship as could be wanted. Maybe this can count as her victory, that the parrot's attending to her. Surely that means she's the superior bird. Her dark eyes catch Konstantin's as he appraises her. However it is that he's feeling, it's clear how /she/ is: she's pleased as punch.
Nodding as though deciding something to himself, Konstantin turns his gaze back to the Pirate, arms crossed against his front still. Maybe Rachel(common raven) -can- make friends. Sniffing once, Konstantin lets the adherents of Vaelys' will continue their business, just listening for now. Maybe he'll ask about Valtys later.
Ash may or may not be crying inside.
"Boats won't go," Nessa chimes up now, speaking instead of Ren. "I'll path t' the island. Ain't goin' out t' the Maw, though. /Fuck/ that." Full of feeling there. She clicks her tongue at the parrot as an aside, looking absolutely disappointed in her avian pet's simping ways.
"I killed him," Ren answers Ash without missing a beat, slumping back again in his seat now, slouched. Not the best posture, but surely they can cut him some slack. There's a nod of agreement with Nessa now. "The Hunger Below has his mind too -- he was the first." He doesn't say it out loud, but it's clear he's very invested in /that/ one. A man can kill his dad and not want him to roam as a zombie forever, I guess.
If the group is ready to go, Nessa's ready to take them.
Ash asks more questions. "That does not tell us how he died. Nor why he let it in. It sounds, from just the tale, that his vengeance has turned the sea cold. If that's what happened, how he was killed, why you were over there, and more - it's all relevant."
Rachel(common raven) never provides warning before she buffets the air with her wings. Without so much as a 'goodbye' or a 'thank you' to her unnamed friend, she alights upon Konstantin's shoulder again. Yes, let's go. She's clean, groomed, and ready, soon as the rest of the group indicates the same.
As soon as the word is said and confirmation is given, Dean turns on his heel. The king may as well no longer exist for him, Dean turns that attention upon Nessa- and she gets a similar look. One brandishing his gaze like a cutting weapon just the same - and with a creak, the table sidde is left alone, and he starts to march towards the woman. There isn't any request, and none of his 'amiable' attitude given so far. At least, he was being civil - Now, instead, Dean is demanding, "Do it." There is almost a low growl in his voice, hanging at the backdrop of his tone. "Open the path, right now." It sounds like if he could, Dean would do it himself in a heartbeat - but alas, he doesn't know where to go.
Exhaling a breath pressed pressed lips, Konstantin glances aside towards Dean. He shrugs once, then, looking back towards Nessa. What's a soul-consuming deathpit to start your sunday with? He tilts a nod once to indicate readiness but does not interrupt someone' quesitoning.
Exhaling a breath pressed pressed lips, Konstantin glances aside towards Dean. He shrugs once, then, looking back towards Nessa. What's a soul-consuming deathpit to start your sunday with? He tilts a nod once to indicate readiness but does not interrupt Ash's quesitoning.
"/He/ did not cause the curse." The Pirate King looks as though he'd like to curse Ash for implying that alone, and Nessa is impolite enough to say something out loud in Wildling that's most certainly a curse, staring directly at Ash with a hand on her sword-hip. "His mind was already taken. I did him a mercy. The Hunger Beneath had him in life, and he has him in death. Vengeance, pah. The sea would have frozen over a thousand years ago if vengeance turned it cold." There's a shake of his head, a click of his tongue, and a wave of gilded fingers through the air. "Go."
Nessa obliges.
Ash takes heart in Paths taking time, at least. And it seems that that's all the time they will get to get their answers. Their body language expresses that same urgency, tilting their head further to Pirate King Ren. Time's a ticking, and if he wants it done right - well, that's all their body says. Unfortunately, they are dismissed. Apparently, his death was a very lovely coincidence.
Ash doesn't believe it for a second, but they can tell that Nessa is also unlikely to share more. Oh well.
Rachel(common raven) turns her ire upon Konstantin when he shows her the sachet of food. Her beak's sharp enough for the parrot and for him alike.
Rather than set upon him, though, she opens her wings and floats toward the sand. It's her booted, human feet that touch the ground, with all of her personal effects materializing in short order. "Well," she says, as if she'd merely risen from a nap.
Rachel turns her ire upon Konstantin when he shows her the sachet of food. Her beak's sharp enough for the parrot and for him alike.
Rather than set upon him, though, she opens her wings and floats toward the sand. It's her booted, human feet that touch the ground, with all of her personal effects materializing in short order. "Well," she says, as if she'd merely risen from a nap. (fix)
Nessa had said boats didn't /go/ here, but that doesn't mean there's not one already on the shore, perhaps waiting for a quick getaway if it's needed. She lands steadily on her feet at the shore at the culmination of the path, a frown on her lips already - and hey, look, the parrot tagged along. It sits on her shoulder now, and sqwacks a "BYE-BYE, PRETTY BIRD."
"You will see them when you go in," Nessa says to the group, gesturing towards the path leading deeper into the island - and hey, look, Rachel's a woman now. The parrot looks confused. His head tilts to the side, and then he lets out another screech of, "BYE BYE."
After giving the fresh surrounds a careful sweep of the eyes, Konstantin flashes somee adventuring supplies aside to someone, having brought lunch. When she turns back into a human again, he stows the sachet. She certainly wont appreciate that kind of cuisine now.
"So. This thing. It has physical form?", Konstantin asks of Ness.
After giving the fresh surrounds a careful sweep of the eyes, Konstantin flashes somee adventuring supplies aside to Rachel, having brought lunch. When she turns back into a human again, he stows the sachet. She certainly wont appreciate that kind of cuisine now.
"So. This thing. It has physical form?", Konstantin asks of Ness.
Nessa shrugs in answer, trying to act casual. "If you see it, don't let me know." she tells Konstantin.
Feel free to go north whenever you're all ready. ?
Konstantin sniffs once and nods, turning to the others. "Alright. Not an easy one, then". Konstantin states the obvious, gaze then shifting inland to where the buccaness has indicated. No time like the present to slay some undead and meet a being from beyond the ether
Ash lifts their mask, just to sniff - then puts it back on. Better that way, it seems... a shame it isn't a gas mask, even. They turn their head to listen to Nesss, but keep Dean in their range of sight. They give her a nod at her answer, not speaking. Their bracelet glows for a moment before falling dark once more, their fingers curling in their gloves, a hand pulling a stake out of their bag to put into their pocket.
While they're all busy asking their last questions to Ness - Dean steps through that portal, stretch of forest connecting the ship to - wherever this place is. His sword is unhooked from between his shoulderblades, drawn aside, held out - and if it wasn't apparent up until now, Dean's interest in the whole ordeal has taken a turn. It isn't purpose and business that drives him to move on- it is raw curiosity, vested, dark curiosity. While his claymore gleams, the rings spread out in his left hand curl to a fist in his stride. The light is sucked in, everything dims like the very color is abused, collected between his fingers until it begins to grow thick, viscous - dark magic. It continues to expand, spread out, form a hiltless, jagged blade that's shaped more like a javelin meant for throwing held at his side. Every drip of its darkness, the liquid shadow, leaves an acidic stain upon the sand in his wake while dark, lightless flames coat up his forearm, illuminating nothing.
Ash hurries after Dean, mask turning left and right as they look out for... whatever comes next. Their footsteps slow, though, as they approach the sand that looks far too easy to slip on, clearly unwilling to make a misstep and slide into the abyss - that gaping maw. They're expecting undead, however, and waits for them.
If the others have caught up - they'd find Dean crouched on the edge of the chasm. That lifeless soil is hollow and sunken under his weight while he stares deep into it, brows knit, expression hard. His tense jaw tells everything there is to know about how on edge he is, and green eyes catch any stray light in this dark and decrepit place - even the smallest flicker. They're reflected in luminosity, glowing bright to pierce the darknesss with near impeccable nightsight that he would flourish if he only could.
Rachel's donned something of the same attitude as Dean, sans the aggression. While she's reasonably quiet, careful not to crunch gravel beneath her feet, she lacks the trepidation from before. Her staff's come out to play, held in one hand while she observes Konstantin from the side. There's a question posed him, absent of sound. It's probably hard to see her in the dark, but hey, maybe at close proximity.
Dean flourishes his eyes.
While the beach itself and the coastal paths leading inwards towards the center of the small island may be quiet, they're certainly not free of people... or what barely counts as people anymore. They're waterlogged, bloated bodies, some with cannonballs tied to their feet, dragging them along as they shuffle across the barren land. /Dozens/ of them, they fill the place, some kneeling, some standing, some waving their arms slowly through the air, the skin torn away to show the bones that lie beneath. Tattered rags cover their bodies.
At once, all of them turn to look right at the group. Set in hollow sockets, their eyes gleam a toxic purple.
They stare.
Konstantinsomeone starts to gird himself as he approaches the maw, heaving an armoured vest up over his head and preparing a heafy blade. If there are zombies to chop, this thing has the heft to do it. He draws a little closer to Rachel as they move in, careful making progress behind Dean.
Konstantin starts to gird himself as he approaches the maw, heaving an armoured vest up over his head and preparing a heafy blade. If there are zombies to chop, this thing has the heft to do it. He draws a little closer to Rachel as they move in, careful making progress behind Dean.
Ash decides, since there's no hiding here, to at least light up the horror show around them. Will o' wisps fade into existence around them, bobbing like jellyfish of pastel living fire around them. They keep a distance from the others - certainly from Dean as they follow him. His darkness is sure to extinguish their light, after all. However, they maintain some distance from Rachel and Konstantin as well, for whatever reason.
In every movie - every single one - talking has a habit of fast-tracking the action. Rachel's not going to be the first to make the mistake. In fact, when eyes turn upon them, she halts altogether, her grip on her staff tight. She's not summoned any magic, as of yet; the metal's just metal, barely visible, but when the will o' wisps happen to bob close. She gently taps Dean's back.
Slowly, Dean clambers up on his feet. Obviously he's staring past all the undead, soon to be undead-er, and yet, it is here now that he flanks them with the others moving in from the front. The jagged spire of darkness in one of his hands is spun, again and again, and then it is flung when he feels Rachel tap his back. A crackling ray bursting into tendrils where it lands, seeking the nearest undead at the back of their skull - but Dean moves with ferocity, a keen, vicious animosity as if he's appalled, infuriated at the sight for whatever reason, because regardless of whoever his strike found, if it did at all, the blade is used in close quarters when he tackles straight into the mass with his blade brandished and flourished, seeking to cleave and carve his own path through them.
The undead do a little shuffle in unison, back and forth, side to side. It's as though they're controlled by one brain, being puppeted like a hundred marionettes on strings. Back. Forth. Back. Forth.
They keep staring.
All of them open their mouths in unison, and the voice that escapes is horrifying, grating to the ears, scratchy, melding together:
FLESH AND BONE. FLESH AND BONE.
Dean begins to cleave his way through them, and bodies cleft in half land upon the ground, torn to shreds. They continue to stare. Their mouths keep moving.
FLESH AND BONE.
Whatever caution Rachel had been exercising, she casts aside when Dean launches himself at the throngs of undead. Shadows leak from her staff, binding like puppet strings to the zombie that he aims for. It grabs it, holding its head back, so that may Dean bludgeon without impediment. It's then that she breaks away from Konstantin, beelining for the path behind Dean.
Ash just... stands and watches, as Dean tears through them, and they do their creepy fucking dance. They watch as Rachel joins in, and they... wait. Their mask continues to look around, and they keep waiting. After all... they've yet to see a threat. And they are not sure how It gets In.
Is that English? It may be. It may not be. Their mouths move in a strange way, even if the meaning gets across - their minds know it, even if their ears don't. None of them try to attack back. They just keep swaying.
One of the undead - not quite the undead they know of, certainly, but still undead enough for Rachel to work her magic - stumbles in its swaying.
Another pushes it. Right into the Maw.
Though he lingers with Ash cautiously, eventually Konstantin picks up the pace, following suit. He draws a breath before holding up the right flank; exhaling sharply and sending a roaring jet of crimson flame burning at the nearest walking corpse on his side with the kind of heat that can sear flesh from bone. When no reaction comes forth from the ex-pirates, Konstantin pauses and frowns, looking about himself. "These are just here. Feel free to destroy though, until we have reason not to.."
Ash doesn't respond... well, they nod, acknowledge, but 'feel free' is not the same as 'do'. They're still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Surely, if this was all there was, people would know much more about this place. For every superstitious 9, there's one person just a bit too curious for their own good. No, there must be something else.
Whatever the chant is, Dean continues to move unimpeded. Even better if they don't fight back; Dean is lost in his rage. Green eyes are agleam with vicious hatred, aided by an endless reserve of stamina coiled in the frame of man but breaking the ground with every step in ferocious strength unrestrained as the cold hangs on him. His sweat is frozen, dusting off even before it has a chance to bead on him in the frigid frost that has taken over the place - dominating every facet here. The blade severs another limb, splits another in half, and a third. It's a bloodbath, where black blood is left in a trail as Dean rapidly chews through as many as he's able, one by one or several at a time with Rachel's underappreciated assistance at his back. So lost, Dean hardly even notices that one of them fell into the abyss.
Rachel had expected differently. Every time Dean attempts for another zombie, she holds it still by the arm, the leg, the head - whatever is easiest for her to grasp onto. She's even raising her hand again in anticipation of a belligerent follow-up when - SPLASH - the retaliation is for another zombie, rather than their ragtag group. "What the hell?" Rachel asks. She doesn't destroy any of the rest, although she does decide to get up close and personal with one of the zombies still standing. Her staff butts it in the stomach, in a test.
Ash noticed. They're still waiting, while the others cavort. Ash's best fun is best saved for the living, anyways.
Is that a pair of legs moving? That's a pair of legs moving, no torso attached. They can destroy them all they like, but whatever is left over simply keeps on moving back and forth in that creepy sway.
When this zombie, too, fails to respond, Rachel sweeps it gently aside, presumably for it to continue its odd sway. She travels past it, picking her way gradually toward the Maw, as if drawn. She's not paying the group much heed now. There's not even a warning, per her wont, to alert them to the fact that she's decided to investigate on her own.
In his ruthless charge Dean had hardly even noticed where his legs carried him- or the zig-zag sway he carried himself with from foe to foe. Another one felled here, and another over there - He's elbowing one, shattering the skull of another, and the spine; no more room to go when Dean is exactly at the edge of the maw where he had pathed to and back before. Yet this time, his chest heaves. Slow breaths rising up and down, moving his shoulders beneath a slightly torn hoodie revealing the hard and ancient lines of armor underneath.
His head tilts, just for a second- as if listening, as if watching, and then, in one last step, Dean simply takes the plunge. Willingly, from the look of things - bulleting down into the darkness boot-first like a nail, and disappearing in that heavy darkness granting no sight to whatever it holds deep inside.
"Rachel", Konstantin calls out warily as he sees her going towards the ominous hypnotic pit. As wildly interesting as it might be to an aracanist, Konstantin doesn't seem keen on her diving in. "Don't get too close to pit."
"Oh shit", Konstantin remarks simply as someone else gets FAR TOO CLOSE
Ash finally speaks - "FUCK! Dean!" They take a step forward, but pause. What can they do? They don't have any way to save him... but at least they know that he can... possibly... save himself. "Dean, come back! Fly back!" They move closer, but careful, taking off their mask to better scream, their face fearful and anxious.
Ash shouts, "We need you! Your pack-" They stop, cutting themself off before their agony brings them too close to the edge.
Rachel isn't paying Konstantin much heed -- although, of all the happenings thus far, including Dean tossing himself into the Maw - that might be the least unexpected. "He just wants it for himself," she says of the werewolf. She's not nearly as concerned with his welfare as Ash is; no, by her count, Dean's done the /right/ thing. The rest of them simply lag behind. She's right by the edge.
Konstantin lurches forwards, kicking up dirt has he flies towards Rachel. He charges over to her, planting his heels and scraping along a little as he skids to a halt before attempting to wrap his arms around her and heave her off her feet!
Konstantin lurches forwards, kicking up dirt has he flies towards Rachel. He charges over to her, planting his heels and scraping along a little as he skids to a halt before attempting to wrap his arms around her and heave her off her feet!
Rachel isn't paying Konstantin much heed -- although, of all the happenings thus far, including someone tossing himself into the Maw - that might be the least unexpected. "He just wants it for himself," she says of the werewolf. She's not nearly as concerned with his welfare as Ash is; no, by her count, someone' done the /right/ thing. The rest of them simply lag behind. She's right by the edge. (repeat)
Rachel isn't paying Konstantin much heed -- although, of all the happenings thus far, including someone tossing himself into the Maw - that might be the least unexpected. "He just wants it for himself," she says of the werewolf. She's not nearly as concerned with his welfare as Ash is; no, by her count, Dean's done the /right/ thing. The rest of them simply lag behind. She's right by the edge. (repeat)
Rachel isn't paying Konstantin much heed -- although, of all the happenings thus far, including Dean tossing himself into the Maw - that might be the least unexpected. "He just wants it for himself," she says of the werewolf. She's not nearly as concerned with his welfare as Ash is; no, by her count, Dean's done the /right/ thing. The rest of them simply lag behind. She's right by the edge. (repeat)
Ash finally speaks - "FUCK! Dean!" They take a step forward, but pause. What can they do? They don't have any way to save him... but at least they know that he can... possibly... save himself. "Dean, come back! Fly back!" They move closer, but careful, taking off their mask to better scream, their face fearful and anxious. (repeat)
Ash shouts, "We need you! Your pack-" They stop, cutting themself off before their agony brings them too close to the edge. (repeat)
The undead pirates lay scattered in pieces around the beach, from where Dean had made quick work of them. They're swaying still, but... there's something else now. They've taken interest in the yeeting of the man down the seemingly-bottomless hole, no noise coming out from within, and now they creep forward.
A woman town in half crawls across the sand towards Konstantin, attempting to push him in as well. Rachel wouldn't be a problem, of course. He's the one holding her back from her heart's true desires.
torn* in half too.
Ash realizes then that the man can't be saved - but Rachel can. They start to move - but Konstantin reaches her first. Still, they keep coming for him - they expect for Rachel to kick and unbalance the man, but the undead seem to be an issue, too - a prismatic blast, a shooting star, blasts her to push her back. Head, then shoulders, as Ash moves to pull Konstantin back and ensure that Rachel can't pull them both in.
"Kostya, let go," Rachel says to Konstantin. "It's all down there." The 'it' is left ambiguous. Whatever 'it' is, though, it promises plenty. "This is what we were looking for in Romania. /Look/." She scrabbles at Konstantin's arms. The difficulty she presents him is considerable. Now he has to both keep her from tossing herself in after their ally, as well as fend off the encroaching undead. It's rather lucky that Ash comes in, just then, to lessen the burden. "We have to go," she says to both of them. Why don't they understand?
He's not here. ?
One arm looped around her midsection, the other gripping her arm, Konstantin wriggles around to stand behind Rachel and start driving her away from the pit with his body crouched enough to press his shoulder to her; driving his bodyweight into the effort. "Come on, Get away from pit!", Konstantin hisses to Rachel before roaring out; "DEAN! DEAN! You are there?!" over his shoulder
Ash sings out loud, "It's all an illusion, honey! It's all a trick! The monster in the well seduces you - Rachel, he's a dick!"
The blast at the undead scatters the poor woman apart into pieces - there's more, though. There's always more. They're crawling towards them, a hand there, a foot there, a whole skull dragging itself along by the teeth -- they try to crawl their way to the group. Even if one can't do it, surely a dozen, two dozens, a /hundred/ together can manage to drag them in. They try to shut Ash up first; a hand grasps at their ankle.
Konstantin lifts his boot once he has a little distance from the pit and gets to work stomping. Crunch crunch crunch. Big heavy rubber soles that are perfect for crushing fingers, snapping clavicles, dislocating shoulders.
Ash yells to Konstantin, "Take her away, President!" They blast at the ones at their feet before trying to make some distance - they plan on going supernova, and do *not* want to catch the other two in the blast. Stars glow from within their marshmallow attire, bursting through without touching the cloth, only to stab into the undead that try to force them.
Rachel says to Konstantin and Ash, one more time, "It's down there." It's plaintive, as if they'd denied her Christmas, and she'd been left only with a lump of coal. Rachel's stopped prying at Konstantin. Her gaze becomes faraway; it's turned on something else, unseen. She keeps her hand where it was, just on Konstantin's forearm. For the moment, it doesn't feel like she's about to kick up a fight again; she's dragged away, with no more resistance than her body weight would present.
Konstantin keeps driving away from the hole, heaving Rachel up over his shoulder bodily. His breathing is ragged with the exertion of cajoling her away from certain room while splattering ambulent bodyparts with his bootheels. He decides then to change tack, drawing in deep breaths to recover at first before starting to send great billowing gouts of crimson flame down and across the floor; searing swaths of the ground around him and its associated covering of crawling carrion.
Ash yells, "It's a lie, Rache! You know better!"
Of course it's right there. /Right there/, if only Konstantin would let Rachel take it. Ash keeps trying to clear out the hordes of undead; they keep coming. Of course they keep coming. They've only been torn into pieces, how's that going to stop something that was already moving when dead? Maybe they're making progress with their sorcery; it's hard to tell when there's what seems like an endless amount, that only keeps multiplying every time it's cut down.
And then comes the hellfire.
The ones in direct line of sight turn to ash that falls to the floor. The ones in not-so-direct line of sight are ablaze, and it only seems to be spreading, further and further, like a wildfire - except instead of trees, they're people.
Ash(bat) flies up, above the flames, over the smoke, and closer to the other, safer side - behind Konstantin. They ain't about to burn in hellfire - not today!
"N--..." But then where someone hasn't yet been able to clear the hordes, Konstantin does, evaporating bodies in his wake. Rachel's devastation knows no bounds. "Why would you /do/ that?" she demands of him. Maybe it's all a lie, as someone had said - but then why would someone have thrown himself in? She jabs an elbow into Konstantin's stomach, or tries to, at least, while she simultaneously stomps. The bat's given the grace of inattention; they float just a little too high for her. For now.
"N--..." But then where Ash(bat) hasn't yet been able to clear the hordes, Konstantin does, evaporating bodies in his wake. Rachel's devastation knows no bounds. "Why would you /do/ that?" she demands of him. Maybe it's all a lie, as someone had said - but then why would someone have thrown himself in? She jabs an elbow into Konstantin's stomach, or tries to, at least, while she simultaneously stomps. The bat's given the grace of inattention; they float just a little too high for her. For now.
"N--..." But then where Ash(bat) hasn't yet been able to clear the hordes, Konstantin does, evaporating bodies in his wake. Rachel's devastation knows no bounds. "Why would you /do/ that?" she demands of him. Maybe it's all a lie, as Ash(bat) had said - but then why would someone have thrown himself in? She jabs an elbow into Konstantin's stomach, or tries to, at least, while she simultaneously stomps. The bat's given the grace of inattention; they float just a little too high for her. For now.
"N--..." But then where Ash(bat) hasn't yet been able to clear the hordes, Konstantin does, evaporating bodies in his wake. Rachel's devastation knows no bounds. "Why would you /do/ that?" she demands of him. Maybe it's all a lie, as Ash(bat) had said - but then why would Dean have thrown himself in? She jabs an elbow into Konstantin's stomach, or tries to, at least, while she simultaneously stomps. The bat's given the grace of inattention; they float just a little too high for her. For now.
Ash returns to land near them - behind the wall of flame. They quickly get their clothes from - wherever shifter clothes go, shiver in this frozen fucking icicle of vagina teeth!!!
Ash says "Fuck! "
Maybe Ash should have brought rope. That gaping maw in the center of the Island seems mighty in need of a rope to be thrown in right now. Alas, there's nothing to be seen in there still, just the all-encompassing darkness, even lit by the flight of many blazing zombies as they are.
The ground trembles, just briefly.
The ground trembles again... is that a howl?
Konstantin calls out to Ash, shoving Rachel over towards them; "Try to snap her out of it, I need to try for Dean!". He turns and steps back towards the hole, though he doesn't stand close enough to step down inside. "Dean! Dean!", Konstantin bellows out to try and get through to the pit-diver himself. Eventually, he changes tack a little. Maybe indigestion would convince the maw to part with its pray. He takes in a deep breath and holds it for a few seconds.. before heaving and wretching, suddenly vomiting a thick stream of smouldering black fluid that trails behind it, most of it spewing down into the pit itself. Sulphurous, sticky, burning hot, and eye-watering irritant.
Ash responds to the howl with a sigh of relief - and the rope that, yes, they've brought. They sometimes forget to bring weapons, but they *never* forget to bring utility items. They tie it around one of those teeth before throwing it down. Then, they send down will o' wisps, yelling, "Dean! You're alright? I've sent rope down!" They keep an eye on the others, but they focus on their Pack's - no, their *family*'s... alpha. At least, until Konstantin shoves the other girl at them - it seems that they both had the same idea, and both expected the other to handle Rachel. Except, Konstantin is the boss.
They remind him, however - "I can fly down there if we need to, President... the Hunger can only offer what is already mine, or what's already ordained by The Frostcaller." Sounds a little religious there, almost a little... culty. They don't move, though, holding Rachel and moving away from the hole. If he listens to them, then it won't take much for them to switch positions.
Rachel/Bad/ idea to let Konstantin go, even for a second. Shadows leak from her necklace now, at first a blanket of black, and then targeted tendrils that snake for the nearest remaining corpse. They don't simply take control of a head or a limb, this time, but insist on passage through the nostrils.
When it's done, the zombie turns its baleful eyes upon Ash.
With a speed unexpected for its ilk, it barrels toward Ash, its gnashing teeth ready to find purchase.
/Bad/ idea to let Konstantin go, even for a second. Shadows leak from Rachel's necklace now, at first a blanket of black, and then targeted tendrils that snake for the nearest remaining corpse. They don't simply take control of a head or a limb, this time, but insist on passage through the nostrils.
When it's done, the zombie turns its baleful eyes upon Ash.
With a speed unexpected for its ilk, it barrels toward Ash, its gnashing teeth ready to find purchase.
Ash says "Fucking- "
The FIRE IN THE HOLE disappears far, far into the endless maw. There's a beat of stillness, as though the world holds itself, very, very still.
Ash(bat) goes back into bat form - it's proven how ineffective they are against the undead. They can shoot the head, and it'll keep running. They can shoot the leg, but who knows how far it will lunge? The best way to deal with a zombie trying to each your brains is to... not. They fly up, and away, screaming shrilly at Konstantin - why would he tell the noodle-armed fae to handle a wildcat necromancer?
Or maybe they're just warning him that he needs to change focus. At least, if his plan doesn't change things.
"Rachel!", Konstantin roars with an anger begetting far worse sins than being rude, a bad conversationalist, or inconsiderate. He barrels over towards her again, launching himself at her midsection to tackle her to the ground. Should the zombie keep on coming, he frees one arm enough to swing his cleaver-like sword at it to attempt to make a little space atleast. Otherwise, he busies himself pinning down Rachel and attempting to prevent her from causing any further interference. A hand finds her mouth, stemming latin. (checked with Pork Chop Girl)
Ash lands and blasts the zombie, aiming for the hips, shivering as they stand completely nude. "Now it's going to hurt the President, Rachel! Is it worth that? Is it worth him?" Rather than getting their clothes, they move closer to the maw.
Ash says "In a world of monsters where our hearts grow cold and closed, we care about less - but not not at all. What matters most, Rachel?"
If it's not Konstantin, then that'll be, uh... awkward. Ash hopes it's him, or the people she cares about.
The zombie keeps coming. The lucky thing is, perhaps, that Rachel only seems to be able to commandeer one at a time - and so Ash gets off scot free for the time that he's flying overhead. Its decaying jaw makes it within mere inches of Konstantin's face, its rancid breath sharp upon the air. Every time Konstantin strikes, the creature reels back, only to claw its way up again with cracked nails. Then, when Ash gets at it, it turns its deadened gaze at Rachel's behest -- oh, well look at that. That's not a bat any longer.
Ash thinks it's fine, it seems. They yell at Konstantin next, "Knock her out!" They shiver violently, but they don't shift - not yet. They longer they hold out, the more time he has to handle her.
The island shudders again. There's a trembling from within, as though something is burping. A mass of inky black liquid shoots out of the maw with the burp, landing upon the shore - right on a pile of zombie-ashes. Within it, a monstrous wolf, also covered in the inkiness.
The maw begins to suck in everything around it. It's ready to devour.
The wolf is very stinky.
Whatever Dean(wolf) has done down there, he's feral. Completely livid - and not an ounce of humanity resides in his eyes as he's deposited like a disgusting pile of fur caught in someone's teeth. He slides up first, twists back on all fours and limps - shudders once or twice under his own weight. His maw, split all the way to the ears, is stricken with black blood. His? Not his? It's hard to tell at this point while he both bleeds it and is coated by it. Snarling with widened eyes and drawn back lips to wholly display the full stretch of a jawline drooling from snout to ear in single, undisturbed line.
Every drop trails long tendrils of that venomous liquid of his fangs; as well as blood. Red marring the black, and he twitches - that behemoth. Not out of fear, but more kindred to a drug-addled beast, both weakened and empowered by what he's done. For all of a second, he claws the earth forward like he might dash right back down into that maw, but instict stills him. Not fear, but something else entirely. Like hunger made manifest, he stands hunched, fur bristled ear to the tip of his raised, blade-like tail while he remains in that state of fugue.
The ashes - or what of them is untethered by the inkiness - go flying into the darkness. Chopped and hacked-off parts of zombies follows, at least what hadn't burnt up already. The ground begins to crumble, the rocks edging the Maw breaking off and crashing into it. More bursts of inky slime are spurted out high into the air, almost like lava flying off a volcano. It's as though there's an earthquake, something awakened that shouldn't have been so.
Konstantin warily stares over at Dean(wolf) as he does his best to hold Rachel down. "Throw some of the fucking things at Dean!", Konstantin shouts to Ash, gesturing to the zombies knocking about that weren't eviscerated earlier.
Now, seeing Rachel's pet veering away from them for someone else, Konstantin tries to talk to her. "We can steal it, Rachel, watever is in there. We just need to destroy it first, da?" An attempt at twisting her desires to something verging on useful to him, leaning on her thirst for power.
Gripping her upper arms as he sees the ground start to collapse, Konstantin heaves Rachel back up again, turning and starting to head away from the gaping apperture at a lumbering jog
The zombie Rachel had commanded loses its footing, its heel off the cliff. In seconds, it makes a precipitous drop.
As the earth crumbles - and as Konstantin reasons with her - sense creeps back into Rachel's eyes. It's just in time, too, as bits and pieces of rock, limbs, everything are sucked into the vortex. She's on her own two feet again, hot on Konstantin's heels to wherever might be secure, if that's anywhere at all.
In the process, her shadows seek out a new victim in a one-armed undead, which she, per instruction, sends Ash's way to assist with Dean(wolf).
Ash stumbles, as the world shakes - then, for lack of a reason sufficient to account for disobedience, they start lifting and chucking bodies at Dean(wolf). while making their way after Konstantin. They don't shift now - this vacuum would so easily suck in their teeny tiny flying form. "Dean," they call, albeit wary. Though they seem not to want him to die - they don't see him here. They can hope that he's in there, and can be woken up... but how?
Not having the slightest clue, they backtrack, bump a shifting body, lift it up and toss it towards the wolf, then repeat, doing more and more moving back the stronger the Maw's implosion gets. "The Froscaller requires you yet," they hiss, following up with, "There were promises!" They don't know what they're saying - just trying to find anything that'll work.
Whether Ash's words work or not, it isn't clear. What does, however, is the string of corpses. Dean(wolf) takes off on a sprint immediately. He's not fast by any margin, much faster than the average human - but a supernatural worth their salt could easily outrun this heavy behemoth. Especially now, while he tackles corpse after corpse, pins dead flesh and continues that primal instinct embedded not just into him, but courses through his veins. Dean(wolf) eats every scrap, whole torsos gone, arms and legs strewn about in his wake while loud crunching only gets closer and closer to Ash, Konstantin and Rachel - with no doubt about what he'll do if they run out of corpses to keep him on their escape trail.
It's almost like a sinkhole, except slower - thankfully - and about a thousand times bigger, that sucks in all the sand. A whole tree crumbles to pieces, falling into it. And there's Nessa - /that/'s caught her attention enough to make her go back on her previous words about going anywhere near the Maw. "Wha' did ye /do/?!" she questions, aghast, her eyes wide in horror as she takes in the sight of the Maw getting wider. "I'd hang ye from a yardarm, but ye'd break the mast, ye black-spotted, beak-nosed, deck-swabbin' poltroons!" That's all of them, presumably. She's backing away already, and there's the beginnings of path magic, starting to form, the forest path slowly manifesting. "Tis not enough rum in the world to make me put up with /this/--" If anyone wants to join her, they'd better do it now, and fast, because she - and the parrot - are going to get the fuck outta here before they're sucked into the void and devoured by it.
If Ash can only move as fast as the wolf, then it's only a question of how long it takes for them to yeet a corpse, and how long it takes Dean(wolf) to eat. They... do not plan on making any bets. To someone, they yell, "You wanted... rid of the curse... it's getting gone! If... it could drink the ocean... it would have by now! It's... gonna drown!" Yes, this is perfectly sound logic, and not the best Ash can do while trying to escape two equally terrifying dooms at once. They move to join her, so long as their legs can make it.
If Ash can only move as fast as the wolf, then it's only a question of how long it takes for them to yeet a corpse, and how long it takes Dean(wolf) to eat. They... do not plan on making any bets. To Nessa, they yell, "You wanted... rid of the curse... it's getting gone! If... it could drink the ocean... it would have by now! It's... gonna drown!" Yes, this is perfectly sound logic, and not the best Ash can do while trying to escape two equally terrifying dooms at once. They move to join her, so long as their legs can make it.
There is another creature that paths. Dean(wolf). And it is horrendously fast - how that lumbering monstrosity suddenly turns into a jagged ray of misty light. Just the raw sound of that woman's voice, her words- it is enough for Dean(wolf) to lunge ahead. Leap into the air, and crash down on her, maw open, wide and black, leading to an empty void almost kindred to the one they're leaving behind; with the sole intention he has devouring her whole. Warmer flesh better than the dead bodies he's forsaking for this one particular prey in his ravenous hunger.
Rachel seizes zombie after zombie. When she runs out of whole corpses to throw at someone, she gives him arms that crawl forward like insects, the fingers used for legs. All the while, she keeps well ahead of him, until -
From thin air emerges someone, crashing into Nessa before Ash, Rachel, and Konstantin. "Shit," she says. Her move isn't to defend their guide. That's bygones - or maybe that's something that Konstantin and Ash can do. Rachel takes up her mantle as a means of transport, rifling fast through her bag to produce a candle.
It's hard to get a match lit. She fails once, twice, three times, until finally she has a flame going. Their surroundings flicker.
Maybe she can get them away in time -- if they can buy her the minutes she needs.
Rachel seizes zombie after zombie. When she runs out of whole corpses to throw at Dean(wolf), she gives him arms that crawl forward like insects, the fingers used for legs. All the while, she keeps well ahead of him, until -
From thin air emerges Dean(wolf), crashing into Nessa before Ash, Rachel, and Konstantin. "Shit," she says. Her move isn't to defend their guide. That's bygones - or maybe that's something that Konstantin and Ash can do. Rachel takes up her mantle as a means of transport, rifling fast through her bag to produce a candle.
It's hard to get a match lit. She fails once, twice, three times, until finally she has a flame going. Their surroundings flicker.
Maybe she can get them away in time -- if they can buy her the minutes she needs.
Konstantin points at someone, looking aside to Rachel, "Slow him down! We need to get him away from the fucking pit!" He looks at Ash then, too, perhaps hopefully. He knows Rachel has ways to stave off someone from the slaughter, if just for a short while longer, but Ash he knows less. As for him, Konstantin darts aside to grip hold of a swaying undead, heaving it towards someone. Good luck Nessa!
Konstantin points at Dean(wolf), looking aside to Rachel, "Slow him down! We need to get him away from the fucking pit!" He looks at Ash then, too, perhaps hopefully. He knows Rachel has ways to stave off someone from the slaughter, if just for a short while longer, but Ash he knows less. As for him, Konstantin darts aside to grip hold of a swaying undead, heaving it towards someone. Good luck Nessa!
Konstantin points at Dean(wolf), looking aside to Rachel, "Slow him down! We need to get him away from the fucking pit!" He looks at Ash then, too, perhaps hopefully. He knows Rachel has ways to stave off Dean(wolf) from the slaughter, if just for a short while longer, but Ash he knows less. As for him, Konstantin darts aside to grip hold of a swaying undead, heaving it towards someone. Good luck Nessa!
Konstantin points at Dean(wolf), looking aside to Rachel, "Slow him down! We need to get him away from the fucking pit!" He looks at Ash then, too, perhaps hopefully. He knows Rachel has ways to stave off Dean(wolf) from the slaughter, if just for a short while longer, but Ash he knows less. As for him, Konstantin darts aside to grip hold of a swaying undead, heaving it towards Dean(wolf). Good luck Nessa!
She's not entirely helpless, and her reflexes are fast - one with hair naturally /that/ shade of blue-green wouldn't be helpless; there's a grunt, and Nessa jumps to the side to avoid Dean(wolf)'s monstrous lunge - his teeth close around flesh, a parrot's bones cracking between his teeth. It's not even a mouthful, for him. There's a startled look in her eyes, and then, immediately, it shifts to a vicious one, as though she's considering what the best means to tear his throat out would be. Instead of striking back, the woman abandons her attempts at pathing and instead makes for the water, sprinting across the sand. She's a pirate - she's almost certainly going to be stronger in there.
Ash probably does *something* - not that Konstantin and Rachel can see. Though, they do shout, sounding out of breath and bewildered, "Wha- is that a fucking mermaid? A fat - bitch chose the *wrong* beach to run up on." There's a sense of disregard - too bad for her, with their words. "Forget her, President - I can Path us back!"
Rachel's already begun to open up a path - that's what the candle was for. Their surroundings yield the glimpse of a tree -- but not the forest, yet. It's too early. An immense difficulty for Rachel to not only find them an exit, but to delay Dean(wolf), but she tries her best. "Lentacordis."
Rachel aims straight for Dean(wolf) - or rather, those insidious shadows do, crawling from the walls to try and arrest his approach.
And yes, the ever-hungry maw expands further. Pebbles, rocks, more chunks of torn flesh and meat and bone, they all go in, flying. Sand too. It pulls at the sand beneath their feet now, making their footing unsteady. On and on and on it goes, pulling and pulling and pulling and eating and devouring and consuming.
A massive hole is made where Dean(wolf) lands, throwing sand and - feathers - all around. The poor parrot is gone, devoured hole - and it isn't even enough to fill a cavity. He's captured by shadows, ignored by his prey, assaulted by an illusion of a fat and plump mermaid. Yet, he topples over under his weight, black and bloodied maws clashing against the air. Whatever he did down below, he is already weakened even if incredibly, ferociously feral and a force of reckoning. Just, not enough to move and lunge for anyone's throat th same time. It takes a while for Dean(wolf)'s heart to thunder through the weakness Rachel instills, and he slides on his haunches a few times before he can stand tall enough. It's all the time Nessa needs to get away from his grasp- likely the fat mermaid too. Instead, green eyes turn upon Rachel, Ash, Konstantin. He doesn't need to charge - he's walking, slowly, and being dragged back towards them while also prowling. One paw after another in a smooth stride, and glowing eyes beneath withdrawn lips expose the whole expanse of his teeth, the snarl that drools blood out of his own maw.
Ash says "He can Path himself."
Dean(wolf) will definitely just jump into their path and chase.
"Blind him!", Konstantin roars out before exhaling sharply. Prematurely, the crimson flame dies short, producing a thick cloud of black smog. Perhaps this was the entire intent. He projects the haze between someone and his group, doing whatever he can to slow down the ravenous wolf and facilitate the efforts to path. "Help her, or we will have to try and knock him out!"
"Blind him!", Konstantin roars out before exhaling sharply. Prematurely, the crimson flame dies short, producing a thick cloud of black smog. Perhaps this was the entire intent. He projects the haze between Dean(wolf) and his group, doing whatever he can to slow down the ravenous wolf and facilitate the efforts to path. "Help her, or we will have to try and knock him out!"
There in the water - there's a shark circling now, white and big and menacing, just waiting for them - or just Dean(wolf), really - to come closer, and Nessa is nowhere to be seen. Its fin breaks through the surface of the water, circling, circling, circling. Feathers drift through the air. It lurks.
They're close to the shore now, where that boat awaits, if they can't manage to make the path. Either way, it's going to be a close call, with the sand rapidly being whittled and sucked away, their ground beneath their feet now damp with ocean spray with how little of the island is left.
Ash knows that it's true, anyways, focusing on their fellow Hand.
Whatever Dean(wolf) sees - without being blinded, quite the opposite happens. Revulsion. It drags him out of that fugue near instantly, like a flame sputtering and dying, and Dean(wolf) actually retches. Not from the smog, or the scent of sulphur, but the sight of illusion that plagues him. They can path wherever they like, Dean(wolf) turns on a heel - limps a few times as if to get away, and dripping black liquid from his maw as he looks sicker than when he emerged. Somehow, whatever notion is put in his head, it stirred the more human side of him, the part that can think. It can think, but it isn't in a state to be smart. Dean(wolf) drags himself to the water, limps into it - and the water is instantly coated in black, spreading the viscous ink and bile catching his fur everywhere.
Ash says in relief, "Kah! You're here! I didn't think you'd get it in time... Freya? The fuck?" But, there's no time to focus on why she, of all people are here, sadly. They move to the others, working on their own Path as they purchase time... though at what cost, they seem unwilling to worry about, now.
Rachel stops. She stops flinging magic at Dean(wolf) she stops running; and she stops answering anyone. All of her attention goes wholesale into carving out their escape route. A portal hums into being, flickering at the edges. Within it are trees, a still-dark sky, grass. The smell of the ocean substitutes for pine. This way lies safety.
"ASH, KOSTYA," she yells at them.
She herself doesn't go through -- not until they do, so that their exit point doesn't vanish alongside her.
"..." Her foot pivots, and she readies herself to follow, only to catch sight of Dean(wolf).
Expletives sit just short of being voiced.
Against all reason, she makes for Dean(wolf), as if she could haul a wolf back on her own.
In fact, Dean(wolf) has lost all will to fight. Even if the hungry maw were to devour him, it doesn't look like he would care. That hunger is a backdrop of incessant whispers in his head- and he's taking his time to bask in the cold water. Each second spent looking more and more like himself - or rather, still wolf, but a subdued glimmer returns to his eyes. Followed by another retching, dog-like sound. The shark could potentially ruin him now, and as weak as he is, he would cave in - but just a few laps of the seawater drank with an extending tongue is enough to spiral him all over again. Not to rage; simple unconsciousness.
Ash looks after Rachel, hesitating for just a moment, before trying to push Konstantin through. They are running out of time, though they are sure that the man will refuse. They can try to move through the shadows, they can fly off as a bat, they can push the boat out until they have enough time to Path themself - and with these backup plans, they take the moments to try and force Konstantin through.
The ground rumbles, one last time - and then it starts sinking entirely, the island falling into the maw. The shark, circling, circling, circling, instead decides to swim off before the waters churn even further. She's not going to take her revenge for the parrot... for now?
Konstantin almost goes along with Ash's insistance but then he spots Rachel headed for the unconscious Dean. "Shit. Ash, help me carry!" he calls out, sidestepping and barreling towards the downed wolf. He grips the man by the ankles and starts heaving; moving at as close to a jog as he can. His breathing lulls rather than raising in depth; his supernatural vitality taking over the role of his natural physiological processes, giving him the strength to skitter over to the path with haste
Dean's head bonks against the jutting, final piecesof the island every step of the way.
Ash sighs, having tried - then rushes after the man, helping Konstantin as best they can by lifting Dean's head and shoulders up over their's - no bonking if they have any say. There's a relief on their face, though... they didn't seem to want to leave Dean behind.
At this point, a bit of brain damage might help instead of hinder, really. Dean bonk-bonk-bonks along as Konstantin and Rachel drag him along - at least, until Ash heaves his head up - and just as the solid ground beneath their feet crumbles away to give way to the churning waves of the ocean, being sucked into a massive whirlpool--
The forest.
Rachel tries to hoist Dean up and finds that, as expected, he's too heavy. Thank God there's Ash and Konstantin, and as soon as they have the matter well in hand, she takes the initiative to heave all of her body weight against the boat and to /push/. They go nowhere -- until they do. Now they're staying among trees. Rachel puts the heel of her hand up against her forehead, breathing hard. "Holy shit," she says to no one in particular.
Something stirs from that unconscious man - and as human as Dean is, his stomach isn't made of iron right now. Especially while he's not under the effects of a vicious, horrid rage and urge to consume. He sputters- starts to cough, and what ensues is all that he's imbibed. Except the parrot; he very much liked the parrot. It's all a black, viscous, flesh and bile dark blood erupting out of him towards others.
Whoever made the path - please let me know where it was leading to.?
If it's Rachel's path, it was to the pirate ships.
Ash is moving on adrenaline - but, not the demonic kind, so as the familiar Forest engulfs them, they start to flag immediately, stumbling with exhaustion. Man, if only one of them was telekinetic - and also wasn't unconscious. They nod to Konstantin as the werewolf starts puking, trying to help turn him over, letting him puke it up and all over. Though, given that they are *still completely naked*, they do *not* appreciate it. In fact, they're doing their best not to puke right back at him - fucking disgusting.
Konstantin twists his head away at the last moment, having looked back over his shoulder to check that Dean wasn't choking to death as he starts to create that symphony of beautiful nosies. His right arm is splattered in half rotten viscera and a few half-destroyed parrot feathers. He keeps on keepin' on, dragging Dean along at pace, trying to avoid leaving him to be forestfood after so nearly dodging becoming sharkbait
Dean is not a happy camper, he'll probably stay as he is until stirred awake.
Rachel fucks right off. Ash and Konstantin are doing just fine with Dean, and the coat she's wearing is textured, probably near impossible to clean chunks out of. "This is worse than Korina," she comments of the wolf. She maintains several feet of distance, so that even if Dean /projectile/ vomits, he'd have to really, truly try for her to do any damage.
Dean probably doesn't projective vomit- Unless? He's possibly already emptied the contents of his stomach anyhow.
Konstantin grimaces, grunting with strain as he moves along. "Valtys not going to be happy we don't have crown."
It smells like sulphur and decayed, sickly-sweet fruit and bile and metallic iron, all in one. The perfect accompaniment for the group as they find their way across the forest path - now littered with goo-vomit - and right onto the deck of the flagship. The Pirate King had been leaning against the railing, watching something in the far distance - it's a cloud of smoke-like ash against the sky, and the crew is engaged in a flurry of activity, all shouting commands to each other and preparing to embark right the fuck away from the massive whirlpool that's taking over that corner of the ocean.
"Nessa," he says immediately, eyes moving over the unconscious Dean first before taking in the state of the rest of them. His nose wrinkles faintly, but he's smelled worse, being around these many pirates. Surely. "Where's Nessa?"
He has more questions. Namely 'what the /fuck/ did you do?!' and 'what the fucking fuck', but they can wait.
Ash drawls with a retch - "That's not her name, and you shouldn't-" But, they're back. They tell the king, "In the water, she's a shark. She'll be coming. How's the weather?" They lay the man's head on the ground, stumbling to the edge of the water, and *now* they vomit. How did they learn this skill? Don't worry about it.
Ash can only hope that they don't puke *on* her.
Rachel - notably not a bird - opens her mouth to answer. Ash gets there first, which is just as well, as she puts a hand over her mouth in avoidance of the same fate that Dean and Ash seem to be suffering. She points in their direction. 'What they said.'
Ash is at the edge of the ship, on the railing - they don't go down to the water.
Like he's devoured the world, Dean is there - seated now, posssibly, on the floor with his back to the wall. His chest continues to heave - black blood still drops from the corners of his mouth, but at least, he has the self-preservation instinct to move his limbs now. Just lift a hand up, drag a bare fist over his mouth to wipe the excess goo and drop it back down once more. Beyond it, he's still relatively out of it. Recovering fast, but still recovering, and not quite done.
He looks over them, back and forth. Rachel, looking faintly disgusted. Ash, mid-puke (not on Nessa, she's still a ways away). Dean, passed the fuck out. Konstantin, covered in inky vomit. He makes a face, and then he's hopping up onto the railing of the boat and jumping right off-
He turns into a giant albatross, a massive wingspan carrying him along the air to survey the damage from here, going high enough that he's just a little v upon the horizon.
And then back.
Man-turned-bird turns man again as he lands upon the deck, only few minutes later. "She is on her way." Because, of course, he had to see for himself. She's likely not managed to pass on the 'parrot died' message juuuust yet, or maybe the man just has /so many more/ things to worry about at the moment. Like the massive fucking whirlpool. "We will beat the whirlpool if we move now," and yes, they're setting sail, the ship moving beneath them all that much rigorously now. "Did you see my father? Put him to rest?" The man who they'd been told /no/ physical description of? Did they?
Konstantin shakes off his arm, spattering the vile remnants of the rotten effluvium onto the deck beneath. "So. We destroyed island", Konstantin clarifies for the captain. "Should be end of curse."
As simple as that. He makes it seems that way, anyway.
Dean probably *ate* the man, who can even remember?
"And we put--... all of them to rest," Rachel appends to what Konstantin says. Chances are, she's right, yes? If they'd taken out the vast majority of corpses with hellfire, Dean's stomach, Ash's sorcery, and Rachel's necromancy -- plus swallowed up the remainder with a whirlpool, surely they've done it.
Ash manages to murmur, "We burned them in a pyre, your highness - it was the only way to release them." It sounds way nicer that way than it actually was - they're supporting Rachel here.
If they're wrong, it's not as though it'll be easy to check. And by then, the lot of them - the scallywags - will have made it safely to Haven. Rachel's plan is /foolproof. Thank you, Ash.
One, two, three, four. The pirate's sea-green eyes traverse across each of them in turn. Ash, Rachel, Dean, Konstantin. He inhales a deep breath, regrets it immediately - the stench - and nods his head.
A short trip to his quarters later, he retrieves the box. It's handed over to Rachel, who seems the cleanest of the bunch. "The mist is changing already." comes the admission, and yes, it may even be... slightly less cold. Maybe. "Now get out, you are getting in the way." No thanks. Just business.
"Path home", Konstantin declares to the group at large. Well. He isn't going to do it so one can assume that was a nonspecific request to the others.
The group arrives at this forsaken place, led by Dean's relentless pursuit stirred by a deep-seated curiosity. Unsettlingly, the island is plagued by zombies that sway in a mystifying dance of death, unaffected by the group’s attacks. Dean, fueled by a blend of rage and dark curiosity, slashes through the undead with Rachel's arcane assistance, seeking the heart of the island's curse.
Konstantin and Ash, caught between duty and the unnerving task at hand, contribute their own strengths to the ordeal. Konstantin's brute force and Ash’s magical prowess add layers to their strategy, though the true nature of the island's curse continues to elude them.
As the island begins to collapse into itself, swallowed by the monstrous maw at its center, Dean takes a drastic plunge into the abyss, driven by a fervent desire to confront the curse head-on. This act of valor pushes the group to their limits, racing against time and the island's devouring force to save Dean and themselves.
Rachel, desperate to save the group, initiates a risky path to escape. She channels her powers to open a gateway back to safety, her focus unwavering even as the ground crumbles beneath them. Konstantin, embodying resilience, assists by hoisting Dean, ensuring no man is left behind.
Their return is marred by Dean's transformed state, a feral wolf consumed by the curse's vile influence. His descent into savagery is momentarily halted by the group’s collective effort to drag him back to sanity and away from the island's fatal embrace.
Nessa, a key figure with a personal stake in the island's fate, faces her own battle. As Dean targets her in his relentless hunger, she transforms, revealing her true might and narrowly escaping the jaws of death.
The confrontation with the curse and the island's malevolent force culminates in a dramatic escape. The group, battered and bruised, manages to pull Dean from the clutches of madness, retreating to the pirate ship that awaits their return.
In the ship’s safety, they report their harrowing ordeal to the Pirate King, claiming the curse's destruction with the island's demise. Despite their success, the atmosphere is tense, the weight of their actions heavy in their hearts. The crown, a symbol of their harrowing journey and the curse's end, is their only trophy, along with the haunting memories of what they have witnessed and endured.
Their story concludes with a mixture of relief and somber reflection, as they vacate the pirate ship, leaving behind the cursed island and its nightmares. They return to familiar shores, carrying the scars of their adventure and the hope that their actions have indeed ended the curse.
(Blood and Brine(SRKorina):SRKorina)
[Sun Sep 22 2024]
At a cove in sight of an impressive flotilla
Nestled between tall, jagged cliffs, this hidden cove is sheltered from the open sea. The air is thick with salt, the scent of the ocean mingling with the damp earth beneath, and a pale mist curls along the shoreline, parting just enough to reveal an impressive flotilla in the distance. Dozens of ships, bound together in formation, drift upon the water with sails furled, the distant sounds of bustling crew activity heard from here.
The cove itself is calm, its dark waters lapping gently at a shore strewn with driftwood and broken crates. Gnarled trees cling to the rocky cliffs above, and hidden paths snake upward, offering precarious vantage points over the flotilla. The waters appear deceptively serene, though fleeting shadows dart beneath the surface here and there, the marine life quick and elusive.
It is night, about -6F(-21C) degrees, and the sky is covered by dark grey stormclouds. There is a waning gibbous moon.
Also Konstantin will be joining us in a bit, he got pulled into a patrol.?
After a meeting at the gate in the Wilds, the group follows a path through the otherworldly forest led by the Pirate King's envoy: a woman with turquoise eyes and hair the color of seaweed bound into a fishtail braid that cascades down her back. Pretty neat, for a pirate, all things considered. She introduces herself as Nessa - no surname provided - in accented English, as they make their way through the forest path, landing eventually within this sheltered cove.
It being the Wilds, of course, it's a nice peaceful nine in the evening instead of the ungodly three in the morning as Haven was. The waning moon is high in the sky, casting its silver light upon the ocean and the waves that lap softly against the shore of the cove. The air is thick with the scent of brine, the night still aside from the occasional splashing of water as a fish decides to jump free, the waters teeming beneath the surface despite the outwardly solemn appearance.
In the distance a few minutes by rowboat away, a flotilla can be seen, donned with furled, black sails and lit with lanterns that manage to pierce through the gloom of night. There's an ever-present hustle and bustle upon the ships heard from even here, the din of sailors going about their regular business, the nightlife vibrant. From here, it's possible to make out the individual ships upon the flotilla: the one at the center, the largest warship, has a mermaid figurehead that looms at the prow, dwarfing the rest of the ships with its reinforced iron hull, while other ships flanking it serve as resting quarters, marketplaces, armories, and even training grounds. Guards can be seen patrolling the walkways in the distance, marching to and fro one ship to another to keep the peace - or as much peace as one can keep in a den of pirates - and pirate lookouts in crow's nests keep a watchful eye over the sea.
Nearby, a boat awaits, with a man in it. Notably, it's ungodly cold here - colder than it should be in such a supposedly-tropical climate. It's likely not Vaelys' influence - her rime hasn't quite managed to penetrate all the way to Navvere yet... but with /this/ weather, does it really need to? The dark sky above is covered in darker clouds, limned in silver, ready to unleash hailstones down any second now.
"Thanks," Rachel says to someone as they arrive. She's dressed appropriately, but even so, the cold grabs her. She stuffs her hands in her pockets. "Do we owe you anything for ferrying us?" No one said she was going to be doing the hard labor in rowing - Rachel's hoping, perhaps. Subtle.
"Thanks," Rachel says to someone as they arrive. She's dressed appropriately, but even so, the cold grabs her. She stuffs her hands in her pockets. "Do we owe you anything for ferrying us?" No one said she was going to be doing the hard labor in rowing - Rachel's hoping, perhaps. Subtle.
"Thanks," Rachel says to Nessa as they arrive. She's dressed appropriately, but even so, the cold grabs her. She stuffs her hands in her pockets. "Do we owe you anything for ferrying us?" No one said she was going to be doing the hard labor in rowing - Rachel's hoping, perhaps. Subtle.
Ash sings as they walk through the Wildgate - into Haven, rather then out, "Pour your misery down, pour your misery down on me. Pour your misery down, pour your misery down...." And then they look around, noting Dean and Rachel, looking prepared. They fall silent, giving an upnod and dusting sawdust off of their clothes instead. They swing their rifle from where it was hanging on their back, adjusting the strap so that it's at their side, easy to pick up and drop as needed. They check their sabre, at their side, before standing straight, falling in line behind Dean with comfortable practice.
They shiver from the cold, but one gets the impression by their movement that they've been in the cold all day - they may even lose Sanctuary to Haven at this rate. They nod to someone, silent currently, their rainbow mask hiding any expression the little snow sprite might be making.
Ash sings as they walk through the Wildgate - into Haven, rather then out, "Pour your misery down, pour your misery down on me. Pour your misery down, pour your misery down...." And then they look around, noting Dean and Rachel, looking prepared. They fall silent, giving an upnod and dusting sawdust off of their clothes instead. They swing their rifle from where it was hanging on their back, adjusting the strap so that it's at their side, easy to pick up and drop as needed. They check their sabre, at their side, before standing straight, falling in line behind Dean with comfortable practice.
They shiver from the cold, but one gets the impression by their movement that they've been in the cold all day - they may even lose Sanctuary to Haven at this rate. They nod to Nessa, then the man in the boat - silent currently, their rainbow mask hiding any expression the little snow sprite might be making.
Rachel's about to learn the consequences for talking business with a pirate real fast. Nessa flashes her a shark-like grin, and holds up her finger. "Three gold coins." That's pure gold for you, ma'am. She looked like she'd have done it for free though.
Following Nessa, Dean is quiet. Too quiet as he follows along and trudges on through the frost laden path of the beaten, otherworldly forest and the eventual landscape of ice that dominates this portion of the realms. He's dressed thickly, cargo pants, boots, fingerless gloves to break the wind - and his armor is undoubtedly underneath the warm pullover he has over him - indicted by how padded it looks. As well as the claymore that rests between his shoulderblades. His crossbow is absent, currently.
It looks like his silence would persists in silent appraisal of the are with wide eyes, a near neutral expression - until Nessa over there tries to steal some coin from the gullible Hand operative. Without breaking his stride, or displaying any of his usual rage, Dean simply tells aside, with a hand in the pocket of his hoodie and another at the neckline of it, tugging at the hem. "Piss off, we don't owe you anything, get your gold from the pirate." A completely sane and amiable representative of Vaelys indeed. Perhaps just as ruthless, if nothing else.
A spot of gold glints at Rachel's neck, but of course, she doesn't offer to pony up. She's in the middle of taking the measure of the boatman and the pirate when Dean speaks up - how hard to simply toss them into the ocean? - when Dean speaks. She's been giving him a wide berth. That continues.
Ash makes a soft chuckle, but doesn't add anything to the shenanigans. Whether it's at Rachel's expense or at Dean's bluntness, it's a mystery... they're very mysterious. With their mysterious rainbow mask, and their unusual silence.
The woman cackles out loud in response, throwing her head back in amusement at Dean. At least she's approving enough instead of taking offense to that one, and the fingers that were held up now lower, hands going to her hips as she stalks off towards the water. "Ye'll catch some fists if ye natter like that around the rest o' the crews," she tells Dean, whatever natter's supposed to mean anyway, and then tips her chin towards the man in the rowboat.
"That's Jeb; he's a canvas shy of a full sail, 'n mute to boot. He'll take us on the jolly boat 'ere. All in one, get yer sea legs under ye," Nessa tells the group in a loud voice that's used to carrying over distances once they've all recovered their bearing from the pathing, an eye keeping watch for anything unexpected on the shore, and a hand resting upon the sword sheathed at her hip. She's certainly used to ordering people around, that's for sure.
Jeb appears to be the man on the boat, waiting to ferry them to and fro. Nothing remarkable about him, other than those arms, thick as tree trunks. That's a man suited to his job, that's for sure, even if he may be 'a canvas shy of a full sail'. Nessa herself steps ahead, braid swaying, and climbs into the boat first to claim the best seat for herself - which is, admittedly, just a less bumpy and water-warped piece of wood than the rest of them.
Konstantin hangs around beside Rachel, watching the pirate named Nessa discuss things with her while Dean is angry.
Ash nods to Konstantin, their prismatic mask shimmering in the moonlight, more pearlescent than the typical chromatic swirl it holds in the sunlight. They don't move, though, until either Dean or Konstantin moves... though they may have some hesitation if the former goes first - as he's wont to do - as they apparently have two different superiors to defer to for this mission.
"You're going to catch some fists if you don't watch /your/ fucking mouth." Dean snarkily retorts back, though, his manner of snark is all fangs and drawn lips to display them in disgust. Even then, it doesn't hold any real heat in his tone. Just modulated, disinterested attitude of his usual make while he starts to move after Nessa before anyone else can. Dean hardly cares for the introduction, but Jeb, as their ferryman, does get a slight nod of recognition before the boat by the shore shifts in place with the deceptive weight of a wolf stepping inside.
He doesn't make haste, but he does guide himself to another waterlogged piece of timber fashioned into a seat to settle in. The claymore at his back is drawn from its resting place, laid tip-down against the boat's floor between his legs, and his forearms hang over his knees in a slight slouched position, hands connected together around his blade. The pommel rests just a hand or so above his head, over his shoulder, while green eyes take in the Wilds from a new vantage. "If you have any question to them, ask while we're being rowed." That isn't for the ferrman Jeb or their guide Nessa - its for the entourage waiting outside.
"Fae first," Rachel informs Ash, stating a rule never before heard. She's probably not into the idea of sitting on whatever rickety contraption's ahead of them - without proof that it can sustain considerable weight, at least. It comes off reasonably polite, all being said.
There's no holes in the boat that anyone can see, at least, so it should in theory, be safe enough. Three planks of wood make up the seats; one is already occupied by Nessa and Jeb, and the other half-occupied by Dean now, leaving one whole plank (and a half) free. Perfectly calculated.
Konstantin heads for the boat, clambering in. He appears to be a little paler than usual but the rowing hasn't started yet so it can't be the queasiness of sea sickness. He adjusts his heavy thermal gear, beckoning for Rachel and someone. "Alright, you heard him." Beyond that, nothing else.
Konstantin heads for the boat, clambering in. He appears to be a little paler than usual but the rowing hasn't started yet so it can't be the queasiness of sea sickness. He adjusts his heavy thermal gear, beckoning for Rachel and someone. "Alright, you heard him." Beyond that, nothing else.
Konstantin heads for the boat, clambering in. He appears to be a little paler than usual but the rowing hasn't started yet so it can't be the queasiness of sea sickness. He adjusts his heavy thermal gear, beckoning for Rachel and Ash. "Alright, you heard him." Beyond that, nothing else.
Actually, you know what, with one-and-a-half planks remaining - plus the fact that her choices are Dean or Konstantin to sit by - Rachel /does/ make haste. She claims the spot next to Konstantin, her bag held high as she gets on, as if she were liable to drop it in water somehow.
Ash looks to Dean, then to Konstantin, then to Rachel - there's no shit eating grin to be seen, as Dean not only goes first, ignoring her - but also removes any excuse for her not to climb in. Still, there's no reason for them *not* to climb in, so... they do so. They're a snow sprite, not a spite sprite, today. They reach a gloved hand out to her, though, to help her in if she needs it - but then she brushes past. They shrug, and seem to have no problem sitting besides Dean. She still can't see their smile, but the lift of their chin - are they smug? Who knows.
Feel free to move north. ?
Konstantin leans over the side of the boat, staring into the water. "Probably too cold for swim. Shame."
Ash shrugs. They finally speak up to drawl, "Not for me, fortunately - I might feel warmer swimming. But I'm not really up for the... process." Whatever process that may be. Still, they inadvertently give a reason free of guilt to be tossed overboard... not that anyone would do that, surely.
Konstantin is correct - it's certainly way too cold for a swim, and they probably don't want to meet whatever shadows lurk beneath the waters. The boat sets off once they're all in, Nessa watching with some amusement, and the flotilla comes into closer view as Jeb makes steady progress on rowing them across the water's surface, his arms straining and the wood beneath creaking. Each splash of water that ends up splattering onto the people sitting in the boat is cold as ice, penetrating into skin and bones both.
They make it eventually, to the side of a smaller support ship flanking the flotilla, and a ladder is lowered down to them. Rusty and slippery from saltwater, its nonetheless all they get - no handicap access here - and Nessa waits for them to climb up first before she makes her way over in the flank, alongside Jeb and the boat itself, being hauled up last to be carried at the stern of the ship for future trips.
And yes, nobody looks like they want to toss Ash overboard yet, though Nessa does give them the occasional curious glance, likely because of their get-up.
And yes - this is the time they should take, while the boat rows along quietly, to ask questions.
Rachel takes one look at the ladder and decides that, no, physical exertion isn't in the cards this morning. Little warning precedes the vanishing of her limbs and the collapse of her torso such that, by the end...
It's clear how much Dean detests having to go first into the boat. Who'll cover the flank, then? But there could really be anything up above, and so, Dean remains at the helm. He leaves his spot slowly, drags his blade where it belongs between his shoulderblades and moves. The rickety boat underneath them shivers with each step, wavering precariously as if it's made to carry the unseen burden of something weighing half a ton, at least. He takes hold of the rusty, slippery ladder to begin climbing on and up until he''s out of sight and out of mind of other. It looks like he has no questions after all - the mindless mercenary is here to get what is offered, likely not by crook but by brute.
Rachel(common raven) might've chosen a more thematically appropriate bird -- a parrot, maybe. That being said, ravens are rather well known for their ability to imitate. Maybe she'll give them all a good 'ay, matey' down the line. As it stands, she decides to perch on Konstantin's shoulder.
Konstantin turns to speak aside to the woman sharing his bench; "Feeling the thirst today". Then, however, she turns into a bird. Rude, bad conversationalist, and inconsiderate. He goes back to watching the waters pass by. "Someone update me on plan so far?"
Ash asks Nessa, "Who is this new king? And what of his offer for the Heralds? I presume he wishes rid of it - this weather can't be pleasant for those who are used to tropical warmth." They seem amused with the end part, before commenting to Konstantin, "The newest Pirate King has something special for the Brumal Empress, and has come to treat with Her representatives. We go to meet him. He's offered no more than that."
"Brumal", Konstantin echoes before nodding once. He's up to date, ready to go. He's even brought a fresh set of winter gear. He reaches aside, idly scratching the back of Rachel(common raven) with his fingernails. "How important is pirate king? Some prick with fifteen gopniks under him or a man of true power?"
"He's newer than the ol' king," Nessa says with a lazy grin, leaning back in her seat all casually, her booted feet coming to prop themselves up upon the plank in front of her between Ash and Dean. "The name's Ren; the last cap'n was his pop." Family business? "Been three months since he's taken o'er - but he's the one who'll talk to ye about the deal." There's a wave of one hand through the air, swish swoosh.
Konstantin's question earns another bark of laughter, shark-like teeth on display again. "Y'see that?" she says with a gesture over at the flotilla - it's a dozen ships, at least, bound together and anchored. "All his, 'n growing. The strongest man I know."
Rachel(common raven) begins to click her approval of Ash's and Konstantin's line of questioning - that, or she's rather satisfied with Konstantin's treatment of her back - before she abruptly stops at 'gopnik.' She cackles alongside Nessa, which might be alarming for anyone who didn't know she could.
In response, Nessa cackles even louder. It's unending.
Konstantin doesn't cackle one bit.
And then she leans in to peer closer at Rachel(common raven), attempting to reach a hand out to scratch at her - it's cautious, she'll probably pull away if the raven looks like she doesn't want any of that.
Ash hums in acknowledgement, tilting their head at Konstantin before chuckling a bit with Rachel(common raven), more interested in the answer than the manner of question.
Ash then asks, "How'd he manage it, then?" They tilt their head at the approaching fleet. "When his pop couldn't manage this much? And so fast, too."
Ya boy Dean is already gone, but he too doesn't cackle one bit.
Dean can probably hear the conversation reasonably well, to be fair. He's free to cackle! Not that he does.
Rachel(common raven) tilts her head, showing off a keen, glinting eye. Her beak opens and she extends her neck long, thin, in a clear demonstration of an intent to bite.
Right, none of that, then. Nessa just gestures rest of the gang up the ladder.
I may have missed it if either of you emoted before accepting the summons. ?
Konstantin quietly murmurs alongside to Rachel(common raven) "This is why you struggle making friends."
For the record, Rachel(common raven) did not climb that ladder. Rachel(common raven) would not climb that ladder. Rachel(common raven) does, however, 'WHAP' Konstantin right upside the head with her wing. It's completely an accident. She just meant to readjust her seating.
Ash climbs when there's nothing left for their questioning, the time having come. The small boat was unpleasant, and the way the ship sways even more so. They move nearer to Dean, watching his back, though there's something stiff about their movements. They don't seem seasick, exactly, but there's a nervousness about them.
In the ship above that rocks back and forth with the passing of waves, there's the constant din of sailors making their way across decks, and the group gets more than a few curious glances from passing sailors, though Nessa's presence seems to reassure them enough. One of them yells a question over to her in Wildling, and whatever she yells back is enough to make some nearby pirates laugh, and the questioning ceases immediately - likely an insult of some sort. Nessa switches to English again next:
"'ere's Mercy. we'll be making our way across 'er, to Fortune to Tempest," she gestures at the ships next to this one in turn - Fortune seems to be the one with a whole market upon it, shining golden with lanternlight and hazy with smoke, while Tempest is imposing warship at the center of the flotilla, seeming occupied by a number of armed pirates at all times. And then, there's a sweeping gesture of her hand towards the gangplank - the /very narrow/ gangplank flanked by thin ropes that barely provide any sort of stability at all. "Ladies first," she tells Rachel(common raven), pulling her plumed hat off her head and bending into a bow at the avian. It's mocking.
That said though, she does simply walk across herself next, with nary a stumble in her stride, though she remains in earshot.
The last of Ash's questions appears to have gone unanswered - it may be on purpose, it may not be on purpose.
Rachel(common raven) shoots Nessa the dirtiest of looks. It's lucky the woman's turned her back, because it might otherwise not have been Dean throwing fists, but the two women. Now, Rachel(common raven) hasn't been particularly excited about the prospect of 'going first' in any of these maritime hijinx, but in this case, she hops right off Konstantin's shoulder and makes a point of clack-clacking her way across the gangplank. Ash might not be spite sprite, but she sure is.
Ash takes a moment before reacting, looking up sharply to see that Nessa and Rachel(common raven) - walking instead of flying - are already across. They shake their head slightly, emerging from some sort of reverie. They look at Dean, to see if he's going first - they seem to already know that if he's taking the rear, they're going ahead of Konstantin.
Up ahead, Dean stands on the firmer ground of the ship. It's still not to his liking, that much is evident in the knit of his brows, and he's reserved to only wait and watch with both hands in the pocket of his hoodie. Not an ounce of trepidation shows - but then, there isn't his usual rage either. He's calm, and assessing, and narrow eyes pan with that neutrality in his features while he inspects the boat. Sails, ropes, the cleats and anything of note that may be influenced by time and prolonged exposure to seawater. It's the trained stare of someone warlike - someone who, given the necessity, prepares in advance to seek weakness and tear through whatever is in his path.
When Nessa moves ahead again, however, Dean hardly waits for Rachel(common raven) to chase after the woman with her tiny bird legs. His quiet is prevalent, persistent, and eventually, slowly but surely, Dean heads on over to the gangplank - doesn't dare thread it, only leans forwardd and starts to bend his knees. It's hard to miss the telltale sign of telekinesis when he hurls himself ahead in a single leap; lands on his boots with a loud bang on the other side. Today is blindside Ash day.
Rachel(common raven)'s the sprite kite. The vex peck on her wrath path. The dread spread. The fury flurry. The--
Dean slams right into the deck, between a group of people on the merchant ship, and there's a number of screams to be heard from there, startled. At least three dozen swords come out.
Feel free to move two rooms east015! ?
Feel free to move two rooms east! ? (I'm bad)
Ash doesn't seem surprised when the large man jumps - probably because their face is hidden to hide it - but it *does* make sense. They move along next, ahead of Konstantin, though they pause to watch Dean before going.
Ash doesn't seem surprised when the large man jumps - probably because their face is hidden to hide it - but it *does* make sense. They move along next, ahead of Konstantin, though they pause to watch Dean before going.
Landing where he did, Dean slowly rises to his full height again. His hands are still in his pockets anyway and while a more than a few dozen blades are drawn all around in that familiar sound of metal leaving sheath, he sets his eyes. Green pierces the bunch, though he doesn't quite seem afraid, smiles, in fact, something that hardly reaches his eyes, but it does show in how much fang he displays in a lopsided, half-smirk of sorts. "Adorable. I could eat them all up."
Entirely unexcitingly, Konstantin crosses the plank. If he were to employ his talents, here, he'd be calling in a rapid response peacekeeper team to carry him across on their shoulders or something. Instead, he walks.
Arriving, Konstantin notes all the freshly drawn swords and tips his head aside towards Dean. "Mostly not joking. We're just passing through."
Rachel(common raven) and her tiny bird legs become much harder to track amid the flurry of activity. She bobs and weaves through the crowd and - oh, she's on the wrong side, standing alongside some of the folks drawing swords against Dean.
Right - there's the pointing of a thousand - or at least a dozen swords at Dean after he lands upon the deck with a thunderous crack by the time Rachel(common raven) and Konstantin and Ash are making their way over across the gangplank, and there's Nessa, looking /thoroughly exasperated/. "If brains were cannonballs, ye'd be firing blanks," she tells Dean. "More brain in my parrot." She lifts her voice again after that to yell out things in Wildling, sounding authoritative enough and the swords go away after that, if slowly and distrustfully, plenty of people shooting Looks at Dean still. Maybe someone would be down for a brawl if he really wants.
The marketplace is, while outwardly glamorous, the first thing of things being a little amiss. Crewmates and tavern wenches alike hush a little wherever Nessa passes by, in the way a room of people quietens when the person they were talking about suddenly appears. There's a few guilty glances shot her way, which she ignores with ease, and only calls out to the man behind the tavern, "Rigg! Save me a clap o' thunder, I'll be over after dealin' with /these/ landlubbers." That's them. They're the landlubbers. Yes, you too, Rachel(common raven), even if she's cheating by turning into a bird.
The warship where the captain's quarters presumably exist can be spotted across another one of those narrow-ass gangplanks to the east, where Nessa seems to be slowly leading the gang off to - unless they want to start any tavern brawls.
A stampede of feet here, a chair moved there -- Rachel(common raven)'s struggling not to get trampled over. When someone gets too close, she extends her wings and croaks at them ('back off'), before she hops her way back over to Dean, Ash, and Konstantin. And Konstantin said she couldn't make friends. Not a landlubber. She's a proper people-lubber.
Step, step - Dean walks through everyone that had drawn their swords around him with the careless attitude of someone who truly didn't give a fuck. Though, following after the green-haired pirate, Dean keeps his words to himself - even with her taunting insult. Whatever brews within is undoubtedly bad, for her, for him, for the operation - and if not for his alliances, Dean looks jusst about ready to go ahead and start claiming heads. Thankfully, his hands remain in his pockets, and he continues on past the crowd a few paces behind Nessa to wherever their destination is.
`Another two rooms east, whenever you like! ?
Another two rooms east, whenever you like! ? (I'm bad, again.)
Lubbing land thoroughly, Konstantin is nods appreciatively at the notion of Nessa dealin' with these landlubbers, all business. The mention of a clap of thunder draws his eye for a moment. New and exciting ways to indulge his vice?
He follows along
Ash doesn't sigh - quiet and observant is how they try to be, following after Dean and looking back over Konstantin to ensure no pirates are trying to fuck up their boss in some way. They look over Rachel(common raven), too - perhaps belatedly, though, as an afterthought. She can fly away if things suck too bad, she'll be fine.
And off they go. Nessa comes to a stop near the door to the quarters, and they definitely don't get shanked by any pirate on the way here, and there's a heavy thud of her knuckles against the door, calling out something in Wildling - announcing her presence, likely - before she pushes her way into the room to the south - the pirate's quarters, likely.
Rachel(common raven) circles back 'round to roost on Konstantin's foot. She's not heavy, obviously, so he's free to walk around as he will, just with her as a feathery accoutrement.
The SR has absolutely no idea at all why that desc is over there, so just roll with it please. ?
"Nessa," the man within the captain's quarters says in greeting in a low voice, leaning back relaxed and casual in his throne-like chair, one arm draped over his backrest. He switches to a Wildling dialect after that, something indecipherable to most ears here, but likely just confirming that /yes/, these are the Earthlings, and yes, they almost started a fight, and yes, they haven't managed to spew the contents of their stomachs all over the ship yet, but there's still time for that, right? His eyes flick across each of the gathered assemblage in turn while Nessa reports to him, and there's a sweep of his ring-laden fingers at the chairs present nearby - none as grand as his own, of course. The meaning is clear, of course.
"NESSA," repeats a parrot in a loud, loud sqwack; it'd previously been sitting hidden amidst the lanterns - there's a flapping of wings, and it makes it way over after hearing the sound of voices talking to perch upon the man's chair, the jewel tones of its feathers gleaming brilliantly under the dim lantern-light. Its eyes shine as it takes in Rachel(common raven).
"PRETTY BIRD." It... knows english. That's surprising. "BLACK BIRD. SQUWACK."
Presumably, Nessa was the first to enter the captain's quarters. No way Dean would be allow to storm through on ahead as he did and often does. In that situation, he's quck to follow her along, but sacrifice nothing of his casual demeanor, and the stern make of his features. While the buccaneer and his pirate discuss that yes, these are the mish mash lunatics that could and maybe would crash the whole place down over his head, Dean reserves himself to standing. He glances at the lower chairs first, then at Konstantin - with a brow tipped up. The meaning is blatantly clear; the disrespect is not welcome, but he looks to the other man to decide whether to wreak havoc or simply sit and power through the perceived slight.
Nessa /was/ the first to enter, it's true.
Konstantin meets Dean's gaze, expressionless as ever. If he has his own personal feelings about the tone of the meeting thus far, he doesn't make them known. All business baby. He looks from Nessa to the big chief here behind the desk.
"So", Konstantin begins, "We are here for Valtys." He glances at the others, having perhaps expected another to speak up, before moves head anyhow. "Here for doing her trade deal."
Ash waits for Konstantin to sit first, despite moving to wherever Dean moves to sit - unless he just stands, of course. And it seems like he plans to, so they instead move to sit across from where Konstantin does. If he takes too long... they may even end up sitting first. They seem to relax in the seat, after adjusting their rifle so as not to clink and clank as they settle, then they lean back, stretching out their legs, hands crossed over their belly... for a moment.
They sit forward when they realize that there's a delicious feast sitting before them, spread out on the table - maps, maps galore. They look them over carefully, choosing not to be so rude as to take out their camera and start taking pictures, but seeing what they can while they wait for the group to settle.
Unlike Dean, Rachel(common raven) doesn't wait for Konstantin to anything - and in fact, sort of overlaps the beginning of his speech. She's been addressed by a new friend. With the flourish of her wings, she separates herself from Konstantin's boot and glides to rest on the captain's desk. "HELLO," her croak comes. She's human, of course, but this provides a point of fascination. How much of a conversation can the parrot hold, and with what level of cognizance? It's time to parley.
Unlike Dean, Rachel(common raven) doesn't wait for Konstantin to anything - and in fact, sort of overlaps the beginning of his speech. She's been addressed by a new friend. With the flourish of her wings, she separates herself from Konstantin's boot and glides to rest on the captain's desk. 'HELLO,' her croak comes. She's human, of course, but this provides a point of fascination. How much of a conversation can the parrot hold, and with what level of cognizance? It's time to parley. (fix)
Konstantin clears his throat and then adds with a slight nod aside. "Apologies. Vaelys. I am from Russia; that is our way of pronouncing."
Pokerface.
Ash looks over to Konstantin with a tilted head, away from maps before saying, "We're representatives of the Brumal Monarch, Heralds of Winter's Grasp, and trusted allies. We are honored to meet you, King Ren." Who the fuck is Valtys? It's the question their body language asks Konstantin - and then he says the forbidden name correctly.
Ash no longer seems relaxed.
This must, presumably, be Ren, as Nessa had named earlier. He seems like a no-nonsense sort of guy, much less prone to cackling as the woman had been, and he takes a slow drag from his pipe as he watches the Havenites. Despite his casual lean, the signs of tiredness are evident in the bags beneath his eyes, and he pauses, just briefly, before nodding his head at Konstantin and Ash, the two to have spoken up.
"HELLO," the parrot says back, and Nessa runs her fingers adoringly down its back before going to lean against the back of the throne; they seem close, whatever they are, and she seems relaxed, letting the man himself take over the dealings.
"No dilly-dallying here," Ren says, exhaling out a slow sigh - and smoke along with it. "The sea is cursed." This is troubling news indeed, especially for a pirate. His English seems less prone to pirate-ness, perhaps he's learnt it in a different way than Nessa has, or just hasn't spent as much time speaking it.
Ash nods to Ren, asking in their lazy drawl, "And the artifact is tied to it? This weather ain't right." It's about as much as they suggested to Nessa earlier, declaring an awareness of an obvious issue.
'NAME,' Rachel(common raven) prompts the parrot, but only once Ren and Ash speak their piece. She creeps along the table, sidestepping papers. It won't do to put puncture holes in anything of use. Her head tilts; it moves down, then up again. Her tail feathers wag. This must be how birds extend offers of alliance.
OOC: Dean is a beast of judgement, but his player spilled coffee all over his floor and was busy mopping that up. Sorry about that.
Unless, of course, Rachel(common raven)'s about to follow this query up with 'date of birth' and 'mother's maiden name.' Although, maybe pirates would rather appreciate her proactivity even then.
"No." The answer comes simple and straight. "The weather, the sea, the mist, the /dead/. It is all connected, but not to the artifact." Ren glances askance at Nessa for a few seconds; there's some unspoken conversation that takes place there, and the woman slips out and away to the back of the room somewhere.
The man explains while she's gone, reaching out to casually scratch at the back of Rachel(common raven)'s neck as she moves even closer to the parrot - no caution here, unlike Nessa. If he gets bitten, he gets bitten.
"The artifact is old. Older than us, older than curse. The curse is new. It started after my pa died." Pa, like he's some sort of rural urchin. Who taught this man English? "Curse is caused by the Maw of the Void." A charming name, to be sure.
The parrot hops close to Rachel(common raven), and goes SQUACK right in her ear. "NAME." he repeats. "NAME. NAME. NAME."
This thing, Dean, doesn't speak as of yet. He's simply waiting - after he has exchanged his furtive glance with Konstantin. Though, he does introduce himself, too, belatedly and curtly - standing up as opposed to sitting down. "My name is Dean, I'm one of Vaelys' Frostguards." And true to his name, he stays frosty. Just watching, where green eyes burrow into this so called Pirate King through a stern visage.
Konstantin' eyes track the hand as it reaches for Rachel(common raven), but he doesn't react beyond that. Instead, he opts to instead ask; "What is this Maw of the Void? A cave?"
Crossing his arms against his chest, the swishy sounds of gortex rubbing on gortex sound out; his black and gray cold-weather gear constrasting somewhat ridiculously against the piratical backdrop.
Ash leans in, tilting their head to Ren. He can see his face reflected in their mask, warped like oil with prismatic spread. If he had the acute eyesight of many supernatural, he might make out where the eyeholes are, behind the layers of resin. As it is, they maintain their flamboyant 'poker face'.
"The Maw of the Void," they repeat. It's half reflecting that they're listening, but there's also a question in their voice, encouragement. Go on.
They're here for diplomacy. They're here for diplomacy. They're here for diplomacy. Uncertainty tips Rachel(common raven)'s head again -- she shouldn't bite. She's bristling, though, with her feathers upping her size considerably. She's the only one who doesn't introduce herself, maybe because the parrot's blowing out her eardrums. "SOFT," she demands of him while she's side-eying Ren. Her beak opens juuuuuuust a little.
They're here for diplomacy. They're here for diplomacy. They're here for diplomacy. Uncertainty tips Rachel(common raven)'s head again -- she shouldn't bite. She's bristling, though, with her feathers upping her size considerably. She's the only one who doesn't introduce herself, maybe because the parrot's blowing out her eardrums. 'SOFT,' she demands of him while she's side-eying Ren. Her beak opens juuuuuuust a little. (fix)
He wasn't the cackling sort, but the dark haired man does look like he'll cackle at Konstantin's question. He doesn't, but it's a close thing. Instead, he shakes his head and reaches down to grab both Rachel(common raven) and her new friend in one hand to shift them aside, off one of the maps they'd been standing upon. If he gets pecked, he gets pecked... again. The map is unfurled, and a finger taps at it.
Even though it's labeled in Wildling, it's not hard to make out at all. There's a coastline, with cliffs nearby, an X - that's them, presumably. A ways over yonder, there's an island, with the beach mapped out, and the center of is just a mass of black scribbles, like someone tried to color it in and got horribly distracted. "It is the Maw." he tells Konstantin. "No cave. It is hungry. The men will not go there. The curse, bad omens." There's likely more to it than he's saying too, but that's all they get for now. "In return... I will give you from my treasure. Old, from the depths of the sea, but when I heard of your Queen, I knew it is hers."
That's about the time Nessa makes her way back, a box in hand. It's opened to reveal a crown, as though forged of pure ice instead of metal. The aura of power around it is unmistakable. He must be truly desperate to be rid of this curse if he's trading that away.
The parrot is shuffled along with the man's hands, and he listens to Rachel(common raven)'s words with a parroty coo. "soft," he says. "soft, soft, soft, soft."
Yeah, that's not getting any less annoying.
Off to the side, only when the map is revealed does Dean move. Slow steps, carrying him around the perimeter of that table so he can get a better vantage point and look down at it. The markings, where they lead, he watches it with narrowing green eyes absorbed in interest to whatever this 'curse' is. Almost unbeknownst to himself he reaches out to touch the edge of it, then set both hands on the rim of the table to loom above it, peer down at the blotched mark of their curse with vested interest and an intense stare. All other questions are dispelled for him, any other notion - even the crown is gone when he looks aside and over at the dark-haired buccaneer. That piercing stare seeks to embed itself deeply, like he's searching the man's soul. "Tell me what you know about this thing - everything."
Konstantin stares at the icy crown. He's feeling a little Harry Dubois at the moment on account of his sickness but not recognising what he's looking at would be fairly impossible. Cold hat.
Dean comes in with the real question, then, and Konstantin steps over to peer down at the map while he listens to the response. He reaches up, popping off his helmet and scratching his bald dome.
Ash sits up when they see the crown, keeping their hands in sight as they lean in a bit, just to get a good look. It's the power they're looking at, and they quickly turn to Dean and nod - though he could likely smell it just as powerfully as they can sense it. Turning back to the king - and then to Nessa, knowing that she seems to have a better understanding of English, they command, "Tell us of the curse and omens. We must be prepared." Though, as their words coincide with Dean's, their soft voice washed away by his typical intensity.
Oh, it'll get less annoying, alright. Rachel(common raven) can't peck Ren - no, that'd be rather detrimental to the deal that they're forging - but no one could blame a bird for establishing its eminence over another. Helps that she's shoved along, actually, as that puts her in proximity of her foe. She tries to pin the parrot down with her talons, then pepper it with jabbing strikes from her beak.
Be. Quiet. Or. Else.
At least she avoids anywhere too vulnerable, like the eyes.
The buccaneer meets Dean's eyes without hesitation, and without a flinch, sea-green into moss-green. "It is old. The Hunger Below lives in the Maw." He begins, taking a minute to consider where to start the story from. "A creature from Beyond." Beyond what and where, he doesn't seem like he knows himself. "It takes minds, but only if you let it in. And it takes the dead and makes them alive again. They walk on the island."
The curse, it unleashed three months ago." If anyone's been paying attention, that's the same time when Ren's good ol' pa had kicked the bucket and gone swimming with the fishes. "It has..."
Another pause. His eyes look away, finally, coming to land on the birds. That's a good place to land on. Dean wins that staring match, and Ren takes another deep drag of his pipe, releasing ringlets of smoke. "The crews were scattered, and his mind was broken. Insane. I did him a mercy. Cleft him to the brisket. Told the men I'll do better by 'em, take care of those Imperial /dogs/, once and for all."
A shake of his head. It didn't quite work out like he'd planned, huh?"
The buccaneer meets Dean's eyes without hesitation, and without a flinch, sea-green into moss-green. "It is old. The Hunger Below lives in the Maw." He begins, taking a minute to consider where to start the story from. "A creature from Beyond." Beyond what and where, he doesn't seem like he knows himself. "It takes minds, but only if you let it in. And it takes the dead and makes them alive again. They walk on the island."
"The curse, it unleashed three months ago." If anyone's been paying attention, that's the same time when Ren's good ol' pa had kicked the bucket and gone swimming with the fishes. "It has..."
Another pause. His eyes look away, finally, coming to land on the birds. That's a good place to land on. Dean wins that staring match, and Ren takes another deep drag of his pipe, releasing ringlets of smoke. "The crews were scattered, and his mind was broken. Insane. I did him a mercy. Cleft him to the brisket. Told the men I'll do better by 'em, take care of those Imperial /dogs/, once and for all."
A shake of his head. It didn't quite work out like he'd planned, huh? (fix, oops)
The pirate sqwacks again, and pecks Rachel(common raven) in return, lightly. He seems to think it's a show of affection, because he's now trying to preen her feathers. Unless he stabs her eye out first, pinned as he is beneath her talons. He's got no intentions of breaking free, even if Nessa's eying her a little bit.
Dean's jaw shifts in place, but even when the King Pirate looks elsewhere, Dean does not. His eyes remain, unblinking. Whatever the notion of the curse is, whatever the explanation, it has stirred something inside Dean visibly, and that almost lazy, easy-going attitude is gone. Lost among the ether of his sudden, but subdued rage. He asks his next question, right away, without an ounce of care for the man's perceived misery in the loss of their padre; and truly, he couldn't care less, with his lack of sympathy or empathy. "Who will take us, and when." It sounds like he's eager to go, right away.
That was, obviously, the PARROT and not the PIRATE.
Konstantin looks aside at Rachel(common raven) for a moment, mulling something important.
Ash starts to talk - but then pauses. They let Dean speak, before tagging afterwards, "And tell us how did your father died - your highness." It's a bit more quiet, but there's a firmness. They made sure to say *and*, recognizing that their fellow Frostguard will demand his answer first. But, *@ash* is not done and ready - they need more. Whether sympathetic or not, they don't show it either way. This is business, and they need to know.
They ignore the birds - one gets the idea that they are accustomed to shenanigans.
Ash starts to talk - but then pauses. They let Dean speak, before tagging afterwards, "And tell us how did your father died - your highness." It's a bit more quiet, but there's a firmness. They made sure to say *and*, recognizing that their fellow Frostguard will demand his answer first. But, * Ash * is not done and ready - they need more. Whether sympathetic or not, they don't show it either way. This is business, and they need to know.
They ignore the birds - one gets the idea that they are accustomed to shenanigans.
Rachel(common raven) disengages from the fight. She tamps down on the parrot's leg - just a warning - before releasing. After that, she allows for all the preening, grooming, and general displays of friendship as could be wanted. Maybe this can count as her victory, that the parrot's attending to her. Surely that means she's the superior bird. Her dark eyes catch Konstantin's as he appraises her. However it is that he's feeling, it's clear how /she/ is: she's pleased as punch.
Nodding as though deciding something to himself, Konstantin turns his gaze back to the Pirate, arms crossed against his front still. Maybe Rachel(common raven) -can- make friends. Sniffing once, Konstantin lets the adherents of Vaelys' will continue their business, just listening for now. Maybe he'll ask about Valtys later.
Ash may or may not be crying inside.
"Boats won't go," Nessa chimes up now, speaking instead of Ren. "I'll path t' the island. Ain't goin' out t' the Maw, though. /Fuck/ that." Full of feeling there. She clicks her tongue at the parrot as an aside, looking absolutely disappointed in her avian pet's simping ways.
"I killed him," Ren answers Ash without missing a beat, slumping back again in his seat now, slouched. Not the best posture, but surely they can cut him some slack. There's a nod of agreement with Nessa now. "The Hunger Below has his mind too -- he was the first." He doesn't say it out loud, but it's clear he's very invested in /that/ one. A man can kill his dad and not want him to roam as a zombie forever, I guess.
If the group is ready to go, Nessa's ready to take them.
Ash asks more questions. "That does not tell us how he died. Nor why he let it in. It sounds, from just the tale, that his vengeance has turned the sea cold. If that's what happened, how he was killed, why you were over there, and more - it's all relevant."
Rachel(common raven) never provides warning before she buffets the air with her wings. Without so much as a 'goodbye' or a 'thank you' to her unnamed friend, she alights upon Konstantin's shoulder again. Yes, let's go. She's clean, groomed, and ready, soon as the rest of the group indicates the same.
As soon as the word is said and confirmation is given, Dean turns on his heel. The king may as well no longer exist for him, Dean turns that attention upon Nessa- and she gets a similar look. One brandishing his gaze like a cutting weapon just the same - and with a creak, the table sidde is left alone, and he starts to march towards the woman. There isn't any request, and none of his 'amiable' attitude given so far. At least, he was being civil - Now, instead, Dean is demanding, "Do it." There is almost a low growl in his voice, hanging at the backdrop of his tone. "Open the path, right now." It sounds like if he could, Dean would do it himself in a heartbeat - but alas, he doesn't know where to go.
Exhaling a breath pressed pressed lips, Konstantin glances aside towards Dean. He shrugs once, then, looking back towards Nessa. What's a soul-consuming deathpit to start your sunday with? He tilts a nod once to indicate readiness but does not interrupt someone' quesitoning.
Exhaling a breath pressed pressed lips, Konstantin glances aside towards Dean. He shrugs once, then, looking back towards Nessa. What's a soul-consuming deathpit to start your sunday with? He tilts a nod once to indicate readiness but does not interrupt Ash's quesitoning.
"/He/ did not cause the curse." The Pirate King looks as though he'd like to curse Ash for implying that alone, and Nessa is impolite enough to say something out loud in Wildling that's most certainly a curse, staring directly at Ash with a hand on her sword-hip. "His mind was already taken. I did him a mercy. The Hunger Beneath had him in life, and he has him in death. Vengeance, pah. The sea would have frozen over a thousand years ago if vengeance turned it cold." There's a shake of his head, a click of his tongue, and a wave of gilded fingers through the air. "Go."
Nessa obliges.
Ash takes heart in Paths taking time, at least. And it seems that that's all the time they will get to get their answers. Their body language expresses that same urgency, tilting their head further to Pirate King Ren. Time's a ticking, and if he wants it done right - well, that's all their body says. Unfortunately, they are dismissed. Apparently, his death was a very lovely coincidence.
Ash doesn't believe it for a second, but they can tell that Nessa is also unlikely to share more. Oh well.
Rachel(common raven) turns her ire upon Konstantin when he shows her the sachet of food. Her beak's sharp enough for the parrot and for him alike.
Rather than set upon him, though, she opens her wings and floats toward the sand. It's her booted, human feet that touch the ground, with all of her personal effects materializing in short order. "Well," she says, as if she'd merely risen from a nap.
Rachel turns her ire upon Konstantin when he shows her the sachet of food. Her beak's sharp enough for the parrot and for him alike.
Rather than set upon him, though, she opens her wings and floats toward the sand. It's her booted, human feet that touch the ground, with all of her personal effects materializing in short order. "Well," she says, as if she'd merely risen from a nap. (fix)
Nessa had said boats didn't /go/ here, but that doesn't mean there's not one already on the shore, perhaps waiting for a quick getaway if it's needed. She lands steadily on her feet at the shore at the culmination of the path, a frown on her lips already - and hey, look, the parrot tagged along. It sits on her shoulder now, and sqwacks a "BYE-BYE, PRETTY BIRD."
"You will see them when you go in," Nessa says to the group, gesturing towards the path leading deeper into the island - and hey, look, Rachel's a woman now. The parrot looks confused. His head tilts to the side, and then he lets out another screech of, "BYE BYE."
After giving the fresh surrounds a careful sweep of the eyes, Konstantin flashes somee adventuring supplies aside to someone, having brought lunch. When she turns back into a human again, he stows the sachet. She certainly wont appreciate that kind of cuisine now.
"So. This thing. It has physical form?", Konstantin asks of Ness.
After giving the fresh surrounds a careful sweep of the eyes, Konstantin flashes somee adventuring supplies aside to Rachel, having brought lunch. When she turns back into a human again, he stows the sachet. She certainly wont appreciate that kind of cuisine now.
"So. This thing. It has physical form?", Konstantin asks of Ness.
Nessa shrugs in answer, trying to act casual. "If you see it, don't let me know." she tells Konstantin.
Feel free to go north whenever you're all ready. ?
Konstantin sniffs once and nods, turning to the others. "Alright. Not an easy one, then". Konstantin states the obvious, gaze then shifting inland to where the buccaness has indicated. No time like the present to slay some undead and meet a being from beyond the ether
Ash lifts their mask, just to sniff - then puts it back on. Better that way, it seems... a shame it isn't a gas mask, even. They turn their head to listen to Nesss, but keep Dean in their range of sight. They give her a nod at her answer, not speaking. Their bracelet glows for a moment before falling dark once more, their fingers curling in their gloves, a hand pulling a stake out of their bag to put into their pocket.
While they're all busy asking their last questions to Ness - Dean steps through that portal, stretch of forest connecting the ship to - wherever this place is. His sword is unhooked from between his shoulderblades, drawn aside, held out - and if it wasn't apparent up until now, Dean's interest in the whole ordeal has taken a turn. It isn't purpose and business that drives him to move on- it is raw curiosity, vested, dark curiosity. While his claymore gleams, the rings spread out in his left hand curl to a fist in his stride. The light is sucked in, everything dims like the very color is abused, collected between his fingers until it begins to grow thick, viscous - dark magic. It continues to expand, spread out, form a hiltless, jagged blade that's shaped more like a javelin meant for throwing held at his side. Every drip of its darkness, the liquid shadow, leaves an acidic stain upon the sand in his wake while dark, lightless flames coat up his forearm, illuminating nothing.
Ash hurries after Dean, mask turning left and right as they look out for... whatever comes next. Their footsteps slow, though, as they approach the sand that looks far too easy to slip on, clearly unwilling to make a misstep and slide into the abyss - that gaping maw. They're expecting undead, however, and waits for them.
If the others have caught up - they'd find Dean crouched on the edge of the chasm. That lifeless soil is hollow and sunken under his weight while he stares deep into it, brows knit, expression hard. His tense jaw tells everything there is to know about how on edge he is, and green eyes catch any stray light in this dark and decrepit place - even the smallest flicker. They're reflected in luminosity, glowing bright to pierce the darknesss with near impeccable nightsight that he would flourish if he only could.
Rachel's donned something of the same attitude as Dean, sans the aggression. While she's reasonably quiet, careful not to crunch gravel beneath her feet, she lacks the trepidation from before. Her staff's come out to play, held in one hand while she observes Konstantin from the side. There's a question posed him, absent of sound. It's probably hard to see her in the dark, but hey, maybe at close proximity.
Dean flourishes his eyes.
While the beach itself and the coastal paths leading inwards towards the center of the small island may be quiet, they're certainly not free of people... or what barely counts as people anymore. They're waterlogged, bloated bodies, some with cannonballs tied to their feet, dragging them along as they shuffle across the barren land. /Dozens/ of them, they fill the place, some kneeling, some standing, some waving their arms slowly through the air, the skin torn away to show the bones that lie beneath. Tattered rags cover their bodies.
At once, all of them turn to look right at the group. Set in hollow sockets, their eyes gleam a toxic purple.
They stare.
Konstantinsomeone starts to gird himself as he approaches the maw, heaving an armoured vest up over his head and preparing a heafy blade. If there are zombies to chop, this thing has the heft to do it. He draws a little closer to Rachel as they move in, careful making progress behind Dean.
Konstantin starts to gird himself as he approaches the maw, heaving an armoured vest up over his head and preparing a heafy blade. If there are zombies to chop, this thing has the heft to do it. He draws a little closer to Rachel as they move in, careful making progress behind Dean.
Ash decides, since there's no hiding here, to at least light up the horror show around them. Will o' wisps fade into existence around them, bobbing like jellyfish of pastel living fire around them. They keep a distance from the others - certainly from Dean as they follow him. His darkness is sure to extinguish their light, after all. However, they maintain some distance from Rachel and Konstantin as well, for whatever reason.
In every movie - every single one - talking has a habit of fast-tracking the action. Rachel's not going to be the first to make the mistake. In fact, when eyes turn upon them, she halts altogether, her grip on her staff tight. She's not summoned any magic, as of yet; the metal's just metal, barely visible, but when the will o' wisps happen to bob close. She gently taps Dean's back.
Slowly, Dean clambers up on his feet. Obviously he's staring past all the undead, soon to be undead-er, and yet, it is here now that he flanks them with the others moving in from the front. The jagged spire of darkness in one of his hands is spun, again and again, and then it is flung when he feels Rachel tap his back. A crackling ray bursting into tendrils where it lands, seeking the nearest undead at the back of their skull - but Dean moves with ferocity, a keen, vicious animosity as if he's appalled, infuriated at the sight for whatever reason, because regardless of whoever his strike found, if it did at all, the blade is used in close quarters when he tackles straight into the mass with his blade brandished and flourished, seeking to cleave and carve his own path through them.
The undead do a little shuffle in unison, back and forth, side to side. It's as though they're controlled by one brain, being puppeted like a hundred marionettes on strings. Back. Forth. Back. Forth.
They keep staring.
All of them open their mouths in unison, and the voice that escapes is horrifying, grating to the ears, scratchy, melding together:
FLESH AND BONE. FLESH AND BONE.
Dean begins to cleave his way through them, and bodies cleft in half land upon the ground, torn to shreds. They continue to stare. Their mouths keep moving.
FLESH AND BONE.
Whatever caution Rachel had been exercising, she casts aside when Dean launches himself at the throngs of undead. Shadows leak from her staff, binding like puppet strings to the zombie that he aims for. It grabs it, holding its head back, so that may Dean bludgeon without impediment. It's then that she breaks away from Konstantin, beelining for the path behind Dean.
Ash just... stands and watches, as Dean tears through them, and they do their creepy fucking dance. They watch as Rachel joins in, and they... wait. Their mask continues to look around, and they keep waiting. After all... they've yet to see a threat. And they are not sure how It gets In.
Is that English? It may be. It may not be. Their mouths move in a strange way, even if the meaning gets across - their minds know it, even if their ears don't. None of them try to attack back. They just keep swaying.
One of the undead - not quite the undead they know of, certainly, but still undead enough for Rachel to work her magic - stumbles in its swaying.
Another pushes it. Right into the Maw.
Though he lingers with Ash cautiously, eventually Konstantin picks up the pace, following suit. He draws a breath before holding up the right flank; exhaling sharply and sending a roaring jet of crimson flame burning at the nearest walking corpse on his side with the kind of heat that can sear flesh from bone. When no reaction comes forth from the ex-pirates, Konstantin pauses and frowns, looking about himself. "These are just here. Feel free to destroy though, until we have reason not to.."
Ash doesn't respond... well, they nod, acknowledge, but 'feel free' is not the same as 'do'. They're still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Surely, if this was all there was, people would know much more about this place. For every superstitious 9, there's one person just a bit too curious for their own good. No, there must be something else.
Whatever the chant is, Dean continues to move unimpeded. Even better if they don't fight back; Dean is lost in his rage. Green eyes are agleam with vicious hatred, aided by an endless reserve of stamina coiled in the frame of man but breaking the ground with every step in ferocious strength unrestrained as the cold hangs on him. His sweat is frozen, dusting off even before it has a chance to bead on him in the frigid frost that has taken over the place - dominating every facet here. The blade severs another limb, splits another in half, and a third. It's a bloodbath, where black blood is left in a trail as Dean rapidly chews through as many as he's able, one by one or several at a time with Rachel's underappreciated assistance at his back. So lost, Dean hardly even notices that one of them fell into the abyss.
Rachel had expected differently. Every time Dean attempts for another zombie, she holds it still by the arm, the leg, the head - whatever is easiest for her to grasp onto. She's even raising her hand again in anticipation of a belligerent follow-up when - SPLASH - the retaliation is for another zombie, rather than their ragtag group. "What the hell?" Rachel asks. She doesn't destroy any of the rest, although she does decide to get up close and personal with one of the zombies still standing. Her staff butts it in the stomach, in a test.
Ash noticed. They're still waiting, while the others cavort. Ash's best fun is best saved for the living, anyways.
Is that a pair of legs moving? That's a pair of legs moving, no torso attached. They can destroy them all they like, but whatever is left over simply keeps on moving back and forth in that creepy sway.
When this zombie, too, fails to respond, Rachel sweeps it gently aside, presumably for it to continue its odd sway. She travels past it, picking her way gradually toward the Maw, as if drawn. She's not paying the group much heed now. There's not even a warning, per her wont, to alert them to the fact that she's decided to investigate on her own.
In his ruthless charge Dean had hardly even noticed where his legs carried him- or the zig-zag sway he carried himself with from foe to foe. Another one felled here, and another over there - He's elbowing one, shattering the skull of another, and the spine; no more room to go when Dean is exactly at the edge of the maw where he had pathed to and back before. Yet this time, his chest heaves. Slow breaths rising up and down, moving his shoulders beneath a slightly torn hoodie revealing the hard and ancient lines of armor underneath.
His head tilts, just for a second- as if listening, as if watching, and then, in one last step, Dean simply takes the plunge. Willingly, from the look of things - bulleting down into the darkness boot-first like a nail, and disappearing in that heavy darkness granting no sight to whatever it holds deep inside.
"Rachel", Konstantin calls out warily as he sees her going towards the ominous hypnotic pit. As wildly interesting as it might be to an aracanist, Konstantin doesn't seem keen on her diving in. "Don't get too close to pit."
"Oh shit", Konstantin remarks simply as someone else gets FAR TOO CLOSE
Ash finally speaks - "FUCK! Dean!" They take a step forward, but pause. What can they do? They don't have any way to save him... but at least they know that he can... possibly... save himself. "Dean, come back! Fly back!" They move closer, but careful, taking off their mask to better scream, their face fearful and anxious.
Ash shouts, "We need you! Your pack-" They stop, cutting themself off before their agony brings them too close to the edge.
Rachel isn't paying Konstantin much heed -- although, of all the happenings thus far, including Dean tossing himself into the Maw - that might be the least unexpected. "He just wants it for himself," she says of the werewolf. She's not nearly as concerned with his welfare as Ash is; no, by her count, Dean's done the /right/ thing. The rest of them simply lag behind. She's right by the edge.
Konstantin lurches forwards, kicking up dirt has he flies towards Rachel. He charges over to her, planting his heels and scraping along a little as he skids to a halt before attempting to wrap his arms around her and heave her off her feet!
Konstantin lurches forwards, kicking up dirt has he flies towards Rachel. He charges over to her, planting his heels and scraping along a little as he skids to a halt before attempting to wrap his arms around her and heave her off her feet!
Rachel isn't paying Konstantin much heed -- although, of all the happenings thus far, including someone tossing himself into the Maw - that might be the least unexpected. "He just wants it for himself," she says of the werewolf. She's not nearly as concerned with his welfare as Ash is; no, by her count, someone' done the /right/ thing. The rest of them simply lag behind. She's right by the edge. (repeat)
Rachel isn't paying Konstantin much heed -- although, of all the happenings thus far, including someone tossing himself into the Maw - that might be the least unexpected. "He just wants it for himself," she says of the werewolf. She's not nearly as concerned with his welfare as Ash is; no, by her count, Dean's done the /right/ thing. The rest of them simply lag behind. She's right by the edge. (repeat)
Rachel isn't paying Konstantin much heed -- although, of all the happenings thus far, including Dean tossing himself into the Maw - that might be the least unexpected. "He just wants it for himself," she says of the werewolf. She's not nearly as concerned with his welfare as Ash is; no, by her count, Dean's done the /right/ thing. The rest of them simply lag behind. She's right by the edge. (repeat)
Ash finally speaks - "FUCK! Dean!" They take a step forward, but pause. What can they do? They don't have any way to save him... but at least they know that he can... possibly... save himself. "Dean, come back! Fly back!" They move closer, but careful, taking off their mask to better scream, their face fearful and anxious. (repeat)
Ash shouts, "We need you! Your pack-" They stop, cutting themself off before their agony brings them too close to the edge. (repeat)
The undead pirates lay scattered in pieces around the beach, from where Dean had made quick work of them. They're swaying still, but... there's something else now. They've taken interest in the yeeting of the man down the seemingly-bottomless hole, no noise coming out from within, and now they creep forward.
A woman town in half crawls across the sand towards Konstantin, attempting to push him in as well. Rachel wouldn't be a problem, of course. He's the one holding her back from her heart's true desires.
torn* in half too.
Ash realizes then that the man can't be saved - but Rachel can. They start to move - but Konstantin reaches her first. Still, they keep coming for him - they expect for Rachel to kick and unbalance the man, but the undead seem to be an issue, too - a prismatic blast, a shooting star, blasts her to push her back. Head, then shoulders, as Ash moves to pull Konstantin back and ensure that Rachel can't pull them both in.
"Kostya, let go," Rachel says to Konstantin. "It's all down there." The 'it' is left ambiguous. Whatever 'it' is, though, it promises plenty. "This is what we were looking for in Romania. /Look/." She scrabbles at Konstantin's arms. The difficulty she presents him is considerable. Now he has to both keep her from tossing herself in after their ally, as well as fend off the encroaching undead. It's rather lucky that Ash comes in, just then, to lessen the burden. "We have to go," she says to both of them. Why don't they understand?
He's not here. ?
One arm looped around her midsection, the other gripping her arm, Konstantin wriggles around to stand behind Rachel and start driving her away from the pit with his body crouched enough to press his shoulder to her; driving his bodyweight into the effort. "Come on, Get away from pit!", Konstantin hisses to Rachel before roaring out; "DEAN! DEAN! You are there?!" over his shoulder
Ash sings out loud, "It's all an illusion, honey! It's all a trick! The monster in the well seduces you - Rachel, he's a dick!"
The blast at the undead scatters the poor woman apart into pieces - there's more, though. There's always more. They're crawling towards them, a hand there, a foot there, a whole skull dragging itself along by the teeth -- they try to crawl their way to the group. Even if one can't do it, surely a dozen, two dozens, a /hundred/ together can manage to drag them in. They try to shut Ash up first; a hand grasps at their ankle.
Konstantin lifts his boot once he has a little distance from the pit and gets to work stomping. Crunch crunch crunch. Big heavy rubber soles that are perfect for crushing fingers, snapping clavicles, dislocating shoulders.
Ash yells to Konstantin, "Take her away, President!" They blast at the ones at their feet before trying to make some distance - they plan on going supernova, and do *not* want to catch the other two in the blast. Stars glow from within their marshmallow attire, bursting through without touching the cloth, only to stab into the undead that try to force them.
Rachel says to Konstantin and Ash, one more time, "It's down there." It's plaintive, as if they'd denied her Christmas, and she'd been left only with a lump of coal. Rachel's stopped prying at Konstantin. Her gaze becomes faraway; it's turned on something else, unseen. She keeps her hand where it was, just on Konstantin's forearm. For the moment, it doesn't feel like she's about to kick up a fight again; she's dragged away, with no more resistance than her body weight would present.
Konstantin keeps driving away from the hole, heaving Rachel up over his shoulder bodily. His breathing is ragged with the exertion of cajoling her away from certain room while splattering ambulent bodyparts with his bootheels. He decides then to change tack, drawing in deep breaths to recover at first before starting to send great billowing gouts of crimson flame down and across the floor; searing swaths of the ground around him and its associated covering of crawling carrion.
Ash yells, "It's a lie, Rache! You know better!"
Of course it's right there. /Right there/, if only Konstantin would let Rachel take it. Ash keeps trying to clear out the hordes of undead; they keep coming. Of course they keep coming. They've only been torn into pieces, how's that going to stop something that was already moving when dead? Maybe they're making progress with their sorcery; it's hard to tell when there's what seems like an endless amount, that only keeps multiplying every time it's cut down.
And then comes the hellfire.
The ones in direct line of sight turn to ash that falls to the floor. The ones in not-so-direct line of sight are ablaze, and it only seems to be spreading, further and further, like a wildfire - except instead of trees, they're people.
Ash(bat) flies up, above the flames, over the smoke, and closer to the other, safer side - behind Konstantin. They ain't about to burn in hellfire - not today!
"N--..." But then where someone hasn't yet been able to clear the hordes, Konstantin does, evaporating bodies in his wake. Rachel's devastation knows no bounds. "Why would you /do/ that?" she demands of him. Maybe it's all a lie, as someone had said - but then why would someone have thrown himself in? She jabs an elbow into Konstantin's stomach, or tries to, at least, while she simultaneously stomps. The bat's given the grace of inattention; they float just a little too high for her. For now.
"N--..." But then where Ash(bat) hasn't yet been able to clear the hordes, Konstantin does, evaporating bodies in his wake. Rachel's devastation knows no bounds. "Why would you /do/ that?" she demands of him. Maybe it's all a lie, as someone had said - but then why would someone have thrown himself in? She jabs an elbow into Konstantin's stomach, or tries to, at least, while she simultaneously stomps. The bat's given the grace of inattention; they float just a little too high for her. For now.
"N--..." But then where Ash(bat) hasn't yet been able to clear the hordes, Konstantin does, evaporating bodies in his wake. Rachel's devastation knows no bounds. "Why would you /do/ that?" she demands of him. Maybe it's all a lie, as Ash(bat) had said - but then why would someone have thrown himself in? She jabs an elbow into Konstantin's stomach, or tries to, at least, while she simultaneously stomps. The bat's given the grace of inattention; they float just a little too high for her. For now.
"N--..." But then where Ash(bat) hasn't yet been able to clear the hordes, Konstantin does, evaporating bodies in his wake. Rachel's devastation knows no bounds. "Why would you /do/ that?" she demands of him. Maybe it's all a lie, as Ash(bat) had said - but then why would Dean have thrown himself in? She jabs an elbow into Konstantin's stomach, or tries to, at least, while she simultaneously stomps. The bat's given the grace of inattention; they float just a little too high for her. For now.
Ash returns to land near them - behind the wall of flame. They quickly get their clothes from - wherever shifter clothes go, shiver in this frozen fucking icicle of vagina teeth!!!
Ash says "Fuck! "
Maybe Ash should have brought rope. That gaping maw in the center of the Island seems mighty in need of a rope to be thrown in right now. Alas, there's nothing to be seen in there still, just the all-encompassing darkness, even lit by the flight of many blazing zombies as they are.
The ground trembles, just briefly.
The ground trembles again... is that a howl?
Konstantin calls out to Ash, shoving Rachel over towards them; "Try to snap her out of it, I need to try for Dean!". He turns and steps back towards the hole, though he doesn't stand close enough to step down inside. "Dean! Dean!", Konstantin bellows out to try and get through to the pit-diver himself. Eventually, he changes tack a little. Maybe indigestion would convince the maw to part with its pray. He takes in a deep breath and holds it for a few seconds.. before heaving and wretching, suddenly vomiting a thick stream of smouldering black fluid that trails behind it, most of it spewing down into the pit itself. Sulphurous, sticky, burning hot, and eye-watering irritant.
Ash responds to the howl with a sigh of relief - and the rope that, yes, they've brought. They sometimes forget to bring weapons, but they *never* forget to bring utility items. They tie it around one of those teeth before throwing it down. Then, they send down will o' wisps, yelling, "Dean! You're alright? I've sent rope down!" They keep an eye on the others, but they focus on their Pack's - no, their *family*'s... alpha. At least, until Konstantin shoves the other girl at them - it seems that they both had the same idea, and both expected the other to handle Rachel. Except, Konstantin is the boss.
They remind him, however - "I can fly down there if we need to, President... the Hunger can only offer what is already mine, or what's already ordained by The Frostcaller." Sounds a little religious there, almost a little... culty. They don't move, though, holding Rachel and moving away from the hole. If he listens to them, then it won't take much for them to switch positions.
Rachel/Bad/ idea to let Konstantin go, even for a second. Shadows leak from her necklace now, at first a blanket of black, and then targeted tendrils that snake for the nearest remaining corpse. They don't simply take control of a head or a limb, this time, but insist on passage through the nostrils.
When it's done, the zombie turns its baleful eyes upon Ash.
With a speed unexpected for its ilk, it barrels toward Ash, its gnashing teeth ready to find purchase.
/Bad/ idea to let Konstantin go, even for a second. Shadows leak from Rachel's necklace now, at first a blanket of black, and then targeted tendrils that snake for the nearest remaining corpse. They don't simply take control of a head or a limb, this time, but insist on passage through the nostrils.
When it's done, the zombie turns its baleful eyes upon Ash.
With a speed unexpected for its ilk, it barrels toward Ash, its gnashing teeth ready to find purchase.
Ash says "Fucking- "
The FIRE IN THE HOLE disappears far, far into the endless maw. There's a beat of stillness, as though the world holds itself, very, very still.
Ash(bat) goes back into bat form - it's proven how ineffective they are against the undead. They can shoot the head, and it'll keep running. They can shoot the leg, but who knows how far it will lunge? The best way to deal with a zombie trying to each your brains is to... not. They fly up, and away, screaming shrilly at Konstantin - why would he tell the noodle-armed fae to handle a wildcat necromancer?
Or maybe they're just warning him that he needs to change focus. At least, if his plan doesn't change things.
"Rachel!", Konstantin roars with an anger begetting far worse sins than being rude, a bad conversationalist, or inconsiderate. He barrels over towards her again, launching himself at her midsection to tackle her to the ground. Should the zombie keep on coming, he frees one arm enough to swing his cleaver-like sword at it to attempt to make a little space atleast. Otherwise, he busies himself pinning down Rachel and attempting to prevent her from causing any further interference. A hand finds her mouth, stemming latin. (checked with Pork Chop Girl)
Ash lands and blasts the zombie, aiming for the hips, shivering as they stand completely nude. "Now it's going to hurt the President, Rachel! Is it worth that? Is it worth him?" Rather than getting their clothes, they move closer to the maw.
Ash says "In a world of monsters where our hearts grow cold and closed, we care about less - but not not at all. What matters most, Rachel?"
If it's not Konstantin, then that'll be, uh... awkward. Ash hopes it's him, or the people she cares about.
The zombie keeps coming. The lucky thing is, perhaps, that Rachel only seems to be able to commandeer one at a time - and so Ash gets off scot free for the time that he's flying overhead. Its decaying jaw makes it within mere inches of Konstantin's face, its rancid breath sharp upon the air. Every time Konstantin strikes, the creature reels back, only to claw its way up again with cracked nails. Then, when Ash gets at it, it turns its deadened gaze at Rachel's behest -- oh, well look at that. That's not a bat any longer.
Ash thinks it's fine, it seems. They yell at Konstantin next, "Knock her out!" They shiver violently, but they don't shift - not yet. They longer they hold out, the more time he has to handle her.
The island shudders again. There's a trembling from within, as though something is burping. A mass of inky black liquid shoots out of the maw with the burp, landing upon the shore - right on a pile of zombie-ashes. Within it, a monstrous wolf, also covered in the inkiness.
The maw begins to suck in everything around it. It's ready to devour.
The wolf is very stinky.
Whatever Dean(wolf) has done down there, he's feral. Completely livid - and not an ounce of humanity resides in his eyes as he's deposited like a disgusting pile of fur caught in someone's teeth. He slides up first, twists back on all fours and limps - shudders once or twice under his own weight. His maw, split all the way to the ears, is stricken with black blood. His? Not his? It's hard to tell at this point while he both bleeds it and is coated by it. Snarling with widened eyes and drawn back lips to wholly display the full stretch of a jawline drooling from snout to ear in single, undisturbed line.
Every drop trails long tendrils of that venomous liquid of his fangs; as well as blood. Red marring the black, and he twitches - that behemoth. Not out of fear, but more kindred to a drug-addled beast, both weakened and empowered by what he's done. For all of a second, he claws the earth forward like he might dash right back down into that maw, but instict stills him. Not fear, but something else entirely. Like hunger made manifest, he stands hunched, fur bristled ear to the tip of his raised, blade-like tail while he remains in that state of fugue.
The ashes - or what of them is untethered by the inkiness - go flying into the darkness. Chopped and hacked-off parts of zombies follows, at least what hadn't burnt up already. The ground begins to crumble, the rocks edging the Maw breaking off and crashing into it. More bursts of inky slime are spurted out high into the air, almost like lava flying off a volcano. It's as though there's an earthquake, something awakened that shouldn't have been so.
Konstantin warily stares over at Dean(wolf) as he does his best to hold Rachel down. "Throw some of the fucking things at Dean!", Konstantin shouts to Ash, gesturing to the zombies knocking about that weren't eviscerated earlier.
Now, seeing Rachel's pet veering away from them for someone else, Konstantin tries to talk to her. "We can steal it, Rachel, watever is in there. We just need to destroy it first, da?" An attempt at twisting her desires to something verging on useful to him, leaning on her thirst for power.
Gripping her upper arms as he sees the ground start to collapse, Konstantin heaves Rachel back up again, turning and starting to head away from the gaping apperture at a lumbering jog
The zombie Rachel had commanded loses its footing, its heel off the cliff. In seconds, it makes a precipitous drop.
As the earth crumbles - and as Konstantin reasons with her - sense creeps back into Rachel's eyes. It's just in time, too, as bits and pieces of rock, limbs, everything are sucked into the vortex. She's on her own two feet again, hot on Konstantin's heels to wherever might be secure, if that's anywhere at all.
In the process, her shadows seek out a new victim in a one-armed undead, which she, per instruction, sends Ash's way to assist with Dean(wolf).
Ash stumbles, as the world shakes - then, for lack of a reason sufficient to account for disobedience, they start lifting and chucking bodies at Dean(wolf). while making their way after Konstantin. They don't shift now - this vacuum would so easily suck in their teeny tiny flying form. "Dean," they call, albeit wary. Though they seem not to want him to die - they don't see him here. They can hope that he's in there, and can be woken up... but how?
Not having the slightest clue, they backtrack, bump a shifting body, lift it up and toss it towards the wolf, then repeat, doing more and more moving back the stronger the Maw's implosion gets. "The Froscaller requires you yet," they hiss, following up with, "There were promises!" They don't know what they're saying - just trying to find anything that'll work.
Whether Ash's words work or not, it isn't clear. What does, however, is the string of corpses. Dean(wolf) takes off on a sprint immediately. He's not fast by any margin, much faster than the average human - but a supernatural worth their salt could easily outrun this heavy behemoth. Especially now, while he tackles corpse after corpse, pins dead flesh and continues that primal instinct embedded not just into him, but courses through his veins. Dean(wolf) eats every scrap, whole torsos gone, arms and legs strewn about in his wake while loud crunching only gets closer and closer to Ash, Konstantin and Rachel - with no doubt about what he'll do if they run out of corpses to keep him on their escape trail.
It's almost like a sinkhole, except slower - thankfully - and about a thousand times bigger, that sucks in all the sand. A whole tree crumbles to pieces, falling into it. And there's Nessa - /that/'s caught her attention enough to make her go back on her previous words about going anywhere near the Maw. "Wha' did ye /do/?!" she questions, aghast, her eyes wide in horror as she takes in the sight of the Maw getting wider. "I'd hang ye from a yardarm, but ye'd break the mast, ye black-spotted, beak-nosed, deck-swabbin' poltroons!" That's all of them, presumably. She's backing away already, and there's the beginnings of path magic, starting to form, the forest path slowly manifesting. "Tis not enough rum in the world to make me put up with /this/--" If anyone wants to join her, they'd better do it now, and fast, because she - and the parrot - are going to get the fuck outta here before they're sucked into the void and devoured by it.
If Ash can only move as fast as the wolf, then it's only a question of how long it takes for them to yeet a corpse, and how long it takes Dean(wolf) to eat. They... do not plan on making any bets. To someone, they yell, "You wanted... rid of the curse... it's getting gone! If... it could drink the ocean... it would have by now! It's... gonna drown!" Yes, this is perfectly sound logic, and not the best Ash can do while trying to escape two equally terrifying dooms at once. They move to join her, so long as their legs can make it.
If Ash can only move as fast as the wolf, then it's only a question of how long it takes for them to yeet a corpse, and how long it takes Dean(wolf) to eat. They... do not plan on making any bets. To Nessa, they yell, "You wanted... rid of the curse... it's getting gone! If... it could drink the ocean... it would have by now! It's... gonna drown!" Yes, this is perfectly sound logic, and not the best Ash can do while trying to escape two equally terrifying dooms at once. They move to join her, so long as their legs can make it.
There is another creature that paths. Dean(wolf). And it is horrendously fast - how that lumbering monstrosity suddenly turns into a jagged ray of misty light. Just the raw sound of that woman's voice, her words- it is enough for Dean(wolf) to lunge ahead. Leap into the air, and crash down on her, maw open, wide and black, leading to an empty void almost kindred to the one they're leaving behind; with the sole intention he has devouring her whole. Warmer flesh better than the dead bodies he's forsaking for this one particular prey in his ravenous hunger.
Rachel seizes zombie after zombie. When she runs out of whole corpses to throw at someone, she gives him arms that crawl forward like insects, the fingers used for legs. All the while, she keeps well ahead of him, until -
From thin air emerges someone, crashing into Nessa before Ash, Rachel, and Konstantin. "Shit," she says. Her move isn't to defend their guide. That's bygones - or maybe that's something that Konstantin and Ash can do. Rachel takes up her mantle as a means of transport, rifling fast through her bag to produce a candle.
It's hard to get a match lit. She fails once, twice, three times, until finally she has a flame going. Their surroundings flicker.
Maybe she can get them away in time -- if they can buy her the minutes she needs.
Rachel seizes zombie after zombie. When she runs out of whole corpses to throw at Dean(wolf), she gives him arms that crawl forward like insects, the fingers used for legs. All the while, she keeps well ahead of him, until -
From thin air emerges Dean(wolf), crashing into Nessa before Ash, Rachel, and Konstantin. "Shit," she says. Her move isn't to defend their guide. That's bygones - or maybe that's something that Konstantin and Ash can do. Rachel takes up her mantle as a means of transport, rifling fast through her bag to produce a candle.
It's hard to get a match lit. She fails once, twice, three times, until finally she has a flame going. Their surroundings flicker.
Maybe she can get them away in time -- if they can buy her the minutes she needs.
Konstantin points at someone, looking aside to Rachel, "Slow him down! We need to get him away from the fucking pit!" He looks at Ash then, too, perhaps hopefully. He knows Rachel has ways to stave off someone from the slaughter, if just for a short while longer, but Ash he knows less. As for him, Konstantin darts aside to grip hold of a swaying undead, heaving it towards someone. Good luck Nessa!
Konstantin points at Dean(wolf), looking aside to Rachel, "Slow him down! We need to get him away from the fucking pit!" He looks at Ash then, too, perhaps hopefully. He knows Rachel has ways to stave off someone from the slaughter, if just for a short while longer, but Ash he knows less. As for him, Konstantin darts aside to grip hold of a swaying undead, heaving it towards someone. Good luck Nessa!
Konstantin points at Dean(wolf), looking aside to Rachel, "Slow him down! We need to get him away from the fucking pit!" He looks at Ash then, too, perhaps hopefully. He knows Rachel has ways to stave off Dean(wolf) from the slaughter, if just for a short while longer, but Ash he knows less. As for him, Konstantin darts aside to grip hold of a swaying undead, heaving it towards someone. Good luck Nessa!
Konstantin points at Dean(wolf), looking aside to Rachel, "Slow him down! We need to get him away from the fucking pit!" He looks at Ash then, too, perhaps hopefully. He knows Rachel has ways to stave off Dean(wolf) from the slaughter, if just for a short while longer, but Ash he knows less. As for him, Konstantin darts aside to grip hold of a swaying undead, heaving it towards Dean(wolf). Good luck Nessa!
She's not entirely helpless, and her reflexes are fast - one with hair naturally /that/ shade of blue-green wouldn't be helpless; there's a grunt, and Nessa jumps to the side to avoid Dean(wolf)'s monstrous lunge - his teeth close around flesh, a parrot's bones cracking between his teeth. It's not even a mouthful, for him. There's a startled look in her eyes, and then, immediately, it shifts to a vicious one, as though she's considering what the best means to tear his throat out would be. Instead of striking back, the woman abandons her attempts at pathing and instead makes for the water, sprinting across the sand. She's a pirate - she's almost certainly going to be stronger in there.
Ash probably does *something* - not that Konstantin and Rachel can see. Though, they do shout, sounding out of breath and bewildered, "Wha- is that a fucking mermaid? A fat - bitch chose the *wrong* beach to run up on." There's a sense of disregard - too bad for her, with their words. "Forget her, President - I can Path us back!"
Rachel's already begun to open up a path - that's what the candle was for. Their surroundings yield the glimpse of a tree -- but not the forest, yet. It's too early. An immense difficulty for Rachel to not only find them an exit, but to delay Dean(wolf), but she tries her best. "Lentacordis."
Rachel aims straight for Dean(wolf) - or rather, those insidious shadows do, crawling from the walls to try and arrest his approach.
And yes, the ever-hungry maw expands further. Pebbles, rocks, more chunks of torn flesh and meat and bone, they all go in, flying. Sand too. It pulls at the sand beneath their feet now, making their footing unsteady. On and on and on it goes, pulling and pulling and pulling and eating and devouring and consuming.
A massive hole is made where Dean(wolf) lands, throwing sand and - feathers - all around. The poor parrot is gone, devoured hole - and it isn't even enough to fill a cavity. He's captured by shadows, ignored by his prey, assaulted by an illusion of a fat and plump mermaid. Yet, he topples over under his weight, black and bloodied maws clashing against the air. Whatever he did down below, he is already weakened even if incredibly, ferociously feral and a force of reckoning. Just, not enough to move and lunge for anyone's throat th same time. It takes a while for Dean(wolf)'s heart to thunder through the weakness Rachel instills, and he slides on his haunches a few times before he can stand tall enough. It's all the time Nessa needs to get away from his grasp- likely the fat mermaid too. Instead, green eyes turn upon Rachel, Ash, Konstantin. He doesn't need to charge - he's walking, slowly, and being dragged back towards them while also prowling. One paw after another in a smooth stride, and glowing eyes beneath withdrawn lips expose the whole expanse of his teeth, the snarl that drools blood out of his own maw.
Ash says "He can Path himself."
Dean(wolf) will definitely just jump into their path and chase.
"Blind him!", Konstantin roars out before exhaling sharply. Prematurely, the crimson flame dies short, producing a thick cloud of black smog. Perhaps this was the entire intent. He projects the haze between someone and his group, doing whatever he can to slow down the ravenous wolf and facilitate the efforts to path. "Help her, or we will have to try and knock him out!"
"Blind him!", Konstantin roars out before exhaling sharply. Prematurely, the crimson flame dies short, producing a thick cloud of black smog. Perhaps this was the entire intent. He projects the haze between Dean(wolf) and his group, doing whatever he can to slow down the ravenous wolf and facilitate the efforts to path. "Help her, or we will have to try and knock him out!"
There in the water - there's a shark circling now, white and big and menacing, just waiting for them - or just Dean(wolf), really - to come closer, and Nessa is nowhere to be seen. Its fin breaks through the surface of the water, circling, circling, circling. Feathers drift through the air. It lurks.
They're close to the shore now, where that boat awaits, if they can't manage to make the path. Either way, it's going to be a close call, with the sand rapidly being whittled and sucked away, their ground beneath their feet now damp with ocean spray with how little of the island is left.
Ash knows that it's true, anyways, focusing on their fellow Hand.
Whatever Dean(wolf) sees - without being blinded, quite the opposite happens. Revulsion. It drags him out of that fugue near instantly, like a flame sputtering and dying, and Dean(wolf) actually retches. Not from the smog, or the scent of sulphur, but the sight of illusion that plagues him. They can path wherever they like, Dean(wolf) turns on a heel - limps a few times as if to get away, and dripping black liquid from his maw as he looks sicker than when he emerged. Somehow, whatever notion is put in his head, it stirred the more human side of him, the part that can think. It can think, but it isn't in a state to be smart. Dean(wolf) drags himself to the water, limps into it - and the water is instantly coated in black, spreading the viscous ink and bile catching his fur everywhere.
Ash says in relief, "Kah! You're here! I didn't think you'd get it in time... Freya? The fuck?" But, there's no time to focus on why she, of all people are here, sadly. They move to the others, working on their own Path as they purchase time... though at what cost, they seem unwilling to worry about, now.
Rachel stops. She stops flinging magic at Dean(wolf) she stops running; and she stops answering anyone. All of her attention goes wholesale into carving out their escape route. A portal hums into being, flickering at the edges. Within it are trees, a still-dark sky, grass. The smell of the ocean substitutes for pine. This way lies safety.
"ASH, KOSTYA," she yells at them.
She herself doesn't go through -- not until they do, so that their exit point doesn't vanish alongside her.
"..." Her foot pivots, and she readies herself to follow, only to catch sight of Dean(wolf).
Expletives sit just short of being voiced.
Against all reason, she makes for Dean(wolf), as if she could haul a wolf back on her own.
In fact, Dean(wolf) has lost all will to fight. Even if the hungry maw were to devour him, it doesn't look like he would care. That hunger is a backdrop of incessant whispers in his head- and he's taking his time to bask in the cold water. Each second spent looking more and more like himself - or rather, still wolf, but a subdued glimmer returns to his eyes. Followed by another retching, dog-like sound. The shark could potentially ruin him now, and as weak as he is, he would cave in - but just a few laps of the seawater drank with an extending tongue is enough to spiral him all over again. Not to rage; simple unconsciousness.
Ash looks after Rachel, hesitating for just a moment, before trying to push Konstantin through. They are running out of time, though they are sure that the man will refuse. They can try to move through the shadows, they can fly off as a bat, they can push the boat out until they have enough time to Path themself - and with these backup plans, they take the moments to try and force Konstantin through.
The ground rumbles, one last time - and then it starts sinking entirely, the island falling into the maw. The shark, circling, circling, circling, instead decides to swim off before the waters churn even further. She's not going to take her revenge for the parrot... for now?
Konstantin almost goes along with Ash's insistance but then he spots Rachel headed for the unconscious Dean. "Shit. Ash, help me carry!" he calls out, sidestepping and barreling towards the downed wolf. He grips the man by the ankles and starts heaving; moving at as close to a jog as he can. His breathing lulls rather than raising in depth; his supernatural vitality taking over the role of his natural physiological processes, giving him the strength to skitter over to the path with haste
Dean's head bonks against the jutting, final piecesof the island every step of the way.
Ash sighs, having tried - then rushes after the man, helping Konstantin as best they can by lifting Dean's head and shoulders up over their's - no bonking if they have any say. There's a relief on their face, though... they didn't seem to want to leave Dean behind.
At this point, a bit of brain damage might help instead of hinder, really. Dean bonk-bonk-bonks along as Konstantin and Rachel drag him along - at least, until Ash heaves his head up - and just as the solid ground beneath their feet crumbles away to give way to the churning waves of the ocean, being sucked into a massive whirlpool--
The forest.
Rachel tries to hoist Dean up and finds that, as expected, he's too heavy. Thank God there's Ash and Konstantin, and as soon as they have the matter well in hand, she takes the initiative to heave all of her body weight against the boat and to /push/. They go nowhere -- until they do. Now they're staying among trees. Rachel puts the heel of her hand up against her forehead, breathing hard. "Holy shit," she says to no one in particular.
Something stirs from that unconscious man - and as human as Dean is, his stomach isn't made of iron right now. Especially while he's not under the effects of a vicious, horrid rage and urge to consume. He sputters- starts to cough, and what ensues is all that he's imbibed. Except the parrot; he very much liked the parrot. It's all a black, viscous, flesh and bile dark blood erupting out of him towards others.
Whoever made the path - please let me know where it was leading to.?
If it's Rachel's path, it was to the pirate ships.
Ash is moving on adrenaline - but, not the demonic kind, so as the familiar Forest engulfs them, they start to flag immediately, stumbling with exhaustion. Man, if only one of them was telekinetic - and also wasn't unconscious. They nod to Konstantin as the werewolf starts puking, trying to help turn him over, letting him puke it up and all over. Though, given that they are *still completely naked*, they do *not* appreciate it. In fact, they're doing their best not to puke right back at him - fucking disgusting.
Konstantin twists his head away at the last moment, having looked back over his shoulder to check that Dean wasn't choking to death as he starts to create that symphony of beautiful nosies. His right arm is splattered in half rotten viscera and a few half-destroyed parrot feathers. He keeps on keepin' on, dragging Dean along at pace, trying to avoid leaving him to be forestfood after so nearly dodging becoming sharkbait
Dean is not a happy camper, he'll probably stay as he is until stirred awake.
Rachel fucks right off. Ash and Konstantin are doing just fine with Dean, and the coat she's wearing is textured, probably near impossible to clean chunks out of. "This is worse than Korina," she comments of the wolf. She maintains several feet of distance, so that even if Dean /projectile/ vomits, he'd have to really, truly try for her to do any damage.
Dean probably doesn't projective vomit- Unless? He's possibly already emptied the contents of his stomach anyhow.
Konstantin grimaces, grunting with strain as he moves along. "Valtys not going to be happy we don't have crown."
It smells like sulphur and decayed, sickly-sweet fruit and bile and metallic iron, all in one. The perfect accompaniment for the group as they find their way across the forest path - now littered with goo-vomit - and right onto the deck of the flagship. The Pirate King had been leaning against the railing, watching something in the far distance - it's a cloud of smoke-like ash against the sky, and the crew is engaged in a flurry of activity, all shouting commands to each other and preparing to embark right the fuck away from the massive whirlpool that's taking over that corner of the ocean.
"Nessa," he says immediately, eyes moving over the unconscious Dean first before taking in the state of the rest of them. His nose wrinkles faintly, but he's smelled worse, being around these many pirates. Surely. "Where's Nessa?"
He has more questions. Namely 'what the /fuck/ did you do?!' and 'what the fucking fuck', but they can wait.
Ash drawls with a retch - "That's not her name, and you shouldn't-" But, they're back. They tell the king, "In the water, she's a shark. She'll be coming. How's the weather?" They lay the man's head on the ground, stumbling to the edge of the water, and *now* they vomit. How did they learn this skill? Don't worry about it.
Ash can only hope that they don't puke *on* her.
Rachel - notably not a bird - opens her mouth to answer. Ash gets there first, which is just as well, as she puts a hand over her mouth in avoidance of the same fate that Dean and Ash seem to be suffering. She points in their direction. 'What they said.'
Ash is at the edge of the ship, on the railing - they don't go down to the water.
Like he's devoured the world, Dean is there - seated now, posssibly, on the floor with his back to the wall. His chest continues to heave - black blood still drops from the corners of his mouth, but at least, he has the self-preservation instinct to move his limbs now. Just lift a hand up, drag a bare fist over his mouth to wipe the excess goo and drop it back down once more. Beyond it, he's still relatively out of it. Recovering fast, but still recovering, and not quite done.
He looks over them, back and forth. Rachel, looking faintly disgusted. Ash, mid-puke (not on Nessa, she's still a ways away). Dean, passed the fuck out. Konstantin, covered in inky vomit. He makes a face, and then he's hopping up onto the railing of the boat and jumping right off-
He turns into a giant albatross, a massive wingspan carrying him along the air to survey the damage from here, going high enough that he's just a little v upon the horizon.
And then back.
Man-turned-bird turns man again as he lands upon the deck, only few minutes later. "She is on her way." Because, of course, he had to see for himself. She's likely not managed to pass on the 'parrot died' message juuuust yet, or maybe the man just has /so many more/ things to worry about at the moment. Like the massive fucking whirlpool. "We will beat the whirlpool if we move now," and yes, they're setting sail, the ship moving beneath them all that much rigorously now. "Did you see my father? Put him to rest?" The man who they'd been told /no/ physical description of? Did they?
Konstantin shakes off his arm, spattering the vile remnants of the rotten effluvium onto the deck beneath. "So. We destroyed island", Konstantin clarifies for the captain. "Should be end of curse."
As simple as that. He makes it seems that way, anyway.
Dean probably *ate* the man, who can even remember?
"And we put--... all of them to rest," Rachel appends to what Konstantin says. Chances are, she's right, yes? If they'd taken out the vast majority of corpses with hellfire, Dean's stomach, Ash's sorcery, and Rachel's necromancy -- plus swallowed up the remainder with a whirlpool, surely they've done it.
Ash manages to murmur, "We burned them in a pyre, your highness - it was the only way to release them." It sounds way nicer that way than it actually was - they're supporting Rachel here.
If they're wrong, it's not as though it'll be easy to check. And by then, the lot of them - the scallywags - will have made it safely to Haven. Rachel's plan is /foolproof. Thank you, Ash.
One, two, three, four. The pirate's sea-green eyes traverse across each of them in turn. Ash, Rachel, Dean, Konstantin. He inhales a deep breath, regrets it immediately - the stench - and nods his head.
A short trip to his quarters later, he retrieves the box. It's handed over to Rachel, who seems the cleanest of the bunch. "The mist is changing already." comes the admission, and yes, it may even be... slightly less cold. Maybe. "Now get out, you are getting in the way." No thanks. Just business.
"Path home", Konstantin declares to the group at large. Well. He isn't going to do it so one can assume that was a nonspecific request to the others.