Aether Shanties RP (PM if interested/Started)

[3quency]

-Isaac-

Found himself with not much to do and nobody to talk to. He'd come along out of an obligation (and more than a little morbid curiosity) but now he was actually here it felt like he'd have had a better time back at the ship. There was a time where he lived for this, but these days he just didn't have it in him. Nor did he look the part anymore, in spite of his well cut suit he couldn't help but walk with a hunch.

He'd spotted the swaggering naval officer a mile off and his hackles had risen, but once he'd approached and spoken to Sheska Isaac realised there was nothing he could really do. A fight couldn't work out here and if it did he'd only make things worse.

He moved away from the dance-floor and slumped into a chair at a table next to a pale-looking young man in a suit.

"It's too bloody loud in here." he muttered.


-Annis-

Watched Exeter's barbed dance with scorn. The man was an idiot for bringing the grudges they held to the gala. There was no point in hostility here, even veiled hostility.
Her thoughts returned to her endeavours the previous night... no time for that now. She would mingle if it was required, she would walk the floor, and she would watch the dancers. The evening didn't have to be unpleasant. If only there was a quieter room with more intellectual entertainment... ah well.

 

[Redryhno]

"You know I was in the process of eating that."

"Not by my knolowedge, you weren't,"He said as he ripped into the flesh of the apple again,"You've been with the Imps too long, eating's not sommat you sit around and talk in between, you waste time that wa'."

"I believe you're misunderstanding the matter. Garrett is my-"-bodyguard yes, but one retained by both money and honor."

Eddie nodded and shrugged his shoulders, his face accepting,if still a bit derisive of the idea,"Alright, if you say so Imp."

Keeping her safe is not all that I do. I provide the Rear Admiral here with an insider's knowledge of the pirate mind, being one myself."

Eddie, who had picked up a glass of champagne from a passing servant, and thinking it was juice, took a mouthful of it, which was then projected outward as a fit of uproarious laughter and his own disgust at the taste took over. He dropped the glass and tumbled to the floor, his gales of laughter echoing all throughout the hall, the now shattered glass in pieces around him as he held his sides.

"HAHAHAAAA! YOU?! A PIRATE!?!?!"Another bout of laughter escaped into the ball, to the detriment of some of the dancers as the music was overpowered,"Lemme catch a breath!"

Eddie stumbled to his feet, still chuckling, some of the guests, particularly the obvious Imperials, looking at him dubiously. He paid them no heed, seeing as he barely noticed them to begin with.

"Al'ight then,"He said, adjusting the coat and wiping a bit of dust and floor grime from it, the laughter subsided, before he saw Garett's face again, which prompted yet another gale of laughter,"If'n yur a pirate, I'm a Neobedwetter Bestman!"

Looking up into Garret's eyes again however, and his voice went cold, all trace of accent, brightness in his eyes, and spring in his step gone, no longer was this "Eddie", this was the man that had grown up a pirate, with no care in the world beyond the "organization" and Imp hunting.

"You are no pirate. If you were, you would have killed this Imp ***** long ago. You talk about honor, bullshit. You do not have any, nor do you know the meaning of the word loyalty. You switched sides, meaning you are less than the most deaf,blind,lame, and mute Imperial beggar in the world. You are a cur, a bastard who would sooner trade his Captain than face up to what he himself did. A man who would rather screw an Imperial than actually do what he once did. How long before you switch sides again, eh? You getting tired o' this woman yet? What will you do when you do, huh? Doesn't look anywhere near young to me..."

His eyes never loosing contact with Garret's own, Eddie spoke directly to Adrianna, somehow his voice seeking her ear alone,"Not much to say to you, is there? Already covered the traitor parts with this hulk after all..."

And just as suddenly as Eddie had changed, he changed back to his normal self. Although still a bit cold towards these two, he asked, just as warm and nonchalant as he'd been earlier,"So, what's your names? Gave you mine already didn't I? It's Eddie if'n I forgot." He bent down to retrieve the apple, but after seeing it was covered in champagne, he kicked it off into the ball proper this time, instead of the dance floor.

He sighed,"You can never keep something good like that, can you?"

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

Beth

She had been keeping an eye on the guests, and her own crew. It seemed they were getting along well with the imperials. Sheska was dancing with someone, and Eddie was talking with another couple of imps. She was aware that they were antagonizing the imperials, but enjoyed watching them. Eventually she decided to order a glass of wine, and made her way over to stand behind the couple Eddie was talking with. She was just listening to them, while chatting with some higher ups which she assumed were from Helium City.

They left after a while, and she was alone, listening in on the conversation behind her back. When Eddie insulted the man who claimed to be a pirate, Beth burst out laughing, which caused some to look at her.

"I should bring you to more of these parties." She said with a loud voice to a girl next to her, which she had never seen before. It was meant for Eddie though, and she hoped he heard her.

Remmington

Jaqui remained with Wilhelmena for a while, and greeted more of the guests. When there were no more guests coming, she turned to speak with her friend. "I wish you would wear something more suiting of you."

"Do you not like my dress?" Wilhelmena answered with a sly smile.

"I can't help but worry." She put the cigar to her mouth, and inhaled some more smoke. "I suppose that's on you though. Oh, and I found your friend. She might not recognize you, if you're dressed like that."

Wilhelmena shook her head, and coughed when Remmington let out the smoke in her face. "I don't want her too." She took Remmington by the arm, and lead her towards the food.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Zach was growing increasingly uncomfortable as he watched Sheska dance with her Imp adversary, over the shoulder of his own partner. This was all wrong. Sheska might like to talk like a hunter, using words like 'prey', but a hunter doesn't waste time with muttered threats, arm in arm with their target. If Sheska wanted to play with her food before she ate it, then Zach wasn't about to deny her that right, but someone had to stay watchful, and the more Zach watched the more he felt like the crew of The Mermaid was growing increasingly more vulnerable by the minute. What exactly was the purpose of this party anyway? Zach couldn't buy that it was mere coincidence that a band of pirates and a band of Imp's, having clashed with each-other recently, were now getting drunk under the same roof under the watchful eye of the esteemed Mrs Remmington. It was something he'd love to investigate further, were his attentions not already occupied.

Zach noticed Issac move towards the bar, looking at Sheska's dance partner with the same expression of anger and concern that Zach felt. It made him warm a little to the man, although only a little. He still didn't know how far he was willing to trust Issac, and people Zach wasn't sure about always put him far more on edge that those he knew were bad news. Nevertheless, he was just about the best Zach could hope for right now.

Conveniently, Eddie had chosen this moment to make a scene. It wasn't hard to catch what he was saying, and what Zach heard made him smile inwardly.

'I knew there was more to him than he was letting on! Still crazy as fuck though, carrying on like that.'

The confrontation allowed Zach to once again subtly excuse himself from his partner and move over to the bar, where he joined Issac. He spoke quietly, close to Issac's ear.

"Why do you think that officer is looking so smug?" he asked "I'd bet you anything that even with one arm Sheska would take him down like he was nothing if she wanted, and she does. Now, he might be just enough of an idiot to think that this little show makes him untouchable in this room, but I don't think so. Everyone has their limit after all, and he hasn't pushed Sheska over her's yet. I reckon he's trying to make her just angry enough that she'll take her eye of the ball. Why? Maybe, it's because he has backup, beyond his usual Imp friends..."

Zach had no idea how willing Issac would be to follow the new guy's hunch. However, in the event that Zach was right, forewarning Issac could be invaluable, and if he was wrong, at least voicing his concerns out loud, with someone who knew this game at least as well as he did himself, might help curb his paranoia.

"Look, I know it's not much to go on, but I've got a seriously bad feeling about this. If I'm right, and there's a Ggun here somewhere, or at least going to be hear very soon, then I could use your help."

 

[deathbydeath]

"And not one to dance with Imps. Maybe they've had too much to drink," Roy guessed. "So you're an Imp too?"

"Alcohol does to amazing things to a person sometimes." replied Drustan, slightly shrugging his skull in acknowledgement of the point. "And as mentioned before, I am an associate mercenary and wanderer. I don't really have loyalty to a higher cause, it was just a concoction of the right times and places that led me here. I'm not complaining, though, as there are certainly worse places to be. Like stuck on this wart that people habitate on, for instance." Finished with his comment, Drustan continued to gaze off towards the distance, still keeping his open for tipsy dancers, but this time it was towards the back of his mind. At least, until

"HAHAHAAAA! YOU?! A PIRATE!?!?!"

Drustan leapt a few inches off of the polished floor, crouching low upon landing in a desperate attempt to keep his balance. It didn't work. Propping himself back into a standing position, he spoke his mind to Roy.

"What in the bloodiest Oblivion is that buffoon doing? I know jokes can be funny, but by the Skies, he could at least have some common fucking courtesy."

 

[Terratina.]

"It's too bloody loud in here." Isaac muttered.

Vasco was torn from the almost hypnotic action of tracing the edge of the wine glass with his finger and looked up at the hunched man. He gave a slight chuckle. The blind seek out the blind and the hunched seek out the hunched. Even though the man could only see a pale-looking gentleman in a suit leaning on a table. With the commotion, Dr. Roque hardly caught the words of this gentlemen and before he could respond, another one appeared. A Neobedouin by the looks of things. He was whispering words in the other gentleman's ear, with a concerned look on his face. No doubt about the clash between Exeter and that Misbegotten, and more. Listening to that loud man's insults of Garrett had made him regret coming to this ball more. What was the purpose of it anyway?

Brushing those thoughts away and with a pained sigh, he replied, "Indeed... May I know the name of you and your companion, then?"

 

[3quency]

"Indeed... May I know the name of you and your companion, then?"

Isaac blinked. He'd sort of forgotten that imperial sense of entitlement. To be honest, this was polite as far as they went. We're talking, I'm supposed to know your name now right? as if the speaker was unused to socialising. More likely a ranking officer or some other important role aboard a vessel than one of the aristocrats that spent their time here then.

Isaac assented and replied.

"Traynor. Isaac Traynor, a pleasure. My companion goes by Zach. And you are...?"

"Look, I know it's not much to go on, but I've got a seriously bad feeling about this. If I'm right, and there's a Ggun here somewhere, or at least going to be hear very soon, then I could use your help."

Zach's muttering became more intense and Isaac's heart leapt into his throat. He kept his composure and didn't immediately respond to the whisper, but shot Zach a look. I heard you. We can talk about this when there's less Imps around.

"Zach, have a seat why don't you? The drinks are quite good." he hadn't touched his wine glass of course, but he could probably make a fair judgement of the master of Helium's wine quality. As Zach sat Isaac leaned back so he could see both Zach and the gentleman they were talking to, whispering out the corner of his mouth.
"He's provoking her. If there's a fight then we're for it. Don't know about any Ggun so far."
You could never be too sure of passing on messages in such intimate circumstances and there was always a chance somebody would eavesdrop. But Isaac was a master of veiled conversation. He had spent his best years using it and it was a skill you never really forgot. Provided this guest they were talking to wasn't a gun himself, the chances of him suspecting another dialogue would be close to none.

 

[Terratina.]

"Traynor. Isaac Traynor, a pleasure. My companion goes by Zach. And you are...?"

"Doctor Vasco Roque," He said, almost automatically extending his hand, though beneath the blank veil, Vasco was puzzled. What was going on between these two gentlemen? That was the problem with events like this, so much going on beneath a veil of noise and fury. No wonder Vasco kept alcohol as far away from his mouth as possible if it made people act like this. He slid his half-full glass away from him in disgust. It was only there because a waiter had placed it there, perhaps in the hope that the sour doctor would liven up after a few glasses of the stuff. Then thoughts turned to conversation subjects, and then he sighed again. He hated small talk, but at least it some time would be wasted in a more meaningful manner this way. That was at least one hope of his...

"This celebration seems to be going well... Except for that little commotion there. But then again, parties are always wild things, yes?"

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Well, if there is one, I'll know them when I see them. You can count on that." Zach replied, following Issac's lead and whispering out of the corner of his mouth. He wondered how Issac would take that statement, as he obviously went to much greater lengths to conceal his own past than Sheska did. "If that happens, then we'll need some way to draw them away from the crowd and get them alone."

"This celebration seems to be going well... Except for that little commotion there. But then again, parties are always wild things, yes?"

"You should ride with us tribal folk sometime." Zach answered, his tone not unkind, but at the same time with an undercurrent of challenge to it, daring the Imperial to make some kind of passively disparaging comment about 'savages' such as Zach. "I reckon we could show you a thing or two about wild parties."

 

[Terratina.]

"You should ride with us tribal folk sometime." Zach answered. "I reckon we could show you a thing or two about wild parties."

The tone of the man confirmed it. This was bait, and no doubt the Neobedouin wanted Vasco to take it. He would be disappointed. If he wanted some Neovictorian to rant on about savages that roll around the land in mud stinking of petrol and animal blood, the man should have walked up to Mr. St. John. He disliked this, to say the least. Being put on the ground in social situations was probably one of the worst things he had experienced. The sickly feeling that came with this feeling of being watched, studied even, made his stomach turn. If it was even possible, Vasco turned even more pale. But with a quick brush of the hair, he recovered. The doctor knew what to say to this Neobedouin. He leaned in closer to Zach, with a sheepish grin.

"I wouldn't know," Vasco said with the same tone, "Please, do tell... I am sure it will be fascinating to hear about Neobedouin customs."

 

[3quency]

"Well, if there is one, I'll know them when I see them. You can count on that."
Hmm. May need to remember that. Isaac thought to himself. If there was a potential for another person on board the Mermaid to know of his past, he'd need to keep tight control if he didn't want the secret getting out. The more people that knew, the less secret it was. Zach continued;
"If that happens, then we'll need some way to draw them away from the crowd and get them alone."

Isaac nodded and watched the exchange between the Doctor and Zach. To his surprise the Imperial responded with playful interest, not the sort of thing you usually expected from the nobility. Not that this doctor seemed particularly high-class. From a wealthy background of course elsewise he'd not be a doctor, but far from a conventional upbringing.

Isaac leaned back a bit and frowned at the ongoing exchange between Eddie and what looked like some Skyfolk merc. Voices (well, a familiar voice) were being raised. Close by stood an Imperial woman dressed in officer's fineries.

"Oh dear." he muttered "it's not going to kick off is it?"

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Garrett stood patiently with his arms crossed as Eddie rattled off a list of insults to both him and Adrianna in cold and angry voice, outraged at what Garrett was and what he had become. Whilst he didn't agree with all of them, Garrett had to admit that the man had a point. He knew that his relationship with Adriana; and by vague extension the Empire would draw unwanted attention from other Skyfolk, losing the respect of them in the process. Like his kin, Garrett despised the Empire for what they did, but he couldn't deny his love for Adriana, he respected her too much to simply sever the connection so he could be back in their favour.

After his rant was over, Eddie bent down to retrieve the apple, but after seeing it was covered in champagne, kicked it off into the crowd of dancers that were nearby, most of whom weren't paying attention of what was going on. Garrett noticed another woman he hadn't seen before approach them, Eddie himself sighed soon after. Deep down Garrett was angry about what had been said, but he didn't want to lash out, in case it bit him back in the arse.

"You can never keep something good like that, can you?" Garrett managed to crack a smile, and spoke in a more cheerful tone.

"No, I guess you can't Eddie, though I guess its a matter of perspective. Listen, Eddie, is this what we came here to do? To argue and squabble about honour and respect? No, we were invited here to celebrate the anniversary of this great city of Helium. To eat, drink, be merry, and bask in all that has been accomplished in fifty short years. Lets not ruin this evening anymore than we have." Garrett then took Adriana by the hand, and lead her away from the crowd that was forming, and into the sea of dancers.

 

[Cybele]

"I'm not complaining, though, as there are certainly worse places to be. Like stuck on this wart that people habitate on, for instance."

"It's not that bad here or at least not really any worse than most other cities," Roy reasoned, "Besides, it could be worse. It certainly beats having to live in the Change Cage or a Skyloft s..." He was cut off when Drustan jumped for no apparent reason.

"What in the bloodiest Oblivion is that buffoon doing? I know jokes can be funny, but by the Skies, he could at least have some common fucking courtesy."

Looking around he spotted Eddie lying on the floor, laughing his head off, and two Imps that were looking quite offended. "Where's the harm in having a bit of fun?" Roy laughed. "Especially if it's on the expense of the upper class," he added, yawning. He felt as if he might fall asleep then and there nothing interesting happened soon.

"Sorry, lack of sleep," he muttered and yawned again.

 

[hiei82]

[HEADING=2]Exeter[/HEADING]

"Funny; last time I saw you, you were cradling your missing arm, ready to pass out from pain." he said, returning her insult. He had a hard time believing he could dislike the pirate ***** anymore than he already had, but then she was full of surprises. "By the way, I know your pet's name, but not yours. Not that I really care, but I'll have to carve something into your charred husk so that your crew will recognize you after what I've done." she asked, in the most unpleasant way possible; by burying her claws into his shoulder.

Exeter grinned through the pain; he'd felt far worse as a pirate. He brought his hand up, pulling the claw from his shoulder, widening the wounds and further tearing his coat. The blood was plainly visible as it stained his white undershirt. He pulled her claw up and out, into a proper dancing stance, than wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her in close. At the same time, be pushed forward, forcing her back to bend back slightly until she was in a slight dip. With his face not inches from hers, his dark, contempt grin now from ear to ear, his eyes alight with the kind of flames born under hatred and nurtured by torment, he answered "Sir Exeter St. John, First Officer of the H.M.S. Invincible, former pirate Captain (and slaughterer of) The Duskhunter and its crew, killer of pirate filth in all seven skies, and loyal servant of His Majesty, Emperor Victor II. Remember it when Lucifer asks who sent you." he said, before returning to his normal smirk. He then let the stance he'd been holding her in slip back into the distance waltz stance he'd been in seconds before, though he continued to hold her clawed hand in his own, it only to keep it a distance away from his shoulder.

[HEADING=2]Adrianna[/HEADING]

Adrianna stared at the pair of sailors as Eddie began to insult the both of them. With each word, Adrianna's face grew redder. It took nearly all of her will power to stop herself from pulling off er glove, slapping him in the face with it, and challenging him to a duel on the spot - and damn the consequences and the diplomatic treaties. He'd insulted her honor, showing utter contempt for not only her, but Remmington's party and all it stood for. She heard a voice call Eddie from behind, complimenting his insults. It was getting out of hand quickly, and Adrianna's patience was waning.

Thank fate, the gods or god, or the universe for Garrett, who seemed to roll with the insults like they were nothing. She envied his calm demeanor. "No, I guess you can't Eddie, though I guess its a matter of perspective. Listen, Eddie, is this what we came here to do? To argue and squabble about honour and respect? No, we were invited here to celebrate the anniversary of this great city of Helium. To eat, drink, be merry, and bask in all that has been accomplished in fifty short years. Lets not ruin this evening anymore than we have." He said, apparently able to survive the onslaught well. She wasn;t sure when he'd become the calmer of the two, or if he'd always been the calmer of the two, but she was eternally thankful for it. Garrett offered his hand, which Adrianna took, and lead her away onto the dance floor.

Adrianna, not to be outdone, curtsied as was proper, and accepted the impromptu due to dance. She wasn't sure how he'd done it, but Garrett had managed to dismiss the belligerent clod, and turn his presence into a boon. It offered the perfect excuse for the two to finally do something enjoyable. After all, if anyone asked why they were dancing, they could argue it was to escape the argument without violence, thus preserving the Empire's peace with Helium City. It wasn't like they wanted to dance right? the whole charade screamed of posse and social graces she'd never seen before in Garrett. and she couldn't be happier about it. Adrianna chanced the thought "Maybe this night will actually turn out well after all". She stamped her foot lightly on the wooden floor; an old superstition to knock on wood, but it couldn't hurt.

"Well done Garrett." she said in a low voice such that others wouldn't hear. "How did you ever get to be so wise?" she asked, partly as a compliment and partly in genuine inquiry.

[HEADING=2]Ciel[/HEADING]

Ciel stared dumbstruck at the scene on the dance floor. On the one side, her first officer had clearly made a daring move, pulling the pirate into such an... intimate dance. She wasn't sure what he'd said, but she suspected by the grin it was nothing good. Meanwhile, on the other side, Admiral Lanester and Mr. Corvus had been dragged into a dangerous conversation, only for the later of the two to pull them out and onto the dance floor. Ciel smiled at the act, thinking "Way to go" in her internal monologue.

 

[Arcanist]

"Ciel Kriebel."

Jason nodded in affirmation. "Jason Aurora - Chief Engineer of The Mermaid." He reached into his coat pocket and produced a cigarette, using one of the fancy electric lighters built into the bar to ignite it. "Not like it matters around here. I get the feeling most of the guests here only care for who you are if you can help them suck up to the Emperor." He gestured to the tensing scene before them. "Take that jackass. He wouldn't give two shits about Sheska if he couldn't use her to make himself look good in front of the Imperal brass." He drew in a deep puff of cigarette smoke, waiting a moment before exhaling. By the Skymother, he had no idea what he'd do without this vice.

He leveled a dark gaze Exeter's way, the disinterest in his eyes replaced with a cold glare. "I relish to see him get what a sycophant deserves."

He turned back to Ciel, no trace of his previous demeanor left and readopting an aloof air. "So, where do you serve? I'm gonna laugh if you say it's with him."

 

[Texas Joker 52]

-Sheska-

"Funny; last time I saw you, you were cradling your missing arm, ready to pass out from pain.".

She merely quirked a brow and snorted. "That was after Capricorn had to save your ass, you didn't do a goddamned thing, weak *****.", she said with a sneer.

When he fought to pull her claws out of his shoulder, though, she snickered darkly, only to end up being pulled against him and dipped back in a parody of a lovers dance. And as her eyes locked onto his, she could see a fire in his gaze. She could feel her blood skyrocket from simmer straight to boil, and she looked at his neck hungrily. Maybe she could pretend to kiss him there, and instead sink in her teeth to rip out his throat and get away with it...

Her train of thought was interrupted when he finally answered, his face a scant few inches from hers.

"Sir Exeter St. John, First Officer of the H.M.S. Invincible, former pirate Captain (and slaughterer of) The Duskhunter and its crew, killer of pirate filth in all seven skies, and loyal servant of His Majesty, Emperor Victor II. Remember it when Lucifer asks who sent you.".

Then he pulled them both back into the position they were in earlier, with that same slimy smirk he had before. So superior and untouchable. Even as a red haze started to cloud the corners of her vision, she stepped forward and bumped her forehead none-too-gently against his as she bared her teeth, her eyes burning like golden suns. She could feel her head throbbing like war drums, and when she answered, it was in a low, dangerous purr.

"Is that so? Well, if you think you can be the one to put me down, go ahead and try. You won't succeed. And if you think you have, mark my words: You'd best put me in the ground, and more than six foot down. Else I'll claw my way out of the grave you put me in and drag you back to put you there in my stead.", she told him.

Then she started to dig her nails into the back of his hand, enclosing it in an almost literally bone-crushing grip. Leaning forward, she tugged his hand down to force him to stoop down so she could tower over him.

"And trust me, Exeter, you won't pull it off. So take the time now to pray. Pray to whatever impotent gods you worship, because I will hunt you down. I will put you through sweet, unspeakable agony. And I will watch as the life drains from you. There is no power in heaven or on earth that will stop me, Exeter St. John, from killing you myself. Not even your limp-dick Emperor will save you.", she murmured, before pushing him back and turning to walk off.

She made it to two strides away before she stopped, and looked back at him. "Oh, and one more thing. When I kick your charred carcass from my airship, what do you think will make you fall faster? The lead I'll put in your ass, or the shit you already have for brains?", she asked.

But before Exeter could answer, she shook her head and shrugged. "Oh right, I forgot, It won't matter: You'll be dead, regardless. Until we meet again, stupid pussy.", she said with a wave.

With that, she strode off of the dance floor and made her way to where she saw Izzy and Zach sitting, speaking to a pale man who wore a suit that looked remarkably similar to Sam's. For some reason, that made her want to assume that he was a doctor too. When she finally reached them, she smiled and nodded to them both. "Izzy, Zach. Which one of you wants to dance first?", she asked as pleasantly as she could.

After all, she could still smell St. Johns stench on her, and her blood was still calling out for someone else to die.

 

[Sehnsucht Engel]

Beth

She listened to the man answer Eddie, when they left she turned around and threw a new fruit to him. "The good thing about parties like this one, is that there's no end to the free food." Beth looked at the dance floor, and at the imperial couple. "and the man does have a point, we did come here to celebrate, but what better way could there possibly be than to provoke the empire a bit more for some laughs?" It was intended for Eddie's ears, and she hoped no one else had heard them.

Beth drank the last of her wine, and a grin wanted to spread across her face. "What do you say we try to celebrate some more with imperials?"

Remmington

Jaqui was keeping an eye on her guests, with Wilhelmena by her side. Her friend was good at striking up conversation, with both imperials and others. They reacted differently to her, but she did have the talent to keep them somewhat interested in talking with her.

She saw the imperials butt heads with the pirates that Wilhelmena had suggested they should invite. It served little purpose to invite criminals, but she wasn't sure which side was the worse either way. It was rare for pirates to be dumb enough to try and cause any larger problems in her city. The imperials were tougher to handle, as she almost expected them to do it. Though it could be paranoia.

 

[Redryhno]

"No, we were invited here to celebrate the anniversary of this great city of Helium. To eat, drink, be merry, and bask in all that has been accomplished in fifty short years. Lets not ruin this evening anymore than we have."

"Eh? That wasn't in the eninvinitation, was it? What's happened in fif'y years anyways? Just some ol' guy on a chair wit' a fancy name telling us whatta do,"He followed after the couple onto the dance floor a bit, talking as he went along,"Course he screwed up afta he found out his toys weren't good up here no more. Ah, to hell wit' all o'ya Groundlings! You too, Garrety-Tikki-Gravy!"

He walked back off the floor, walking through couples to stay on the straight line back to where he was. Unfortunately, he never saw the orange thrown at him, striking him in the head and causing another commotion as he attempted to catch it before hitting the ground, however not ever really seeming to be able to get a grip on it, tripping another servant walking past.

"What do you say we try to celebrate some more with imperials?"

"No, I'm good Cap'n. But promise me sommat. I ever start actin' like that clown ova' there,"He made a shooting motion at Garret,shit-eating grin plain as day on his face,accompanied by his other hand waving excitedly. He turned back to Beth,"Take my gun and shoot me, right in the head! Don' wanna remember ever thinkin' bout goin' over with 'em."

Spotting a tray of food leaving the table again, he didn't wait to hear Beth's answer, if there was one, before more or less sprinting through the dancing couples again, tapping Garret on the back as he went by, intent on the free food. Couldn't get any better than that, unless it was being served on a ship, land, clouds, and floating cities out of sight...That'd be a good day in Eddie's book.

 

[hiei82]

[HEADING=2]Ciel[/HEADING]

"So, where do you serve? I'm gonna laugh if you say it's with him." Jason said, rather aloofly

"Well laugh it up then, 'cause I'm the Chief Engineer of the H.M.S. Invincible; the same ship he's first officer of." she said, raising her glass of the bourbon up to knock it with his.

"And I wouldn't jump to that judgement so fast either. That "sycophant" had his life destroyed by pirates. He loves the empire I'm sure, but he's hunting Sheska there for the joy he gets for getting revenge on pirates. I'll admit, sycophant's a fair wood for him - he's not by any stretch of the word a "good" guy; he's a monster even to his own crew - but he's also not a pirate hunter to brown nose to the Emperor. Well, not too much anyway." she said, not buying the engineer's argument.

"Like I doubt you or your first officer are out there plundering, killing, raping, and pillaging just for the gold and the fun. Remember; if you ever meet a "simple" person; he's a liar 'cause their ain't no simple people." she finished, more or less having slipped into academic mode.

[HEADING=2]Exeter[/HEADING]

Exeter watched, still smirking, as the pirate ***** walked off, having again threatened his life. It was such a shame too; there were far worse things to threaten then a person's life. Threatening what and who they cared about was far more effective. But then, that's life; it comes in all sorts of interesting - if violently bothersome - forms.

Exeter grabbed a glass of something form a nearby waiter, before making his way off the dance floor. He decided to clean his wound before the pirate's filth infected him with something. More practically, he didn't want blood staining one of his few good shirts.

 

[3quency]

-Annis-

"No, if he wished to 'brown-nose' our emperor he'd actually give a damn about dress regulations."
Annis had overheard the woman discussing the Invincible with what looked to be a very grubby Skyfolk engineer. Normally she'd have wrinkled her nose in disgust and left, but she felt this was the perfect opportunity to get to know one of the new officers a little better.

"So you are our new Head Engineer? Nice to finally meet you, I suppose. Should I introduce myself?"

Annis didn't know this girl from adam but you could be sure that her own name was at least a blip on the radar of most Imperials that were actually capable of leaving the cities. Not that she expected to recognised, her reputation had diminished somewhat after... she wasn't as well known these days.

Broken cripples rarely are.


-Parties Unknown-

Calvin shifted in the cold night breeze.
He was bored out of his skull, not unusual when the ship wasn't being attacked. But somebody had to stay behind to watch the place whilst the cap'n was out making pretty with the Helium Nobs. Not that the cap'n wasn't already pretty.
Calvin grinned to himself. He'd been given a task by her, maybe if he saw it through without trouble there'd be a reward... nah. Beth kept to herself and that was the way it had to be, he supposed. Honestly him and the lads weren't too sure if she was that into boys anyway. Not that they talked about it if they knew an officer was nearby of course. It didn't do to spread rumours about your cap'n if she had a way to hear 'em.

Though as far as captains went, she was a good'un. Harsh but fair, is what he'd told the others, harsh but fair. Calvin was glad he'd signed up to the Mermaid. The hauls weren't always amazing but they always came back in one piece and the company was pleasant. So he'd stay here and keep watch, for as long as he needed to. Until the part was over...

Was that a noise? He turned, raising his rifle.
"Anyone there?" he asked. A shuffling. Sounded like it was behind him, actually. Calvin started to turn before he felt a clawlike grip on his shoulder. He stumbled backwards and there was a searing pain across his throat. He was still staring confusedly at the blood running down his front when he was pitched off the side of the dock.


"That sod's out the way."
Pickman nodded to his accomplice and crept aboard the vessel, keeping his bowler hat steady. The winds up here were treacherous, even more so if you were purposely moving delicately.
Nobody ever thought of Pickman as a delicate chap, and that was probably why his work was so profitable. Nobody expects the rotten-toothed ex-Navy thug to be as soft as a cat.
"Come on in then, ye reprobates." he hissed at his crew and they fell into place on the deck. A handful more pirates were aboard, though most were out drinking and enjoying the night, one way or t'other. Honestly, the man at the gangplank was the only one they had to do in. The rest they could avoid.

They snuck gently through the vessel, carefully sidling past any late night walkers or assigned guardsmen until they were in the engine room. Pickman looked around and smiled a rotten-toothed smile.
"Jackpot, me beauties. Right, here's how it goes. Felchin and Webley, stick with me, keep a lookout. You see any engineerin' types, kill 'em. Aston, take this-"
He tossed the explosive.
"An' fix it to the propellers. Yes, back outside. Don't just stand there, hop to it you troglodytes!"

And they were away, working their business. Pickman for his part unloaded a small set of tools and worked at dismantling what he could of the engine, and pocketing bits and pieces that looked hard to replace. He'd not worked an engine in 20 years but he knew more than enough to wreck 'em. This one would be a tough job, the lad that worked on it clearly kept the thing in good nick. You'd have to spend a good long time rendering it in a state where repair was impossible.

He stood back and frowned.
What looked fragile?

"Boss!"
A hissed voice. He swivelled and saw Webley, looking at him worriedly. How long had he been standing here?
"What." no concern in Pickman's voice, if his boys had been doing their job right there wouldn't be a problem.
They had been doing their jobs right, surely?
"People comin'. A lot of people. Think one of the engies spotted Aston leavin'"
Shit. Pickman wondered if the lad had been dumb enough to allow himself to be spotted. No point in uncertainty.

"How many?"
"Six 'r seven? More? Din't count."
"You fuckwit, I need to know."
Webley shrugged. Pickman swore inwardly, you just couldn't get the help anymore.
"Alright, I'll finish up. You and Felchin sod off, preferably off of the side. Scram!"

The boy disappeared and Pickman turned to the engine. Was there anything else he could do...?
Damn, now he could hear bootsteps. Sod it, nothing for it. No amount of money was worth being gunned down by pirates. He took a pipewrench and slammed it into some pipes, making for a horrific screech. The bootsteps quickened. Pickman swung again and again until the cluster was completely severed and smashed the wrench into an intake valve, hoping that would do the trick. And then he darted away before the pirates could round the corner.

He was away and off the ship before anyone could find him, and there were his lads. All accounted for, thankfully.
"Soddit, we din't have nearly enough time. Aston, you did your bit right?"
Aston nodded, and looked towards the rear of the ship triumphantly.

An explosion lit the night and the four saboteurs watched, wincing a little.

"Aston you fuckin' twit, that wasn't a major propeller! What the hell have I taught you?"
"Only do the-"
"Only do the main thrusts! An' what did you fucking do?"
"Not do the main thrust."
"Not do the main thrust!"
Pickman slapped the boy open handed in the face.
"Shoddy work, my lad, shoddy work. I want to get paid fer this. And I won't get paid fer this if my help keeps fucking up!" he shouted the last bit and gave Aston a hefty kick, sending him stumbling backwards. Aston reached the lip of the tower, and tumbled off with a scream. The remaining lads looked after him, faces pale.

"The fuck are you still here for? Scarper!"
They looked at Pickman as if they were rabbits caught in a highbeam and took off. He ran his own path.

The job hadn't been done properly, Aston's little screw up had cost them the time they dearly needed. With any luck the engine would be screwed. But Pickman hadn't believe in luck since his old captain had taken a brand to his face and cut his toes off, one by one.

Still. Fingers crossed, eh?