[Where am I? Who am I? These are often questions that plague you when you're caught in the dark. Well maybe not the second. However, everyone IS caught in the dark. Quite literally. There's barely any light around. Just some faint slivers cut through. But the only way you notice that you're conscious is that you're bumping into the person next to you.] [Oneshot start.] * Ryuhi shoves whoever's bumping into him away. "Back off," he says roughly. [Ryuhi shoves Saki.] * Saki staggers a bit then forwards and shoves Ryuhi harder. "Don't tell me what to do!" She growls. [There's a faint creaking sound. None of you can still see each other.] * In`You suddenly stops dead still, and says, "Oh no... what sort of magic is this?" She tries to poke the ground around her with her staff. * Ryuhi steps back, doing his bets to compose himself without bumping into anything else. If he did, he couldn't feel it through his hair anyways. =p [In'You hears the slight thunk thunk of wood on wood as she taps it with her staff.] Who are you? Where are we? Where's my Chimera? * Saki looks around seeing very little. "Goddamn it. NOW what?" (Perception checks to all. -2) 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ryuhi (2d6) and gets 7. 2d6-6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Saki (2d6-6) and gets -1. ( Uh... Made it ) ( Faiwed. _ 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for In`You (2d6-2) and gets 7. (Whew. Failed.) ( Gravity: earth normal or not? ) [Saki's the only one that notices the faint light in the distance, swinging back and forth.] ( It's a tonberry. >_> ) * Saki peers at it. "The hell?" . Yes, that is what I thought too. [Ryuhi finds all his weapons intact and on his person still.] Hope it's not hostile. * In`You says, "Over where?" and gestures with her left hand, murmuring, "Sun's Light, Illuminate." [As you approach, you see it's a lantern hanging off a hook attached to a wooden post. In fact, there's a lot of wood near you. Barrels, crates, all the walls and floors are wood. In'You's light spell reveals more of the same along the path. There's also some ropes scattered about on the ground and tied to some of the posts. There's a faint creaking noise as well coming from the sides and a gentle rocking.] [And now you can see each other, how about that?] (Hooray!) ( Yey! Description time! ) * In`You looks around with her light spell up. She is a youngish looking girl, very thin, about 16, with long braided black hair, purple eyes, and has a large stylized symbol for the sun on her forehead. She is also carrying a staff and a small pack on her back. "Ah, so you were not just angry ghosts." * Ryuhi is 5'9, medium build. The first thing you notice about him is his HAIR. Which, as a good comparison, looks like SSJ4 Goku's hair. It's dye neon blue on the left side, and a vibrant red on the right. (And she's 5'7".) * Saki turns suddenly as Inyou casts that, her long black hair swirling as she does before falling straight again, staring at her through deep blue eyes. Her clothes consist of black leather pants and a similarly colored leather jacket over a white T-shirt, and black fingerless gloves. She also happens to be 5'8" and drop-dead gorgeous. ( For visual ref: http://besm.sandwich.net/MC/Art/Ali-sakiSML.jpg ) * Ryuhi is wearing a greytoned cloth vest, and his arms and neck 'n stuff are exposed. He's also wearing loose blue jeans, with lots of oil sctains and just beginning to fray at one knee. There's an epmty holster on the hip, the actual gun in his hand. (Ha! I forgot to say she's wearing the clothes of a temple maiden. Standard 'Are you Rei from Seilor Moon' stuff.) ( She's wearing a red miniskirt and high heels? Wow. ) (Ha!) * Ryuhi also has stylish boots on. Look like leather. There's the handle of a knife just sticking out of it. And he's holding the aforementioned gun in his right hand. (Are we done descing now? ^_~) ( Yah. ) ( I'm done, I think ) * Ryuhi looks at Saki in almost ... awe. ( He should. I've got 3 levels of Art of Distraction ^^ ) Are you on a contract? I'd love to have you in my band. * his voice has the touch of awe in it, too.* * In`You looks between Saki and Ryuhi, and smiles. Then she sees the lantern, and stats walking towards it. * Saki raises an eyebrow. * Saki heads towards the lantern again without saying anything. * Ryuhi blinks. His eyes adopt those little circles that wobble like in big eyed anime faces. Guess not. [Manuevering around the boxes and ropes, you make your way to the lantern. Same scene unfolds before you. There's a sudden creak though and the lantern swings violently. (Body rolls -2) 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Saki (2d6-2) and gets 9. * In`You says, "Well, I am glad to know I was not trapped with ghosts, in any case--" * Ryuhi goes to catch up, and ... ( Well, that sucks ) 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ryuhi (2d6-2) and gets 8. (I assume it's speed, not toughness, you're looking for?) (No, speed doesn't count) ( How 'bout balance? ) (Balance does.) (I meant not so tough vs not so fast.) ( Then I made it ^^ ) ( Failed. ) 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for In`You (2d6-2) and gets 9. (Dicey loves In'You too. Failed.) ( Dicey is a hater for OST's. ) ( Even more so 'n usual. ) (Wow. I won't make a roll, then. ^_~) [Saki manages to maintain her footing. Everyone else is spilled to the floor at the violent rocking and knocked into the barrels. There's no injuries, except maybe superficial ones.] * In`You is spilled to the floor, and barely manages to hold on to her staff. But not her light spell. Poof. "Ouch!" * Saki stumbles a bit but stays on her feet. "What the f-" Suddenly it dawns on her. "Great. A ship." * Ryuhi growls, and gets to his feet. "Seems so." [The light goes out. Only the lantern illuminates the area now.] * Saki makes her way towards that, since it's there. Once she arrives, she looks around again. "Where's the stairs?" * Ryuhi goes that way, too, being careful not to bump into anything. Hey... uh. I'm Ryuhi. Ryuhi Buster. Are you both all right? [The stairs aren't visible from where the lantern is. However, there is a clomping sound of boots on wood coming from in front. There's another light ahead in that direction and a voice calls out. "Blasted cap'n. Makin' me do all the dirty work. Check the hold to make sure the cargo's safe, 'e says."] ( .... ) * In`You tries to get to her feet, and use her staff to make sure she doesn't trip over anything as she gets closer to the light too. "Other than being confused by the moving ground, I am well. My name is In'You..." she trails off. (Do we get to swing from the lanterns to get the spoils bag? Huh? Huh?) * Saki looks about to speak, but after hearing that looks for a place to hide instead. * Ryuhi smiles, not that you can see that in this light. "And the goddess unnamed? It would be a shame if I knew not what to worship you by." * In`You frowns slightly, but Ryuhi can't see that either! Darkness is sure fun. * Saki whispers a quick, "Shut up you idiot!" And hides behind a crate. [Since it's dark and there's plenty of barrels, it's probably rather easy to do that...or would have been if Ryuhi had stayed quiet. "'ello? Who's there then?" [The light moves lower as another clomp down another step, almost cautious.] * In`You just stands still, at this point. * Ryuhi notes the seriousness. And then the 'ello.' And says, much more softly, "Fuck." He tries to duck behind the biggets thing nearby. [The light slowly moves towards you. As the person passes the lantern, you see a scrawny man with a scraggled 5 o'clock shadow. He looks in his middle ages, but still relatively fit. He's dressed in sailor garb and turning his head from side to side. He doesn't look particularly BAD, but there are better things to wake up to in the world.] [As he passes, the lantern light glints slightly off a scimitar in his belt. He grumbles. "Blasted rats are making a fool of me again. ( I'll keel the lot of ye. ) [He then moves closer to check the crates and barrels. His light shines right over the tops of them as he turns from side to side.] * In`You sure isn't moving unless she takes a tumble, at the moment. Just a statue. Really. [He finally turns, satisfied, and makes his way back up the stairs.] * Saki peeks out behind the crate and sighs in relief. * Ryuhi gets up, letting out a breath. Cargo. * In`You leans on her staff. "That was quite the bit of luck." She murmurs something that might be a quick prayer under her breath. (Hey, just because he's scruffy and talks with a bad accent doesn't necessarily mean he's a pirate ;P) * In`You continues walking over to the lantern. "Um... excuse me, miss? Where are you going?" * Ryuhi chuckles softly. "This would be a great time to test my Chimera's main gun." ( Saki's not bright enough to think so openly like that :P ) After getting any other 'cargo' off. * Saki looks back at In'You as though it should be obvious. "Well, we can't just stay here, can we?" I'm not gonna. * In`You makes a small hmming noise. "Well, we could, but far be it from me to protest." She starts walking towards the stairs too. * Ryuhi goes for the stairs, gun out. * Saki looks at In'You a bit longer, then shrugs and heads for the stairs. She climbs them slowly, looking around as she does. * Ryuhi holds Saki back. "I'll go first." * In`You must not be in the way, but she doesn't seem in any hurry anyway, as she stands to the side of the bottom of the stairs. * Ryuhi goes to do just that, quickly taking corners and advancing with gun out, like a cop. * Saki shrugs and lets him go first. [Up at the top of the stairs is a hatch above the head. It looks rather heavy.] * Ryuhi reaches up and pushes it with his free hand. Failing that, both hands. So what do I call you? Saki. Saki... Such a down to earth name. [Ryuhi manages to get it, pushing his shoulder against the hatch. It opens backwards and the light is blinding. The clouds drift slowly overhead and the noise of boots on deck fill the air. Someone is pulling a rope tied through a pulley nearby when he looks down at the open hatch. "Stowaways!"] Shit! * Saki hops off the stairs and stands to the side. * Ryuhi drops the hatch, and jumps back. [There's a rush to the hatch and a drawing of pistols and swords. There's a ring around the hatch now of gruff sailors.] * In`You , already standing to the side, does not have to worry about that. "Well, now we know where the stairs go." [And...now you're in darkness again.] * Ryuhi aims his gun at the hatch. Ideas? [There's some shouting up above, but nothing quite coherent through the wood.] Don't open the hatch. 2d6-4 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ryuhi (2d6-4) and gets 3. ( Hah. Made. ) That's a good idea. Any more? [There's a loud bang and a bullet bursts through the hatch. It doesn't hit Ryuhi, but it does lodge awfully close to where he was just a second ago. Near his head.] * In`You mms. "Perhaps we could explain. Our story is certainly an odd one-- eep!" * In`You ducks down. * Saki draws twin pistols and points them towards the hatch, moving away a bit. "Perhaps not." [The hatch comes open shortly after that.] If my darling goddess doesn't have one, may I suggest running? (Roll init) d6+9 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Saki (d6+9) and gets 12. * Ryuhi lets of a single shot. He was aiming there already, wasn't he? d6+5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ryuhi (d6+5) and gets 8. * In`You murmurs, "I did not see anywhere to run, Mister Buster..." (Unless you're giving in, which I doubt ^^;) d6+5 * Dicesuke throws the bones for In`You (d6+5) and gets 10. We're on a boat, moron. Where you gonna run?! Who knows. I like the odds of finding a safe room better than winning a firefight against unknown numbers, though. ( ... I'm still last. ) [Saki, In'You, Potential Pirate Group A, Ryuhi, Potential Pirate Group B] * Saki moves away from the hatch, behind a crate for cover. She keeps her twin pistols pointed at it at all times, though. ( Held action, yah ) [In'You then] * In`You backs away, trying to keep out of the way. (Full Defense.) [The PPG descends the stairs and looks around. They have their swords out but are cautious, it looks because of the darkness. "We know you're down here...there's nowhere to go..." [Ryuhi] ( How many? ) (5 that you can see) ( Is there cover on the other side of the htach? ie; corssifre capability? ) (Hmm..describe what you're intending to do through /msg_ * Saki shifts her aim to the group as they decend, but waits. * Ryuhi takes across from Saki, not bothering to keep his aim on them, just get there. And you won't be able to run quick enough! Give us free passage out of here, and you'll be lucky if I don't blow your ship out of the water once I get out of here! [The other half of the pirates stay at the top of the stairs. Either they're cowards or they're preventing escape that way.] With what? * Saki twitches. [And Saki's turn] * Saki maintains readiness. (holding again.) (But free talk during it to a point ^^) With a fighter that you wont see coming. * Ryuhi neglects to mention that he dosen't know where it is at the moment. [The pirate looks dumbfounded in the lantern light. "Whatsa fighter?"] [In'You's turn.] * Ryuhi blinks. His contacts adds a red tint to his eyes, that seems to burn. You'll see. * In`You sighs, and makes a gesture, wincing slightly, saying softly, "Night's Depths, Engulf!" [The shadows of the hold seem to..creep forward, almost looking like they entangle the lantern and snuff out the last bit of light it shows. Everyone's now in absolute pitch black now.] Nice trick. Mmm. [The pirates seem to be looking around frantic. One of them shouts, "Damn, we can't get them now." Another replies, "The captain'll have our heads." One sounds more reasonable, replying, "Where are they gonna go though?" [Ryuhi's turn.] Isn't it obvious? YOU! * Ryuhi shoves the piece of cover he was hiding behind forward, intending to bowl through them. (Give me a Body check (strength) +2) 2d6+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ryuhi (2d6+2) and gets 10. ( DR. >_> ) 2d6+2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Ryuhi (2d6+2) and gets 12. ( .... Yup. Dicey's a hater. ) (U ruse.) [Ryuhi's feeble attempts to shove the heavy crate ends in nothing but a shoulder ache.] So much for bravado... [Saki's turn again.] * Saki does what she's been doing. [Without any light though, there's not really anything to aim at.] * Saki aims where she was aiming. [In'You's turn.] * In`You says softly, as she walks backwards, "Okay, everybody. Now that we can't see anything... can we try to explain why we are down here? We did not stow away." Yes. Please explain why we were refferred to as 'Cargo.' [There's no movement on the pirates end. One of them goes finally, "Then how'd you get here?" I fell asleep after filling out some paperwork. I woke up. And I was here. I was just walking along a path, and then... here I was. It was quite startling. Same here. (Meanwhile, Saki has snuck up and killed them all--oh.) ( Would you like some salt with that? >_> ) You'd...better speak to the captain then. Better than being down here around all this gun powder. * Ryuhi blinks. "Gun powder? Who uses gun powder anymore?" [There isn't a reply. Instead there's more sound of boots on wood.] * In`You says nervously, "Um... hello?" [There's a grunt towards In'You. A voice calls out from the darkness. "Come on. We haven't got all day."] * In`You nods, and lets her hand drop, and the spell with it. Then she leans on her staff. * Ryuhi stands up, keeping his aim in the general direction of the opposing forces. "I will speak with him, then." Lower your weapons, and I will mine. [There's not much opposing force left. And the weapons are already in the belts of those left. Most already went up the stairs.] * Ryuhi nods, mostly to himself, and holsters his own gun. * Saki lowers her guns, and stows them back in her jacket * Ryuhi fluffs his hair, and blinks slowly, changing his eyes to a deep black. * In`You sighs, and looks back at Ryuhi and Saki, and smiles weakly. "That was scary." Could've been worse. * Ryuhi turns to In'You. "Would've been a lot scarier if not for your trick." How did you do that, anyways? That'd make a great stage effect. [The last remaining ruffians don't wait, but climb up the stairs.] * Ryuhi dosen't care that they left. He'll catch up. * Saki heads for the stairs. "Magic, probably." No, not magic. Magic is card tricks and pulling rabbits out of hats. * In`You glances upwards. "The heavens give me strength. Sometimes, I can use it to save lives." She gives Saki a knowing smile, then looks around. * Ryuhi looks at In'You long and hard. "Sure." (She's such a kook.) * In`You doesn't respond to Ryuhi's probing gaze, and instead says, "We'd better go, or else she will leave us behind, I think." She then proceeds to do the walking to the stairs thing. Again. A religious holoscientist. Great. * Ryuhi goes the way the pirates went. [At the top of the stairs in the not-so-blinding light now, the clouds drift away on the calming deep blue ocean. There's a flutter of the sails in the wind, and for once it's quiet enough that you can hear all this. There are about 12 men in all standing on the deck of various heights and girths, all dressed either comfortably or like sailors. Their arms are all folded as one steps forward. A woman stands behind him ] [The one who steps forward is a rather fetching man, probably in his early twenties at the latest, wearing a thin pair of spectacles. He wears a lot of red, red jacket, red tri-corner hat. He has mousy brown hair that falls down into a ponytail and a bit of handsome scruffle about his chin. He has an obvious, well-kept sabre at his side, louped in his belt, and black boots.] * Ryuhi blinks. Several times. And sniffs the air cautiosly. [The woman is dressed rather lightly. Her top is a lime-green color and made of rough material, cut sleeveless. She has black short plain hair and looks at all of you with a stern expression. Her arms are on her hips, ready to grab either of the twin pistols looped in her belt, which hold up blue pants, also of corse material. She's barefoot.] [The man in red regards you and takes another step forward. "Well, it seems we have an interesting group here. What can I do for you?"] * Saki stuffs her hands in her pants pockets and looks at them coolly. * Ryuhi looks around the horizon, crosses his fingers, and takes a deep breath. Tell us where this is? This can't be earth. * In`You stands back a bit with her staff. [Some of the sailors blink at Saki in the light and start to stare. Looks like they're trying hard not to though.] Ya think? ( Aww. They're a chivilrous murderous horde. ) (Take one as a pet!) ( Make them build a neverending escalator! ) You're on the deck of the Torey Junket. I would have thought people who'd snuck aboard would have at least checked the name. (I am only cute. Nobody stares at the slightly cute one. I suppose it's for the best.) (They would if the drop-dead gorgeous one wasn't around ^_^) (Any non-weapon-wielding port in a storm, I suppose.) I did not sneak aboard. * Man in Red shrugs "And yet, here you are. Funny coincidence, that." The rest of the sailors snicker. Well then. So now's why you tell me why I shouldn't just throw you overboard. By my reckoning, I was kidnapped. Because I was in the orbital ring when I fell asleep, and now I'm not. * In`You looks a little confused at Ryuhi's speech, but says, "And I was on a dirt path... nowhere near this place, that is for sure." Sure as hell wasn't anywhere near the ocean. (So many OSTs deal with the utter confusion of the chars at the 'Where the hell am I?" factor.) * Ryuhi stands a little taller, his eyes shifting an ember red. "You try it, and I'll make sure someone can stick an arm through your chest." [The man shrugs and takes off his jacket and hat. His pants are still red, but his shirt beneath is white. He tosses them to a nearby sailor. "Tell you what. I'm feeling spry. Either one of you can champion yourselves to take on me or my mate and prove yourselves useful....or we all rush you and throw you overboard. You have 30 seconds." You're on. * Saki smirks. "You want us to kick your ass? Fine by me." So which is it? * In`You steps backwards, as if to make it very clear it's not her. * Saki shrugs. "I'll take you on." Or her. Whoever. * Ryuhi looks at Saki curiously, and steps back himself. Very well. * He draws his sabre and holds it to the light. It gleams as the sun hits it and he lowers it with a slight grin and adjusts his spectacles. The rest of the men take a step back and murmer amongst themselves, creating a ring. * Saki reaches into her jacket and with draws a pair of shades. She slips them on, smirking, and pulls out her pistols. * In`You makes sure to get herself out of the ring, and then realizes she can't see. "Well, drat." She starts looking for some place to see from. It's not often that Drake Finning gets a challenge. Come on. * He beckons. (Init ^_^) d6+9 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Saki (d6+9) and gets 10. d6+8 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Drake (d6+8) and gets 13. ( Dicey dun like me ) (Man, what a boo roll.) (Mind if I hide the rolls from now on? ^_^) ( Is it that important? =p ) (Not really ^_~) 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Drake (2d6-2) and gets 0, a CRITICAL SUCCESS!!! "That was close. One cycle later and you'd have fit nicely into a sandwich." ( Doesn't matter to me ) (...) ( Yes. We would hated to not see that. ) ( Especially after that ) ( * sticks Dicey in the Grand Cannon, takes aim for the moon, and fires. ) [Drake grins and suddenly, he's not there. He's above you, leaping with full force with his blade. Saki notices just too late to react and the sabre cuts into her right shoulder heavily.] ( Are you sure this pirate isn't the Lich Bishounen in disguise? Dicey dosen't like -anyone-. ) * In`You finds somewhere she can see from, and gapes. "Oh no..." 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Saki (2d6-3) and gets 4. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Drake (2d6) and gets 7. 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Drake (2d6-2) and gets 7. * Drake takes the shot and oofs at it, blood trickling down his arm. He parts his lips slightly in a grin. "Not bad." He turns with the sabre and does something pretty close to the splits, twisting his body and slashing crosswise at her legs. 2d6 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Saki (2d6) and gets 8. (Man, I'm scared. Shrugs off a shotgun? @_@) * Ryuhi can't help but whistle. [Saki's legs get cut at by the sabre. A line of blood draws across her ankles.] * Saki kneels but quickly draws her pistols firing at both of his arms. 2 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Saki (2 2d6-2) and gets 4 9. ( Got 'em both ) 2d6-1 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Drake (2d6-1) and gets 4. 2d6+1 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Drake (2d6+1) and gets 11. * Drake plants one of his hands on the deck, drawing it away from the pistol shot. The other gets a bullet imbedded in it and he hisses. "Well, looks like I've got to get serious." He holds the blade up to the sun and catches it, glinting right at Saki's eyes (Body roll +1). 2d6+1 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Saki (2d6+1) and gets 6. [Saki quickly averts her eyes, avoiding the blinding glare.] * Saki fires once at his sword, once at his knee. "See how tough you are when you can't walk!" 2d6-3 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Saki (2d6-3) and gets 5. [Meanwhile the woman lets out a little tssh sound from the sidelines. Her arms are folded and her eyes hard, but she doesn't take a step forward.] 2d6-2 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Saki (2d6-2) and gets 0, a CRITICAL SUCCESS!!! "I love you. Do you love me too? Y_ N_" 2d6-1 * Dicesuke throws the bones for Drake (2d6-1) and gets 2. * Drake manages to keep his sword away from the shot. The other bullet, though, tears right through his knee and out the other end. He screams and falls to the deck on one knee, head down and flicking the backs of his fingers at Saki in the form of a wave. "Damn. Damn. I yield." I think you've made your point... * Ryuhi waits for one of his crew to step forward and see if he's alright. * Saki smirks again slipping off her shades. "Don't ever underestimate me." * In`You dashes forward towards the two hurt combatants. ( After all, I could beat Kyon in a smirking contest ) (Ha!) [The woman walks forward, then looks up at In'You. "What are you doing?" * In`You smiles innocently and says, "My job as a priestess. I will heal them both." This is a dream. I'm just dreaming. Too much paperwork. * Saki stows her guns away and stands with a grimace, clamping a hand to her shoulder. * Ryuhi sighs. "When in rome..." Hmmph. Very well then. * She calls out to the rest of the crew. "We set sail again then for Port Rio. We have three new crew members as well. I hope they'll prove just as useful as the captain thinks." She nods to them and walks to the bow as the rest of the crew scatter, allowing In'You to the task. (To be continued?) (If you say so? ^^;) ( I'm good still. Unless you're not. ) (I'm still good. This is usually Rowyn's sleeptime, IIRC. Dunno about Brett. ^^;) ( Sleep is good, yes ) (I'm kinda getting tired. And this is a good spot to keep it so someone else can suddenly pop by ^_~) ( Sleep is for the WEAK. I will consume your soul! ) ( Don't wanna drive for 5 hours tomorrow though ;_; ) [To be continued.]