A quick glance told Dolphus a good amount of information, but left even more questions than it answered.
He was short, although still at least a few inches taller than Dolphus. It was odd seeing someone that comparable to his own height but also so much older. Or was he? The stubble almost looked greyed, but it was likely the light playing tricks. Maybe.
He was also rather heavily dressed for someone so casual, with his choice of attire being very muted and compact, like he didn’t want to be noticed in a crowd. Or noticed much on board… There were too many shadows on this ship. Too little light got in. And what did seemed to reflect off his metal arms… Granted, not much of them showed, but it was enough to notice.
His eyes fluttered briefly back to the room he was mostly inside, and quietly grabbing the handle, he mostly closed the door to avoid disturb Mariner, which required him to step out into the hall, finally revealing himself to the newcomer.
Dolphus drifted the cane in front of his body and looked as down as he could on the man who was still taller than him. “When did you arrive?” His voice was dripping with a suspicious superiority, as if he was almost repulsed by someone of this stature suddenly deciding to speak with him. But the truth?
This man had appeared from out of nowhere, inexplicably, seemed perfectly casual, and had absolutely no idea what was going on with the state of things. If there was any comfort, it was not having to stare up at him in conversation which made Dolphus feel a little braver.
“I came aboard a few minutes ago,” Karl said casually. “The decks seem rather devoid of officers at the moment. Do you know someone I should talk to?”
He looked back at Dolphus’ stare, noticing the cane and the wariness of Dolphus’ manner. The contrast was violent, but what really caught his eyes was the limb hidden by Dolphus’ cloak. A withered arm? Possibly disease, or a deformity, he thought. Whatever the case, he’s got a reason to hide it. Best not to ask, I guess.
Seeing as no one was visible, other than some of the ghosts at the end of the ship, Karl leaned slightly against the wall, his demeanor and appearance becoming as casual as possible when one is being interviewed by a kid a good few years younger than oneself.
“…I see.” His glance grew ever so subtly sidelong. Has he been on this ship the whole time? And if so … How much has he witnessed? Or has he witnessed anything? A stowaway, perhaps? Or perhaps…
Karl’s eyes fluttered briefly, obviously eyeing his subject. Okay, he’s clearly more than he seems. But if he thinks he can hind behind that casual demeanor, he won’t be getting very fa-
…This is a clever one.
“You have much difficulty in arriving?” Dolphus asked, his manner loosening slightly. After all, if he wanted to play this game, why not let him play?
“Certainly,” Karl replied. “It’s tedious work catching up to a ship that’s left port, though I was given the last place the ships anchored. The weather was what helped me find your fleet from there. In its state, there were only three courses that the fleet would have taken. I got lucky and was picked up by a current. It saved me many hours of rowing.”
He’s good. Dolphus gave the slightest of nods accompanied with as respectful a blink as could be managed - although how a blink could be perceived as respectful outside of Dolphus’ mind was open to debate. But there is no fleet. It’s just the one ship.
“Listen-” Dolphus pressed his eyelids together - hard - as a fresh wave of pain came and went, his hand slightly lifting the cane as e suppressed the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. He immediately returned to a state of cool superiority, as if the brief episode had never been. “I assume you have the necessary papers with you? It would be shame to have another Setroth situation.”
There’s no way this klutz or anyone else on this boa- SHIP paid any attention to what happened to Sickle Setroth. Dolphus blinked out a slow blink to emphasize how much of a bother this Setroth must have been.
“Well, for that matter, I shall have to see. It will depend on what the captain says regarding me signing on at this point in our trip. Hopefully there will be some use for someone skilled in manual labor,” Karl said. I hope he didn’t see some of my possessions, he thought. It won’t be good when- if they discover who I am.
He then asked, “Where is everyone? It seems unnaturally quiet here.”
You won’t have to worry about that. Dolphus nibbled his tongue to avoid the scowl his face wanted to make. If Mariner can’t find something for you to do, I’ll surely think of something.
A silent stare.
Followed by a casual tipping of the eyebrows and a slight hand movement, as if he had never paused. “Oh, you know how it is when everyone is involved on a vessel of such a size. Were it not for meetings and the vote, we may not see each other for days.”
“Oh, on that note.” Dolphus tried to snap his fingers, but simultaneously holding a cane did not help him very much. “I’m afraid the position of Captain has not been filled just yet. However there is a mutual understanding shared by those on board that our responsibilities will be fulfilled in the meantime, until an agreement is reached regarding the position.”
“I’m terribly sorry if this is an inconvenience for you.” The slightest of bows. I’m getting tired of trying to outdo him with pessimistic approaches, so let’s see how he handles a kernel of truth.
Mako,realizing there was nary a bird in the sky,
Decided to delve back down within the ship, and happenend to come across dolphus conversing with a stranger. In attemp to sneak by, or perhaps to eavesdrop, he slowly moved forward. While doing so, unaware to Mako, his bow was slowly coming loose, and with quite audible clatter, it fell to the ground. He froze, expecting Dolphus to yell at him for some rabid excuse. @Ghid@DuneToa
“Well, so long as I’m not thrown overboard, I’m sure whoever becomes captain will be a good leader. Now…”
He broke off midsentence, as he heard a clatter down the passageway, near the stairs. He turned around, half-expecting it to be someone come to see what the noise was. What he saw was a man wearing armor more patched and mottled than the best camouflage he’d ever encountered, and also wearing a mask and bandages that completely obscured his face. Beside the man, at the base of the stairs, lay a bow that was quite obviously the cause of the noise.
“Ah, hello,” Karl said. “Is there everything all right?”
The thought ran through his mind that perhaps that was not a good way to start if the guy had only recently acquired the need for the bandages.
Dolphus’ mouth twitched slightly at the thought of that. I doubt it’ll be the result of Alexis’ orders as captain, pal. Because she’s going to be captain. Not the other guy. Her. Get it?
At the sound, Dolphus slowly reeled his head around with the flattest glare humanly possible at Mako, a very slow blink following the motion. Is he magic? Because I hate him.
“This is…” Dolphus had to bite his tongue to keep himself from introducing Mako as some unfortunate name we won’t be repeating here. “…Mako. He’s the…”
“Um…”
What is it he doesn’t do that he’s supposed to again?
Mako froze. A part of him, somewhere in his mind, wanted to stand very still and hope that this stranger would go away. Another wanted
To demand how the stranger got on the ship.
However, a final part of him decided. He retrieved his bow, before meeting the strangers eyes with an icy stare, as if they were attempting to freeze him. His stance became relaxed, his body only slightly tense. He gripped his bow in one hand, the other slack.
Mako turned his gaze towards Dolphus, his eyes alight with churning fury, like a tidal wave, roiling beneath the sea. “Hunter. It would seem you haven’t forgotten your maps,or a captain’s position, and yet you’ve forgotten that. “ He said icily. “ And, who is this? I don’t believe any of us have seen this face, though i would assume you would’ve forgotten about that too.” He clenched his jaw. “Furthermore, you seem to have a premeditated problem with me. And I don’t believe in secret,or silent, grudges. Speak.” He demanded.
Dolphus turned to glance at Karl, then slowly at Mako once more, and, finally, back at Karl again. “You get used to it, I’m told.” He whispered, not particularly caring whether or not Mako had overheard.
“Well, since you appear to be hunting the… Floor,” He scratched at his nose, hoping his alluding to Mako fumbling the bow got across, “I shan’t keep you from your prey. Although I would appreciate if you didn’t butt into conversations like that; it’s bothersome.”
He turned away, to face Karl once more.
That’s all, Dolphus. It was respectful enough; just leave it at that.
…No stop what are you doing WHAT ARE YOU DOING STOP-
“…Premeditated?” Dolphus looked back, his eyes squinting in confusion at the very concept. “I would assume you could remember any such grudge, if there was one worth having. Or maybe it’s just me being forgetful again; I think I remember most things, if there’s anything worth recalling.”
He turned back to Karl, his face cold. “I do apologize for this intrusion.”
Alexis squinted at Rook as he retreated into the underbelly of the ship, either he had a thing for theatrics or he was just downright…well the nicest way she figured she could describe it as was Off. especially the part where he stared at her for what felt like months before speaking. What was up with that? “I should probably check up on the kid.” She announced to no one in particular suddenly before heading below deck.
“Why don’t I save you the trouble?” Alexis announced loudly catching the last bit of their conversation as she finished her descent into the ship’s underbelly
“Do you? I rather doubt the sincerity of your response to his words,” Karl said, his face becoming neutral as he spoke. “Still, as you said, it’s none of my business.”
Karl turned to see a uniformed woman entering the hall from where Mako had emerged. He stepped back, obviously surprised by her sudden appearance.
“Oh! Er, hello ma’am. Would you mind telling me where to go to get some orders regarding living quarters and signing on with the crew? I’ve only just arrived, and it seems I’m already embroiled in some fierce arguments.”
Dolphus immediately gave the slightest of nods to Karl’s observation.
Y’know, you really could’ve gone without bombarding him like that. Oh please, he had it coming. That’s real rich of him, too, commenting on the captain vote he abstained from.
Dolphus straightened slightly, his inherent signature superior look kicking in as he resisted the bait…
…And then nearly broke his neck whirling around at the sound of Alexis’ voice, who had magically appeared on the stairs behind Mako. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no oh no. I’m dead. I’m filleted and slow roasted. I am marinated in vinegar and served with an apple. I am history. Which is a subject I probably should’ve paid more attention to. Among other things.
Regardless, I hope Uncle Pyotr enjoys being the last living Gorov, because I’ve just found a watery grave. His manner quickly descended from childish ego to wanting to crawl out of reality and hide in some impossible shadow while the world fell apart.
The thanks I get for being remotely friendly with you. He didn’t have the audacity to glare at the newcomer now, with suspicion cast about, but internally he was giving him as much of an evil eye as he theoretically could.
“Oh, my deepest apologies for the disruption sir.” Alexis ‘apologized’ her voice conveying that she was neither sorry nor that this was an actual apology. “I shall take you to the crew quarters myself, but first I do have a few questions.” She smiled, she didn’t mean it of course. What she wanted to know was how the hell this man had gotten on her ship.
her ship, she really had to stop doing this.
“Walk with me for a moment, why don’t you.” She offered, if she were to get her answers she would prefer that it was not in the presence of the crew, especially if he turned out to be hostile. And honestly, at the moment that was the best assumption as she sure as hell didn’t hear anything about anyone who was supposed to be arriving on the ship after their departure.
“I promise I’ll join you for breakfast when I’m finished Dolphus.” She added as she recalled her promise to the kid.
And suddenly Dolphus found himself worrying far less for his own safety and instead for the stranger now on board. That level of falsity is ominous… Why is this not making me feel better about Mako being a tremendous idiot?
Uh oh.
It was as if Dolphus could see the blood already, spilled across the floor when Alexis realizes this man was extremely suspicious. The explanations would come, but they would be inefficient to buy Mariner’s favor, and her fate would be decided on a return trip to port - as prisoner.
His face somehow getting even whiter, Dolphus’ hand slowly moved until it touched the handle of his sword. She needs protection. This fellow is dangerous. I can’t let her go alone, not with someone so unpredictable. She could get in trouble, or he could hurt her. No, I can’t stay here and let them go. Forget stupid Mako and his stupid head, this is the moment I’ve been training for my entire life! All my years of swordplay have been building to this moment, this-
His face fell, his fingers silently collapsing back around the cane.
The thought of impending danger, the horrors he envisioned about her trial and demise so fresh in his conscience now smothered by the gut-wrenching realization that he wasn’t needed.
No, no. Wasn’t wanted.
His eyes fell towards the floor as he tried to keep his brow composed, to keep it hidden how crushed he was at this realization. No further thoughts about the scenario played out in his head, no self-realizing speeches about himself or others, just a mental silence that seemed to extend further and further out from him as the noises around him got quieter and quieter.
For some odd reason, Mako lingered. He didn’t have any more business, Alexis was here, and would take care of it, and yet he remained.
Ah. There’s the reason. He looked onwards as Dolphus’ eyes fell to the floor. And he found a similarity between himself and Dolphus. For he had been in this very same situation. Sadness. The storm roiled. It screamed in his head: “*Agonizing pest! Unhelpful! Gadfly! How could you possibly help the damage you have caused, when you continue to cause more? Selfish fool! *”
Mako looked down at his bandaged hands. They were old, and would need replacing.
He approached Dolphus. He didn’t snap his fingers, this time. “I would apologize, but I don’t think that will dull the pain. I realize what I should’ve sooner. But, I shouldn’t have provoked you. I should have been more patient. And I should’ve been more thankful, that someone seems to care about another on this ship. You aren’t listening, of course, and that’s understandable. But I also know that you were chosen for a good reason,Dolphus. Because I know that you’re exceptional, and that’s why you’re on this ship. That’s why most of us are on this ship.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Except for one, of course.”