Alexis stood still facing towards the beach, watching the boat with interest, there was movement over there, but she stopped paying attention when she received the news.
“What…” she tried to restrain it, contain her rage at the caelin, after all it wasn’t certain he was at fault for the loss, but even so her magic betrayed her. smoke billowed off in wisps from her hands as she turned around and stormed over to Tharos. “Who was watching him?” She spat out. “And at least tell me the other kid is safe or so help me gods.”
Tharos could only shrug. “I just saw him go overboard, I was busy trying to hold the ship together through that storm. I tried to pull him back but I wasn’t able to for some reason. He will be missed.” Tharos stared deep into the flames at his feet. “As for the other, I don’t know, last I saw he was below deck.”
Tharos felt like crying again. He blamed himself for the wreck, he should have been able to hold back the storm. Why couldn’t he? Was that storm especially powerful? Or was he just… Weak?
“Who is dead, sir?” Mako asked, patient yet cautious.
He made no motion to move towards the Halinth.
“Mariner, is there something wrong?” @Winterstorm345
Ari slowed down next to the fallen marine, descended onto one knee and gently put her hand on his back, completely pinning him to the ground.
Hearing his words, Ari scratched her head with the other arm: “To me? Nothing personal…” she paused to think for a moment, “but the boy sure did look like he had a lot of questions to ask when you surrounded us… And you my friend might just be able to answer them.”
She grabbed the horrified marine by the back of his collar, raised him up a little and smashed him into the ground to ensure that he won’t resist. She proceeded to raise his torso up again and dragged him towards the tree that was closest to Dolphus. She harshly set him down facing the forest, his back against the tree, took off the long thick chain that wrapped around her waist, and used it to tie the man to the trunk.
Ari looked over her shoulder and her sight fell onto the lifeless body of the other marine. The one she murdered just before.
She turned her head back towards the man: “Ah, right, sorry for your friend. I probably shouldn’t have done it…” Despite the poor wording, a glimpse of genuine regret could be seen on her face.
“Have a little rest now!” Ari exclaimed as she raised her fist and punched him right in the temple, holding back her power, but just strong enough to knock the marine out for a little while. They’ll come back to him later once she takes care of the boy.
Ari went around the tree, now facing the distraught Dolphus, and slowly set down on the ground, her back against the same trunk that the marine was tied to.
how tired she was…
The adrenaline finally completely ran dry, she felt her exhausted muscles relax and the reality of the situation started to set in. She has had to kill before to defend herself. It was always either her or them. But was this one necessary? She looked over at the dead marine once again. What did he do to deserve this?
Ari shook her head, trying to get these thoughts out of her head. They were too heavy. She didn’t like having heavy thoughts.
She switched her focus to Dolphus. Right, it’s better to move her attention to him right now.
“Did he get you?”
She attempted to look at his face, but failed miserably. There was something else relentlessly grabbing her attention.
Ari stared at Dolphus’s wing with amazement and child-like wonder unapologetically showing on her face.
Dolphus’ muscles were taking turns contracting and releasing aggressively, in whatever parts of his body happened to be dealing with the brunt of the suffering at the moment. Surely this was a fatal wound; surely he was going to die any second now, surely he…
…Very slowly, reason was conquering his other thoughts. But very slowly. He was so convinced that this was the end for him, that somehow his heart had been sliced clean open even though that didn’t make any sense, that the blatant and obvious facts of the world slowly coalescing back into a consistent form and the blood seeping out not nearly quickly enough to constitute a mortal injury taking quite a bit of time to get past all the panic and symptoms of physical shock he was suffering from.
He needed something to cut through the noise and emotion, to get to his actual brain instead of the reactionary static overwhelming him at every turn. Something like…
Well, like that.
Or more accurately, what happened right after that, as Dolphus fought his repeatedly constricting neck muscles in order to look up at Ari, who was eyeing him with all the whimsy and wonder of a child watching the stars at night now don’t you get started on that again, this is not the time or place for that melancholy. See, it was already doing wonders.
Dolphus pulled himself slightly up with his wing, only for his stomach to suddenly contract at the added pain and force him right back where he was, almost completely flat on the ground, save for his wing acting as an elbow. “He- I don’t-”
WING.
The feathers all jolted along with the rest of his body. Dolphus tried to suck it towards his body purely as a reactionary measure, but he was simply leaning on it too much for it to do anything other than pull at his side again. The clarifying thought had cut through everything else; she could now see the wing.
And I missed with it as well. The guard saw it too.
Dolphus blinked as his head rotated back towards Ari, in stiff, shaky movements, his uncaring brow now contorted by the grief of this revelation. He couldn’t see it, but his eyes were starting to grow red again, easily visible on his pale, cold skin.
Wing. She can see the wing. The wing is out because I was being attacked. I got hurt. I’m bleeding. Blood is… On my hand…
Dolphus slowly pulled his hand away from the fresh wound to find… Less blood than he had expected. He gripped the soil to get as much of it off his hand as he could, but this action’s true purpose, which was to break eye contact with Ari, could only keep him looking down for so long. The return trip was even more awkward than the first glance towards her had been.
“I’m okay,” Dolphus tried to say, but in between the red around his eyes as liquid built up behind his lids, the cold sweat building on his forehead, and the scarlet-stained palm now facing the soil, it was clear that - regardless of how hurt he actually was - he evidently wasn’t doing okay.
ooc: I think this is the first post I’ve made in this topic without quoting someone at the start of it. That’s wack
Ari sat at the base of the tree and watched on as the kid tried and failed to hide away the wing, still unable to look away from it. How could she? It was such an incredible sight.
Suddenly his stories of ghost sailors and giant squids became much more believable. What kind of insane ship did her boat manage to crash next to? What other kinds of unusual freaks did that crew consist of?
Somehow this notion made her feel more comfortable with the prospect of potentially sailing with them. Maybe she had a chance to fit in for once? Not be treated like a freak, an outcast… for the first time in many years?
Ari smiled to herself. Of course it was just stupid wishful thinking by her stupid tired brain.
She couldn’t help but laugh out. She must have gotten infected with the kid’s constant unrelenting self-pity. Stupid kid.
She sat there for a few moments, consumed by her thoughts.
Air caught a glimpse of Dolphus’s wound. REALLY?! All of that drama, because of THAT?!
“Have you never gotten hurt in your life, kid?” She looked Dolphus in the eyes and pointed her finger towards her arm, which was covered in scars she’s gotten throughout her life: “None of these have been able to kill me yet, so you’re going to be fine.” She smiled. It was not the wicked grin that Dolphus had witnessed before, but it was a lot closer to a genuine smile of a normal person. Just with more teeth.
There he goes crying again. Stupid kid.
How tired she was…
Dolphus breathed out something vaguely resembling a chuckle, but his mouth didn’t smile along with it. He sniffed, his eyes traveling for something other than Ari to latch on to, only to turn away sharply from the body of the first marine, motionless on the side of the infrequently-traveled path.
His eyes finally landed on the unconscious marine poking out from behind the tree. Somehow his brain hadn’t processed the events surrounding his capture. Pulling at his wing once more, he was finally able to tuck it mostly under himself, wincing through the pain, and began to rise to his knees.
…Before collapsing back on his hand. His eyes fluttered to the marine once more.
“…taking a little nap. Thought you might have some questions to ask him and… calmed him down… a little. Don’t you think I didn’t see that look on your face back there in the forest? You definitely want to know something.”
Ari rolled her eyes when she saw Dolphus attempt to conceal his wing again.
“Why do you hide such an amazing thing away? It’d be much more useful if you weren’t covering it with that rag all the time”, she grinned again, “I’m sure our marine captain friend wouldn’t be so smug anymore if you slapped him across the face with it back there!”
Alexis descended down onto the beach leaving a trail of smoke in her wake “He Will Be Missed? Are you even listening to yourself.” Alexis thought about going to garb for his collar, her hands now letting of sparks, but decided if she wanted to drive home her point violence wouldn’t be the greatest of answers. “Because of you we are one crew member down, Because of you we’re stuck on this island, and your first instinct is to warm yourself by the fire instead of getting to work to fix your problem.” She spat as she loomed over him “you should consider yourself lucky no one else was lost.”
“No-” Dolphus blurted out, his entire body shying away from Ari before he caught himself. “I d-… can’t think of anything, is all.”
“N-No,” Dolphus swallowed, his body beginning to shake again. “Please.” He tried to get up on his feet, but only managed to place one foot on the ground before stumbling forwards and landing on his knees in front of the seated Ari. A couple of gasps interrupted his attempt to resume his plea.
“I can’t show anyone. Ever. Do you understand?” He struggled up onto his knees briefly. “I-I- I can’t, hurt like this. The pains, the thoughts, they don’t stop. I can’t make them stop. Every night she’s there, she-” He looked away, trying to interrupt that train of thought, but caught sight of the dead marine again and looked back at Ari instead, water welling up behind his eyes.
…That is a LOT of scars, wow.
“You can’t tell anybody.” Dolphus adjusted the cape over his wing without looking, subsequently doing a very bad job at it. “Please. It’s the only thing I have left in the world. I don’t- I can’t go on if people know my shame. Please.” He tried to grip the side of her head, but wobbled and grasped her shoulder instead, moving her literally not at all. “Please. Please. Please.”
“Please.” The water was fairly swiftly running down his face at this point.
“Oooh boy, I chose the wrong morning to wake up to,” Karl muttered, seeing the raging Alexis looking like the personification of anger as she stomped off towards the group on the beach.
“Well, I guess I’ll join them. Some fire might take the edge off that temper…”
He pulled at his collar, adjusting it to take a bit of the chill out of the breeze, and took of towards the bonfire, planning to stay there with the rest of the crew until Alexis decided to stop burning. Why does there have to be so much burning? It can’t work well on the ship, he thought.
She couldn’t be more wrong. The kid has definitely suffered before. Both physically and emotionally. Perhaps way too much for someone of his age. Now who did that remind her of so much?
She tried to push that thought away, trying to force it into the farthest corner of her mind.
“I know you have absolutely no reason to trust me, not after everything that’s happened today. But you have my word. I promise.” Ari gave Dolphus a serious look full of confidence. Where is all of that water on his face coming from?
She grabbed his arm by the wrist, took it off her shoulder, pushing it away.
“I am horrible at calming people down, but, if it’s something that matters so much to you, I will keep it a secret. It’s not like I have anyone to tell about it anyways… I wouldn’t betray your trust… you are my ticket off this island, after all…” The last sentence wasn’t true. That’s not the reason she was saying all of these things at all… at least, not the entire reason. But it’s better not to get too attached to him.
She closed her eyes, resting her head against the hard bark of the tree. It’s been a very long couple of days. When was the last time she had a chance to have a rest like this?
Dolphus swallowed - hard - and tried to nod, but his neck wouldn’t allow it. Eventually, something vaguely resembling a nod escaped his spine, but it took a good amount of shoulder constriction to make it happen.
Dolphus’ expression changed instantly from anticipation of grief to a child-like awe as Ari seated him on his ankles. He felt a lot younger all of a sudden, but whether that was through his own willingness or from Ari’s overwhelming, matured resolution, he couldn’t tell.
There was a moment of silence, followed by another. Dolphus stared at her face, lips parted, trying to decipher exactly what was happening. “Ari?” He whispered, reaching towards her cheek. “Are you…?”
She’s sleeping, idiot. Dolphus leaned back, still staring at her face, trying to decide what to do. You’ll have no choice but to trust her. There’s nothing else you can do in that regard. Mariner too, if he knows; confirmation will have to occur once you return to the ship.
His eyes flashed suddenly, and he looked towards the tree. There is one more person…
With a little hyperventilation, a few whispered cries of pain, and a lot of wobbling, Dolphus finally made it back to his feet. Staggering slowly, he made it to the other side of the tree, and stood for yet another moment staring at the man tied to it.
He doesn’t know I’m a Gorov. Captain Althain does, but he doesn’t know about the wing. This man is just like Sickle Setroth; he can ruin me and everything I hold dear with a flick of his tongue. He has no reason for silence; he saw his comrade die in front of him and tried to avenge him, he’s just doing his job. He could not be trusted.
The blade sung as it slipped from its sheath. The point was raised to meet the marine’s throat. It had to pierce his throat. It had to silence that tongue of his, which could do untold harm to him. He had to die.
He has to die. He has to die now. You have to kill him. Kill him. Kill him. Don’t let him live with this secret. He can’t be allowed to know. He has to die. He has to die. He has to die. He has to die. He has to die. He has to die.
The blade refused to move. The mask, while firm, was not quite hard enough to make the choice on its own.
Alexis had gone too far. Instead of beating him down further, the words made him angry. He looked up at her, taking in the display of anger she was putting out.
“Are you threatening me?” He said quietly
“Blast this incompetent fool into nothingness, borrow our strength.” the more aggressive voice in his head howled.
“No” Tharos thought intently. “I will do this myself. Hide yourselves” Tharos gave them a moment, and dropped his hood. His utterly alien features coming into full view. His eyes were a single, uniform dull red. His ears were pointed, his features all seemed a touch exaggerated. All the same, he looked young, yet weathered, as if he’d been malnourished. He appeared only about 17 years old.
“I don’t think I have to remind you that it’s only thanks to me we made it this far? I held the ship together, the Thauin was going to rip it in half. The storm would have sunk us with no hope of land. I nearly killed myself to do it, and you begrudge me a little rest? Who are you to speak to me this way?”
Tharos wasn’t looking for an answer, he immediately followed up. “Nothing, even if the vote makes you Captain, your authority extends only to the course we take, and your fellow privateers.” He took a deep breath.
“I alone command the honoured dead. I answer to Tharwyn only.” Without waiting for an answer, Tharos turns and walks towards the tree line.
“Are you so eager to inflict death little one?” A woman’s voice spoke to him, clear as day. However no audible sound pierced the quiet of the orchard. The dragon fully rose at the other end, and softly walked towards Dolphins. “What crime has this one committed that warrants execution, whilst already bound?”
Alexis gave no response, her face still painted in the same focused disappointment, no disgust she had when she had first approach tharos. His revealing of his face, clearly meant as an intimidation tactic was poor. But if there was one thing this experience gave Alexis it was a read of his personality, and much more his insecurities.
Tharos was young, and when you’re young you’re likewise desperate to prove yourself, yet unable to accept criticism. pride was the word she was looking for in this instance.
Oh so prideful. She doubted it would be his downfall, but she could practically envision someone taking advantage of that. If she was going to lead this crew she needed that attitude gone.
Hearing the footsteps of their possible stowaway, Karl approach behind her she flipped around to face him, placing her hands upon her hips. “I’m going to check that boat, see if they’d be willing to share supplies in exchange for passage to the nearest landmass. For the moment I am making the temporary decision to trust you. I need you to check in on Dolphins and mariner then report back to me.” She sighed. “And as much as I hate to say it, can you get rook, I have need of his expertise.”
The quietude of the forest broken only by the labored breathing of his own lungs was the perfect battleground for Dolphus’ mind, his indecision over the issue a brutal conflict between his conscience and his mask. Could he kill this man in cold blood simply because he knew? but could he risk letting him live with the knowledge he possessed?
Then a voice broke in, so loudly and so clearly that Dolphus’ blade flew out of his hand, stabbing into the ground next to the marine. He made no immediate attempt to retrieve it, however; he was too busy looking about for who in the world spoke so suddenly, with such clarity and gentleness, yet without an audible sound.
It… No, there’s no way it could be…
…Mother?
There were approaching footsteps, ones which sounded strange, as if some large creature was walking with delicate, padded steps. If he had been thinking a little more clearly, he might have conjured up an elephant in his mind, yet at that moment he was completely confused by the sound of the steps.
“He saw-” Dolphus involuntarily began - the voice was exceedingly inviting - and is hand rushed to cover his mouth, stopping inches away to avoid actually touching it and potentially leaving blood behind. And then he saw the dragon.
Now dragons, at least as far as the Gorovs were concerned, were just as realistic as all other magical myths, and as such were total hogwash. No such creatures existed or ever did exist, and if you ever saw one you could tell it as much. But as Dolphus fell backwards and made a minimal attempt to crawl backwards in vain, he felt as if there were no words that could possibly answer a creature so large, and so intelligent.
Tharos stood at the treeline. How could she possibly blame him? He hadn’t done anything wrong. Besides. He thought. Everyone knows the Captain and Caelin are equals. What gives her the right to speak to me that way? She’s not even the captain yet.
Tharos stopped he had found a tree that suited his purpose. Drawing what little power he could afford he sent it up and around the tree. Slicing all the branches neatly at the trunk. Taking a deep breath from the exhaustion, he gathered his power again. This time he sliced the trunk near the base. The tree began to fall.
Tharos used his magic to catch the falling log, and started to walk, leading it back towards the he ship. He was almost there when he collapsed. The tree fell again, missing the ship by mere feet.
Tharos lay on the ground, in utter agony. He’d come dangerously close to letting the magic consume him. He had greater tolerance than a human, but that just meant when his strength failed the resulting catastrophy would be all the greater. He slipped out of consciousness as he lay there.
“Does my appearance alarm you little one?” The dragon halted right at the edge of the Orchard. “I am sorry if that is the case.” Her voice was comforting, and brought to mind a warm Sunbeam. The dragon tilted her head to the side. “Why were you going to kill the man?” Her pose was entirely non threatening, like a large dog waiting for a command.
Mariner didn’t answer, he sat staring at the waves. Eventually he put down the toolbox, and hopped the railing. Slipping below the surface of the water.
Dolphus swallowed - VERY hard - and tried not to look away. The dragon was very impressive in size, and even at that distance Dolphus felt as if she was towering over him. This can’t be real.
…Okay, I’m a young man with a wing for an arm who was escorted to the center of an orchard on a desolate island while on a mission to find the next king; I suppose I don’t have any authority to decide what is and isn’t real.
But it would still be really convenient if I could simply just wake up and pretend I was still on the boat somehow.
It did, and with that sunbeam came a melting warmth to Dolphus’ resistance. Any request the dragon made would be difficult to deny, especially now that his mask was down.
I’m looking at a dragon. A real life dragon. I don’t think even my father would have the nerve to claim it doesn’t exist.
His throat locked. There was something in the dragon’s voice which soothed the back of his mind, made him willing to share; he didn’t like that one bit. But what else could he do? She had made a request, one that could not be refused; what action was there to take except compliance?
He could fight, of course. Perhaps on any other day Dolphus would have. But this Dolphus was tired, worn down with worry and care. He had been kidnapped, wounded, caught in the maw of a massive squid, nearly had his leg crushed, felt his mask shatter a dozen different times, and experienced one of the worst dreams he had ever endured of his mother. And now, slowly bleeding all over his nice white shirt, he was alone in an orchard with a massive stone dragon politely asking him: Why?
“B-because…” Dolphus stammered, swallowing once more. “Because of this.” The wing slowly unfurled from beneath his cape, and as it did so Dolphus found it impossible to maintain eye contact with the dragon.
A random dragon on a random island… Surely this won’t go anywhere… right?
“Mako.” Called a familiar voice. “You are close, we felt the God’s presence last night. He stirred in his slumber.” The Guardian of the South Seas seemed pleased, “You are doing well.”
“My, my what beautiful plumage.” The Dragon sounded genuinely impressed. “Oh I wish my wings were still that beautiful. Do they covet your feathers for themself? I could see why, but I do not know that you should kill them over it.”
The Dragon spread her wings, allowing Dolphus to see her wings, they were coated in the same stone like texture that covered her body. On her wings however the effect was more of some sort of sickness. It looked as if her wings were covered in chunks of dried dead skin.
