(Mentioning Tanya's promotion to Admiral, Fafnir's takeover as captain of the Hide, Anithias' resignation (I think temporary since he becomes captain later), and Jeshal's recent promotion to bosun. Characters: Fafnir Harlgren, Tanya Keltoi, Anithias & Julia Freedom (mention of baby Falun), Benjamin "Spike" Blake, Shadow, Kayla, Tomias Redford, and some weirdo called Jeshal the Ironclaw. Warnings for NPC murder and angst)
A FEW SMALL CHANGES
First post Frimary 21, Yr. 1729, 3:07 pm
Fafnir E. Harlgren
The news had been announced, the crew had had ample time to prepare themselves emotionally... But the lizard was yet to show. He really should be here any time.
* * * * *
Three hours later...
"Hey Valentine, I think that's him..! There's an ugly monitor over here I've never seen before!" called out a stupid-looking furry on the Golden Hide.
"Wah...?" another, equally stupid-looking creature came over. "No, no, Bacon... I just saw him over there... a really big beast of a monitor, ever I saw one."
While the two fools argued over which monitor lizard was the true Fafnir E. Harlgren, they failed to notice the knocking sound of an approaching peg against the decks.
The new arrival cleared his throat and spoke to the two Hides-beasts. "Sorry to break up your sweet banter, but I would love to see the first mate here.. So if you could go fetch the lad, that would be—"
Bacon glared at the old monitor lizard who interrupted his argument. "A THIRD bloody lizard..?! And who in hellsgates are you...?!"
A shocked, almost hurt expression fell upon the reptile's face. "I... uh... me...? I..." While seemingly lost for words, the scaled creature shot his head about, as if looking for something. "Ah-hah," he exclaimed as he skipped over to a small plank of wood and snatched it up. A moment later, and the piece of wood was smashed against Bacon's head with such force that he flew to the floor, either dead or unconscious.
Fafnir gave a smile of satisfaction and turned to the other furry. "Now, go tell your first mate that the new captain's arrived.. Hurry, hurry now..!"
Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom
Before the monitor lizard could terrify the poor Valentine any further, an authoritative voice glided from the forecastle.
"I'd prefer if you didn't attack the crew, Harlgren. It does not make for good relations."
A golden fox in a red First Mate's jacket stood on the forecastle steps, pausing in mid-descent. His face was stern, his mouth locked in an unreadable flat line. A mix of emotions could be seen going through his eyes: contempt, resent hatred, and bruised pride, but overriding it all a deep resignation. As much as it had cost him to accept that he had been passed over, as much as he despised the lizard who had kidnapped his dearest friend, he would not unduly protest or make a show of himself. At least, not to the new captain's face.
Anithias had been in his cabin when he heard the news. When the crewbeast at his door apologetically told the First Mate of Fafnir's appointment, Anithias roared with anger and brought his pawfist down on his desk.
"Nithy!" Julia scolded him, looking up from where she was changing Falun's diaper.
"Those traitors!" Anithias growled. "I serve the navy faithfully for all this time, and they pass me over for that Turncoat!"
"His ship was commandeered by the mayor," Julia pointed out disapprovingly. "I would guess that this appointment was his compensation."
Her eyes softened, and she rubbed Anithias' shoulder comfortingly as she moved up behind him. "Besides," she said softly, "they'll recognize you soon enough. Tanya wouldn't let you go unrewarded." Anithias didn't respond, though his muscles relaxed slightly. "Just... just try not to let to let it get to you, alright?" Julia suggested gently.
And so, despite his initial instinct to pound down Tox's door and demand that she overrule Fafnir's appointment, Anithias found himself grinning and bearing what he took as an extreme slight to his honor. Well, not grinning, and only just forcing himself to bear it. Anithias feared that if his old nemesis flaunted the appointment in the First Mate's face, he just might crack.
Kayla
Taking a deep breath as she leaned against a wall and regarded her paws, the wildcat's one eye was rich with self-loathing and anger. Biting her lower lip, she tried to use the pain to steady the wretched fear that assaulted her whenever she came close to any reptiles. Luckily, this one has passed her without a second look. A bead of blood swelled, gleaming and fat, where one tooth pierced through the cat's lip.
The overwhelming anxiety never really went away, but sometimes she could focus it enough to function. Gradually, the shaking in her paws subsided, leaving only a weakening quiver in her forearms.
If only I had some sage...
Gathering her courage, she detached from the wall and slunk across the gangplank. As she reached the threshold of the ship, the cat stopped. A rich blast of memories... Dancing on the deck her first night here with Benny and Tallus... Anithias and Julia sneaking aboard that one day... Laughter with Tanya... Standing near the prow of the ship, First mate... Hiding from Shadow... Talking with Leah...Memories of who she had been, of believing that her life was actually worth living, of true friendship, of innocent love. For the first time in months, the emotions that flooded Mikaela's mind weren't the mental agony, fear, and despair that had become commonplace aboard the Greengill.
A tear swelled in her good eye, trickled down her cheek, matching the runnel of drainage that ran from the slightly infected socket that lay hidden under a black patch.
"Home..." The word was almost a sob. For the first time in months, the cat lifted her chin, put her shoulders back.
Surveying the deck, Kay was slightly disappointed not to recognize any faces... Unless...? She caught sight of a familiar-looking fox disappearing around the corner.
"'Thias?" The wildcat dropped her pack and ran after him. As she came around the corner, she squeaked with excitement. It was him!
"THIAS! THI--??!" His name died in her throat as she looked over the fox's shoulder to see a sight she would have killed to never see again.
"Nooo... noo... how...no..." She couldn't take her eyes off of the lizard. Everything faded away, and the wildcat seemed to shrink, her shoulders dropping and tail curling around her feet.
And Mikaela Locke was home again.
Tomias Redford
Tomias sat on the deck near the wheel where he had a good lookout of everything that was going on onboard the ship. He watched as a newcomer walked onto the deck, and Tomias was about to greet this new crewbeast when the newcomer in question turned around and Tomias could see him fully. Fafnir Harlgren, one of those bloody turncoats who brutally murdered his parents a few years ago. Tomias intended to ignore him when suddenly Fafnir thwacked one of the other crewbeasts to the deck with a bit of wood, that was completely out of order, so Tomias intended to step in.
He hopped over the balcony and dropped about 6 feet onto the lower deck and landed on his feet, but in a crouching form as to reduce the energy of the fall or something. He read it in a book somewhere, and apparently it worked. He then proceeded to walk over to the oversized Monitor and the injured crewbeast. Tomias knelt by the aforementioned crewbeast and checked his pulse. He was dead. Tomias stood up to his full size, which was actually almost the same height as Fafnir himself, only about 3-4 inches difference made him fall short of the monitor’s height. Eyes filled with rage.
"Who in ‘Gates do you think you are, coming onboard this ship and attacking the crew?" He gestured at the body of the unfortunate Bacon. "He is dead because of you, oh and just in case you don't remember me, the name is Tomias Redford. You and your bloody Turncoats killed my family a few years ago, and despite the protection your lot are receiving due to the government you’re still all murdering traitors in my eyes.” He clenched his paw into a fist, and then unclenched it. “But still it is my duty to recognise your authority, so I will follow orders, but don't expect me to like it, oh and the next mistake you make like this—” Again he gestured at Bacon's corpse. "I'll see you get stripped of your rank, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in that feeling." He nodded at the other crew who seemed to be trying to keep out of the monitor's way.
Tomias was almost quivering with anger so he took this time to storm off below decks. Once out of earshot of the lizard he leaned against the wall near where Anithias's cabin was. Of course, Tomias didn't know, and allowed himself to slide down to the floor. All the memories of the past flooded back, and he began to cry into his knees. Why had that bloody turncoat been appointed as captain? It seemed that even with the pardon they received from the government, those turncoats were still trying to ruin everything he held dear...
Shadow
A wildcat slowly blinked awake and shut one eye lazily as she peered about her cabin. The albino had been pleased when the announcement was made that Tanya was to take the place of admiral. There was no doubt the wildcat believed she should receive her rank. As Shadow became more awake she heard a voice she recognised well. Fafnir.
A slow devious smile spread across her muzzle as she raised her head. At least it was a captain she knew well but for all the wrong reasons. She and Fafnir had a rather dark history. She certainly didn’t trust the monitor but he was sufficient for her needs, plus he had a warped sense of humour that suited hers. She rose to her feet and tilted her head to the side as a certain fox’s voice filtered through the door.
"I'd prefer if you didn't attack the crew, Harlgren. It does not make for good relations."
Well, well, looks like Anithias’ pride and envy had caught up with him. Shadow knew full well that the fox would be sour for being overlooked, but in her eyes the fox wasn’t quite ready. He needed to learn a few more realities of the world before that would happen. Her ears swivelled as she picked up a female wildcat. Ah Kayla, Kayla. Although Shadow had terrified the other wildcatess when she had come aboard, the albino actually rather liked the youngster. She reminded the older cat of herself at that age. However hopefully Kayla wouldn’t wind down the same path as her.
"Nooo...noo...how...no.."
Shadow picked up the distress of the other wildcat and raised an eyebrow. Now what would have caused that, then? She stood a little bit in thought before she was rudely interrupted by a new crewbeast mouthing off before he vanished below decks. The albino shook her head and proceeded to exit her cabin, coming out onto the deck. She nodded to the monitor and smiled in a knowing manner. “Hello Fafnir. I’ll be borrowing your new cabin for a short while whilst you sort the crew. Do what you deem necessary. Unfortunately, some of them have ideas above their abilities. Miss Locke, in the office now please.”
The wildcat turned her gaze to Kayla and beckoned in a manner that showed the wildcat she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She turned and made for Fafnir’s cabin before standing in the doorway, waiting for the other cat to follow.
Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor/Benjamin Blake (Spike)
Captain...no, wait, admiral now... Admiral Rainblade-Ryalor prowled the deck of her old ship quietly, almost sombrely as crew flocked to see their new captain. Having just returned from her pledges to the Navy, the diminutive vixen found herself feeling a little lost without a cabin to lurk in yet, as the switchover left them in a frustrating limbo, her belongings back at her apartment for the now.
Her appearance was not much deviated from the norm, if a little more toned down and basic than what she might usually attire herself with, the only offset to her scruffy clothing being the new weapon at her side, a dark-bladed cutlass with a golden hilt. As a matter of fact, the vixen was attired so indecorously that several crewbeasts had challenged her on rank and purpose before recognising the smug vulpine and muttering a hasty “Oh, 'pologies Cap'-Admiral...” before scurrying back to their workplaces. Tox liked the anonymity: it gave her a chance to survey the workings of the vessel from a crewbeast's perspective, gave her ample time to delegate all work to the officers and have a break (at least for the next two hours, when she had the fitting for her uniform, at least) and most importantly, she could punch or swear at anybeast she so chose to without having to set an example. Fantastic.
“So,” she muttered to the tall, filthy wildcat that slouched next to her, “Fafnir's here, then?”
“Aye,” came the bland reply.
“What's 'is captainin' style?”
“Violent. Aggressive. Pathetic.” The venomous response wasn't unexpected from the feline who had been spying upon the Greengill's movements ever since Kayla was snatched.
Sparing a quick glance to the dishevelled, grimy cat, Tox noted with a start how much worse for wear he really looked and sighed. “How so?”
“He'll kill those who don't like what he says. Not approachable, not tolerant of anybeast against him. He kept Kay as a slave, Tanya, what do you think?”
“'Ey,” the vixen muttered, throwing an arm about the frustrated tom's dropped shoulders companionably, “settle down, if he sets a paw wrong with this lot, he won’t be 'ere long...”
As she steered him around the corner, then, the small group came into view, along with a floored body.
As Tanya's eyes fixed to the dead creature, Spike's eyes never once moved from Kayla, mouth ajar. His heart broke to see her looking like she did. She looked so gaunt, so terrified, so... alone. Guilt and horror twisted in his gut painfully, and he averted his eyes with a choked whine. “I have no words for her, I mean... I failed her. I didn't find her... she can't want to see me again...”
'Ahh'ing silently in understanding, Tanya loosened her grip on the stunned wildcat's shoulder and gave him a soft, sad smile. “Well, me old mate, words or no, you 'ad best bring my old First Mate back, the way only you know how. It don't matter what you say, you're her closest companion aboard, by my reckonin''.”
With a jerky nod, Ben ran a tongue along his teeth and swallowed before making his clumsy way across the deck. Not really caring for the consequences of his actions, only thinking of how badly he wanted to embrace the little feline and steal those last few months from her mind, Spike slipped through the cabin door behind Shadow as she went to collect Kayla and shuffled to the shadowed recesses of a far corner, deep, apologetic eyes of regret masked behind uncleaned glasses. He hid himself quickly and waited.
Tanya, in the meantime, was busy with the body. Sniffing dispassionately she flicked her eyes shiftily over the amassing crowd and opted for the most logical response to finding the dead on deck — she weighted him down with a pawful of ballast stones filched from their barrels and subtly, quietly, tipped the body overboard. After the body was lost into the green-grey depths of the ocean, the little Admiral turned her attention back to the newest arrival and raised her eyebrows. Pulling Tomias back gently, Tox tilted her head to those present and smiled falsely.
“Well then, if everybeast is starting to settle down a little, mind if I steal the captain for a moment or two? Harlgren, with me please.”
Kayla
Uncontrollable shaking had set in as the wildcat fought complete hysteria. The hope that had bloomed in her as she'd boarded the golden ship and recognized friends made returning to the darkness that much more painful. She didn't even notice Tomias's approach, didn't note Shadow till she used Kay's name.
"Hello Fafnir. I’ll be borrowing your new cabin for a short while whilst you sort the crew. Do what you deem necessary, unfortunately some of them have ideas above their abilities. Miss Locke, in the office now please.”
At 'Miss Locke', Kay's head jerked, and without lifting her gaze, she quietly made her way to the cabin. There she stood, rubbing her bony wrists, where marks still interrupted the fur.
Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom
Anithias was surprised and overjoyed to hear a familiar voice suddenly speak from behind him. Anithias turned, a return exclamation of joy building in his throat.
"THIAS! THI--??!"
"KAY-!!!"
Their cries died in their throats at the same time. Anithias stared in horror at his old friend. Where the old Kayla had looked young, sprite, and full of joy, this Kayla looked worn-down, terrified, dragged through 'Gates and back — and only had one eye.
This last thing Anithias could have forgiven. After all, beasts lost their eyes for perfectly good reasons. What Anithias could not forgive was the look of utter horror and disappointment on her face as she saw the new captain. It was her low, pitiable cry that confirmed, beyond a doubt, that Fafnir Harlgren was responsible for Kayla's current state.
Anithias turned to face Fafnir, murder shining in his eyes. He might have said something very brash that could have easily won him a court martial — his own, not Fafnir's — had Tomias not just spoken.
"Who in 'Gates do you think you are, coming onboard this ship and attacking the crew? He is dead because of you. Oh, and just in case you don't remember me, the name is Tomias Redford. You and your bloody Turncoats killed my family a few years ago, and despite the protection your lot are receiving due to the government you’re still all murdering traitors in my eyes. But still it is my duty to recognize your authority, so I will follow orders, but don't expect me to like it. Oh, and the next mistake you make like this, I'll see you get stripped of your rank, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in that feeling."
With that, the infuriated todd stormed off. Anithias glared at Fafnir, positively reeking of hatred now. Between Tomias' parents, Kayla's suffering, and Anithias' own bruised pride, he was ready to do something extremely rash.
Anithias watched in stony silence as Shadow called Kayla away and Tox escorted off the vile new captain. The crowd of beasts were now gathering around their first mate, seeing what he would do. Unconsciously Anithias' pawfingers moved to the collar of his red first mate's jacket. The jacket he had accepted with so much pride. The jacket that symbolized everything the navy stood for: justice, power, and the link between them.
His fingers still moving of their own accord, Anithias unbuttoned the collar.
pop. That was Kayla, brutally violated and terrorized.
pop. That was Spike, disappearing in pursuit of a love who would now never be the same.
pop. That was Tomias, forced to endure the presence of the very beast who killed his parents.
pop. pop. pop.
A paw grabbed Anithias', and Anithias suddenly noticed his wife's presence. "What are you doing?" she asked worriedly.
Anithias' answer carried none of the anger, resentment, or hatred he was feeling, instead coming out rather calmly. "I am resigning from my post."
Julia looked positively horrified. "What? Nithy, why?"
"Because I cannot stand by as this ship is ruled by a beast so obviously cruel and malicious." The red jacket fell to the deck as Anithias shrugged it from his shoulders. Picking it up, he folded it carefully.
Julia now was looking at him as if he'd taken full leave of his senses. "Nithy, if you resign, you'll have no control over who Fafnir appoints in your place!"
"Wrong," Anithias said calmly. "Chapter 8, Ordinance 13. If an officer resigns from his position, he may appoint a member of the crew with past experience in that position to his post."
Julia was even more confused. "But there's no one who—" Suddenly she stopped, looking off to the quarterdeck.
Anithias nodded solemnly. "I only hope she's up to it."
Jeshal the Ironclaw
Hearsay had been rife enough for the new captain's appointment to reach the ears of the Golden Hide's questionable boatswain much earlier than expected. Jeshal had crouched in the crow's nest since the first tendrils of dawn spidered into the harbour. He had not taken the news well in the first instance, namely because his recent promotion had drawn him closer to the fruition of his insidious plans and Ryalor's following ascent up the career ladder was a countering move. Fury mixed with terror had stirred within him at the thought of her escaping, but that had been abated when she chose the Hide to remain her flagship. Even so, his target was now nigh on unreachable. There was little doubt that she had the protection of the Imperium's finest, and now yet another figure of authority stood between him and the intended victim of his revenge.
And he came today.
As Harlgren drew near to the ship, no showmanship to it but a decent sample of menace, the Ironclaw recognised him for the devious lizard he had once followed through the streets of Boullabaisse, leading on a trio of foolish tavern-goers. He respected the old monitor and trusted him as far as he could give the ship a piggy-back. Perhaps there was promise in this change after all. The ridges of his brow arched as a small commotion arose and was quickly dispatched when Fafnir slew a deckbeast within the first few minutes of arriving.
Oh yes, promising.
He was probably expected to be down on deck, standing to attention with some idiotic pose of a salute, but after ensuring the sails were loosed in a respectful gesture, he had chosen not to descend. From here he could witness the politics without getting involved. He listened to the ferocity of Anithias's voice carrying over the ship, noted the distress of a creature who had made a sudden appearance, and twitched a slight grin at Tomias's outburst. The new beast was another wildcat, one-eyed for that matter, and the ripples of emotion happening below were astounding.
So, it seems they know ye...
Throughout his watch, his eyes most often flickered to the figure of the new admiral as she wandered the deck in her different attire, murmuring to a cat with whom he had also not been acquainted. After a short while, she led the parade into her cabin.
Jeshal was unprepared for Anithias' response, but he had come to expect the element of surprise these past few days. He frowned as the golden fox stripped himself of his rank before all on deck. What would happen next remained to be seen, and how he wished he could be within the captain's quarters to hear the turning of events. But, like every other beast that manned the hard labour of the ship, he would have to wait...
Shadow
Shadow noted as Tanya boarded the ship and went about her activities. Giving a curt nod in greeting to her, she then turned as an unfamiliar cat darted into the office before Kayla. The albino peered into the darkness and shrugged easily. She may not have been able to see them but she could certainly still hear him. The femme also noted Kayla enter the cabin and gave a satisfied nod before turning as shutting the door behind her. She had seen Anithias’ actions on deck but if he wanted to talk to Kayla he would have to wait.
She gestured to a chair the other side of the desk for Kayla and stroll to the captain’s chair and collapsed into it. She’d been away for a number of weeks, doing something only classed as downright dangerous but the feline knew full well it needed to be done. However the trip had left her with a few noticeable injuries. She reckoned judging by the marks on the other wildcat’s wrists that her little trip to Fafnir’s ship had also left her with some injuries, and not all of them physical.
The albino next turned to Spike and nodded. “I suggest if you care for her as much as you seem to, you will take the seat next to her sir. She’s evidently going to need help in getting over whatever happened on Fafnir’s ship.”
The wildcat turned back to Kayla. “You were on the Blood Leacher for a while yes? Then do tell everything that went on there, and don’t think you’ll disgust me, I know Fafnir’s sort well.”
Kayla
Lost in a world of fear, Kayla focused all her attention on her skin and bone paws, trying to rub the shaking out of them. She was completely oblivious to Benny's presence. When Shadow gestured to the chair, Kay stared at it blankly for a moment before sliding into the seat. When the other cat spoke, Mikaela looked up with empty eyes and look that shifted to confusion when she realized that it wasn't directed at her.
“I suggest if you care for her as much as you seem to, you will take the seat next to her sir. She’s evidently going to need help in getting over whatever happened on Fafnir’s ship.”
Following Shadow's eyes, Kay looked over and saw a shape in the corner. Unable to help herself, she jumped up and back a step, nearly tripping over the chair in her hurry to get away. Then, she stopped. And looked again.
"...B-Benny?" Her voice cracked, full of emotion, and barely above a whisper.
“You were on the Blood Leacher for a while yes? Then do tell everything that went on there, and don’t think you’ll disgust me, I know Fafnir’s sort well.”
"Tell you? Everything?" Kay couldn't help it. Her lip pulled back in a sneer that revealed her two missing teeth. A dry, painful chuckle rattled its way out of her bony chest, growing louder till it was a full-throated laugh that choked into a coughing fit.
When she caught her breath, the wildcat looked up again, the anger dead in her eyes and replaced by something much worse. "I couldn't... I can't. I..." She dropped her head, and her voice breaking once more. "Can't..."
"I'm sorry..."
Shadow
Shadow sat back and gave a curt nod. Anger was to be expected, in fact anger at least meant there was a part of the old Kayla still there. She tilted her head to the side and waited for it to subside. She'd been angry at first, at the hands of that wildcat, the reason her two eldest were in the world, and yes it had turned to despair.
"I couldn't... I can't. I... can't.."
The albino noted the voice and body language. And here was the despair that was created so often after these events. She rose from her seat and came round to stand next to the other feline.
"I'm sorry..."
She sighed before gripping the wildcat’s shoulders and giving her a slight knock to snap her head up to face hers. The grip and action was not meant to hurt the other femme but Shadow would not talk to a brick wall. "You were tortured, weren't you?"
The older feline's voice took on a softer tone. "Listen carefully, Miss Locke, when I first met you, you were a bit brash but I admired your spirit. You remind me a lot of me at your age. But where's that gone, hmm? Believe me, you let him win, he'll take everything you have left. I know Fafnir, and he gets bored of his toys eventually and then just throws them away. Last time I checked you did have First Mate potential, with a bit of training. I suggest if you really want to win this, then you prove him wrong. No doubt he believes you a pathetic worthless imbecile, but I see something else in you. He may have won the battles against you, but if you just roll over and play dead for him, he's also just won the war.
She closed her eyes before opening them again. "You're a survivor Kayla, the fact you've survived this long is testament to your skill at surviving. But are you simply going to give up because you came up against a bully? I expected a lot more of you I must say, fight him Kayla. You'll have my help if you need it and believe me I've dealt with plenty of bullies over the years."
Fafnir E. Harlgren
Ah... now that got their attention. One beast after another came to greet Fafnir, most of them in a less than welcoming manner.
"I'd prefer if you didn't attack the crew, Harlgren. It does not make for good relations," announced the presence of a fox dressed in a formal first mate's wear.
The lizard curled a lip in response. Before he could issue a truly beautiful snide remark, another fool arrived in the monitor's face. After Tomias's speech —which Fafnir saw as laughably pathetic and worthy of a beating — the new captain was about to put the beast in his place when yet another figure stepped in.
Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor, the former captain. "Harlgren, with me please," she said plainly.
"Ho-ho...! Admiral Homba... Yes, please... explain to me the kind of ship you've been running, for clearly it's not something I've had much experience with... Where I come from, the grunts respect their higher-ups..." The old reptile kept his eyes fixed on hers with a half-smile on his face. Fafnir was skilled at quickly figuring out what made others tick (and what ticked them off), and he was curious to see what this Tanya was about.
"Lead the way then, hm..?"
Kayla
"You're a survivor Kayla, the fact you've survived this long is testament to your skill at surviving. But are you simply going to give up because you came up against a bully? I expected a lot more of you I must say, fight him Kayla. You'll have my help if you need it and believe me I've dealt with plenty of bullies over the years."
Kay held eye contact with Shadow as the older wildcat talked, her face stoic, except for a few more tears that fought their way out of her eye. This was the first time anyone had seemed to really, truly understand what had happened to her over those months on board the Blood Leacher. When Shadow finished talking, Kay tried to answer, but couldn't. Instead, she looked over the older cat's shoulder to meet Benny's eyes, or what she could see of them behind the familiar frosty glass.
"I...I..." She looked back at Shadow, and was suddenly overwhelmed by a flood of emotion.
The little cat crumpled where she stood, falling forward into Shadow's arms, weeping.
Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor
Choosing to ignore the comparatively massive monitor's slight on her captaining methods, the diminutive vixen instead devoted her anxious attention to Anithias, tattered ears swivelling as the todd rejected his rank before all in the face of the fearsome captain. Her sad eyes tracked the movements of his rank stripes as they were cast to the deck, and for some time, all she could hear muttering inside her head was the same mantra, Good 'Gates, this lizard will be the death of my ship, spoken in so many different ways; spiteful, fearful inflections, or screaming rage, perhaps, that had her torn for which to display as the safest option. It was always the same words, though: Good 'Gates, this lizard will be the death of my ship.
"Lead the way then, hm..?" .
Resurfacing with an awkward blink, Tanya coughed and frowned as she gave Fafnir a quick nod. "Indeed. Somewhere a slight more private'd be appropriate" she muttered, turning on one booted heel and stalking off to the far side of the ship almost too fast for her peg-legged follower to keep up. Leaning against the railings once there, the admiral splayed her small, scarred paws and inspected them briefly, twisting a ring on her left thumb and watching how the light rays glanced off of the polished stones. Once all possible interest had been extracted from the jewellery, she proceeded to sweep her gaze up to the oceans, then the skies – anything to avoid her gaze resting on those terrifyingly sharp fangs which could tear her flesh to pieces or stare back into those cold, reptilian eyes. She was fully aware that it was only several sheets of signed parchment and a pretty little badge that prevented her from being torn to pieces for what she was saying – and the truth of that terrified her beneath the surface – but hopefully the bureaucratic barriers would save her from the wrath of this new captain. Well, there was only one way to find out...
"Awight Harlgren, I'll make this brief an' blunt. This crew is a family. They respect their superiors when 's needed, and when it's been earned. I ran this ship in a lax manner, but this lot, they don' conform to regular Navy. Half of 'em aren't in their right minds and the others are upstarts who'd be kicked out with the reg'lar rules. They need to be listened to. We don't bend to tyrant-like systems an' killing a member of crew should not be condoned by a captain. This might be your ship, Fafnir, but you ain't a pirate no more. Either you respect that an' shape up to care for this lot, or you'll find yiself in more deep water than I'd care to detail. Personally, I can' understand how they let an ex-Turncoat like you take command of this ship."
Finally, she turned to the lizard and nodded at him briskly.
"'Owever, in spite of any misgivings, you 'aven’t done enough to earn me mistrust. I'll be selectin' this vessel as my flagship an' stickin' around, but won't be in yeh way unless there's trouble – you 'ave more than enough experience in running a ship, so I trust yeh completely with its running. Jes'... try not to kill too many. Good crew are a mite expensive these days, right?"
Giving a perfectly crooked smile, the Admiral stuck out a paw hopefully.
"Welcome aboard, Captain."
Fafnir E. Harlgren
The admiral's perfectly crooked smile was matched, and with a flick of the fingers as if shooing off a gnat the lizard put a scaled hand in the other's paw. His grip tightened hard, claws pressing against her skin. "You may be an admiral, but it seems you still have some to learn... Firstly, your Imperium's as corrupt as any other, I assure... Or else —indeed — how would a beast like me be able to accomplish the things I have, hm...? Secondly, if one truly wants to lead to the best of their ability, then the whole 'crew as family' system just don't work..."
Fafnir's fingers let loose their hold on her paw, and his hand fell back. Then, with a tilt of the head and a friendly smile, he went on in an agreeable tone. "But alright, we can keep it your way. Don't think this old scrap only knows one thing. I'll keep my blade still. There's always other ways to handle things... yes, yes.. very right..." The monitor lizard nodded in a knowing manner and dragged a hand along his jaw. "You will be available if I have any further questions or advice, won't you..? I do want to fit in best I can, and I'm sure you could offer much wisdom in that."
The muscles on his face were relaxed such that his expression offered no clue to his true emotions or intent. He was acting in a sincere enough manner though. But can you ever know for sure...? Nah... oh well...
Shadow
"I..I.."
Shadow did indeed catch the wildcat. She picked the shorter wildcat up and returned to her seat with her before taking a seat again. She waited quietly and simply held Kayla until she calmed down. The older wildcat had reckoned this would happen and that it was a long time coming. She looked down at the other wildcat and began to sing quietly.
“Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's going to buy you a looking glass.”
The song was a well-known old song, one that she had sung to her own children when they were younger. She purred gently as she finished singing and nodded to a weasel as he entered the room with a tray and set it on the table. The albino gently lifted Kayla’s head and pointed to the bowl on the table. “Ever had ginger and tomato soup my dear? Ginger’s a great natural healer. For the body and for the mind.” She gently tapped the side of the other wildcat’s head. “Mind you, I realise that herbs will not solve this, I was never that foolish.”
She brought the tray forward so that Kayla could reach it. “Please eat, no doubt Fafnir has starved you as part of his games. After that I’d like to have a look at your eye please.”
Kayla
Kay listened to Shadow with an upturned face and pricked ears as she sang, and was unable to stop herself from crying through parts of the song. It was just so comforting and warm, so safe. When Shadow offered the soup, Kay took it without comment and started to eat. Once she started, the cat realized just how hungry she really was and started to devour it with a vengeance. It was her first real meal in months.
When the meal was finished, she allowed Shadow to inspect her eye, although it took every ounce of resolve in the little cat's body to let her touch it. She was shaking as she removed the patch.
"Shadow...I... will. Will you help me? I can't do this..." She looked the other cat in the eye, wincing as she admitted it. It hurt the little bit of pride she had left to admit her weakness, especially to a cat as strong as Shadow, who didn't seem to have ever wavered.
Benjamin (Spike) Blake
He hadn't moved from his position, not even when challenged on his feelings for the dear little cat by Shadow, remaining tucked away in the corner with an expression wrought of stone as he watched Kayla's progress with horror and guilt. Behind the inscrutable barrier of his filthy glasses, the dark eyes shimmered with the prospect of unshed tears – indeed, Spike couldn't recollect ever crying in front of another best since he was a kit, and even then such acts had been discouraged by his father and labelled as an act of weakness. Deigning to stay strong for the both of them, Spike apparently remained unmoved, despite the wrenching, twisting guilt that constricted his lungs from air enough to speak and sent cold steel through his tendons to prevent him moving to embrace the wreck. Why had he not looked more thoroughly? Made more direct questions? Risked it all and tried to beat it out of Fafnir?
At least she was alive, even if he had failed, and now... Shadow could handle everything. That feline always could, and today was no different. He was most likely not going to be of any help to the ruined little queen who cried and slumped against that old pillar of strength, that motherly creature. He wasn't needed-in fact, it was debatable if he ever had been; what with Kayla and himself never really discussing their relationship, or himself ever admitting to how he felt about the quirky, bubbly cat he'd danced with on her first day, it wasn't as if there was concrete evidence to suggest the feeling was mutual. The distinct fear that he had blown all emotions out of proportion prickled a heat under his skin, and it made him fidget slightly. His expression wavered into something more solid – anxiety, longing or misery, perhaps –before he swallowed hard and turned away, wondering if it was better that he leave.
I am so... so sorry, Kayla.
The news had been announced, the crew had had ample time to prepare themselves emotionally... But the lizard was yet to show. He really should be here any time.
* * * * *
Three hours later...
"Hey Valentine, I think that's him..! There's an ugly monitor over here I've never seen before!" called out a stupid-looking furry on the Golden Hide.
"Wah...?" another, equally stupid-looking creature came over. "No, no, Bacon... I just saw him over there... a really big beast of a monitor, ever I saw one."
While the two fools argued over which monitor lizard was the true Fafnir E. Harlgren, they failed to notice the knocking sound of an approaching peg against the decks.
The new arrival cleared his throat and spoke to the two Hides-beasts. "Sorry to break up your sweet banter, but I would love to see the first mate here.. So if you could go fetch the lad, that would be—"
Bacon glared at the old monitor lizard who interrupted his argument. "A THIRD bloody lizard..?! And who in hellsgates are you...?!"
A shocked, almost hurt expression fell upon the reptile's face. "I... uh... me...? I..." While seemingly lost for words, the scaled creature shot his head about, as if looking for something. "Ah-hah," he exclaimed as he skipped over to a small plank of wood and snatched it up. A moment later, and the piece of wood was smashed against Bacon's head with such force that he flew to the floor, either dead or unconscious.
Fafnir gave a smile of satisfaction and turned to the other furry. "Now, go tell your first mate that the new captain's arrived.. Hurry, hurry now..!"
Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom
Before the monitor lizard could terrify the poor Valentine any further, an authoritative voice glided from the forecastle.
"I'd prefer if you didn't attack the crew, Harlgren. It does not make for good relations."
A golden fox in a red First Mate's jacket stood on the forecastle steps, pausing in mid-descent. His face was stern, his mouth locked in an unreadable flat line. A mix of emotions could be seen going through his eyes: contempt, resent hatred, and bruised pride, but overriding it all a deep resignation. As much as it had cost him to accept that he had been passed over, as much as he despised the lizard who had kidnapped his dearest friend, he would not unduly protest or make a show of himself. At least, not to the new captain's face.
Anithias had been in his cabin when he heard the news. When the crewbeast at his door apologetically told the First Mate of Fafnir's appointment, Anithias roared with anger and brought his pawfist down on his desk.
"Nithy!" Julia scolded him, looking up from where she was changing Falun's diaper.
"Those traitors!" Anithias growled. "I serve the navy faithfully for all this time, and they pass me over for that Turncoat!"
"His ship was commandeered by the mayor," Julia pointed out disapprovingly. "I would guess that this appointment was his compensation."
Her eyes softened, and she rubbed Anithias' shoulder comfortingly as she moved up behind him. "Besides," she said softly, "they'll recognize you soon enough. Tanya wouldn't let you go unrewarded." Anithias didn't respond, though his muscles relaxed slightly. "Just... just try not to let to let it get to you, alright?" Julia suggested gently.
And so, despite his initial instinct to pound down Tox's door and demand that she overrule Fafnir's appointment, Anithias found himself grinning and bearing what he took as an extreme slight to his honor. Well, not grinning, and only just forcing himself to bear it. Anithias feared that if his old nemesis flaunted the appointment in the First Mate's face, he just might crack.
Kayla
Taking a deep breath as she leaned against a wall and regarded her paws, the wildcat's one eye was rich with self-loathing and anger. Biting her lower lip, she tried to use the pain to steady the wretched fear that assaulted her whenever she came close to any reptiles. Luckily, this one has passed her without a second look. A bead of blood swelled, gleaming and fat, where one tooth pierced through the cat's lip.
The overwhelming anxiety never really went away, but sometimes she could focus it enough to function. Gradually, the shaking in her paws subsided, leaving only a weakening quiver in her forearms.
If only I had some sage...
Gathering her courage, she detached from the wall and slunk across the gangplank. As she reached the threshold of the ship, the cat stopped. A rich blast of memories... Dancing on the deck her first night here with Benny and Tallus... Anithias and Julia sneaking aboard that one day... Laughter with Tanya... Standing near the prow of the ship, First mate... Hiding from Shadow... Talking with Leah...Memories of who she had been, of believing that her life was actually worth living, of true friendship, of innocent love. For the first time in months, the emotions that flooded Mikaela's mind weren't the mental agony, fear, and despair that had become commonplace aboard the Greengill.
A tear swelled in her good eye, trickled down her cheek, matching the runnel of drainage that ran from the slightly infected socket that lay hidden under a black patch.
"Home..." The word was almost a sob. For the first time in months, the cat lifted her chin, put her shoulders back.
Surveying the deck, Kay was slightly disappointed not to recognize any faces... Unless...? She caught sight of a familiar-looking fox disappearing around the corner.
"'Thias?" The wildcat dropped her pack and ran after him. As she came around the corner, she squeaked with excitement. It was him!
"THIAS! THI--??!" His name died in her throat as she looked over the fox's shoulder to see a sight she would have killed to never see again.
"Nooo... noo... how...no..." She couldn't take her eyes off of the lizard. Everything faded away, and the wildcat seemed to shrink, her shoulders dropping and tail curling around her feet.
And Mikaela Locke was home again.
Tomias Redford
Tomias sat on the deck near the wheel where he had a good lookout of everything that was going on onboard the ship. He watched as a newcomer walked onto the deck, and Tomias was about to greet this new crewbeast when the newcomer in question turned around and Tomias could see him fully. Fafnir Harlgren, one of those bloody turncoats who brutally murdered his parents a few years ago. Tomias intended to ignore him when suddenly Fafnir thwacked one of the other crewbeasts to the deck with a bit of wood, that was completely out of order, so Tomias intended to step in.
He hopped over the balcony and dropped about 6 feet onto the lower deck and landed on his feet, but in a crouching form as to reduce the energy of the fall or something. He read it in a book somewhere, and apparently it worked. He then proceeded to walk over to the oversized Monitor and the injured crewbeast. Tomias knelt by the aforementioned crewbeast and checked his pulse. He was dead. Tomias stood up to his full size, which was actually almost the same height as Fafnir himself, only about 3-4 inches difference made him fall short of the monitor’s height. Eyes filled with rage.
"Who in ‘Gates do you think you are, coming onboard this ship and attacking the crew?" He gestured at the body of the unfortunate Bacon. "He is dead because of you, oh and just in case you don't remember me, the name is Tomias Redford. You and your bloody Turncoats killed my family a few years ago, and despite the protection your lot are receiving due to the government you’re still all murdering traitors in my eyes.” He clenched his paw into a fist, and then unclenched it. “But still it is my duty to recognise your authority, so I will follow orders, but don't expect me to like it, oh and the next mistake you make like this—” Again he gestured at Bacon's corpse. "I'll see you get stripped of your rank, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in that feeling." He nodded at the other crew who seemed to be trying to keep out of the monitor's way.
Tomias was almost quivering with anger so he took this time to storm off below decks. Once out of earshot of the lizard he leaned against the wall near where Anithias's cabin was. Of course, Tomias didn't know, and allowed himself to slide down to the floor. All the memories of the past flooded back, and he began to cry into his knees. Why had that bloody turncoat been appointed as captain? It seemed that even with the pardon they received from the government, those turncoats were still trying to ruin everything he held dear...
Shadow
A wildcat slowly blinked awake and shut one eye lazily as she peered about her cabin. The albino had been pleased when the announcement was made that Tanya was to take the place of admiral. There was no doubt the wildcat believed she should receive her rank. As Shadow became more awake she heard a voice she recognised well. Fafnir.
A slow devious smile spread across her muzzle as she raised her head. At least it was a captain she knew well but for all the wrong reasons. She and Fafnir had a rather dark history. She certainly didn’t trust the monitor but he was sufficient for her needs, plus he had a warped sense of humour that suited hers. She rose to her feet and tilted her head to the side as a certain fox’s voice filtered through the door.
"I'd prefer if you didn't attack the crew, Harlgren. It does not make for good relations."
Well, well, looks like Anithias’ pride and envy had caught up with him. Shadow knew full well that the fox would be sour for being overlooked, but in her eyes the fox wasn’t quite ready. He needed to learn a few more realities of the world before that would happen. Her ears swivelled as she picked up a female wildcat. Ah Kayla, Kayla. Although Shadow had terrified the other wildcatess when she had come aboard, the albino actually rather liked the youngster. She reminded the older cat of herself at that age. However hopefully Kayla wouldn’t wind down the same path as her.
"Nooo...noo...how...no.."
Shadow picked up the distress of the other wildcat and raised an eyebrow. Now what would have caused that, then? She stood a little bit in thought before she was rudely interrupted by a new crewbeast mouthing off before he vanished below decks. The albino shook her head and proceeded to exit her cabin, coming out onto the deck. She nodded to the monitor and smiled in a knowing manner. “Hello Fafnir. I’ll be borrowing your new cabin for a short while whilst you sort the crew. Do what you deem necessary. Unfortunately, some of them have ideas above their abilities. Miss Locke, in the office now please.”
The wildcat turned her gaze to Kayla and beckoned in a manner that showed the wildcat she wouldn’t take no for an answer. She turned and made for Fafnir’s cabin before standing in the doorway, waiting for the other cat to follow.
Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor/Benjamin Blake (Spike)
Captain...no, wait, admiral now... Admiral Rainblade-Ryalor prowled the deck of her old ship quietly, almost sombrely as crew flocked to see their new captain. Having just returned from her pledges to the Navy, the diminutive vixen found herself feeling a little lost without a cabin to lurk in yet, as the switchover left them in a frustrating limbo, her belongings back at her apartment for the now.
Her appearance was not much deviated from the norm, if a little more toned down and basic than what she might usually attire herself with, the only offset to her scruffy clothing being the new weapon at her side, a dark-bladed cutlass with a golden hilt. As a matter of fact, the vixen was attired so indecorously that several crewbeasts had challenged her on rank and purpose before recognising the smug vulpine and muttering a hasty “Oh, 'pologies Cap'-Admiral...” before scurrying back to their workplaces. Tox liked the anonymity: it gave her a chance to survey the workings of the vessel from a crewbeast's perspective, gave her ample time to delegate all work to the officers and have a break (at least for the next two hours, when she had the fitting for her uniform, at least) and most importantly, she could punch or swear at anybeast she so chose to without having to set an example. Fantastic.
“So,” she muttered to the tall, filthy wildcat that slouched next to her, “Fafnir's here, then?”
“Aye,” came the bland reply.
“What's 'is captainin' style?”
“Violent. Aggressive. Pathetic.” The venomous response wasn't unexpected from the feline who had been spying upon the Greengill's movements ever since Kayla was snatched.
Sparing a quick glance to the dishevelled, grimy cat, Tox noted with a start how much worse for wear he really looked and sighed. “How so?”
“He'll kill those who don't like what he says. Not approachable, not tolerant of anybeast against him. He kept Kay as a slave, Tanya, what do you think?”
“'Ey,” the vixen muttered, throwing an arm about the frustrated tom's dropped shoulders companionably, “settle down, if he sets a paw wrong with this lot, he won’t be 'ere long...”
As she steered him around the corner, then, the small group came into view, along with a floored body.
As Tanya's eyes fixed to the dead creature, Spike's eyes never once moved from Kayla, mouth ajar. His heart broke to see her looking like she did. She looked so gaunt, so terrified, so... alone. Guilt and horror twisted in his gut painfully, and he averted his eyes with a choked whine. “I have no words for her, I mean... I failed her. I didn't find her... she can't want to see me again...”
'Ahh'ing silently in understanding, Tanya loosened her grip on the stunned wildcat's shoulder and gave him a soft, sad smile. “Well, me old mate, words or no, you 'ad best bring my old First Mate back, the way only you know how. It don't matter what you say, you're her closest companion aboard, by my reckonin''.”
With a jerky nod, Ben ran a tongue along his teeth and swallowed before making his clumsy way across the deck. Not really caring for the consequences of his actions, only thinking of how badly he wanted to embrace the little feline and steal those last few months from her mind, Spike slipped through the cabin door behind Shadow as she went to collect Kayla and shuffled to the shadowed recesses of a far corner, deep, apologetic eyes of regret masked behind uncleaned glasses. He hid himself quickly and waited.
Tanya, in the meantime, was busy with the body. Sniffing dispassionately she flicked her eyes shiftily over the amassing crowd and opted for the most logical response to finding the dead on deck — she weighted him down with a pawful of ballast stones filched from their barrels and subtly, quietly, tipped the body overboard. After the body was lost into the green-grey depths of the ocean, the little Admiral turned her attention back to the newest arrival and raised her eyebrows. Pulling Tomias back gently, Tox tilted her head to those present and smiled falsely.
“Well then, if everybeast is starting to settle down a little, mind if I steal the captain for a moment or two? Harlgren, with me please.”
Kayla
Uncontrollable shaking had set in as the wildcat fought complete hysteria. The hope that had bloomed in her as she'd boarded the golden ship and recognized friends made returning to the darkness that much more painful. She didn't even notice Tomias's approach, didn't note Shadow till she used Kay's name.
"Hello Fafnir. I’ll be borrowing your new cabin for a short while whilst you sort the crew. Do what you deem necessary, unfortunately some of them have ideas above their abilities. Miss Locke, in the office now please.”
At 'Miss Locke', Kay's head jerked, and without lifting her gaze, she quietly made her way to the cabin. There she stood, rubbing her bony wrists, where marks still interrupted the fur.
Anithias Freedom/Julia Freedom
Anithias was surprised and overjoyed to hear a familiar voice suddenly speak from behind him. Anithias turned, a return exclamation of joy building in his throat.
"THIAS! THI--??!"
"KAY-!!!"
Their cries died in their throats at the same time. Anithias stared in horror at his old friend. Where the old Kayla had looked young, sprite, and full of joy, this Kayla looked worn-down, terrified, dragged through 'Gates and back — and only had one eye.
This last thing Anithias could have forgiven. After all, beasts lost their eyes for perfectly good reasons. What Anithias could not forgive was the look of utter horror and disappointment on her face as she saw the new captain. It was her low, pitiable cry that confirmed, beyond a doubt, that Fafnir Harlgren was responsible for Kayla's current state.
Anithias turned to face Fafnir, murder shining in his eyes. He might have said something very brash that could have easily won him a court martial — his own, not Fafnir's — had Tomias not just spoken.
"Who in 'Gates do you think you are, coming onboard this ship and attacking the crew? He is dead because of you. Oh, and just in case you don't remember me, the name is Tomias Redford. You and your bloody Turncoats killed my family a few years ago, and despite the protection your lot are receiving due to the government you’re still all murdering traitors in my eyes. But still it is my duty to recognize your authority, so I will follow orders, but don't expect me to like it. Oh, and the next mistake you make like this, I'll see you get stripped of your rank, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in that feeling."
With that, the infuriated todd stormed off. Anithias glared at Fafnir, positively reeking of hatred now. Between Tomias' parents, Kayla's suffering, and Anithias' own bruised pride, he was ready to do something extremely rash.
Anithias watched in stony silence as Shadow called Kayla away and Tox escorted off the vile new captain. The crowd of beasts were now gathering around their first mate, seeing what he would do. Unconsciously Anithias' pawfingers moved to the collar of his red first mate's jacket. The jacket he had accepted with so much pride. The jacket that symbolized everything the navy stood for: justice, power, and the link between them.
His fingers still moving of their own accord, Anithias unbuttoned the collar.
pop. That was Kayla, brutally violated and terrorized.
pop. That was Spike, disappearing in pursuit of a love who would now never be the same.
pop. That was Tomias, forced to endure the presence of the very beast who killed his parents.
pop. pop. pop.
A paw grabbed Anithias', and Anithias suddenly noticed his wife's presence. "What are you doing?" she asked worriedly.
Anithias' answer carried none of the anger, resentment, or hatred he was feeling, instead coming out rather calmly. "I am resigning from my post."
Julia looked positively horrified. "What? Nithy, why?"
"Because I cannot stand by as this ship is ruled by a beast so obviously cruel and malicious." The red jacket fell to the deck as Anithias shrugged it from his shoulders. Picking it up, he folded it carefully.
Julia now was looking at him as if he'd taken full leave of his senses. "Nithy, if you resign, you'll have no control over who Fafnir appoints in your place!"
"Wrong," Anithias said calmly. "Chapter 8, Ordinance 13. If an officer resigns from his position, he may appoint a member of the crew with past experience in that position to his post."
Julia was even more confused. "But there's no one who—" Suddenly she stopped, looking off to the quarterdeck.
Anithias nodded solemnly. "I only hope she's up to it."
Jeshal the Ironclaw
Hearsay had been rife enough for the new captain's appointment to reach the ears of the Golden Hide's questionable boatswain much earlier than expected. Jeshal had crouched in the crow's nest since the first tendrils of dawn spidered into the harbour. He had not taken the news well in the first instance, namely because his recent promotion had drawn him closer to the fruition of his insidious plans and Ryalor's following ascent up the career ladder was a countering move. Fury mixed with terror had stirred within him at the thought of her escaping, but that had been abated when she chose the Hide to remain her flagship. Even so, his target was now nigh on unreachable. There was little doubt that she had the protection of the Imperium's finest, and now yet another figure of authority stood between him and the intended victim of his revenge.
And he came today.
As Harlgren drew near to the ship, no showmanship to it but a decent sample of menace, the Ironclaw recognised him for the devious lizard he had once followed through the streets of Boullabaisse, leading on a trio of foolish tavern-goers. He respected the old monitor and trusted him as far as he could give the ship a piggy-back. Perhaps there was promise in this change after all. The ridges of his brow arched as a small commotion arose and was quickly dispatched when Fafnir slew a deckbeast within the first few minutes of arriving.
Oh yes, promising.
He was probably expected to be down on deck, standing to attention with some idiotic pose of a salute, but after ensuring the sails were loosed in a respectful gesture, he had chosen not to descend. From here he could witness the politics without getting involved. He listened to the ferocity of Anithias's voice carrying over the ship, noted the distress of a creature who had made a sudden appearance, and twitched a slight grin at Tomias's outburst. The new beast was another wildcat, one-eyed for that matter, and the ripples of emotion happening below were astounding.
So, it seems they know ye...
Throughout his watch, his eyes most often flickered to the figure of the new admiral as she wandered the deck in her different attire, murmuring to a cat with whom he had also not been acquainted. After a short while, she led the parade into her cabin.
Jeshal was unprepared for Anithias' response, but he had come to expect the element of surprise these past few days. He frowned as the golden fox stripped himself of his rank before all on deck. What would happen next remained to be seen, and how he wished he could be within the captain's quarters to hear the turning of events. But, like every other beast that manned the hard labour of the ship, he would have to wait...
Shadow
Shadow noted as Tanya boarded the ship and went about her activities. Giving a curt nod in greeting to her, she then turned as an unfamiliar cat darted into the office before Kayla. The albino peered into the darkness and shrugged easily. She may not have been able to see them but she could certainly still hear him. The femme also noted Kayla enter the cabin and gave a satisfied nod before turning as shutting the door behind her. She had seen Anithias’ actions on deck but if he wanted to talk to Kayla he would have to wait.
She gestured to a chair the other side of the desk for Kayla and stroll to the captain’s chair and collapsed into it. She’d been away for a number of weeks, doing something only classed as downright dangerous but the feline knew full well it needed to be done. However the trip had left her with a few noticeable injuries. She reckoned judging by the marks on the other wildcat’s wrists that her little trip to Fafnir’s ship had also left her with some injuries, and not all of them physical.
The albino next turned to Spike and nodded. “I suggest if you care for her as much as you seem to, you will take the seat next to her sir. She’s evidently going to need help in getting over whatever happened on Fafnir’s ship.”
The wildcat turned back to Kayla. “You were on the Blood Leacher for a while yes? Then do tell everything that went on there, and don’t think you’ll disgust me, I know Fafnir’s sort well.”
Kayla
Lost in a world of fear, Kayla focused all her attention on her skin and bone paws, trying to rub the shaking out of them. She was completely oblivious to Benny's presence. When Shadow gestured to the chair, Kay stared at it blankly for a moment before sliding into the seat. When the other cat spoke, Mikaela looked up with empty eyes and look that shifted to confusion when she realized that it wasn't directed at her.
“I suggest if you care for her as much as you seem to, you will take the seat next to her sir. She’s evidently going to need help in getting over whatever happened on Fafnir’s ship.”
Following Shadow's eyes, Kay looked over and saw a shape in the corner. Unable to help herself, she jumped up and back a step, nearly tripping over the chair in her hurry to get away. Then, she stopped. And looked again.
"...B-Benny?" Her voice cracked, full of emotion, and barely above a whisper.
“You were on the Blood Leacher for a while yes? Then do tell everything that went on there, and don’t think you’ll disgust me, I know Fafnir’s sort well.”
"Tell you? Everything?" Kay couldn't help it. Her lip pulled back in a sneer that revealed her two missing teeth. A dry, painful chuckle rattled its way out of her bony chest, growing louder till it was a full-throated laugh that choked into a coughing fit.
When she caught her breath, the wildcat looked up again, the anger dead in her eyes and replaced by something much worse. "I couldn't... I can't. I..." She dropped her head, and her voice breaking once more. "Can't..."
"I'm sorry..."
Shadow
Shadow sat back and gave a curt nod. Anger was to be expected, in fact anger at least meant there was a part of the old Kayla still there. She tilted her head to the side and waited for it to subside. She'd been angry at first, at the hands of that wildcat, the reason her two eldest were in the world, and yes it had turned to despair.
"I couldn't... I can't. I... can't.."
The albino noted the voice and body language. And here was the despair that was created so often after these events. She rose from her seat and came round to stand next to the other feline.
"I'm sorry..."
She sighed before gripping the wildcat’s shoulders and giving her a slight knock to snap her head up to face hers. The grip and action was not meant to hurt the other femme but Shadow would not talk to a brick wall. "You were tortured, weren't you?"
The older feline's voice took on a softer tone. "Listen carefully, Miss Locke, when I first met you, you were a bit brash but I admired your spirit. You remind me a lot of me at your age. But where's that gone, hmm? Believe me, you let him win, he'll take everything you have left. I know Fafnir, and he gets bored of his toys eventually and then just throws them away. Last time I checked you did have First Mate potential, with a bit of training. I suggest if you really want to win this, then you prove him wrong. No doubt he believes you a pathetic worthless imbecile, but I see something else in you. He may have won the battles against you, but if you just roll over and play dead for him, he's also just won the war.
She closed her eyes before opening them again. "You're a survivor Kayla, the fact you've survived this long is testament to your skill at surviving. But are you simply going to give up because you came up against a bully? I expected a lot more of you I must say, fight him Kayla. You'll have my help if you need it and believe me I've dealt with plenty of bullies over the years."
Fafnir E. Harlgren
Ah... now that got their attention. One beast after another came to greet Fafnir, most of them in a less than welcoming manner.
"I'd prefer if you didn't attack the crew, Harlgren. It does not make for good relations," announced the presence of a fox dressed in a formal first mate's wear.
The lizard curled a lip in response. Before he could issue a truly beautiful snide remark, another fool arrived in the monitor's face. After Tomias's speech —which Fafnir saw as laughably pathetic and worthy of a beating — the new captain was about to put the beast in his place when yet another figure stepped in.
Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor, the former captain. "Harlgren, with me please," she said plainly.
"Ho-ho...! Admiral Homba... Yes, please... explain to me the kind of ship you've been running, for clearly it's not something I've had much experience with... Where I come from, the grunts respect their higher-ups..." The old reptile kept his eyes fixed on hers with a half-smile on his face. Fafnir was skilled at quickly figuring out what made others tick (and what ticked them off), and he was curious to see what this Tanya was about.
"Lead the way then, hm..?"
Kayla
"You're a survivor Kayla, the fact you've survived this long is testament to your skill at surviving. But are you simply going to give up because you came up against a bully? I expected a lot more of you I must say, fight him Kayla. You'll have my help if you need it and believe me I've dealt with plenty of bullies over the years."
Kay held eye contact with Shadow as the older wildcat talked, her face stoic, except for a few more tears that fought their way out of her eye. This was the first time anyone had seemed to really, truly understand what had happened to her over those months on board the Blood Leacher. When Shadow finished talking, Kay tried to answer, but couldn't. Instead, she looked over the older cat's shoulder to meet Benny's eyes, or what she could see of them behind the familiar frosty glass.
"I...I..." She looked back at Shadow, and was suddenly overwhelmed by a flood of emotion.
The little cat crumpled where she stood, falling forward into Shadow's arms, weeping.
Tanya Rainblade-Ryalor
Choosing to ignore the comparatively massive monitor's slight on her captaining methods, the diminutive vixen instead devoted her anxious attention to Anithias, tattered ears swivelling as the todd rejected his rank before all in the face of the fearsome captain. Her sad eyes tracked the movements of his rank stripes as they were cast to the deck, and for some time, all she could hear muttering inside her head was the same mantra, Good 'Gates, this lizard will be the death of my ship, spoken in so many different ways; spiteful, fearful inflections, or screaming rage, perhaps, that had her torn for which to display as the safest option. It was always the same words, though: Good 'Gates, this lizard will be the death of my ship.
"Lead the way then, hm..?" .
Resurfacing with an awkward blink, Tanya coughed and frowned as she gave Fafnir a quick nod. "Indeed. Somewhere a slight more private'd be appropriate" she muttered, turning on one booted heel and stalking off to the far side of the ship almost too fast for her peg-legged follower to keep up. Leaning against the railings once there, the admiral splayed her small, scarred paws and inspected them briefly, twisting a ring on her left thumb and watching how the light rays glanced off of the polished stones. Once all possible interest had been extracted from the jewellery, she proceeded to sweep her gaze up to the oceans, then the skies – anything to avoid her gaze resting on those terrifyingly sharp fangs which could tear her flesh to pieces or stare back into those cold, reptilian eyes. She was fully aware that it was only several sheets of signed parchment and a pretty little badge that prevented her from being torn to pieces for what she was saying – and the truth of that terrified her beneath the surface – but hopefully the bureaucratic barriers would save her from the wrath of this new captain. Well, there was only one way to find out...
"Awight Harlgren, I'll make this brief an' blunt. This crew is a family. They respect their superiors when 's needed, and when it's been earned. I ran this ship in a lax manner, but this lot, they don' conform to regular Navy. Half of 'em aren't in their right minds and the others are upstarts who'd be kicked out with the reg'lar rules. They need to be listened to. We don't bend to tyrant-like systems an' killing a member of crew should not be condoned by a captain. This might be your ship, Fafnir, but you ain't a pirate no more. Either you respect that an' shape up to care for this lot, or you'll find yiself in more deep water than I'd care to detail. Personally, I can' understand how they let an ex-Turncoat like you take command of this ship."
Finally, she turned to the lizard and nodded at him briskly.
"'Owever, in spite of any misgivings, you 'aven’t done enough to earn me mistrust. I'll be selectin' this vessel as my flagship an' stickin' around, but won't be in yeh way unless there's trouble – you 'ave more than enough experience in running a ship, so I trust yeh completely with its running. Jes'... try not to kill too many. Good crew are a mite expensive these days, right?"
Giving a perfectly crooked smile, the Admiral stuck out a paw hopefully.
"Welcome aboard, Captain."
Fafnir E. Harlgren
The admiral's perfectly crooked smile was matched, and with a flick of the fingers as if shooing off a gnat the lizard put a scaled hand in the other's paw. His grip tightened hard, claws pressing against her skin. "You may be an admiral, but it seems you still have some to learn... Firstly, your Imperium's as corrupt as any other, I assure... Or else —indeed — how would a beast like me be able to accomplish the things I have, hm...? Secondly, if one truly wants to lead to the best of their ability, then the whole 'crew as family' system just don't work..."
Fafnir's fingers let loose their hold on her paw, and his hand fell back. Then, with a tilt of the head and a friendly smile, he went on in an agreeable tone. "But alright, we can keep it your way. Don't think this old scrap only knows one thing. I'll keep my blade still. There's always other ways to handle things... yes, yes.. very right..." The monitor lizard nodded in a knowing manner and dragged a hand along his jaw. "You will be available if I have any further questions or advice, won't you..? I do want to fit in best I can, and I'm sure you could offer much wisdom in that."
The muscles on his face were relaxed such that his expression offered no clue to his true emotions or intent. He was acting in a sincere enough manner though. But can you ever know for sure...? Nah... oh well...
Shadow
"I..I.."
Shadow did indeed catch the wildcat. She picked the shorter wildcat up and returned to her seat with her before taking a seat again. She waited quietly and simply held Kayla until she calmed down. The older wildcat had reckoned this would happen and that it was a long time coming. She looked down at the other wildcat and began to sing quietly.
“Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird.
If that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.
If that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's going to buy you a looking glass.”
The song was a well-known old song, one that she had sung to her own children when they were younger. She purred gently as she finished singing and nodded to a weasel as he entered the room with a tray and set it on the table. The albino gently lifted Kayla’s head and pointed to the bowl on the table. “Ever had ginger and tomato soup my dear? Ginger’s a great natural healer. For the body and for the mind.” She gently tapped the side of the other wildcat’s head. “Mind you, I realise that herbs will not solve this, I was never that foolish.”
She brought the tray forward so that Kayla could reach it. “Please eat, no doubt Fafnir has starved you as part of his games. After that I’d like to have a look at your eye please.”
Kayla
Kay listened to Shadow with an upturned face and pricked ears as she sang, and was unable to stop herself from crying through parts of the song. It was just so comforting and warm, so safe. When Shadow offered the soup, Kay took it without comment and started to eat. Once she started, the cat realized just how hungry she really was and started to devour it with a vengeance. It was her first real meal in months.
When the meal was finished, she allowed Shadow to inspect her eye, although it took every ounce of resolve in the little cat's body to let her touch it. She was shaking as she removed the patch.
"Shadow...I... will. Will you help me? I can't do this..." She looked the other cat in the eye, wincing as she admitted it. It hurt the little bit of pride she had left to admit her weakness, especially to a cat as strong as Shadow, who didn't seem to have ever wavered.
Benjamin (Spike) Blake
He hadn't moved from his position, not even when challenged on his feelings for the dear little cat by Shadow, remaining tucked away in the corner with an expression wrought of stone as he watched Kayla's progress with horror and guilt. Behind the inscrutable barrier of his filthy glasses, the dark eyes shimmered with the prospect of unshed tears – indeed, Spike couldn't recollect ever crying in front of another best since he was a kit, and even then such acts had been discouraged by his father and labelled as an act of weakness. Deigning to stay strong for the both of them, Spike apparently remained unmoved, despite the wrenching, twisting guilt that constricted his lungs from air enough to speak and sent cold steel through his tendons to prevent him moving to embrace the wreck. Why had he not looked more thoroughly? Made more direct questions? Risked it all and tried to beat it out of Fafnir?
At least she was alive, even if he had failed, and now... Shadow could handle everything. That feline always could, and today was no different. He was most likely not going to be of any help to the ruined little queen who cried and slumped against that old pillar of strength, that motherly creature. He wasn't needed-in fact, it was debatable if he ever had been; what with Kayla and himself never really discussing their relationship, or himself ever admitting to how he felt about the quirky, bubbly cat he'd danced with on her first day, it wasn't as if there was concrete evidence to suggest the feeling was mutual. The distinct fear that he had blown all emotions out of proportion prickled a heat under his skin, and it made him fidget slightly. His expression wavered into something more solid – anxiety, longing or misery, perhaps –before he swallowed hard and turned away, wondering if it was better that he leave.
I am so... so sorry, Kayla.
