Jeshal the Ironclaw
Captain of the BlackShip
Staff member
Officer: Captain (Commander)
Fortuna Survivor
- Character Biography
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(The Golden Hide's second mate returns. Jeshal discusses crew discipline and silently reflects on conflicted feelings for Tanya. Starring: Xhavek Mokorai, Jeshal the Ironclaw, Sorrona Ashpaw, Glimmer, Tanya Ryalor (now Keltoi), Will Wanderpaw, and Lovette Vendella)
MONSTER REBORN
First post Frimary 17, Yr. 1730
Xhavek Mokorai
The dark figure stomped up the gangplank not even bothering with the protocol of hailing the crew for permission. It wore an odd gray armor made from some sort of exotic leather which covered it from head to toe. It was obviously a reptile of sorts because it had a long thick tail even if it was covered in armor, the tail tip of which had short but razor sharp spikes on it as did the pauldrons, shins and gauntlets. It did not wear a helm but a hooded cloak also made from this same strange leather but much lighter.
The noonday sun peeked its head from its cloud cover to glint dramatically off the metal spikes adorning the armor but this also made the weapons borne by the beast all that much easier to see. Not that the creature was trying to hide them.
In its right claw a long harpoon with a serrated tip clacked against its ghastly ornaments. For tied to it, like gruesome talismans were skulls and not just two or three but a great multitude. There seemed to be one skull for every species of vermin. There was a fox, a weasel, a ferret, all the way down to a toad's broad cranium. The extra weight of the skeletal totems seemed to bother the beast not at all as it slowly took stock of its surroundings. On its right hip it wore a quiver with an unstrung shortbow resting inside it, and on the opposite side a wooden dagger with serrated shark's teeth for the blade. It took a keen eye however to notice that even the gauntlets were a deadly weapon for the fingertips were slightly longer the needful and had sharp like a stiletto knife.
Then the figure smiled and pulled down his hood revealing a scarred but familiar face; Xhavek Mokorai. However, familiar as it was, great changes had occurred in him as it was obvious from the marring of his face. For a quartet of scars more or less evenly parallel ran vertically down the right side of his scaly features from where his forehead became the top to just above his thin lips the scars reached. Furthermore judging from their shape a beast familiar with things medical would know that they were made by the claws of a wildcat. Worse, or seemingly so, Xhavek's right eye was no longer the piercing ice blue that his left remained, no it was now a soulless snowy white apparently blind. However the contraction of its milky pupil when introduced to the sun's direct light revealed the truth, his eye was merely discoloured by the wound not blinded.
His easily recognizable manic grin spread wide, mimicking the grim smiles of the skulls entwined with his harpoon, as he looked about at the Golden Hide. He was truly home again.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
It was not long before the news of Mokorai's arrival reached the captain. Word passed from timid rat, to less timid stoat, to higher classes until one brave beast, having not found a single officer through poor searching powers, decided to knock on Jeshal's door and bolt clean away. Here the communication stopped, but it was enough for the Ironclaw to wander to his door and peer out onto the deck.
Now there was a sight for stinging eyes. The battle-worn monitor, Xhavek Mokorai, his Second Mate, stood plainly in view, armoured and deadlier than ever. Jeshal almost had to blink not to imagine Fafnir in the creature's place.
The copper fox gave a large grin and spread his paws wide as he approached.
"Mokorai, me ol' matey! Ye've returned! Ah, but if ye don' be lookin' like ye went to 'ellgates itself an' stole ol' Asmodeus's breakfast on the way out."
Xhavek Mokorai
"Mokorai, me ol' matey! Ye've returned! Ah, but if ye don' be lookin' like ye went to 'ellgates itself an' stole ol' Asmodeus's breakfast on the way out."
The voice encroaching on the nearly eerie silence on deck caused Xhavek to immediately stand straighter. The short monitor slowly turned to regard his eccentric captain. The broad maniac grin on Xhavek's face receded into a smaller half rueful one. He snapped off a polite salute then took his own ease and leaned against his sturdy harpoon, the skulls clacking almost as if in a merry greeting.
"And you look like a captain who'z been off cauzing trouble vithout hiz favorite lizard to do it for him." Xhavek smirked. "In truth zat'z a fair azzezzment of vhat I've been doing. In fact I vouldn't be zurprized if Ol' Nazty Britchez himzelf didn't rize out of ze vater to berate me about ze zudden increaze of vorthlezz soulz being found at hiz doorztep. Heh at leazt zat vay I'd have a chanze to kick hiz zorry hide around ze dockz a few timez for all ze headachez he givez Bully'z fair zitizenz."
Xhavek stepped forward and extended his claw to be clasped. "Itz good to zee you again mine friend. Mine impromptu vacation took much longer zen I expected. But firzt to buzinezz! Who'z been laziezt vhile I've been gone and how badly do you vant zem punished?" The vicious grin Xhavek gave his captain would have sent shivers right down even a corpse's spine.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
Jeshal took a certain amount of delight in the trace of sadism that Mokorai radiated. The monitor had a passion for violence far more widespread than the Ironclaw's desires, and although he could never fully trust anyone, he respected Xhavek. Everyone had their way of working, and Mokorai preferred it to end in a sum of gilders. Jeshal was very much aware that the beating heart of the Kreehold hovered largely about his ship. He knew well enough to tread carefully. There were plenty of reasons to be a good investor. To be able to pay off your assassins when the going got rough was an option the Ironclaw liked to keep under his belt.
The copper todd took Xhavek's claw in his fur paw to indicate his sincerity.
"Ah business. Ye always did love yer business. 'Tis me hope that idleness be dwindlin'. Me apologies ter be spoilin' yer fun, matey, but we should give 'em a courtesy o' realisin' ye're back, says I. One last bit o' dallyin' afore we bring the boulders down the hill. Keep yer eye... on the recruits an' some o' the younger officers..."
Jeshal trailed off and let his expression become serious. He studied the new scars upon Xhavek's face.
"Ye've been through much, 'ave ye not? Come, let us off ter the galley fer a proper welcome, says I, then per'aps ye may choose ter regale yer cap'n wi' yer doin's?"
Xhavek Mokorai
((Tiny auto, will edit if needed))
"Ah business. Ye always did love yer business. 'Tis me hope that idleness be dwindlin'. Me apologies ter be spoilin' yer fun, matey, but we should give 'em a courtesy o' realisin' ye're back, says I. One last bit o' dallyin' afore we bring the boulders down the hill. Keep yer eye... on the recruits an' some o' the younger officers..."
Xhavek's smiled lessened not a whit as Jeshal called him off the hunt. It didn't matter really, if the captain thought the crew needed time that Xhavek would wait. Of course Ironclaw hadn’t ORDERED Xhavek to stand down but he got the point none the less. He shook his captain's paw heartily regardless and nodded.
"Aye I underztand vell enough Cap'n. And you'll have to tell me more about ze recruitz ve've had vhile I've been gone."
Xhavek watched Jeshal carefully as the calculating todd's expression became more serious. Xhavek knew that no matter what Jeshal said he was a calculating manipulative bugger and Xhavek had to respect that. Like it, no, but respect definitely.
"Ye've been through much, 'ave ye not? Come, let us off ter the galley fer a proper welcome, says I, then per'aps ye may choose ter regale yer cap'n wi' yer doin's?"
"A good ale and zome vittlez zoundz real nize about now. Az for ze ztorytellin' zorry Captain but nobody haz ze privilege or ze right to azk after zat. It'z perzonal and I'd rather not zpeak of it."
Even this vague reference sent unwished memories rushing to the surface of the short reptile's mind threatening to overwhelm him. However he forced his thoughts back into order even as the screams cstopped echoing in his mind. Some things no beast needed to learn.
"Come on ze food'z not getting any varmer!" Once more Xhavek grinned and wrapped his arm companionably around Jeshal's shoulder as he walked towards the belowdecks entrance.
Jeshal the Ironclaw/Sorrona Ashpaw
"I be keepin' an eye on 'im fer now," Jeshal was saying, adding a touch of pepper to his broth. He smiled at Xhavek who was sitting opposite him at one of the galley tables. The captain did not designate any table to belong to officers. He preferred to sit amongst the crew and keep an ear open about their thoughts and concerns. There was a lot going on about cake. "As fer Rock'eart? I like 'er. Uses 'er brain, that one, though sometimes I be wonderin' where 'alf those thoughts be really goin'."
He picked up a raised voice and turned his gaze to a rough-looking weasel snarling abuse at Sorrona. The creature shoved his bowl away from him and curled his lip contemptuously whilst the wildcatess absorbed every word in silence. As though he had never listened, the Ironclaw resumed speaking to Xhavek.
"Things be gettin' shaky, Mokorai. Oh, there's been a long year at least o' beasts wi' the woodlander syndrome, says I, but I fear the tide be turnin' stronger than we'd like. It ain't startin' at the cake."
Sorrona drifted past the table. Jeshal's claw clamped about her wrist. From within her dark hood, Miss Ashpaw's eyes gleamed with a crazed resistance that seared him to the core. He blinked once and watched the fire disappear in an instant. His grip loosened and he gave her a look that must have been kindness.
"I... I do not theenk I can be Cook much longerr, sirre," she said. "Theengs as they arre, we need someone morre skilled. Therre is only so much I can do."
Jeshal nodded and released her. He took another sip of his broth.
"Things be changin', Xhavek. Ye're livin' proof."
The Ironclaw unscrewed the top of the pepperpot and slowly tipped the entire contents into his bowl.
Xhavek Mokorai/Glimmer
"Aye zat I am." Xhavek ran an ebon claw along the right most scar which just barely touched the corner of his eye. He was lucky he hadn't lost it he knew but it still irked him that he had been sloppy enough to get it in the first place. Then again he had been fighting for three days straight without sleep when he got it so it wasn't like he was completely himself at the time.
Then Glimmer bounced up to them and placed a plate of steaming hot fish in front of Xhavek (bouncing being the best way to describe such an overly active step). "Here Papa! I made it jes the way you like eet!" Then looking serious for a moment she darted forward and hugged the short monitor fiercely. " I'm glad you're home Papa." Then she was off again. Xhavek stared after her shaking his head slowly.
"She'z an example of change az vell. Not only haz she ztarted calling me 'father' her zpeaking haz become more mature, she uzez kit-zpeak lezz. I don't know if it'z a good or a bad zign." The cold-eyed lizard shook his head again and dug into the fish. He wasn't sure what kind it was but it didn't matter. It was delicious. Tearing into it and ignoring his utensils he hissed with pleasure. "Very good," he said between bites, "zo a little too cooked for mine tazte."
"Zo, Captain, exactly how dizcontent of a crew are ve talking? I need to know before I put zome backbone into zem. I can read ze new recruitz now zat you've given me zeir backgroundz however I need to know how ze rezt are." His eyes flicked briefly to the weasel a crewbeast he knew as Ruscoe Dackwood. "Beaztz like him. He oughta know better Zorrona'z doing ze bezt she can. She'z more of an herbalizt zen a cook and itz beaztz like him who give ze voodlander vannabe'z ground to ztand on. Ve're vermin by Krok-torin'z clawz! Ve're zuppozed to be viciouz! It'z in our nature. Anyvun who zayz different iz zmokin too much zage." He snorted irritably his short rant finished, for now.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
Jeshal smirked as Glimmer bestowed her affection upon Mokorai. He was never sure what to make of the manic little creature, but perhaps she kept Xhavek from going over the edge. The monitor was better as a controlled killer, savage but controlled. The Ironclaw wondered if Glimmer had ever seen Xhavek with the light of battle in his eyes and viscera dripping from his claws.
"Zo, Captain, exactly how dizcontent of a crew are ve talking? I need to know before I put zome backbone into zem. I can read ze new recruitz now zat you've given me zeir backgroundz however I need to know how ze rezt are."
The captain's tail brushed the floor beneath his bench as he considered. "Lot o' them miss ol' Freedom an' can't say I be blamin' 'em sometimes. They be used ter bein' bone idle whilst findin' ways around 'is rulebook. Furthermore, aside from the money conundrum, they trusted 'im. Me? 'Alf the time they don't be knowin' if they wants ter pat me on the back or stab me in it. But I be likin' it that way." Jeshal grinned. "If ye know where ye stands with a cap'n, ye think ye know better'n 'im. Ye starts ter think 'I know worr e's like, I can do be'er'."
He twiddled his spoon in his paw, studying the way his reflection inverted.
"They be gettin' used ter me. I ain't their enemy if they plays by me rules. Even Redford's startin' ter come around ter the idea that I ain't evil incarnate. Even started doin' 'is work a bit more now. Keep an eye on 'im. Larks is fine, but impressionable an' worryin' too much about Chaos. Watch that'n too. Mostly 'e be just a pain in the 'indquarters but 'e's capable o' more. I don't be likin' this waverin' balance, though, Mokorai. 'Alf the crew be on the verge o' anti-violence protests an' the other 'alf be cryin' fer blood. Keep tabs on who be on what side, an' look out fer which way the scales be tipped."
Jeshal noticed Dackwood readying to leave. He mopped up a good portion of his broth with a hunk of bread and wolfed it down quickly before getting to his feet.
"Beggin' yer pardon..." he said as Dackwood was passing.
The weasel turned, a little surprised. "Wot? Oh, er, aye, Cap'n?"
Jeshal looked at him fiercely. "Ye're a swift-footed beast, are ye not? Think ye can carry a message fer me?"
"Aye, I think I can do that."
"Good lad."
The Ironclaw did not rely on strength, but speed and thought. His fur paw slid the quarter-full soup bowl to the edge of the table. With a graceful step he was at Dackwood's side, the metal claw grasping the scruff of his neck. Jeshal slammed Ruscoe's face into the hot, over-peppered broth. Dackwood screamed. Bringing his head back up, the captain gave the writhing Dackwood his discomfiting smile.
"Now, matey, ye be goin' ter take me bowl back ter Miss Ashpaw, an' ye be goin' ter thank 'er fer a grand job. After that ye won't be permitted ter say a word. Scrub the pots an' mop the galley floor. If I 'ear from anybeast that a single syllable 'as spouted from yer gob before next morn, the least ye'll be worryin' about will be whether anybeast 'as spat in yer vittles. Get gone."
The whimpering Dackwood tried to save face with an angry glare, but the pain and the awful piercing stare belonging to the Ironclaw shattered it. The weasel snatched up the bowl and dashed out of the galley.
Jeshal took his seat once more and smiled placidly at Xhavek. "Ye said somethin' about our vicious natures? I'm inclined ter disagree." The fox's nose wrinkled at the joke.
Tanya Ryalor
(Hope nobeast minds me blatant auto of the dear abused Dakky X3)
Stumbling for the large doors that separated kitchens from galley as he scurried away from the captain's violent admonishment, Ruscoe, bowl clasped to his chest and hardly able to see through the stinging haze of peppery soup, careened through the doors only to yelp as he collided with something small but surprisingly sturdy. Blinking painfully, he just about made out the hazy sight of a pair of blazing green eyes and metal-capped fangs.
"Soup's on, then?"
Bursting into a muted sob-come-scream, Dackwood sprang away as if she had clawed him and ran to fling himself at Sorrona in bawled apology.
Blinking slowly as she stood in the middle of the doorway as an awkward silence filled in her space, Tanya collected her composure with a low cough and twitch of her bandanna before slipping further into the galley. Previously the admiral had been using her more refined skills of blending into the background in order to poke about the kitchens in the hope of pocketing a few extra bits and pieces to augment the usually bland meals with later that evening when a series of thuds and shrieks from the other side had snagged her curiosity. Sneaking into the shadowy corners of the expansive room, it didn't take long to see where many heads had been turned and clock the culprit as Jeshal. A small smile flitted on her thin muzzle at sight of his smug snicker as he spoke across the table, finding herself surprisingly approving of his rare few flashes of vindictive attitude: aye, Jeshal, show those soft-hearted idiots that you can run this ship properly.
And then she caught sight of his companion and the oxygen in the room seemed to disappear.
Xhavek. Well, it was a surprise: she'd thought him up and gone in the night like the majority of her friends had in the past. Despite being far used to these kinds of returns, the feeling of abandonment and betrayal in the sensitive fox rankled, and childish as it was, she felt far more bitter than relieved to see the brutish lizard back again: he'd left without a word, without a goodbye, just to come rolling home in smug glory. Just like her idiot of a brother. Would he follow the trend to up and kill himself in a few more months too?
Slowly she approached, sidling up to the table with heavy bootsteps until she stood at the end directly between Xhavek and Jeshal. Resting her paws on the table, short little claws bit into the woodwork as her dangerously level voice muttered to the scarred lizard.
"Where've you been." It wasn't a question.
Xhavek Mokorai
Xhavek had caught sight of the diminutive vixen out of the corner of his eye and had tracked her warily as she approached the two seated males. Out of all of the reactions he feared he would get from his friends Xhavek had been most concerned about Tanya's. And with her level I'm-gonna-gut-you tone, he had a right to be. She was good with that cutlass.
"Where've you been."
Xhavek took a moment to study his former captain, now admiral. She hadn't changed, not a whit. Xhavek resisted the smile that attempted to work its way to his lips. That would only make her madder at him. The lizard sighed heavily and turned to address her squarely his mismatched blue and white eyes staring coldly back into her steely green ones.
"I vaz home. And I vill not tell you any more zen zat. Bezidez I zink zaying zat iz enough. For any of uz who vere around back zen," after a long pause the short monitor continued, "I'm tired Tox, zo very tired. But it'z good to be vhere I belong again."
Xhavek leaned over and lifted his harpoon from under the bench, its gruesome ornaments clacking almost happily. He eyed Jeshal then Tanya and set the spear upon the table, then slowly began the process of disarming himself, placing each weapon on the table.
Once all his assorted instruments of death-dealing were shed he stood. And turned to stare blankly at his friend Tanya. And then he stepped forward and hugged her.
"I mizzed you mine friend." He stood back feeling awkward now but glad that he had embraced her. She needed the reassurance that he was here.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
A tankard of over-watered grog to his muzzle, Jeshal's senses were slightly delayed in realising someone was standing beside him. He had heard the bootsteps, but the knowledge that they were approaching his table evaded him. The briefest flicker of surprise registered when he saw it was Tanya. She didn't look impressed. With interest, the Ironclaw observed her claws sinking into the table.
"Where've you been." It was directed at Mokorai. The monitor gave a sigh and began to lay weapon after weapon upon the table. Jeshal held back his astonishment at their number, merely continuing to sip from his vessel.
As Xhavek got up and hugged Tanya, the copper todd scooted across his bench, leaving a vacancy. If the tension were diffused enough, it offered a place for Tanya to sit. If it were to escalate, at least he'd be further away. Self-preservation and all that.
Tanya Ryalor
The conflict of impulses Tanya underwent as Xhavek slowly disarmed himself and hugged her skinny frame left the admiral looking cold. As the scaly embrace tightened about her, the vixen's little paws twitched subconsciously in desire to hug the short monitor back; she'd dearly missed his carefree attitude, dependability and no-nonsense wisdom were often a solace of sorts to her when one too many voices were roaring in her head. Unfortunately her wounded pride and flared temper battled to keep her still furious at the lizard's betrayal and make her push him away, say something snide-fortunately he stepped away first, but leaving more voices than she'd started with.
>I can't believe the stupid bugger thinks an 'oh, I left' is enough answer!
-He probably got caught out, his family aren't the nicest creatures, remember? We can't just expect him to tell us every little thing that goes on. I'm just wishing he'd said goodbye
>No note, no spoken farewell, he abandoned us!
-He didn't mean to, right? I can't believe we need him anyway-we survived...
>He probably did: Valdrisk was the same when he came back and now look where he is.
It's not that I hate him, just
>I'm furious-
-upset-
Terrified that he'll leave again.
Slowly, Tanya flicked her ragged ears and blew a long sigh. Blinking, she dropped her gaze from Xhavek's steady stare and shrugged like an awkward teenager, muttering something under her breath before sliding into the seat vacated by Jeshal. Looking oddly tired, the diminutive fox dug a splinter out from the tabletop and spoke in almost a whisper.
"Nice t'ave yeh back."
Xhavek Mokorai/Will Wanderpaw
Before taking his seat again the short reptile took a moment to look at the pair of captains, one former and one current. His now mismatched eyes narrowed as he stared at them. "You know zomething? You two vould make a good couple if you veren't zo focuzed on driving each other crazy. And zpeaking of crazy..."
Xhavek turned from them and drew back his head drawing in air like a great bellows, his chest swelling out visibly even through the armor. Then he roared out in a cry that, if it had shaken the very foundations of Bouillabaise nobeast would have been surprised, "VILLLLHELLLLLMMMMM~!" And promptly sat down.
Sure enough the sound of paws slamming onto the wood of the ship came and there he was in all his worn-out-from-sprinting glory, Willhelm Wanderpaw the Hide's very own shy cave rat. Xhavek sat there grinning back at his panting blood brother for a few seconds, enjoying Will's obvious relief/astonishment.
"Are you going to ztand zere all day or are you going to grab a drink and a zeat?"
The slim rat laughed tiredly and wisped past, (for truly it could hardly be said that such a thin and quiet beast ever 'walked' anywhere) and soon returned with a strawberry cordial and sat beside his shorter reptilian brother. He spoke in his quiet lilting whisper, "Welcome home Xhav."
"And zome velcome it’z been! I mean nary a beazt haz offered to buy me drinkz later at ze Bilge! Honeztly zome creaturez." Xhavek sat there shaking his head in mock pity. "I guezz zeir mother'z never taught zem zat a good homecoming in a drunken vun."
Jeshal the Ironclaw
Grog trickled from Jeshal's good paw to the boards beneath the table. Xhavek's suggestion had caused him to choke, which the captain disguised as a sneeze, catching the offending liquid in his paw on its return journey.
Couple? For a moment the todd's had nerves quavered. Fool of a lizard. As though he had interest in her, the one he had worked so hard to find, to manoeuvre himself into closer and closer quarters. As if he would risk his chance for revenge for something as petty as affection. He almost snorted with indignance but memories clouded his thoughts: the clutch of her claws on his promotion night; the times he saw her alone; the sound of her voice, her true voice. His conscience nagged him:
Why did you leave her a black rose in her Giftsgiving stocking?
- Because it was ambiguous. A beautiful token, or an omen of death.
You could have just left her a lily.
Mercifully, Xhavek let out a painfully loud roar, summoning little Wanderpaw to the galley. The small rat soon returned with his own drink and joined the companions at table.
"Welcome home Xhav," Will said softly.
"And zome velcome it’z been! I mean nary a beazt haz offered to buy me drinkz later at ze Bilge! Honeztly zome creaturez. I guezz zeir mother'z never taught zem zat a good homecoming is a drunken vun."
Shrugging off his anxieties, Jeshal used his fear to fuel playfulness. The Ironclaw grinned and raised what was left of his grog in a toasting agreement.
"Aye, we'd've started the moment ye set claw on deck, if only the Adm'ral could 'old 'er drink."
Lovette Vendella
Throughout this dramatic encounter, a pair of feline ears had been deeply attuned to the on-goings. It was one of the newer recruits, a female wildcat, seated at a table to the right of the audacious group. She sat alone, her eyes downcast to the table's wooden structure, as if mesmerized by the texture, her paws twirling an untouched bowl of soup with a wooden spoon.
She occasionally raised her head to observe the room with her eyes, taking in key points of the interaction that were not contained in the traveling sounds. The small vixen's approach, the hug shared between her and the lizard, the weasel sobbing from pain near the kitchen. Within seconds of registering the visual, her head would go back down to her soup.
The lizard appeared to be familiar to the ship, his departure temporary. He also looked like he could kill anybeast in this room if necessary. His eyes, one blue, another white (was he blind?), glistened with a hint of insanity. His massive collection of weapons on his person made her highly uneasy. Who were these creatures? That they would be so bloodlustful?
The captain seemed eccentric to say the least. She'd yet to be introduced to him. She'd managed to avoid such uncomfortable business as handling over papers since her arrival. That's not to say she was illegally here, but beast skills were not her forte. Observe and divulge them as subjects, yes, but actual interactions felt forced to her and she felt, were best left out.
The other beast, who she assumed was another higher up but couldn't place it, was the small vixen. She seemed to have some sort of grudge or withheld feelings for the lizard, as her words seemed to be dripped in some sort of toxin. As if words could be wounds yet perpetrated.
All of them were settling down now, the captain having retreated and another beast joining their ranks, a rat by the sound of his voice. Whatever was going on, it was clear they all knew each other. She stirred her spoon some more. Tis certainly a cold soup by this time...
From the sound of things, there was going to be a crew call on deck within the hour, as soon as these higher ups had established themselves socially. It looked as if it might be a while, especially if they were as apt to start drinking as the rat who had descended to the table.
MONSTER REBORN
First post Frimary 17, Yr. 1730
Xhavek Mokorai
The dark figure stomped up the gangplank not even bothering with the protocol of hailing the crew for permission. It wore an odd gray armor made from some sort of exotic leather which covered it from head to toe. It was obviously a reptile of sorts because it had a long thick tail even if it was covered in armor, the tail tip of which had short but razor sharp spikes on it as did the pauldrons, shins and gauntlets. It did not wear a helm but a hooded cloak also made from this same strange leather but much lighter.
The noonday sun peeked its head from its cloud cover to glint dramatically off the metal spikes adorning the armor but this also made the weapons borne by the beast all that much easier to see. Not that the creature was trying to hide them.
In its right claw a long harpoon with a serrated tip clacked against its ghastly ornaments. For tied to it, like gruesome talismans were skulls and not just two or three but a great multitude. There seemed to be one skull for every species of vermin. There was a fox, a weasel, a ferret, all the way down to a toad's broad cranium. The extra weight of the skeletal totems seemed to bother the beast not at all as it slowly took stock of its surroundings. On its right hip it wore a quiver with an unstrung shortbow resting inside it, and on the opposite side a wooden dagger with serrated shark's teeth for the blade. It took a keen eye however to notice that even the gauntlets were a deadly weapon for the fingertips were slightly longer the needful and had sharp like a stiletto knife.
Then the figure smiled and pulled down his hood revealing a scarred but familiar face; Xhavek Mokorai. However, familiar as it was, great changes had occurred in him as it was obvious from the marring of his face. For a quartet of scars more or less evenly parallel ran vertically down the right side of his scaly features from where his forehead became the top to just above his thin lips the scars reached. Furthermore judging from their shape a beast familiar with things medical would know that they were made by the claws of a wildcat. Worse, or seemingly so, Xhavek's right eye was no longer the piercing ice blue that his left remained, no it was now a soulless snowy white apparently blind. However the contraction of its milky pupil when introduced to the sun's direct light revealed the truth, his eye was merely discoloured by the wound not blinded.
His easily recognizable manic grin spread wide, mimicking the grim smiles of the skulls entwined with his harpoon, as he looked about at the Golden Hide. He was truly home again.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
It was not long before the news of Mokorai's arrival reached the captain. Word passed from timid rat, to less timid stoat, to higher classes until one brave beast, having not found a single officer through poor searching powers, decided to knock on Jeshal's door and bolt clean away. Here the communication stopped, but it was enough for the Ironclaw to wander to his door and peer out onto the deck.
Now there was a sight for stinging eyes. The battle-worn monitor, Xhavek Mokorai, his Second Mate, stood plainly in view, armoured and deadlier than ever. Jeshal almost had to blink not to imagine Fafnir in the creature's place.
The copper fox gave a large grin and spread his paws wide as he approached.
"Mokorai, me ol' matey! Ye've returned! Ah, but if ye don' be lookin' like ye went to 'ellgates itself an' stole ol' Asmodeus's breakfast on the way out."
Xhavek Mokorai
"Mokorai, me ol' matey! Ye've returned! Ah, but if ye don' be lookin' like ye went to 'ellgates itself an' stole ol' Asmodeus's breakfast on the way out."
The voice encroaching on the nearly eerie silence on deck caused Xhavek to immediately stand straighter. The short monitor slowly turned to regard his eccentric captain. The broad maniac grin on Xhavek's face receded into a smaller half rueful one. He snapped off a polite salute then took his own ease and leaned against his sturdy harpoon, the skulls clacking almost as if in a merry greeting.
"And you look like a captain who'z been off cauzing trouble vithout hiz favorite lizard to do it for him." Xhavek smirked. "In truth zat'z a fair azzezzment of vhat I've been doing. In fact I vouldn't be zurprized if Ol' Nazty Britchez himzelf didn't rize out of ze vater to berate me about ze zudden increaze of vorthlezz soulz being found at hiz doorztep. Heh at leazt zat vay I'd have a chanze to kick hiz zorry hide around ze dockz a few timez for all ze headachez he givez Bully'z fair zitizenz."
Xhavek stepped forward and extended his claw to be clasped. "Itz good to zee you again mine friend. Mine impromptu vacation took much longer zen I expected. But firzt to buzinezz! Who'z been laziezt vhile I've been gone and how badly do you vant zem punished?" The vicious grin Xhavek gave his captain would have sent shivers right down even a corpse's spine.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
Jeshal took a certain amount of delight in the trace of sadism that Mokorai radiated. The monitor had a passion for violence far more widespread than the Ironclaw's desires, and although he could never fully trust anyone, he respected Xhavek. Everyone had their way of working, and Mokorai preferred it to end in a sum of gilders. Jeshal was very much aware that the beating heart of the Kreehold hovered largely about his ship. He knew well enough to tread carefully. There were plenty of reasons to be a good investor. To be able to pay off your assassins when the going got rough was an option the Ironclaw liked to keep under his belt.
The copper todd took Xhavek's claw in his fur paw to indicate his sincerity.
"Ah business. Ye always did love yer business. 'Tis me hope that idleness be dwindlin'. Me apologies ter be spoilin' yer fun, matey, but we should give 'em a courtesy o' realisin' ye're back, says I. One last bit o' dallyin' afore we bring the boulders down the hill. Keep yer eye... on the recruits an' some o' the younger officers..."
Jeshal trailed off and let his expression become serious. He studied the new scars upon Xhavek's face.
"Ye've been through much, 'ave ye not? Come, let us off ter the galley fer a proper welcome, says I, then per'aps ye may choose ter regale yer cap'n wi' yer doin's?"
Xhavek Mokorai
((Tiny auto, will edit if needed))
"Ah business. Ye always did love yer business. 'Tis me hope that idleness be dwindlin'. Me apologies ter be spoilin' yer fun, matey, but we should give 'em a courtesy o' realisin' ye're back, says I. One last bit o' dallyin' afore we bring the boulders down the hill. Keep yer eye... on the recruits an' some o' the younger officers..."
Xhavek's smiled lessened not a whit as Jeshal called him off the hunt. It didn't matter really, if the captain thought the crew needed time that Xhavek would wait. Of course Ironclaw hadn’t ORDERED Xhavek to stand down but he got the point none the less. He shook his captain's paw heartily regardless and nodded.
"Aye I underztand vell enough Cap'n. And you'll have to tell me more about ze recruitz ve've had vhile I've been gone."
Xhavek watched Jeshal carefully as the calculating todd's expression became more serious. Xhavek knew that no matter what Jeshal said he was a calculating manipulative bugger and Xhavek had to respect that. Like it, no, but respect definitely.
"Ye've been through much, 'ave ye not? Come, let us off ter the galley fer a proper welcome, says I, then per'aps ye may choose ter regale yer cap'n wi' yer doin's?"
"A good ale and zome vittlez zoundz real nize about now. Az for ze ztorytellin' zorry Captain but nobody haz ze privilege or ze right to azk after zat. It'z perzonal and I'd rather not zpeak of it."
Even this vague reference sent unwished memories rushing to the surface of the short reptile's mind threatening to overwhelm him. However he forced his thoughts back into order even as the screams cstopped echoing in his mind. Some things no beast needed to learn.
"Come on ze food'z not getting any varmer!" Once more Xhavek grinned and wrapped his arm companionably around Jeshal's shoulder as he walked towards the belowdecks entrance.
Jeshal the Ironclaw/Sorrona Ashpaw
"I be keepin' an eye on 'im fer now," Jeshal was saying, adding a touch of pepper to his broth. He smiled at Xhavek who was sitting opposite him at one of the galley tables. The captain did not designate any table to belong to officers. He preferred to sit amongst the crew and keep an ear open about their thoughts and concerns. There was a lot going on about cake. "As fer Rock'eart? I like 'er. Uses 'er brain, that one, though sometimes I be wonderin' where 'alf those thoughts be really goin'."
He picked up a raised voice and turned his gaze to a rough-looking weasel snarling abuse at Sorrona. The creature shoved his bowl away from him and curled his lip contemptuously whilst the wildcatess absorbed every word in silence. As though he had never listened, the Ironclaw resumed speaking to Xhavek.
"Things be gettin' shaky, Mokorai. Oh, there's been a long year at least o' beasts wi' the woodlander syndrome, says I, but I fear the tide be turnin' stronger than we'd like. It ain't startin' at the cake."
Sorrona drifted past the table. Jeshal's claw clamped about her wrist. From within her dark hood, Miss Ashpaw's eyes gleamed with a crazed resistance that seared him to the core. He blinked once and watched the fire disappear in an instant. His grip loosened and he gave her a look that must have been kindness.
"I... I do not theenk I can be Cook much longerr, sirre," she said. "Theengs as they arre, we need someone morre skilled. Therre is only so much I can do."
Jeshal nodded and released her. He took another sip of his broth.
"Things be changin', Xhavek. Ye're livin' proof."
The Ironclaw unscrewed the top of the pepperpot and slowly tipped the entire contents into his bowl.
Xhavek Mokorai/Glimmer
"Aye zat I am." Xhavek ran an ebon claw along the right most scar which just barely touched the corner of his eye. He was lucky he hadn't lost it he knew but it still irked him that he had been sloppy enough to get it in the first place. Then again he had been fighting for three days straight without sleep when he got it so it wasn't like he was completely himself at the time.
Then Glimmer bounced up to them and placed a plate of steaming hot fish in front of Xhavek (bouncing being the best way to describe such an overly active step). "Here Papa! I made it jes the way you like eet!" Then looking serious for a moment she darted forward and hugged the short monitor fiercely. " I'm glad you're home Papa." Then she was off again. Xhavek stared after her shaking his head slowly.
"She'z an example of change az vell. Not only haz she ztarted calling me 'father' her zpeaking haz become more mature, she uzez kit-zpeak lezz. I don't know if it'z a good or a bad zign." The cold-eyed lizard shook his head again and dug into the fish. He wasn't sure what kind it was but it didn't matter. It was delicious. Tearing into it and ignoring his utensils he hissed with pleasure. "Very good," he said between bites, "zo a little too cooked for mine tazte."
"Zo, Captain, exactly how dizcontent of a crew are ve talking? I need to know before I put zome backbone into zem. I can read ze new recruitz now zat you've given me zeir backgroundz however I need to know how ze rezt are." His eyes flicked briefly to the weasel a crewbeast he knew as Ruscoe Dackwood. "Beaztz like him. He oughta know better Zorrona'z doing ze bezt she can. She'z more of an herbalizt zen a cook and itz beaztz like him who give ze voodlander vannabe'z ground to ztand on. Ve're vermin by Krok-torin'z clawz! Ve're zuppozed to be viciouz! It'z in our nature. Anyvun who zayz different iz zmokin too much zage." He snorted irritably his short rant finished, for now.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
Jeshal smirked as Glimmer bestowed her affection upon Mokorai. He was never sure what to make of the manic little creature, but perhaps she kept Xhavek from going over the edge. The monitor was better as a controlled killer, savage but controlled. The Ironclaw wondered if Glimmer had ever seen Xhavek with the light of battle in his eyes and viscera dripping from his claws.
"Zo, Captain, exactly how dizcontent of a crew are ve talking? I need to know before I put zome backbone into zem. I can read ze new recruitz now zat you've given me zeir backgroundz however I need to know how ze rezt are."
The captain's tail brushed the floor beneath his bench as he considered. "Lot o' them miss ol' Freedom an' can't say I be blamin' 'em sometimes. They be used ter bein' bone idle whilst findin' ways around 'is rulebook. Furthermore, aside from the money conundrum, they trusted 'im. Me? 'Alf the time they don't be knowin' if they wants ter pat me on the back or stab me in it. But I be likin' it that way." Jeshal grinned. "If ye know where ye stands with a cap'n, ye think ye know better'n 'im. Ye starts ter think 'I know worr e's like, I can do be'er'."
He twiddled his spoon in his paw, studying the way his reflection inverted.
"They be gettin' used ter me. I ain't their enemy if they plays by me rules. Even Redford's startin' ter come around ter the idea that I ain't evil incarnate. Even started doin' 'is work a bit more now. Keep an eye on 'im. Larks is fine, but impressionable an' worryin' too much about Chaos. Watch that'n too. Mostly 'e be just a pain in the 'indquarters but 'e's capable o' more. I don't be likin' this waverin' balance, though, Mokorai. 'Alf the crew be on the verge o' anti-violence protests an' the other 'alf be cryin' fer blood. Keep tabs on who be on what side, an' look out fer which way the scales be tipped."
Jeshal noticed Dackwood readying to leave. He mopped up a good portion of his broth with a hunk of bread and wolfed it down quickly before getting to his feet.
"Beggin' yer pardon..." he said as Dackwood was passing.
The weasel turned, a little surprised. "Wot? Oh, er, aye, Cap'n?"
Jeshal looked at him fiercely. "Ye're a swift-footed beast, are ye not? Think ye can carry a message fer me?"
"Aye, I think I can do that."
"Good lad."
The Ironclaw did not rely on strength, but speed and thought. His fur paw slid the quarter-full soup bowl to the edge of the table. With a graceful step he was at Dackwood's side, the metal claw grasping the scruff of his neck. Jeshal slammed Ruscoe's face into the hot, over-peppered broth. Dackwood screamed. Bringing his head back up, the captain gave the writhing Dackwood his discomfiting smile.
"Now, matey, ye be goin' ter take me bowl back ter Miss Ashpaw, an' ye be goin' ter thank 'er fer a grand job. After that ye won't be permitted ter say a word. Scrub the pots an' mop the galley floor. If I 'ear from anybeast that a single syllable 'as spouted from yer gob before next morn, the least ye'll be worryin' about will be whether anybeast 'as spat in yer vittles. Get gone."
The whimpering Dackwood tried to save face with an angry glare, but the pain and the awful piercing stare belonging to the Ironclaw shattered it. The weasel snatched up the bowl and dashed out of the galley.
Jeshal took his seat once more and smiled placidly at Xhavek. "Ye said somethin' about our vicious natures? I'm inclined ter disagree." The fox's nose wrinkled at the joke.
Tanya Ryalor
(Hope nobeast minds me blatant auto of the dear abused Dakky X3)
Stumbling for the large doors that separated kitchens from galley as he scurried away from the captain's violent admonishment, Ruscoe, bowl clasped to his chest and hardly able to see through the stinging haze of peppery soup, careened through the doors only to yelp as he collided with something small but surprisingly sturdy. Blinking painfully, he just about made out the hazy sight of a pair of blazing green eyes and metal-capped fangs.
"Soup's on, then?"
Bursting into a muted sob-come-scream, Dackwood sprang away as if she had clawed him and ran to fling himself at Sorrona in bawled apology.
Blinking slowly as she stood in the middle of the doorway as an awkward silence filled in her space, Tanya collected her composure with a low cough and twitch of her bandanna before slipping further into the galley. Previously the admiral had been using her more refined skills of blending into the background in order to poke about the kitchens in the hope of pocketing a few extra bits and pieces to augment the usually bland meals with later that evening when a series of thuds and shrieks from the other side had snagged her curiosity. Sneaking into the shadowy corners of the expansive room, it didn't take long to see where many heads had been turned and clock the culprit as Jeshal. A small smile flitted on her thin muzzle at sight of his smug snicker as he spoke across the table, finding herself surprisingly approving of his rare few flashes of vindictive attitude: aye, Jeshal, show those soft-hearted idiots that you can run this ship properly.
And then she caught sight of his companion and the oxygen in the room seemed to disappear.
Xhavek. Well, it was a surprise: she'd thought him up and gone in the night like the majority of her friends had in the past. Despite being far used to these kinds of returns, the feeling of abandonment and betrayal in the sensitive fox rankled, and childish as it was, she felt far more bitter than relieved to see the brutish lizard back again: he'd left without a word, without a goodbye, just to come rolling home in smug glory. Just like her idiot of a brother. Would he follow the trend to up and kill himself in a few more months too?
Slowly she approached, sidling up to the table with heavy bootsteps until she stood at the end directly between Xhavek and Jeshal. Resting her paws on the table, short little claws bit into the woodwork as her dangerously level voice muttered to the scarred lizard.
"Where've you been." It wasn't a question.
Xhavek Mokorai
Xhavek had caught sight of the diminutive vixen out of the corner of his eye and had tracked her warily as she approached the two seated males. Out of all of the reactions he feared he would get from his friends Xhavek had been most concerned about Tanya's. And with her level I'm-gonna-gut-you tone, he had a right to be. She was good with that cutlass.
"Where've you been."
Xhavek took a moment to study his former captain, now admiral. She hadn't changed, not a whit. Xhavek resisted the smile that attempted to work its way to his lips. That would only make her madder at him. The lizard sighed heavily and turned to address her squarely his mismatched blue and white eyes staring coldly back into her steely green ones.
"I vaz home. And I vill not tell you any more zen zat. Bezidez I zink zaying zat iz enough. For any of uz who vere around back zen," after a long pause the short monitor continued, "I'm tired Tox, zo very tired. But it'z good to be vhere I belong again."
Xhavek leaned over and lifted his harpoon from under the bench, its gruesome ornaments clacking almost happily. He eyed Jeshal then Tanya and set the spear upon the table, then slowly began the process of disarming himself, placing each weapon on the table.
Once all his assorted instruments of death-dealing were shed he stood. And turned to stare blankly at his friend Tanya. And then he stepped forward and hugged her.
"I mizzed you mine friend." He stood back feeling awkward now but glad that he had embraced her. She needed the reassurance that he was here.
Jeshal the Ironclaw
A tankard of over-watered grog to his muzzle, Jeshal's senses were slightly delayed in realising someone was standing beside him. He had heard the bootsteps, but the knowledge that they were approaching his table evaded him. The briefest flicker of surprise registered when he saw it was Tanya. She didn't look impressed. With interest, the Ironclaw observed her claws sinking into the table.
"Where've you been." It was directed at Mokorai. The monitor gave a sigh and began to lay weapon after weapon upon the table. Jeshal held back his astonishment at their number, merely continuing to sip from his vessel.
As Xhavek got up and hugged Tanya, the copper todd scooted across his bench, leaving a vacancy. If the tension were diffused enough, it offered a place for Tanya to sit. If it were to escalate, at least he'd be further away. Self-preservation and all that.
Tanya Ryalor
The conflict of impulses Tanya underwent as Xhavek slowly disarmed himself and hugged her skinny frame left the admiral looking cold. As the scaly embrace tightened about her, the vixen's little paws twitched subconsciously in desire to hug the short monitor back; she'd dearly missed his carefree attitude, dependability and no-nonsense wisdom were often a solace of sorts to her when one too many voices were roaring in her head. Unfortunately her wounded pride and flared temper battled to keep her still furious at the lizard's betrayal and make her push him away, say something snide-fortunately he stepped away first, but leaving more voices than she'd started with.
>I can't believe the stupid bugger thinks an 'oh, I left' is enough answer!
-He probably got caught out, his family aren't the nicest creatures, remember? We can't just expect him to tell us every little thing that goes on. I'm just wishing he'd said goodbye
>No note, no spoken farewell, he abandoned us!
-He didn't mean to, right? I can't believe we need him anyway-we survived...
>He probably did: Valdrisk was the same when he came back and now look where he is.
It's not that I hate him, just
>I'm furious-
-upset-
Terrified that he'll leave again.
Slowly, Tanya flicked her ragged ears and blew a long sigh. Blinking, she dropped her gaze from Xhavek's steady stare and shrugged like an awkward teenager, muttering something under her breath before sliding into the seat vacated by Jeshal. Looking oddly tired, the diminutive fox dug a splinter out from the tabletop and spoke in almost a whisper.
"Nice t'ave yeh back."
Xhavek Mokorai/Will Wanderpaw
Before taking his seat again the short reptile took a moment to look at the pair of captains, one former and one current. His now mismatched eyes narrowed as he stared at them. "You know zomething? You two vould make a good couple if you veren't zo focuzed on driving each other crazy. And zpeaking of crazy..."
Xhavek turned from them and drew back his head drawing in air like a great bellows, his chest swelling out visibly even through the armor. Then he roared out in a cry that, if it had shaken the very foundations of Bouillabaise nobeast would have been surprised, "VILLLLHELLLLLMMMMM~!" And promptly sat down.
Sure enough the sound of paws slamming onto the wood of the ship came and there he was in all his worn-out-from-sprinting glory, Willhelm Wanderpaw the Hide's very own shy cave rat. Xhavek sat there grinning back at his panting blood brother for a few seconds, enjoying Will's obvious relief/astonishment.
"Are you going to ztand zere all day or are you going to grab a drink and a zeat?"
The slim rat laughed tiredly and wisped past, (for truly it could hardly be said that such a thin and quiet beast ever 'walked' anywhere) and soon returned with a strawberry cordial and sat beside his shorter reptilian brother. He spoke in his quiet lilting whisper, "Welcome home Xhav."
"And zome velcome it’z been! I mean nary a beazt haz offered to buy me drinkz later at ze Bilge! Honeztly zome creaturez." Xhavek sat there shaking his head in mock pity. "I guezz zeir mother'z never taught zem zat a good homecoming in a drunken vun."
Jeshal the Ironclaw
Grog trickled from Jeshal's good paw to the boards beneath the table. Xhavek's suggestion had caused him to choke, which the captain disguised as a sneeze, catching the offending liquid in his paw on its return journey.
Couple? For a moment the todd's had nerves quavered. Fool of a lizard. As though he had interest in her, the one he had worked so hard to find, to manoeuvre himself into closer and closer quarters. As if he would risk his chance for revenge for something as petty as affection. He almost snorted with indignance but memories clouded his thoughts: the clutch of her claws on his promotion night; the times he saw her alone; the sound of her voice, her true voice. His conscience nagged him:
Why did you leave her a black rose in her Giftsgiving stocking?
- Because it was ambiguous. A beautiful token, or an omen of death.
You could have just left her a lily.
Mercifully, Xhavek let out a painfully loud roar, summoning little Wanderpaw to the galley. The small rat soon returned with his own drink and joined the companions at table.
"Welcome home Xhav," Will said softly.
"And zome velcome it’z been! I mean nary a beazt haz offered to buy me drinkz later at ze Bilge! Honeztly zome creaturez. I guezz zeir mother'z never taught zem zat a good homecoming is a drunken vun."
Shrugging off his anxieties, Jeshal used his fear to fuel playfulness. The Ironclaw grinned and raised what was left of his grog in a toasting agreement.
"Aye, we'd've started the moment ye set claw on deck, if only the Adm'ral could 'old 'er drink."
Lovette Vendella
Throughout this dramatic encounter, a pair of feline ears had been deeply attuned to the on-goings. It was one of the newer recruits, a female wildcat, seated at a table to the right of the audacious group. She sat alone, her eyes downcast to the table's wooden structure, as if mesmerized by the texture, her paws twirling an untouched bowl of soup with a wooden spoon.
She occasionally raised her head to observe the room with her eyes, taking in key points of the interaction that were not contained in the traveling sounds. The small vixen's approach, the hug shared between her and the lizard, the weasel sobbing from pain near the kitchen. Within seconds of registering the visual, her head would go back down to her soup.
The lizard appeared to be familiar to the ship, his departure temporary. He also looked like he could kill anybeast in this room if necessary. His eyes, one blue, another white (was he blind?), glistened with a hint of insanity. His massive collection of weapons on his person made her highly uneasy. Who were these creatures? That they would be so bloodlustful?
The captain seemed eccentric to say the least. She'd yet to be introduced to him. She'd managed to avoid such uncomfortable business as handling over papers since her arrival. That's not to say she was illegally here, but beast skills were not her forte. Observe and divulge them as subjects, yes, but actual interactions felt forced to her and she felt, were best left out.
The other beast, who she assumed was another higher up but couldn't place it, was the small vixen. She seemed to have some sort of grudge or withheld feelings for the lizard, as her words seemed to be dripped in some sort of toxin. As if words could be wounds yet perpetrated.
All of them were settling down now, the captain having retreated and another beast joining their ranks, a rat by the sound of his voice. Whatever was going on, it was clear they all knew each other. She stirred her spoon some more. Tis certainly a cold soup by this time...
From the sound of things, there was going to be a crew call on deck within the hour, as soon as these higher ups had established themselves socially. It looked as if it might be a while, especially if they were as apt to start drinking as the rat who had descended to the table.
