One — Sea Legs

Ardonna is wearing a simple dress, the sleeves are short and show delicate pale arms, her blonde hair is done up in a long braid with a blue bow. Ardonna's blue eyes shine with mirth even as she keeps a firm hand on herself and ensures that there are no smiles or chuckles that might erupt from her own mirth at the funny story.

She considers a tale from her own experiences when the sound comes to her delicate ears. "Well, it seems as if we may have some corsairs coming upon our ship. I think we should greet them and chastise them appropriately for daring to attempt to plunder our vessel. What say the rest of you?"

Grumpy face Sherk is slightly sociable but not one to laugh. She will add a tale or two as she has been around.

"Yes. Unwanted company." An axe come to her wanting hands as mercenary her changes to a more combative mood and she listens a moment before she will stalk off to investigate. Active her is in hunter mode.

Note: The system didn't inform me there were posts here.

Zaeed grins and giggles in a rasping pitch at the stories shared. His cloak is pulled tightly around his small frame as the ship sways in the swell. At his turn he shares a tale about a boy he saw slipping a rat into a travelers bag causing a commotion that let him slip away with the man's purse. Quite a hilarious sight.

The new "thumps" sound as Zaeed springs to his feet dagger in hand, only to stumble and sway under the pressure of ship's movement. Sealegs are definitely not in Zaeed's basket of tricks.

Sherk arrives with an axe in hand awaiting action and says to the pirate boarding, "You might just best go back the way you came and live."

"I don't think they are listening Sherk. Good try though, would you mind staying up front while I shoot them from here? It would be dreadfully inconvenient if they tore my dress."

Sure, she had a tome, had tattoos and sigils for quite a few spells too and she could even pull out the tome and start chanting if she wanted to. The 'if she wanted to' was the important part there though. She knew that pulling out fire from nowhere or causing fear in her opponents would inevitably bring the sort of trouble that might end up with her being tossed off the ship. Besides, the simple fact was that using physical means against physical attacks was usually the best way to go. She pulled out her bow, slotted an arrow, and fired.

A little late for her to much about the one that somersaulted to a position kind of behind her so she goes to put the bad tumbler of his misery. "There is more coming to die. Look out for the one that slip past me."

"You will die before you pirate this vessel!" She says as trained fighter her attacks onward with her axe. Her savage barbarian blood boiling and only held back by her hunter instincts.

She attempts to defend herself and barely dodges out of the way. Sherk wasn't going to be enough to keep her safe it seemed, well it had been fun staying on the boat for a while. She taunted the pirates even as she began her spell. She lifted her sleeve on her right side showing the tattoo off and them ensured she had line of sight on her attackers.

"Thought you'd attack the pretty archer instead of the barbarian did you? Well, that was the wrong choice my friends because this pretty young girl is a witch!" She gives a good cackle as she recites ancient words and casts a fear spell on her attackers.

Zaeed is found grasping a barrel for stability on the lightly swaying deck, dagger still in hand.

"That's right you treacherous scaliwags! Cower before us! You'd best surrender before I get over there!"

He takes his hands off the barrel, attempting a step toward the fearful pirates, when a light roll sends him tripping and stumbling toward the opposite gunwale. He's able to land bracing his back and shoulders against the ship's rail wedging him in place.

"On your knees you swine and stay right there!

She slides her sleeve down, though not without revealing a number of other tattoos on her alabaster skin. Each and every one of them had been painstakingly inked on her arms. Lessons from the old woman, lessons in pain and knowledge.

After fixing her sleeves she gives a sniff of disdain. "Do as you like with them; they aren't worth my while."

"Like I said you will die before you pirate this vessel. Now get off ship and count your blessing that you can. Any my cutlass wielder will leave that cutlass behind." as she favors the thought to give it a few swings herself.

Sherk will loot the two pirates for whatever they are good for and retrieves her new cutlass to test out later, "Let's deep six these. They were so messy." as she sees the blood stains that are going to need a buck of water and brush.

Looking over to Ardonna, "Too bad you can't witch this mess away."

Zaeed flashes a vindictive grin as the pirates hop over the rail back into there boats. He looks over at Testraa.

"Please... don't get up. Stay comfortable there friend.", he says with a sarcastic tone.

Zaeed sheaths his dagger, then awkwardly wattles back to look over the corpses with Sherk.

She had looked at Sherk and shrugged, "No, the old woman who taught me took a certain joy in making me do chores by hand. I tried my hand in a tavern but, after I set a grabby old man on fire I had to find something else to do."

Ardonna is friendly with the other two for the rest of the trip. When they reach the city she makes sure they are somewhere they can’t be heard. "So, it’s been long enough that any security I knew is out of date. I suggest we find a place not too far from the sky docks and spend a few days watching them. We can learn when the guards change and that sort of thing. What do you think?"

Zaeed rubs his chin in thought. "Its a good idea. We should know what we're getting into. We can take some time to find out the scuttlebutt about the town as well. There might be some assistance we can get or at least we could find a distraction for our get away."

Zaeed looks forward to getting back on solid ground. The sway of the sea obviously doesn't sit well with him, and the dusk and dank of the city are easier places to hide in the crowd.

Mercenary Sherk adds on, "I should think it will not take long to locate that a ship. If we can't spot one, then surely easily someone around can fill us in on the detail. You can fly anything. Right Ardonna. "

"Damn right I can." She says confident in her own prowess. "There's a tavern called Flight Path we can visit and get a decent look at things. Just have to avoid all the boatfans who hang out there and..."

She shakes her head, "No, I don't have to worry about that anymore. We can make all the wide eyes and watch boats with the rubes."

She walks at a brisk pace though probably not enough to tire either of the other two. Still, it's clear she's a city girl, her eyes don't wander to any sights and she walks with purpose.

Foreigner Sherk never looks at home anyplace and that perpetual frown she maintains doesn't invite social. Unlike Ardonna, Sherk eyes most all around her. Being that Sherk seems to lack some general cleanliness and tends to carry a scent but most likely it will be overrun by the ports smell.

She will gladly let more social female Ardonna do the talking. Hunter/Merchant/Mercenary Sherk is more likely knock heads. She lacks a bit on temperament and social graces as she still holds a bit of barbarian with her.

"I shall let you lead on."

Zaeed nods in agreement with Ardonna's plan. He dons his hood and falls in behind the pilot.

Zaeed is not new to cities.

He is new to this one, but they all have the same stench, the same dark corners, and the same desperation. Zaeed is watching the people as they move through the crowds. He looks for those that are watching them, and those that are to distracted too notice.

More foriegner Sherk doesn't allow herself even a glace to look about. She quietly takes a seat and then will view the sky as to examine it for anything flying and really still doesn't look about. She is sure that she has not caught anyones eyes and none have seen her hazy ones. She doesn't make a large profile at five feet seven inches but not a small female either. Her cheap jewelery worn doesn't attact and theives.

The pretty witch sits with Sherk and makes sure to sip a drink with her for a bit. When Ardonna does get up she says, "I am going to go look at the pretty boats love. Keep my seat for me, would you?" She blows Sherk a kiss and steps to the window. That should ensure that anyone who wants to mess with Ardonna knows the barbarian is looking out for her.

Ardonna steps to the window and begins watching. Unlike any of the other gawkers she's looking at which types of ships are coming in and what sort of security they have. She's examining all the current procedures and checking her own memory to see what might have changed and which ship might be the best one to hit.

Zaeed sits with Sherk and Ardonna at their roof top table, drinking small beer, gabbing away about beer and wine prices across the region, and his favorite varieties and regional specialties. When Ardonna gets up to Zaeed nods with a smile, and continues his chatter with Sherk switching to discussing bar games, and particular one he encountered that involved throwing daggers in the and all the participants hold their hands flat on the table as long as they dared as it came darting back down. All the while he is taking furtive glances around at the other patrons looking for anyone that may be watching them, or anyone that may look approachable in context with the Sky Port.

When the brash pilot approaches the table and makes undue comments towards Sherk, He leans back in his chair, puts his hands behind his head and grins. He knows a show is coming now, and he is ready to be entertained.

She asks with a mischiviouly smile, "Do we fly well? Or are you embarrassing yourself?

She candidly offers, "I have always keep my feet on the ground, but your thoughts of flying brings interest. How would one know about all those ships? How to choose one to ride in?"

She watches from her spot, it seems she can get them in to where they need to go.

She then turns and sees the pilot approaching Sherk. Apparently Ardonna's little display aroused his curiosity among other things. Sherk, it seems, might just have the real catch of the day. Now, if only the beautiful and strong woman can reel him in.

She does her best to try and get Sherk's attention so that the Barbarian knows to keep it up.

Foriegner Sherk doesn't appears to be displeased by the young pilot slipping in sitting down advancing next to unprepared her and his forwarding advance on touching her conveint forearm. Still Sherk is always calm. Still generally single her still is rather surprised that youthful him has now taken such define interest in more unusal forienger her. Normal her always present grumpy face and general unclean scent manages keeps all away from her. This is rather something entirely new to more warrior her as she always keeps strict control of her emotions. And her training as always brings suspicion.

He fully manages stop evasive her from using her cute verbal tactics and rather forced to pay more attention to his forwardness but still she persists with the checking lure. "Oh my. A flight. You mean that you can actually fly off with one of those ship? Would it be a pretty one?" She places free other hand over his hand that is on her forearm. She did give a slight tilting of her head as she speaks.

She steps over to Sherk and gives her own little smile, "Can we please? I would love to go with my good friend." She's not overly seductive because apparently the man is already caught and she certainly doesn't need to arouse suspicions if she fails to be seductive and well, she wasn't exactly the best at that anyway.

Each of you please roll +appeal v DS 9

Wow. Sherk almost made it. Only an 8.

Zaeed grins wryly as the past the guards.

Sherk retorts back, "Random! I'm princess Sherk & associates mind you. Zaeed. You did promise me a ride in the sky!" She uses her skills as a former merchant to attempt to sell her self as a foriegner princess.

Now princess Sherk loudly retorts back, "What! You question me! You should be hung out like space trash!" She appears rather inflamed. "Do someting Zaeed!" as she continues her sherade. She has raised her hand up as looks like she wants to slap down the man.

Zaeed steps in between Sherk and the guards.

"Now now friend. There is no need to get upset. The Princess just wanted to get a look at the magnificent airships that we've heard so much about, and this fine young pilot has offered a tour. I'm sure you can see this is only a friendly gesture on behalf of this young gentleman to simple sight seeing travelers."

As he says this Zaeed goes to shake the guard's hand and slips him 2 gold coins to grease the wheels of diplomacy.

She remembers her days as a serving wench and blinks her eyes prettily. A sultry hint in her voice as she says, "Aww, come on boys. Surely you can let us in? We'd be ever so grateful..."

Unfortunately, her days as a serving wench usually went pretty poorly and she was often far more likely to belt or curse a stupid man who hit on her. Suffice it to say, her ability to be alluring was far lower than her ability to cast magic.

Luckily, it seemed that Zaeed had everything well in hand.

Her eyes light up as she sees that doorway to boarding is now open. She grabs young pilot's hand as she tugs him foward, "This is going to be so great!" She gives Zaeed a side glance.

As they head up to the tower she looks to Sherk and points at one of the windows and then at their "guide". The witch herself can't throw the man out one but, she's pretty sure the Barbarian can. Maybe one that looks like it won't be easily discovered first...

Barbarian Sherk gives a hidden NO sign with her head as we move indicating an answer to witch Ardonna's thought. Perhaps Sherk thinks it is too soon for such action.

Earlier on the stairs up she notes, "A lot of pilots around here."'

Cherfully Sherk says, "It sure looks pretty." and lets him lead her that way as she glances to the others.

She nods accepting that Sherk probably knows better than she does when to bring out the muscles. She simply follows their guide and hopes that no one recognizes her. When the guy pats a boat she looks it over trying to determine the air worthiness of the vessel.

She goes ahead and follows onto the boat. If this fellow wanted to lead them onto the very vehicle they were going to steal she certainly had no problem with that.

"Up. Up. And away. Your doing so well." says Sherk the shoulder parrot as she glances to the others knowing something is going to have to be done soon.

While squeezed tight in the boat. Zaeed lays his hand on the hilt of his dagger, and casts an eye with a raised eyebrow toward Ardonna as if asking... "Now?"

She nods to Zaeed even as she says, "Gee, the ground seems so far away. Wouldn't you say the same?"

If Zaeed and Sherk can't use their physical might she pulls up her sleeve. The tattoos on her skin are obvious and the spells she can cast without a big heavy book or long ritual are somewhat limited. Still, sleep or a simple charm should do. If that doesn't work, she has her bow.

Zaeed winks at Ardonna's nod and removes his dagger from his sheath. He quickly tries to find a vital organ in Jemmic.

Sherk looks a bit aghast as Zaeed does in Jemmic, "Was that really nessesary?"

Ardonna takes the helm and begins flying away. "I don't think he would have appreciated us taking the ship. We could have kept him for a while but then we'd have to feed him and make sure he didn't mutiny or something. Maybe not the best outcome I suppose but, better than being a sacrifice to power a spell, right?" Oh yeah, she was real charming, maybe she ought to be nicer than that?

She grimaces, "Sorry, sorry. That was uncalled for. Next time we capture someone we'll discuss it."

Zaeed thumbs to Ardonna in agreement with her response.

"Besides, I was feeling cramped! But damn... that was my favorite dagger.", Zaeed looks genuinely sad and reflective, but probably not about Jemmic.

"Could have waited for us to land. You know." as she thinks, "He could have been fun."

"Well now Ardonna. Get us to where we need to be."