Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 11:54 AM
WE OPEN TO A SUNNY AFTERNOON AT THE OBSIDIAN SIREN. Being mid-day, things are blissfully quiet. The most beautiful siren in town (according to herself) is minding the bar, cleaning up the wooden top. A couple merfolk are in the small salty lagoon area, sipping drinks and keeping to themselves. That ASSHOLE old Captain Jimmy Bones is trying to play this weird looking lute he'd just pillaged off a sailing ship. It sounds horrible. Nobody wants this, but if anyone complains there's going to be another bar fight.
Ochalla
— Today at 12:05 PM
"Pickles, this is a horrible idea!" A tall figure in a large hat whispered into their coat. As they walked they nodded their head. "No, no more treasure hunters. We can find it our.. oof!" And ran right into someone. Standing straighter they looked at who they walked into. "Move it!"
1
littlekreen — Today at 12:09 PM
Ezzeg was there in half his deepwater gear and the rest in a toolbox because it was just too annoying to take off. 'bolds didn't sweat anyway and they mostly just got complaints they smelled like the ocean. As a deep worker he didn't carry the scent of the smellier surface parts but the suit did clank a bit. The web footed blue kobold barely stood to the hips of most of the tallbloods and he was fairly tall for a kobold even so. He was at a table cracking barnacles off of his gear with pliers and called off to Jimmy Bones with the kobold's higher pitch, "You even tune 'at 'ting captain bones? I gots pliers and things to twiddle the nubbins riiig AGH!"
"Oi, hats as brains! Not gonna watch where ya goin then pull me outa floor!", Ezzeg said with some consternation as in the crouched position his two long horns had stapled him backward into the floorboards.
Lyrikai — Today at 12:11 PM
Of all the places to be on such a wonderful afternoon like, say, out on the open sea tasting that crisp, salty air, or exhanging blows with another swordsman, why was it that Lamont was wasting his day away drinking and listening to what was honestly the worst music he had ever heard in his life. "At least play something good," he begged. Maybe he could at least try? Or take a few lessons first! It was already giving the man a headache.
"I think I need another drink," he sighed. If he got himself drunk, maybe it would sound better. Yes! Fantastic idea that was! Everything sounded better when you were drunk!
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 12:14 PM
Captain Jimmy Bones didn't verbally reply to the kobold, rather his eyes only got wide, intense, and beady. Then with Lamont's commentary his brows furrowed and his lips curled up into a snarling expression. Suddenly his strumming on the lute got more intense as well when the stranger bumped into Ezzeg, as if it were background music to this little scene. He took to his feet, playing aggressively, staring at Lamont as if suggesting this was what was requested.
1
Ochalla
— Today at 12:18 PM
The music was horrible and there was a kobold stuck to the floor. Bending down was not negotiable, an exposed back a bad idea in a place like this. Leaving the Deeper wasn't in the cards either. "Always something," they muttered, hitting the table so it fallen on its side onto the floor and only then, crouched down, a table covering their back. "Now don't be too stuck," and they grabbed the kobold by the shoulder and pulled. (edited)
littlekreen — Today at 12:22 PM
The horns were smooth and concave at the back so the kobold came out with a fair effort he hadn't quite the leverage to manage on his own. Once his head popped out the gas mask tubes rattled forward a bit and he rubbed the tips and looked at hat-person as Ezzeg stood up, "Fair paid. Curse of havin horns longer than ya head. You ain't been here much. Kobold the best thing you mighta ran over."
Lyrikai — Today at 12:30 PM
Lamont slapped a hand to his face. That was most certainly not what he meant! Bad bad bad! Oh no, what had he done? Maybe the best way to deal with it was to stuff cotton into his ears and just ignore it, or to suck it up and pretend he was enjoying it. Giving a light clap of his hands, screwing what was hopefully a convincing smile on his face, he said, "Yes. Just like that. That's very good, captain." Was it convincing enough? Was he doing good?
Apart from the worst music he'd ever heard in his life and that poor kobold across the room being knocked into the floor, this place was an active hole of 'What was going on in here' today? He dragged his hands down his face to watch the spectacle. Those poor souls. Were they okay? Really needed another drink.
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 12:34 PM
DUN DUN DUH DUH DUN DUN DUHDUH DUNDUN. Out of pitch with little rhyme or reason, Captain Jimmy Bones strummed. Artistically even, because with Lamont's joyful decree, he now had a captive audience. The siren at the bar didn't seem to notice the noise - maybe siren's could tune out bad tunes. She poured Lamont a fresh drink. Those merfolk in the lagoon looked like they were ready to start throwing seaweed and kelp. Jimmy Bones fantastic rendition of an original masterpiece continued as he in his salty boots now circled Ezzeg and the stranger. STRUM DIDDLE DUM. Intense stare.
Ochalla
— Today at 12:39 PM
The table WAS a good idea it seemed as the captain turned bard was circling them. Standing straighter, he glanced inside his jacket when the Captain was in front of him, and sighed. As he put his hand into his jacket, the captain was to his side. And when he pulled out the rolled up parchment the captain was behind once more. Clearing his throat "I'm looking for a crew who can fight!" A cackling came from inside the long coat.
littlekreen — Today at 12:49 PM
The kobold still had trouble picking out the pitches as captain bones got closer which was a partial feature of resistance but it let him see what the man was doing. Ezzeg stared back at captain bones as their habit of looking masters in the eye for which the kobolds were seen as daft, "Fer the sea's sake, bones, Ya want to inflict doom then at least tighten string three!"
Lyrikai — Today at 12:57 PM
Yeah! Yeah that was much better! (Not). Grateful for the drink, Lamont could get himself absolutely hammered while he listened to the concert. Now, with each deep swallow, surely the music would steadily sound better and better. He felt dearly for those poor souls being serenaded by the hell music, but maybe, just maybe, it would do them some good. Who knew how injured either had gotten in their collision, but music soothed all kinds of hurts, right?
At least, for the moment however, it seemed like it was working? No sooner had the captain begun playing for the pair that the stranger was cackling something fierce over some declaration of a fighting crew. He choked on his drink, coughing loudly. Was he already so blasted drunk so fast? Who and what the devil was this guy? "Oy!" he called to the lot, "Can't we all just have a drink and chat? I'll buy!" He had to get to the bottom of this before he got to the bottom of his mug.
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 12:58 PM
Flashing a row of blackened teeth in a.. grimace? Smile? Captain Jimmy Bones stopped his playing. But not at the caterwaling of the kobold, but rather curiosity at the stranger's request. "A crew ye say! Oh lordy, we got a 'nother one y'all! Another captain wannabe with a mission!" He hooted and hollared, slapping his knee and strumming his lute with a horrid twang. Of course, with Lamont offering free drink, the devlish playing stopped at once. With Captain Jimmy Bones bellying up to the bar and demanding the Siren's finest ale!
Ochalla
— Today at 1:05 PM
Well that didn't work as planned, but all the better that it didn't. He tried to put the parchment back in his coat, but was denied. "A drink it shall be then," he agreed and walked over to the bar, sitting next to Lamont. He then pointed to a bottle that had dust on it. The siren looked at the bottle then back at him then at the bottle again. When she looked back she opened her mouth possibly to protest, or maybe egg him on with a sinister smile. "I know what it is, give it to me in two mugs." The siren's eyes grew big. "Better be will to deal with this," she warned Lamont with a fluttering of her eye lashes.
littlekreen — Today at 1:09 PM
Ezzeg stood up as Captain Bones was distracted and retrieved his pliers from the floor to retreat to the overturned table and put it away into the toolbox on the floor. He sighed and picked a chunk of his meal next to the table and munched on it. Floor food wasn't the worst thing he'd eaten by far. He munched at the bit and chimed, "New captain's are good for business! The boats always come back with more holes!"
Lyrikai — Today at 1:12 PM
"H-Hey!" Lamont really wanted to protest this captain instantly threatening to drain him down of his hard earned (stolen) coin! He said a drink, didn't necessarily mean the most expensive on the menu! But that was what he got for not specifying, right?
But was it any better or worse than the stranger ordering two mugs of a crusty looking bottle in the back that met the siren with such worry that he was briefly wondering what it would take if he could turn himself into goo and melt through the floor. Maybe he'd made a mistake. Maybe the music was better than this!
2
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 1:15 PM
With drinks getting served all around and Captain Jimmy Bones wetting his whistle, finally the tavern was at peace and momentarily saved from the lute of terror. Course now he, and a few listening ears nearby were VERY interested in what this new stranger had to say. "Oy then! Don't just shut yer trap, what's the job, man! Lil britches o'er here can't pay our tabs forever!"
Ochalla
— Today at 1:23 PM
"Yes, the Job," setting down the Parchment he took one of the two mugs, which was making odd snapping sounds, and took a sip. He looked at the drink with a slight disappointment. "It's fairly simple. A dragon's treasure." There was a "hurmp" that came from the coat. "That is to say a stolen dragon's treasure. Slightly cursed. Still tangible." Taking another sip of his mug he looked less disappointed in it, but it was now snapping and popping. "Old stuff." He looked at the others at the bar. "Valuable stuff."
littlekreen — Today at 1:27 PM
"Feh, dragons," the web footed kobold mimed his hands in front of his chest, "They don't have the best set of features! If there's anything it's curst with it's all the other dragons."
Lyrikai — Today at 1:29 PM
Lamont stared into the mug with unease. Why was it popping? Why was it popping? Extremely hesitant to drink something that might possibly try to drink him right back, he finished off his own ale first as it was much safer in the moment and he needed his voice for right now to gape and declare, "A dragon, you say?" The kobold didn't sound all that impressed, but this had Lamont's interest completely! "I thought they were a myth!"
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 1:32 PM
The whole tavern erupted in to guffawing laughter at Lamont calling dragons a myth. The WHOLE tavern laughing their asses and tails off. Granted, no dragons had been seen locally for some time, but of COURSE they were real! Captain Jimmy Bones was hootin' and cacklin' himself, slapping Lamont so hard on the back he nearly knocked the man off his stool.
littlekreen — Today at 1:34 PM
Ezzeg laughed too as the peals around him washed over and slapepd his knees before pointing at the hat man, "Iffin anyone knows wherebouts they is, then that happens!"
Ochalla
— Today at 1:38 PM
A little hiss could be heard from the jacket at Ezzeg's comment and it could be overlooked that he put his hand in it, just to yank it back out a moment later. "A myth? That's hilarious." He said cooly. He then took off his hat, his ears pointed up, and twitching, perhaps out of humor or just relief of not being confided. "I take it they don't come out here any more than my lot?" The elf asked with a haughty smirk as he took another sip of obviously now elvish booze. "I'm looking in this area." And he unfurled the map.
Lyrikai — Today at 1:40 PM
Well now he had made himself a laughing stock! Terrific. Lamont narrowed his eyes, huffing out a breath as Captain Jimmy nearly knocked him clear off his stool. Laughter laughter all around! Yeah, keep it up! "Hey hey heeey!" Arms up, he loudly declared for everyone within earshot. "If you're looking to prove they're real, I'll listen!" If he hadn't seen one, how did he know if they were real or not! Seeing was believing!
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 1:41 PM
An ELF! Someone in the back made an exaggerated HURRK noise. Elves were def not the norm in a place full of sea peoples and dumb humans. Even Captain Jimmy Bones seemed less interested in this dragon treasure now that an elf was involved.*
2
Ochalla
— Today at 1:47 PM
"Prove they're real," a nasally voice mocked from the jacket. "Shh," he tried to hush what was hidden, but the voice wasn't done. "Want proof do you?" The voice said in a more husky tone. "Pickles please no…" he tried, he really did. But did she listen? No. There came out of the coat a head of a dragon. Which was ridiculous because it was so tiny. "Do you want treasure or not?" The dragon, red in color, and the size of a small cat asked as she crawled out of the jacket. "Really Kenough, this is the best you found?" The cat sized Red grabbed the second mug. (edited)
littlekreen — Today at 1:49 PM
Ezzeg went to the bar and sat on the other side of Lamont to sit down with a clatter of tubes and a flag to the barkeep, "Well if I don't get my dinner I want some water. Might have to dive later can't have the fun stuff."
He turned around and looked to the dragon and grinned, "Well, one about hip height is a good start for me!"
Lyrikai — Today at 1:51 PM
"Wh-" Lamont could only stare for just a moment. What was this? A trick? A gag! Was he being mad an even bigger fool of! Shortly after this stranger revealed his identity, another oddity poked itself out of his jacket. Some kind of a lizard creature! A dragon! A real actual dragon? "Am I drunk already?" He asked to literally no one.
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 1:53 PM
"AH SHITS IT BE A SMOL RED," yelped Captain Jimmy Bones, leaping off his stool and stumbling away from the bar. Sloshing the few remaining drops of his ale on Lamont in his frazzled escaped. "BATTON IT DOWN, SHE ABOUT TO BURN!" Several others in the tavern gave a little shriek, disappearing down into the lagoon, or scuttling out the main doors. The siren at the bar merely sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. She set a spritzer on the bartop just in case.
littlekreen — Today at 1:55 PM
Ezzeg looked to the little Red then the door as bones scattered, "Ahh, she's just a little hot yet, not quite smouldering, hah! Give it a few years!"
Ochalla
— Today at 1:58 PM
The elf, Kenough, looked at Pickles the dragon with the gaze of long suffering. This was obviously not the first time she'd scared away potential crew. Pickles for her part looked unphased until the kobold piped in. "I have more years than you think youngling." "You're giving away too much," Ken scolded her. Pickles just ruffled her wings a little. "You don't give enough information!" It sounded like an old couple's argument. "We need a crew that will not be flighty."
Lyrikai — Today at 2:00 PM
Heavens above, why was everyone clearing out and trying to flee in terror from the sight of this little lizard! Wiping a hand down the front of his coat as drinks splashed him and everyone high tailed it in fear, he remained where he was with one solemn "Really...?"
"There are an awfully... flighty bunch, aren't they?" He asked, not wholly convinced yet this little dragon was dangerous. Maybe he was stupid. In fact, yes. That was probably it. He was probably stupid.
littlekreen — Today at 2:01 PM
He looked back to the elf then directed at the dragon, "Suprised any small ones about anymore slayers being what they are. Well I ain't in the habit of working long-term for dragons, hotscales, but even if I don't mind helping a pretty face you still look too young for this ride. The forestblood your servant? I don't much like thieves." (edited)
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 2:05 PM
Now outed, Pickles crawled out of Kenough's jacket to display the full glory of her dark wings and red scales. She looked about ready to puff up and spit balls of fire at Lamont.... but the flattery of the kobold seemed to be doing the trick.
"He is my servant," she agreed boldly, curling dragon body around the mug claimed as hers. "The worst servant I have ever had! We need a crew - a BOLD crew. Fearless. The treasure we claim is beyond anything you have ever seen."
Ochalla
— Today at 2:08 PM
She was showing off now. Of course she was. But this was about her treasure so he took a sip before retort. "I thought I was your friend. And who else in the Golden Glen was going to learn ship building and sailing and cartography for you?"
Lyrikai — Today at 2:10 PM
Now what was this about thieves and servants? Lamont was absolutely floored listening to this, settling somewhere between believing he was hallucinating and worried he was about be eaten by a tiny little dragon with an attitude!
"Look, whatever I said about dragons being a myth, I'm sorry!" He declared, "H-Have another round on me? And maybe we can talk about this crew? Listen, I'm a great sailor and I know the wrong end of a gun from the right one! If it's a crew you're looking for, count me in."
littlekreen — Today at 2:15 PM
Ezzeg nodded at Lamont with a pat on the back for support as it seemed like good work and Ezzeg didn't have anything important lined up right now, "Ezzeg Skullgrip. I've spent days in some captain's cargo hold standin' on booty to fix hulls for at least half the things in port. Deep diver and scavenger. Sounds like good salvage at least. Seems the local warren is better about telling history in the creche than this one's was!"
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 2:19 PM
"See, I told you, Ken. As soon as they lay eyes on me, they cannot resist my charms." preened Pickles, lifting the mug to guzzle down a few swallows of the fizzy poppy drink. Plopping it down with a hard slosh, she flapped her wings hard, puffed out her chest and marched down the bar top to address her new crew.
"I AM PIKEILA, VERMILLION OF THE LOST MOUNTAIN. As my crew you will do as I say! Act as I act! Steal as I steal! This mission will be dangerous, and yes, the stuttering one will likely die first - but my treasure is worth the price! We will conquer!"
[2:21 PM]
Now that the surprise of a new threat died down, things in the tavern returned to normal. Even Captain Jimmy Bones had plopped back down in his original seat and grabbed his horrible lute again to begin a slow strumming. ...yet ever so often he'd give this newly formed crew a leery side-eye.
Ochalla
— Today at 2:25 PM
The elvish equivalent of "ixnay on the eathd-ay" was muttered by Kenough but Pickles wasn't listening to him, she was enjoying her Glory at the moment. It seemed the lack of firey burning death had caused the other tavern dwellers to return as well as the horrible music. A small price to pay, considering they actually finally got a crew again. Hopefully this group would work out better. "They might want to see where." He pointed at the half unrolled map.
Lyrikai — Today at 2:29 PM
Pikeila. Well that was a name that could strike either fear or giggles. For Lamont, it mostly struck some kind of awe. "OH!"
He leaned in to try and see the map that had been laid out before them. "So this is where you're going? Where we're going?" Had he been accepted? Had he finally found himself a crew! Now maybe he could finally get out of this god forsaken tavern of terrible music and miserable booze. "I'll do whatever you say!" He promised, "And not die... maybe die. Hopefully not die."
littlekreen — Today at 2:41 PM
Ezzeg hadn't spoken a draconic accent since early school and quietly tried to sound out the name so he could say it right eying the map he wasn't too familiar with. He leaned one arm holding onto the bar as he drank a cup of 'clean' water that arrived in a cup. The pronunciation was rusty but dropped an octave so he could even attempt to speak it correctly, "Pikeila then? Or does the hotscales like 'at other one more to sound more tasty. I prefer the little deaths more'n final ones too but there's nobody ever found good salvage next to port."
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 2:46 PM
The tiny red dragon paused in her pacing, two legs lifted in air as her snoot twisted up in a thoughtful snarl. "...Pickles is acceptable. I will sour all that attempt to devour me in this cursed miniature form."
With the map at mention, though, she lept to it. Pointing the route they were about to sail with her claw. "Through the Sea of Atrocities, past the Corals of No Mans Rests, around the Whirlpool of Destiny to the great mountainous Island of Dead Souls. Where we will face the cruelest, ugliest, meanest, most foul dragon one has ever set eyes on. We shall reclaim my treasure."
Ochalla
— Today at 2:52 PM
"I'm looking forward to your final victory over your brother," he said in a serious tone, that could have been taken as mocking, being an elf and all, but he didn't look haughty or amused but more stern and possibly as serious as he sounded. "We need you both to be cunning and if so you will be rewarded." Also they needed to not try to double cross them. "My only concern is here," and he pointed to the map. "If we need to resupply it will be here and the locals are…"
Lyrikai — Today at 2:54 PM
Sea of Atrocities. Coral of No Mans rest. Island of Dead Souls.
Oh goody! Well this sure was going to be a fantastic adventure. Lamont wasn't completely sure if he was going to gather himself some proper fame and fortune or if he was going to die in the process! And, to think, this had all started with a song... a very bad... a very grating... a very obnoxious song. Somehow it had brought Lamont to, what was this? A new friend? A crew? A proper swashbuckling family?
Dragons were real and he was sharing ale with a kobold and an elf! How had his life turned so right and so wrong all in the same instance?
The elf was pointing out trouble spots on the map and expressing concern all while Lamont was sighing. "I'm... I'm going to need another drink for this."
littlekreen — Today at 3:03 PM
Kobolds had short lives, it was just the nature of the job. It didn't weigh on them over much as the collective trauma just made it a fact of a warren's life. It was a path to good salvage he definately couldn't get himself. A dragon his own size as captain. Ezzeg looked over the map and said to her witha grin, "Well if I'n call you pickles then you can call me two-tails iffin you like! Hope yer boat and rudder has some ironsides if you're goin through whirlpools and coral. Most ain't got a coat of pretty rubies like you, Cap'n Pickles."
The common instinct had him stop and pipe up to Lamont, "Just don't go diving, you'll get the bends!"
Diana Ò◇Ó
OP
— Today at 3:07 PM
And thus Pickles and Kenough managed to find the start of a crew for a voyage that was sure to be dangerous, deadly, and profitable. ...if only Pickles hadn't blurted out the directions in broad daylight, in a public tavern where the world could hear...
WHAT SHALL HAPPEN NEXT WITH THIS CREW OR ANOTHER? FIND OUT NEXT TIME!