Kain Ironclaw
Beneath the decks of the Bloody Seashell one would find many surprises in her cargo, some being more questionable than others. One thing stood out above all, a living creature living amongst the crates of a dimly lit storage room. It slept snug and warm under a sizable blanket in a hammock that swayed with the ship as she was gently rocked by the oceans waves. All was peaceful, until a loud bang vibrated from up above. The force of a slamming motion from above mitigated to almost nothing, but it was just enough for a stirring to happen in the hammock. The blanket parted slightly, a single fox-like ear emerging from the cover, one that was erect and motionless aside from a few twitches. It wasn't long until the stowaway enveloped in the hammock rose in a prompt, alert manner the blanket twisting and sliding down its body to reveal a young kiju by the name of Kain Iron claw.
Kain looked around in a panicked manner for a brief minute as he regained his bearings. He glanced down his chest to notice he was wearing neither his armor nor his cloak. Digging into his memory the young adventurer slowly peered over his hammock down at the damp floorboards to see his equipment and belongings still neatly organized on a small table within arm's reach. Only then did the kiju relax. His arms reached high towards the ceiling as he stretched like usual, a quiet groan escaping his maw before he turned in the hammock so to sit on its edge with his feet hanging off the side, swaying in the open air from the small elevated position he was in.
Once he felt comfortable to do so Kain hopped down to the ground level, landing with his natural gift of graceful agility and silent step. He reached down to grab his chest plate, tucking his head between the plates so to pull it to his shoulders and secure it properly. After a bit of tugging with some minor adjustments the kiju secured his armor and went to grabbing his cloak, one that was tattered but still in-tact and useful for when he is trying to hide as much of his kiju traits as possible from an untrained eye. Kain paused to stare at it for a long minute, contemplating whether it was necessary for him to wear such a thing on a ship where everyone knew him by his first name. Regardless, he decided to go down the safe route and don the cloak.
Time passed until Kain was finally able to emerge from the crates he had lived behind for weeks now. Following his at first startled wake up routine the cloaked figure started into the familiar small labyrinth of ladders and corridors, nodding to every crew member that he encounters. He turned a corner during his journey to the top deck and was face to face with a Mork, one who he called friend in this world full of strange faces.
"Flighty feet! I'm sure yer ears already picked up on the 'ommotion, but 'Aptain thought ya might be interested in hearing the details!"
The kiju smiled and bowed slightly to the man.
"Y-yes hello Nivek! I come to... Investigate, yes?" Kain said with uncertainty, unsure if he had used the term correctly, his accent portraying his kiju origin.
"Details? I would like to hear." He smiled, proud of his second response that was without a moment's pause.
Said Mork rose a questioning eyebrow at the kiju, crossing his arms,
"Aye, ya weren't trying to sneak out, now were ya?"
Kain blinked for a moment, once processing what the man was asking the kiju's eyes widened.
"Me? Nono, I was going to ahm… See what the commotion was about." He grinned nervously and rubbed the back of his neck before he continued.
"Besides, I always came back on time! Except for…" The kiju trailed off, unsure how to say what was on his mind. The Mork possibly knew what past event he spoke of.
"Uh-huh," Nivek said unamused,
"Ya do realize that if even a single human 'atches a whiff of ya presence, ya'll be dead meat in seconds, yah?" He gave a flick on the fox's nose, then put an arm around his shoulder, turning them both to head back to the depths of the ship.
"As fer the 'omotion, whatcha heard already?"
Kain flinched at the flicking of his nose, his hands instinctively going up to cover his muzzle so to prevent any future nose flicking. He didn't protest as much to the man turning him towards the safety of the ship.
"That's if the humans catch me, sir." He chuckled quietly, taking a moment to rub his nose before he continued.
"I haven't heard much. Not even from the… How do you say… Scuttlebucket? Nono.. Scuttlebutt. I just woke up less than a hour ago when I heard a loud bang from up top, sir." The kiju waited for the Mork to begin walking and followed by his side. He knew he could trust Nivek's word. The Mork hasn't steered him in the wrong direction yet. Why would he now?
Nivek burst into uncontrollable laughter that shook his whole frame. It took him a minute to get the giggles under control and then some more time to catch his breath before he could speak again,
"Flighty feet, I'm amazed ya managed to stay alive fer so long, dear Staarn! Ya sure sleep like a rock!" he let out a few more chuckles,
"So the long story short – there's some other kiju on the loose, so everyone's buzzing like flies. Ya-" he gave another friendly poke at Kain,
"-really don't wanna go out there right now. In fact, 'Aptain's ain't all that sure they won't try to pry this ship board by board, so even below deck ya should stay alert, ya feeling me?"
Kain nodded and smiled with uncertainty, unsure of an appropriate response to the Mork's laughter. Upon being given the current events lecture the kiju perked up in a sense, his eyes widening at the news.
"Kiju here?" He blurted out, his maw hanging agape as if he were about to say more, but he didn't know what exactly to ask, questions now stirring in his head. Half of him wanted to see who this other kiju might be, for he hadn't seen another of his kin for a long time, however the other half convinced him otherwise.
"... I see. I'll be sure to prepare my contingency plan should the guards board for an inspection." His nose scrunched slightly as he folded his arms across his chest. He hated the plan he had crafted… It was always difficult to get the stench of week old potatoes in tropical heat out of his clothes.
"I 'now, wild," the Mork agreed, patting the other on his back,
"Ya do that, Imma go look how's the 'Aptain doing, had a guest last time I saw him." Nivek was halfway down the hall when he suddenly twirled back around to shout after Kain,
"Oh! And we leaving port tomorrow, at dawn from what I heard!" and with that he left for the deck.
Kain's head bobbed up and down in an affirming nod, his gaze following Nivek as the Mork walked down the hall. His ears did a noticeable twitch when the man spoke of a guest and their plans for tomorrow, but that was the only reaction he could afford before the man turned and left for the deck, leaving the kiju alone in the small corridor. He stared at the direction Nivek went; the direction to fresh air and danger, then he looked back the way he came; safety and solitude. There was a long minute of silence, but with a resigned sigh the kiju made his decision. His back turned towards the direction Nivek went as he returned to the depths of the ship once more.