Black Hawk's Treasure

[The GrandMage]

'Salty Dan' Moore

He sighed, and moved towards the captain, looking back at the pub. A drink seemed so inviting. Of course, Mia didn't look too inviting about him getting a drink, so he ignored the pain's promise it would go away after a few drinks.

Besides, it was probably lying. "Capt'n," he said as he came up. "Any plan in tha works?"

 

[poohlive]

"Yeah," Thomas' voice was far away, seeming to come from another world, "I know just what you mean."
As the last of it was loaded onto the cart, the man paid him a hefty sum. A single bag full of money, which would help them buy as many supplies as they needed.
He got together most of his higher up's, dispersing it to let them go get supplies. Food, rope, water, wood, medicine, tools, weapons, cannonballs, such as that.
They all headed off in different directions.
"Hmmm, You should get some rest. It's been a helluva long day. No one should be on the boat, just go down below, find a cot not in use, and take a few days off. I'm going into town to get some canvas. We can't set sail with what we having blowing in the wind now."
He kissed her on the cheek, "That's an order."

 

[katalynn]

Krysta ~

Took me a second to realize what he was telling me to do. Rest? Right now? There's still much to do.. HAd to admitt sleep did sound wonderful right now. Just this wasn't the time to be resting, though, right when I was about to protest, Thomas saw it coming and made it an order.

"You need rest as well.... But if you insist, I'll try and get some rest."

Even though his kiss was only on my cheek, it meant so much to me right then. Reluctantly I pulled away to start heading down.
Wanted to say more yet, the words didn't come out.

"Try not to be gone to long..."

Was I could really say before kissing him lightly and then walking off to find some decent place to sleep.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Ash

"Gather up.." She glanced around to make sure they wouldn't be over heard and then told them what she had in mind.

"There is a sloop out there, and when it gets dark, we're going to commandeer.." She grinned a little.

"I don't feel like bargaining to a bunch of scum that don't understand decency... So we'll do what needs to be done. Sound good?" She had some time to spare, they all did.. Preach handed over what he had without comment, she could have hugged him but he wouldn't tollerate that from her..

"We'll see what we can do til then. Food, rest. Dan, no ale other than medical purposes.. Mia, watch him." She grinned at the gunner as he made a face.

 

[poohlive]

Thomas smiled as he watched her go. He hadn't slept well since the night after their ship had gone down. In fact, he hadn't slept at all, but his smile was just as warm and sweet.
He didn't think he could ever sleep again, to be honest. MAybe, after a while, he'll just be so exhausted, he'll have to drop somewhere.
Thomas went off the ship, passing by the docks. His ship docked on one side, and another was docked just opposite. From that ship, a man ran out, screaming his head off.
"WHERE DID ALL MY CARGO GO?"
Thomas, blank faced, pointed to the cart, now driving away with crates full of food, clothing, and other materials.
"They took it."
"What the fuck? Men! AFTER THEM!"
The men he spoke of, were nothing more than two first mates. The rest were too drunk to do anything. The driver, seeing their advance, whipped at the horse and they sped off down the road.
Thomas had a big ole shit grin on his face, as he counted the rest of the money.
"Well, well well... Look's like I've got a sail to buy."
He went down into the market pace.

 

[corbetphantom]

Rodger Flint

Oblivion never came. Vomit did, hard. As Rodger picked himself up off the street and wiped his mouth he sighed. He couldn't even get properly drunk. His stumbling walk had less to do with alcohol and more to do with the desire for self destruction.

The salvager sighed again and looked up. He saw Ash and the remnants of her crew. His attempt at suicide by booze hadn't changed the fact that he still didn't have the money for a boat. He swallowed his pride and approached them.

"Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that you seem to be a few crewmen short of a crew. Is there any chance that you could use one more?"

He tried his best at a dashing smile, knowing that it looked false. He hoped he did not reek too much of rum...

 

[The GrandMage]

'Salty Dan' Moore

So, the plan was to steal a sloop? And he wasn't allowed to get drunk first? This was a horrible turn of events. He'd lost his weapons, been shot, and now he had to help take over a sloop?

Thank God it was only a sloop. Anything bigger and they'd probably be killed, but a sloop, if most of the crew was in port at the time, might be taken. He didn't like the idea of doing so unarmed, though.

He sighed, and turned to Mia. "Alrigh', lass, you pour ou' what' ya think I need for 'medical purposes,' an' I'll drink it."

 

[katalynn]

Krysta ~

Heard some shouting as I walked down the stairs, was tempted to find out what it was about. Thought of helping those land lovers wasn't at the top of my list, plus, I would be going against *orders* of getting rest.

Took sometime to find the perfect spot. Most the cots were covered in mold and dust and wasn't in the mood to clean one off. The more I looked for one, more I realized how just how tired I was. Really didn't want to be alone, though, I understood that things needed his attention and it just maybe what I needed right now. No-one around generally means no stress.

The most perfect spot, down below in a corner room barely any dust and was quiet and dark. Didn't even bother looking for a blanket, just layed down on the cot and soon sleep washed over me.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Ashley

She turned to the new comer with a small amount of interest. The scavenger rat wanted a job with her crew? She eyed him up and down and held her tongue for the longest time.

Did she trust a new comer? He would be greatly out numbered that was for certain, her crew wouldn't allow the same mistake twice.. She did need the man power, but ..

"Do you follow orders? Can you swear loyalty until the voyage is over? I don't take on useless baggage sailor." She folded her arms over her chest and leaned against the building, watching and waiting for the play of emotions over his face.

"I'll be takin' Danny off with me. Meet up here again soon Cap'n." Mia saluted her and moved off with Dan. She nodded once but held the sailors eyes.

He looked like he had been kicked and hard, there were signs of pain in his eyes, drawn tight scowl. Yeah, he had been stung recently.. But he'd been on the War Hammer?

"Alright, you got yourself some crew mates. As long as you accept that I am captain and if it doesn't come from me, it'll come from Preach here. Understood?" she held out her hand to shake on it, weighting him by his reactions to her. Testing his back bone, pride and yes if he adapted well.


Mia

"Come on Danny. Let's go get you numb." I pushed him along with me and into the pub. A nice drink might help ease some pain and ready ourselves for tonight. I had half a mind to find Thomas and give him a piece of my mind, but that would be pointless this far into the 'game'.. And Those two were definitely playin' some sort of game.

"Sit here." I fetched out a few coin and ordered us each an ale and a shot of whiskey for Danny. He looked to need it more than I. My eyes scanned the pub, looking and watching for possible trouble or bad news.

 

[corbetphantom]

Rodger Flint

The salvagemand sighed, "I can take orders. I'll not mutiny, if that's what your asking, but I'll not stop a cannonball for ye either." Rodger groaned inwardly, his dialect didn't just come out when he was aroused...

He cleared his throat, "I haven't had much time to prove it, but I'm not useless. It'd be tough to live alone if I was, don't you think?"

As her answer came, he relaxed a little...maybe he'd be able to make enough money to get away from a captain soon. His recent escapades on the War Hammer only served to prove even more that people could not be trusted, and that they would only use you. Nonetheless, he had no idea who his other temporary crewmates were, and that would make the voyage harder.

"I'll follow you as captain, but as yet I don't know any of the others yet...pehaps some introductions?"

 

[The GrandMage]

'Salty Dan' Moore

He gazed around the place before taking the shot quickly. He licked his lips, and turned his attention to the ale, and Mia. He grunbted, and took a swig.

"So, wha' da ya think abou' the Capt'n's plans?"

 

[Why]

..............

 

[Sweetp4u]

Ashley

"You've met Preach, this here is Salty Dan, master gunner. And the lady here is my Doctor, Mia. And the fiesty redhead around here somewhere is Sally. Now back to business."

She sat down and laid out their plans for moving onto the ship. Preach and Mia would go first, followed by herself. Daniel and Sally would stay up on deck to watch for trouble and the new comer could assist in getting the sloop ready to sail.

"We'll have to be quick and quiet. They always leave someone on board.. Sally, check the crows nest as well while we search below deck. Dan we need a ship sleek, fast and heavily armed. you spot one?" She kept her voice low the last thing they needed was someone to overhear.



(ooc: once its dark they'll move in. I will give a few more posts so everything that needs done can be done. I believe DM left lit. we'll have to work around Leia.)

 

[poohlive]

"Thomas, you fucking bastard," the low down furrowed face gave a slight smile as he looked up to see the bar tender, washing a filthy glass with a filthy rag.
"Hey Red. I thought you had a ship."
"Had a ship? Are you kidding me? I have three now. Can you believe it?"
Thomas sat down, drinking down the first grop of alcohol Red gave to him.
"I can't. Last time I saw you, you were just a wet behind the ears captain with his first ship. Who's treasure did you steal?"
"I didn't steal any of it. I'm a merchant now. Trading. That's where all the money is now. Not in stealing, but in trading."
Thomas shook his head, as he down another tankard of ale. No boatful of tobacco or coffee could ever replace golden dabloons taken with sword and fist.
"Aye, I'm telling you. It's the wave of the future. You should try it. I saw the piece of shit you hauled in here, where's your girl?"
"Bottom of the sea... that's my new girl now?"
"Good lord. Not the Bilge. That was a ship to be reckoned with."
"It was reckoned with all right."
"That's why you're here?"
"Aye, more ale, keep it coming."
The bar tender pulled on a lever, letting the warm ale pour into another filthy glass. On a given day, Thomas would have asked for a clean one, or at least cleaned his own...
But this was far from a given day. He took the drink, and nearly chugged half of it.
"You need another ship? I could pull a few strings."
Thomas shook his head, "No... no. I'm good. The Warhammer is a filthy piece of shit, but it'll do. It'll do..."
Red nodded, knowing that Thomas was thinking of other things. The day a man didn't take pride in his ship... well, that was truly a day or mourning.
The bar tender kept his glass full.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mia

"Don't give up just yet Cap'n.. I know of some 'friends' of your Pa's who might be able to assist us some. Let me see what I can do 'fore we go doin' somethin' bad." I glanced over at Danny and then Sally, we'd been here before. I knew of some I could ask questions and some who owed a few favores.
"I'll go see what I can find out.. see if I can collect some of those favors for ya cap'n." Standing, I down the rest of my ale and borrowed one of Preach's guns. "I'll return it Preach. Thanks." I gave them a look over, each seemed to want to argue with me, but that would be tough to do with my back to them and the door ahead. I couldn't just up and take off with a ship here without first tryin' all our resources, callin' in some owed favors.. And if I was right, somewhere on this island, Old man Roberts held a baggy of gold owed to Captain as well.


Ashley

"Well that's a fine by-your-leave." She glared at Mia's retreating back a moment and then shook her head. "Hope she knows what she's doing." She had to admit, she had little resources and little gold to get anywhere here. Information didn't come cheap and her only course left was to steal some unsuspecting man's ship. She knew no one on this whole fuckin' island who could help her out!
"Preach, Dan, Sally... Get some rest, food whatever we can get with the remaining coin." She felt defeated yet again. She had no clue what she was doing or how to go about getting this job over with. She should have just listened to Thomas and taken his offer...

Speak of the devil, her eyes landed on him sitting at the bar. Her father was a real bastard, her hands tightened into fists a moment as she looked away.
"I don't like lingering here.. And I don't like our numbers either." She had been running it through her mind. Even if she got a fast ship and armed, she didn't want to sink her damned ship! She needed it in one piece! She had no idea how many survivors were even on board the Mystique, nor how many were munitied on their own accord. How strong was Vallen?
There had been so many bodies in the water, and they had no time to sit and take a head count from both ships and identify them. So who remained and how many? Where was he headed? She had a feeling he was after the treasure, who wouldn't be?

Her eyes again turned to Thomas. If she swallowed what little was left of her pride, she could ask him. But would he even give her the time of day now? She twirled her ale around in her mug, all these thoughts and plans running through her mind to conclusion and each time it was the same ending... Without help and crew, she had more than she could chew to deal with.

"How many on the ship you figure were Vallen's men preach?" She asked softly, her mind working over the possibles. If she stole a sloop, heavily armed it with again stolen goods, she could over take the ship easily, board and gain control... But she only had five crew members left.. Facing how many odds?

Sinking the ship was beyond question. She knew no one here she could hire, and had nothing to hire them with.. The map was of little value to these men, only her crew and her knew it was the real thing... And thomas knew.

Again she came back to thomas. He had a ship, he had crew, he needed gold to replace the Bilge..

"More than half.." Came the reply. She felt a knot forming in her stomach, one of those painful kinds. She could go for the gold, hope she finds it and just purchase a new ship... The thought left a sour taste in her mouth entirely. That was her ship!

"Excuse me for a bit men.." She rose from the table, heading to the bar to get herself another mug of ale... And yes right to Thomas. Dare she ask anything of him after all she had said to him? Vallen had said something about the wrong ship.... Was he working for Thomas?

She paused behind him, standing there for the longest moment, the bar tender looking her over a second as she stood there debating on what to do now?

"Buy you a drink for some of your time?" She spoke up finally, moving to sit beside Thomas on the stool. Her heart was pounding again that fear clawing at her mind. He had rejected her more than once, and she kept on coming back.. She had to be mad.. Desperate maybe... but he was more honest than most she knew, he had information of some kind perhaps.. And maybe he had advice to help her out?

After this journey..She was retiring from captaining her ship and hiring someone more capable.

 

[poohlive]

"I don't think you can afford it," Thomas said, as his glass raised up to his lips, and he let the drink flow down to the fire in his gut. His eyes glassed over just a little, and a nice buzz was going. He doubted anything that Ashley might have to say now would ruin it.
He was a good drunk, not a bad drunk. He could hold his liquor well.
She, on the other hand... blew up ships when she got soused.
Temper temper temper.
"My dear, you barely have a bag of coins to your name. But this..." he held up the weighty sack, gold jingling, "This is all mine. I got it off some ass who didn't watch his ship. Pulled the ole switch and bait. He didn't see it coming. Too busy getting drunk. Gotta watch your cargo. That's just rule number one. Gotta watch who's on your ass."
The bar tender took out another filthy glass, pouring him some more, "You want me to..."
"No, no. Let her stay. She wanted to talk, and I feel in the mood for talking. Come, come. My name is Thomas, your name is Ashley. A pleasure to meet you after all this time. Please, sit down, drink with me."
He gave a coy laugh, raising his drink to her.
"You know," He whispered to her, moving in real close to her, "I thought for the longest time my Ashley had been replaced by this harrowing bitch of a woman, who only thought of money. I had lost this girl I wanted to marry once... but..."
As Thomas looked at her, into those sparkling eyes of hers, and that wonderful pouty smile.
"I think she found her way back again," he laughed, raising the drink once more, and then downing it.
"You had something you wanted to say, didn't you? Didn't she? Yes, yes you did. What was it? Here I go babbling on nonsense, and you have an agenda. What is it my dear?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Ashley

She gaped at him a second, he was soused! Or getting there.. And who could blame him? She had been responcible.. She bit her tongue, holding back a 'sorry' she was certain he'd find hallow and empty.

"I need your help.." She mumbled, looking down at her fingertips as she toyed with her nails.

"What? Got to speak up if you want to be heard." He didn't hear her or he wanted her to say it louder.

She sighed and glanced up at him again, she held her temper in check this time, too much was riding on this to tell him anything.

"I need your help.. I.." She fumbled over the words, yet again not certain where to start?

"I need to know about Vallen.. if you know anything.. " The bartender eyed her again with a very unfriendly look.. Was he protecting Thomas? "Can we speak somewhere more privately Thomas?" She laid her hand on his wrist a moment, "please?" There had to be a room somewhere in this pub they could speak without all the noise?

If she could get him away from his ale. She almost laughed when he told her how he came by his gold, but she didn't dare make light of the situation.

"He worked for you once, I want to go get my ship and I need to know if you have any idea why he took it or where'd he go?"

 

[The GrandMage]

'Salty Dan' Moore

He took the gun with a nod to Preach. Nothing like a firearm to make him feel whole. The only problem left was the few people it could take down. He hoped whatever sloop the captain chose would be undermaned.

He finished his ale, and sat, thinking, his fingers running across the gun. A lot had happened in his life. But he'd be damned if this didn't take the cake.

 

[poohlive]

"He never worked for me," Thomas walked outside the bar, a bottle in his hand, and a small stagger in his step. He leaned against a wall for a second, looking off into the distance at something that seemed important.
Hmmmm.
"He worked for your father. If anyone knows anything, it'd be your father's crew. They know about his character."
Thomas gave a sly smile, as he dropped his pants and began to pee against the side of the building. He didn't phase a step in the conversation.
"You want to know where he's going, and probably more importantly why he did what he did. Ahhhh, good questions. You finally asking questions? Not just going to go head first? Hmmm, a different approach."
He shook out the few remaining droplets, and zipped up. Thomas headed for his ship, motioning for her to follow.
"I don't know much about Vallen. I knew he had taken part of the map from your father, so I tracked him down. He agreed to tell me where the map was, in exchange that I go with him, and bring some crew friends along. I wasn't stupid enough to let strangers on my ship, so I told him no. He agreed for a price on the whereabouts of the map. Nearly all my wealth to that point. Thousands of dollars worth. For a chance at Black Hawk's Treasure, I would have given him my right testicle if he asked for it."
He came aboard the boat, going down into the decks below. It had been a good four hours now, and Krysta should be well rested.
"KRYSTA! Lady fair, where are you?"
He went below.
"You see. Vallen's working for someone. I don't know who, but I heard rumors. Someone with a lot of money, and a lot of smarts. You have to listen when you're in a bar, Ashley. Pirate lesson 101. Drunken people talk very loud, and say things they shouldn't say..."
Thomas bit his tongue on that, wondering if he had done just the same thing. No, of course not. He wasn't drunk.
He took a swig from the bottle, now half empty.
"So, if you want to confirm rumors, you go straight to the source, and no one knows rumors like the one and only bar tender of Pirate Island."
Thomas hiccuped, backing into Ashley. For a moment, he was overbalanced, in her arms, smiling up at her upside down.
"Excuse me," He giggled, calling out to Krysta once more.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Ashley

He rambled alot but all his information was indeed helpful. She knew little next to nothing about bar tenders, gossip or pubs, but it seemed to her that Thomas did.

She side stepped and moved out of range when he decided to water the wall, having no desire to be urinated on, she bit her tongue to not comment about his behavior. She almost laughed but managed to stay serious.

She followed along, her brows knitted as she thought over various possible reasons Vallen had for taking her ship? Her only thought was the gold.. he was hoping her map was on her ship? A possibility..

She glanced around the War Hammer and followed him below decks, he had valid points but still?

"Pirate Island is my next stop.. I will be heading there tonight." She mused a moment, "The bar tender you say? Well, that is Krysta's brother isnt it?" She smiled a little, she remembered him vaguely, but she had coin in her home, enough to buy information...

"You would give it all for a chance?" She stopped herself from dropping him on the floor. "Do stop shouting Thomas, please." She shook her head, lucky for him he uprighted himself before she did drop him! He gained weight over the past few years..

"Would you help me get my ship back for say....... seventy-five percent?" She smiled at his back, she'd give it all to him if the need arose to bargain it all away, but with the amount there, seventy five percent was pretty damned high.

With a sloop, armed and manned.. the War Hammer too armed and readied.. She had been chance at her ship, a better chance of many things..

"What you say Thomas? I need help to get Mystique back in one piece and I had half the map and we know how to get the other.. You help me get her back, I will help you get the treasure and hand over seventy-five percent to you..." she held her breath, she just put her neck out there to the only person she knew who despised her.. And truth be told, she did not want to be pushed away again. It hurt enough as it was already.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mia

Old Man Roberts' place was a run down dump, and that was being kind to the condition of his dwelling.

Face twisted in disgust, I was tempted to turn right around and leave!

"My gawd! This is worse than Sally!" The wood of the porch was soggy, mildewy and rotted so bad, I had to step over two of them and hope the third did not break on me.

It smelled musty, dank, rotten too.

"WHO BE THAT!" ducking to the side of the 'door' as Roberts shouted and hacked inside.
"Gal durn good for nothin' bums! Git outta here! I gots me gun!" The sound of something heavy clammored inside and onto the floor. "GOD DARN IT!"

"Roberts! It's Doc!" I eyed the piece of wood hanging up as a door. My head tilting sideways a little as I read the few letters there.. "Victor..?" He used part of an old ship to make a door? Scavengers.. Shaking my head, he call out again.

"Eh. Doc? Who in blazin hell is DOC?" He kicked something and the door groaned as he fumbled to open it up.

"MIA! Are you that addle brained?!" Sighing, I knew all this shouting was alerting people to my presense here, which was not a good thing since I owed Ol Billy for poker still..

"Open up damn it, I aint got all night.." I lowered my voice a little and waited as he pulled on the door. grumbling, the door did nothing more than sway in the top corner but held elsewhere. He swore again and yanked harder on it. "Ya knows what time it is?" I stared blankly at him a moment before brushing off a piece of unknown substance from my shoulder.
"Didn' think ya did.. It's late!" He glared at me.

"Eh.. Well let me in." He glared a moment longer before moving aside. His face was weathered worse than before, his beard mangy and his hair down right black with gunk. My skin crawled just thinking about it... And what made me want to come inside?!

I stood in the center of the one room and glanced around while he again fought with the 'door'. What few things he had was all filthy, he had gone from filth to disgusting in no time.. Ol Cap'n not coming around to pester Roberts, I figured this would happen.

"What ya want Mia.. I done paid my bills...." Turning around to look at him, I wished I hadn't as he scratched himself and sat in an old rocker.

"I know Roberts. I came to ask some questions.. see if perhaps Jack was around?"

"Why ya be wantin' Jack?" His hand covered his mouth as he coughed, which amazed me.

"He owes for a shipment of cargo he delivered awhile back."

"Well ya best be waitin' in line, Jack done owe everyone on this here island." He snorted, coughed and then spit into the cold fire place.

Backing up a step, I found a crate and sat down on it, hoping it would hold my weight.

"What about the old Captain?"

"whut old captin?" He seemed onery today.. No ale? Pulling out one of the three coins I had, I flipped it to him.

"Brian."

"What? He dead?" He seemed astonished to learn this? It'd been news four months ago.. where had he been? Nodding I watched him, something wasn't right here with Roberts.. He may be filthy and poor but he wasn't stupid and word spread around quickly in these parts..

"Who has the ship now? You? Preach?"

"Ashley."

"You chewin' mah leg! That wee little thing?" He snorted and laughed as he shook his head. "I thought he done got rid of 'er awhile ago?"

"She came back. So where's Jack?"

He eyed the gold piece a moment, his thumb tracing the face slowly as he sat staring at me with interest.

"The Mystique aint in port here... Why's that? Rumor has it ya'll came in on some old ghost ship.."

"Vallen happened and we're after the Mystique now." Why was I even sharing this information with him? Ash was going to kill me!

"Ah so he did get it eh? We were bettin' he'd lose.. what with preach bein a deadly aim and that big man Brian had gunnin'.." He chuckled. "Women... they dont belong on.."

"Enough old Man, I just need something useful here alright? Can you do that for me? You do owe me for saving your worthless hide back in 86'." I was irritated with him, he had information but was too bloody greedy to help a friend.

"Alright! Don' get all dithered up now.. Well last I heard Jack was hidin' out on his ship out in the bay.. Keep men from boardin'.. he got a dog on there. big ol' ugly thang. names shoop or was it shit? Anyway, he be out there..... And Vallen well.. all I knows is he was workin' for some whore.." He spit again and wiped his mouth on the sleeve.

"Alright. Well i will see to Jack, you see about cleanin this place up a bit.." I rose from the crate and nodded before heading off to locate Jack.

I seen the ship earlier, it was the one Ash wanted to take.. that had to be Jack's Smuggler's Run.. Why would a man like Vallen work for some whore and what was the job? She'd have to ask around again, Roberts would need more gold before he'd help us out.

 

[corbetphantom]

Rodger Flint

Rodger had listened to the plans for stealing the sloop with interest, hoping that he would have a quick trial by fire and prove himself to them. Even if he was not to be with them for long, his life would be that much easier if they trusted and accepted him. Then he went back to the bar to try to drink himself sober before the raid. He knew that he was a fool to attempt something like this while intoxicated, but he couldn't help himself: he had a dash of rum with his coffee.


And he waited to be called for.

 

[katalynn]

Krysta ~


Hadn't realized how long I had been sleeping, don't even remember falling asleep let alone the dreams I had. I do remember them starting out fitfully, though that was mostly just thoughts more than dreams. It was so distant, least it seemed that way while trying to wake up.. Stumbling sounds? More than one persons footstep sounds. At first thought someone was trying to steal our stuff, or even this grudgy old ship. Then it was Thomas' voice shouting for me, soon followed was what sounded like Ashs' voice, but was sure at first.

I knew most likely Thomas would probably be drunk, in fact I half way expected it. But to have her here? Slid out of the cot and creeped out the door at first......... For sure, it was her. Walking towards them calmly, somewhat alert for I didn't hear the conversation, only voices.

Bit my tongue to hold back what I really wanted to say, held back what I really wanted to do. It wasn't pleasant seeing her here with Thomas when he is like this. I'm sure she had some lame excuse for her presence now.

"I'm here, Is everything alright? Why is she here again?"

Slight hint of anger in my tone, though I pushed it back not really wanting it to show.

"It matters not, just surprised at the presence is all."

Said a bit more calmly, cept my eyes never left Ash. Trying to search out her reasons for being here, her expression posed no threat, yet, that didn't mean that the threat wasn't there. I was still a bit sleepy and seeing her pretty much the moment I wake up didn't help how I was feeling.

 

[Why]

.........

 

[Why]

..............