Black Hawk's Treasure

[The GrandMage]

Salty Dan

He looked over at Leia, his scowl fading. He watched Preacher go back in the tavern, grunting at the comment. He closed the door, leaning his weight on it so the first mate couldn't come back out. He pulled the cork out of the bottle, offering it to her.

"Rum? Nice actin'. Bu' I seriously doubt anyo'e would throw out a lovely lass like yerself because she was too adventerous. So, what was i' all abou'?"

He looked over her body, smiling at her as his eyes roved over her exposed flesh. Aye, she was a good-lookin' thing. And stories said she was as good a sailor as a looker. Although he doubted that was possible. Of course, it was the flip side of getting your information from a drunk.

They tended to exaggerate.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Leia

"At dawn, my duty will be to my Captain and my ship, till then I do the Lord's work, in what ever form he does present it to me. If my Captain has need of me before then, She has ways of finding me."

Leia listened, mesmerised by his words.

"... and now ... ?"

She questionned softly, her eyes meeting his in mute appeal.

"Ey! Preach! Capt'n Ash's drunk and callin' out ol' Thomas from tha Bilge Water! You jus' gonna hang out 'ere, or ya gonna 'elp me get 'er back ta the ship?"

Leia tensed as she heard Dan's voice cut through the silence.
Her eyes flew once more to the Preacher's, but she felt all was lost.

"Then, we best go make sure she has the assistance she requires and knowing our Captain of old, it will take the two of us to hold her back, if Thomas comes within her firing range. "

She watched the Preacher bow, her eyes holding hers.
Strangely she wished her were staying.
She found him ... intriguing somehow ...

"Well? If you forsake her she will surely cast thee out."

Leia glanced over at Dan and then back at her erstwhile companion.

Smiling softly at him, she whispered:

"Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better.
If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he's in trouble. Eclesiastes 4:9 and 10"

Leia then sighed heavily and turned away, moving to slump against the wall and then slide down to sit with her hands wound around her knees.

"Which in short, means I'm in a hell of alot of trouble, I guess..."

She murmured to herself.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Leia

"Rum?"

She looked up to see Dan standing over her.
She shook her head and looked away.

"Nice actin'. Too bad I doubt Thomas wou' throw out a woman of yer talents, especially a goo' sailor ta boot, jus' 'cause ya like some fun. So, what was i' all abou'?"

She turned back to him feeling his eyes on her.

"You ... you are what it was about!"

She snapped turning away from him, her head in her hands once more.
She felt him take a step closer and took the offered rum this time.

"Thanks ..."

She muttered...

"Hadn't you best to help your Captain and Preach... he seems to give a damn at least... "

She turned away, as if dismissing him.

 

[The GrandMage]

Salty Dan

"What, an' get betwixt the Capt'n an' her source of rage? No thank ye. I ain't what tha' foolish. I jus' said tha ta git rid of 'im. Yer not the only only who can pull tha wool o'er his eyes, ya know."

He let her take the rum, keeping himself blocking the door. She had turned away from him. "So,....that was fer me, huh? What, gonna try to get some information outta me? An' yet yer gonna dismiss me jus' like tha'?"

 

[Why]

...........

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Leia

"What, an' get betwixt the Capt'n an' her source of rage? No thank ye. I ain't what tha' foolish. I jus' said tha ta git rid of 'im. Yer not the only only who can pull tha wool o'er his eyes, ya know."

Leia listen to him admit that he made up the excuse to stop her talking to the Preacher. She scowled.

"You men ... all the same ... you use ... you play games... you're all ..."

She had had enough... she stood and took a further step away from him.

"So,....that was fer me, huh?
What, gonna try to get some information outta me?
An' yet yer gonna dismiss me jus' like tha'?"

Leia turned around, her eyes glaring.

"You arrogant ... "

She rolled her eyes in frustration.

"You made me look a bloody idiot in there ... and you know it!
You knew damn well who I was ... but I didn't know of you ... or your precious Captain..."

She blustered.

"Welll even shipmates fall out ... even they have rivalry ... "

She arched a brow and looked pointedly towards the door where Preach had disappeared.

"You can imagine what it looked like ... me cosyin' up to "the enemy"!

She sighed, her eyes glaringly hostile now.

"Why do you think my Cap'n didn't tell us the details of our voyage? "

She paused and let the words sink in.

"When loyalty's in question, it's easy to pick a fight about anything ... it's an easy excuse ... so you'd best watch out fer yerself, Dan ... or isn't your Captain as particular...?

She challenged.

 

[The GrandMage]

Salty Dan

She was playing it up, or it was true. He took an evaluation of her. Too many people tried to cheat you out of your money. He'd learned early enough that it was common with pirates. He had to be able to tell when people were scamming him.

He raised an eyebrow. "Tha 'enemy'? You don' know who I am, 'ow could I be the 'enemy'? As fer my Capt'n, I proved my loyalty when I stuck wit' 'er. Not a lot o' men did, ya know. Speakin' a which, crew's kinda low. If yer serious abou' bein' kicked outta the Bilge, I could set ya up a spot."

He called her bluff. She if she'd go on another ship. Chances were it'd be a long time before she ever had the chance to get back to the Bilge, if ever again. He'd seen ships that only met in ports every few years. And knowing Thomas's crew had the tavern owner, and called this port home, and Ash's hatred of him, he doubted if the ships would ever meet up again.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Leia

"Tha 'enemy'? You don' know who I am, 'ow could I be the 'enemy'? As fer my Capt'n, I proved my loyalty when I stuck wit' 'er. Not a lot o' men did, ya know. Speakin' a which, crew's kinda low. If yer serious abou' bein' kicked outta the Bilge, I could set ya up a spot."

Leia turned around, her face aghast.
She hadn’t forseen this response.
She hesitated her eyes searching his.

”Sure we’re enemies … you know that more than I do.
Seems there’s a grudge between our Captains and that said, I don’t think that I’d be welcomed with open arms aboard your ship, do you?”

She arched an eyebrow, then pressed her back against the wall with an exaggerated shiver.

”I can’t imagine not being aboard ship … I’ve been on the Bilge since I were 19 … “

 

[The GrandMage]

Salty Dan

He smiled. That look as soon as she took in what he'd said laid it all bare. She hadn't expected that, and certainly didn't want it. He leaned against the door, folding his arms as he looked at her.

"An' ya wanna say I play games? Lass, come off it. Ya gave it away. 'Though I concur. A ship is a won'erous thing, and the ocean is tha only place I'd be happy. Been on a ship since I was a lod o' eight. Me father was a Captain."

He smiled a little at the thought, but turned his mind to what was at hand. "So, ya still gonna try, lass? I admit I've had a wee bit ta drink, and with the right persuasion, ya might be able ta git somethin' from me yet."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Ashley

Turning, she bumped into Thomas and caught sight of Preach standin' at her side. She smirked a little, tempted to rub that in Thomas's face but thought better of it.

This was between him and her, for now.

"Preach, go on 'bout your fun.. We're fine.." She grabbed Thomas again and yanked him outside with her, letting the door slam in the process.

She was certain he came along with her out of something, she sure as shit couldn't normally tug him around like some puppet! She released him once she hit the ground with both feet again. Maybe he was holding her up?

That only made her more angry! "You..." She faltered a moment, He could always hold his drink! Blast him!

"We haffff bizness to speak of.." She turned to face her ex-lover, her face stewing with anger. There were so many wrongs done by this man to her, he should be hung from the top mast! BY HIS BALLS! But she didn't say that...

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Leia

"An' ya wanna say I play games? Lass, come off it. Ya gave it away. 'Though I concur. A ship is a won'erous thing, and the ocean is tha only place I'd be happy. Been on a ship since I was a lod o' eight. Me father was a Captain."

Leia eyed him curiously. His father had been a Captain?

"So, ya still gonna try, lass? I admit I've had a wee bit ta drink, and with the right persuasion, ya might be able ta git somethin' from me yet."

Leia scowled.

"I don't want anything from you.
You've done enough for me this evening Dan."

She insisted stubbornly.

"'An' I gave nothing away ... I just haven't got it in me to turn traitor quite yet ... "

She sighed restlessly and turned towards the tavern.

"Now ... will ye let me past. I've a mind to get more liquor, 'tis the only solace, I'll get tonight ... "

She told him resignedly.

 

[The GrandMage]

Salty Dan

He gave a laugh, and shook his head, his eyes roamed over her body again, and he grinned. Well, if she wanted to keep playing, he'd play her game.

"Oh, I'm afrai' I can't do that, lass. And I'm sure I could do a little mora ta ya tonight, maybe give ya a little solice. An' since when is it being traitorous once ya been kicked offa ya ship? I thinks a little change a pace might do ya well, 'side, with me on your side I'm sure the Capt'n woul'n't mind. How's about you and I go take a look 'round the ship before ya says no?"

 

[Why]

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

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Leia

Leia watched as he laughed.
The inventory he made of her body did not go unnoticed.

"Oh, I'm afrai' I can't do that, lass.
And I'm sure I could do a little mora ta ya tonight, maybe give ya a little solice. "

She met his look boldly and gave an exaggerated sigh.

"An' since when is it being traitorous once ya been kicked offa ya ship?

She opened her mouth to protest, but he continued.

”I thinks a little change a pace might do ya well, 'side, with me on your side I'm sure the Capt'n woul'n't mind.
How's about you and I go take a look 'round the ship before ya says no?"

Leia looked at him carefully. A chance to get on their ship!
But … she would learn nothing … he was too guarded.
It would be easier to cut her losses and return to her group.
Less risky and by far the most sensible thing to do … under the circumstances.

”I don’t change sides easily, Dan… treachery has many forms… “

She informed him softly.

”Where is your ship anyways …?”

She enquired lightly …

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Lt. Horatio Hornblower:

He and Mr. Moore were plodding along at a brisk pace when Lt. Hornblower's foot dropped into a hole covered by seaweed tossed onto the beach.

He pitched forward, his pace keeping him from being able to catch his balance, and his leg breaks with an audible *crack*.

He heaves to the side to take his weight off of it and falls to the beach on his side. His temple strikes a rock and sadly the intrepid officer in HMN expires on the beach of Pirate Island leaving Mr. Moore as the ranking officer of HMS Requim.

 

[The GrandMage]

Salty Dan

He was almost ready to move out of her way. She didn't seem interested he raised an eyebrow, and smiled. If she wanted to talk, he'd be more than happy to.

"At tha dock. The Mistique. 'Ard ta miss."


Mr. Moore

"Holy! Captain!"

James fell to his knee, checking the man's vital signs. He pulled the captain free, rolling him on his back.

"Oh, this does not bode well at all...."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Leia

"At tha dock. The Mistique. 'Ard ta miss."

Leia nodded.

"As long as that's not with cannon fire, huh?"

She smiled then, her eyes running over him appreciatively and giving a heavy sigh.
It was a shame indeed she must be on her guard with him.
And a shame that she had been given this ... fact finding mission.

Her eye moved to the side door, which he still stood infront of.

"So ... are we to stand out here all night ... ?"

She asked lightly.

 

[The GrandMage]

Salty Dan

He looked to the door, then at her. It seemed she wasn't interested. He had to think of something. He wouldn't have minded being used to find information, but she seemed to not care about it anymore. He didn't know what to do.

"Cannon fire? Hah! I'll punch a 'ole in any ship that dare try! I'm the gunner fer the Mistique, and I'll be damned if there's a sailor anywhere who could claim ta be better."

His ego flared up. While it was true that will a full team of seasoned cannoneers the ship had been formidable. Now though it wasn't so sure. But it didn't matter to Daniel. He still considered himself the best.

"Aye, ya be in a darn hurry ta get back inside. Maybe I should talk ta Thomas once the Capt'n's done wit' being drunk in 'is face? Tell 'im how 'ard it is to get your legs uncrossed? Maybe 'e'll take ya back on, if ya keep sayin' yer dumped."

 

[poohlive]

Thomas walked outside, the cool night air carressing his skin, sending a plague of gooseflesh all over his body. The drinks had only helped him this night, and when he leaned against the wall, to look at the fucked up mess that had turned into Ash, he wasn't surprised in the least.
"Let me guess," He said, taking a wild shot in the dark, "You came here, not expecting to see me, but when you did, you got so confused and frustrating, you ran back to your daddy's ship and got piss drunk. Only, when you got drunk, you decided to come back here and give me what for? Now, here we are. Please, let me save you some time. Why don't you go back to Daddy's little ship, sleep it off, and then in the morning, I'll be gone from your sight, all right? Does that suit you, or do you need to go to your room for another year or so to think it over?"

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Leia

"Cannon fire? Hah! I'll punch a 'ole in any ship that dare try! I'm the gunner fer the Mistique, and I'll be damned if there's a sailor anywhere who could claim ta be better."

Leia looked at him. Again he was claiming to be the best.
And perhaps he was. He looked handy enough, but as she did not know his repuation and he was half drunk, Leia merely accepted his assessment without putting too much credence to it.

"Aye, ya be in a darn hurry ta get back inside.
Maybe I should talk ta Thomas once the Capt'n's done wit' being drunk in 'is face?
Tell 'im how 'ard it is to get your legs uncrossed?
Maybe 'e'll take ya back on, if ya keep sayin' yer dumped."

Leia's eyes met Dan's.
She asked softly.

"And is that what you're doing ... trying to get my legs uncrossed?"

She let out a laugh.

"That is why you tricked Preacher into going inside?"

She eyed him incredulously.

"I think I be safe from any *shooting* from your *weapon* this evening ... "

Leia purred and rubbed up against him, her hand rubbing along his crotch.

"Ohhh ... and if I ever decided to really play games Dan... you'd know about it... "

So saying she slipped past him and put reached out to open the side door, ready to slip inside once more.

 

[katalynn]

Krysta ~

Watched carefully of the other members. The one they called preach followed Leia first. Shortly after, the other one .. Dan.. followed pretty upset. This was my tavern, nothing gets by me that easily. Preach returns, without the other two. Somewhat worry to his look, taking the side of Ash.

I knew she was to drunk to do any real harm, but with one of her crewmen next to her, now watching out through the door. Stood my ground regaurdless, prentending I wasn't watching Preach carefully.

After a few more moments, got up to give the table another round of drinks. Taking on over to where Preach was standing, watching.

"He doesn't pose a threat to her when she is like this... Just to let you know if you pose a threat to him, I'll be on you in a heart beat, licking your blood off my blade."

More of a whisper, close from behind his ear. Handing him the drink, walking off just as quickly as I came.

 

[The GrandMage]

Salty Dan

Oh, she was so close. He smiled at the touch of her hand, rubbing against his crotch. And then she was moving towards the door. His hand shot out, pulling her around.

" 'Ey, lass, that ain't nice. Either don't ge' starte', or don't leave before yer finished!"

He slammed a hand on the door, keeping it tight, puuting the other aginst the wall around her, but he didn't push in. He knew his breath smelled heavy of rum, and he didn't want to give off the impression he was trying to be forward enough to warrant anything rough.

"As fer what I did with Preach, well, I don't mind being ignored, lass, but I don't take to well ta shipmates o' mine goin' after tha same thing. As ta whether I want ta get your legs uncrosse', I doubt there's a man alive who wouldn' like ta, but just because that's a goal doesn't mean it way tonigh's."

He shifted, moving his hand of the door and pulling that arm away so she could go in if she chose. "Ya go in if ya want, go'n tell Thomas ye didn't learn a thing, see 'ow well ya stand in 'is eyes, then."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Ashley

She gasped, her hand itching to slap him and that smirk off of his face permanently.
"For your information Thomas, I only had two tankards of ale, so piss off!" She stepped menacingly closer glaring at him.

"And don't you dare mention anything about my father! If it weren't for you, He'd still be here!" She spat at him as she spoke, her ire clawing to show it's ugly head.

She poked him in the chest, her other hand moving to her hip as she pressed forward. "And Vallen informed me alright! How do you sleep at night? You have something that belongs to me, and you and I both know it does!" She shook a little, perhaps Preach should have come out? She was tempted to stab a knife deep into his stomach and watch him bleed to death.

She was sobering up quickly with the rise of her temper and realization she was once again this close to Thomas. She needed to regain some of her control, but it was hard due to all the recent circumstances.

"I want that map Thomas, My father lost his life for that bit of scrap! It belongs to me..." She lowered her voice to a soft purr, notwanting to be over heard. He couldn't possibly argue with her on this one, but she knew he would. There were no honor amoung theives here on this Island, but she'd succeed one way or another.

 

[poohlive]

That's how she would be about this one then. Thomas understood, knowing any conversation with her at the moment would be forgotten by morning, when she woke up with a headache, and the worst breath imaginable.
Come to think of it, as she stood too close and talked a litle too loud, it was getting that way already.
"I owe you nothing. Don't you ever think that I am indebted to you in any way? You want something, sweetheart, you fight for it yourself, don't wait for Daddy to die an ineherit it to you."
She knew about the map, that damned Vallen. Thomas had wanted to make this simple and easy, waiting for just the right time to get the map, but she had to be here, didn't she?
Of course.
"Tell you what, I'll make you a deal, one I'm sure you know alllll about," He let the word edge out, like being drawn from a knife's blade.
"I'll go get the other part of the map, grab Black Hawk's treasure, and then live a happy life with my earnings. Then, you can come along and kill me, take over my ship, my crew, the treasure, and it'll be all yours, just like it's supposed to. Does that sound nice? You're used to that kind of game, aren't you? Right up your alley?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Ashley

"Oh, you'd love that wouldn't you? Well they do say an eye for an eye.." She glared at him a second longer before backing off.
"I knew you'd say that Thomas, guess we'll just have to see what happens won't we?" She knew her map would get her to the island first, but finding the treasure would be the hard part. He had that half..
She thought about it only a second before stepping back further.
"Don't you think the little wife would be upset with your dying?" She smirked a little, shaking her head at him.
"And I thought that you were heartless before..... Watch yourself Thomas, and don't get in my way." She turned and caught sight of Preach at the door.
"Get the crew together." She turned back to Thomas and continued to glare at him. She wanted to rant and rave for days at him. The hurting having never left her from his cruel treatment of her, but it would solve nothing.
"You pushed me away years ago, and you're trying to do it again! But I'm not going anywhere Thomas, and you can count on me being right there to stop you." She wished she had something to shoot him with, it would at least be amusing.