Dark Continent

[Jonas]

Cooky

Cooky ran right into Rose as she left the hold.
"Well girl fancy meeting you here." Cooky smiled and raised his eye brows. The girl stepped back in a defensive posture. "What's this girl, I thought we were pals? Come now, I can see your not one of those high rich types. Your working class like me an' Miles." Rose made a fast move.
"No girl, I know what you can do with a knife. I offer you our friendship, and soon we will all be rich to boot."
Cooky offered his large hairy hand. "What do ya say girl?
Are you with us?"

 

[RoseThorn]

Wonderful, just wonderful, Rose thought as Cooky appeared again. Then again...they did need to know what was going on, and the best way to do that was from the inside.

"Sure..." she murmured taking Cooky's hand.

"Now what do I have to do get a meal around here?"

 

[LAVA GODDESSS]

gaia

Noone has ever really been concerned about me, so even the small gesture of taking my hand shocked me. after he left i just stared at my hand. i don't know why. i just did. i looked up and noticed almost everyone was out of the room.
"Where did you put my robe?" when someone answered me and told me to just sleep, and not to worry about it, then whoever it was left the room. everyone left to let me sleep.
I decided to find my robe myself or at least find something to wear. i wrapped myself in the sheet, and looked all over for it. it wasnt in the room. i opened the door quietly and peered out the door. it appeared no one was in the hallway. i went through the hall, trying to find a washing room, i opened all the doors and startled a few people, i apologized and kept looking, i wasnt paying attention to where i was going, because i crashed into two people in the hallway.

 

[Jonas]

Stephen clung to the guide rope the crew had rigged for rough weather. His coat had soaked through from the rain and spray as the ever increasing swells broke over the bow.
He made his way to the Captain, who had tied himself to the wheel.
"Captain, I need to ask you about some of your crew, there's been a killing and..." The Captain waved Stephen to silence.
"Not now man can't you see this storm has become a killer."
Both men jumped at the sound of wood cracking.
"The foremask Captain!" Hollered the mate, "It's splitting above the main spar." Stephen grabbed a long coil of rope stowed by the rail and fought his way foreward to the mate.
"If we can get up to it we can try to brace the split." The mate looked up at the swaying mask and shock his head.
Stephen stripped down to his trousers and began to climb.

 

[Jonas]

Cooky

Cooky patted Rose on the back.
"Good lass, you'll not regret joining us. I just got one chore in the hold and then it's off to the galley. I'll cook ya a good supper, it might be the last hot one for a while." Cooky shuffled into the hold and began to open the strange bundles. He lay out several long bags and began to lace them together with fine rope. He opened several pots and set up a still like arrangement. He smiled and admired his work for a moment, then turned to Rose.
"Our escape is almost ready lass, now let's get to the galley." The pair headed up the hallway turning toward the galley, when they ran into Gaia, wrapped loosely in a sheet.
"Well what have we here!" Cooky pulled on the edge of the sheet exposing some of Gaia. "Nice, you know this one girl?" Rose nodded and spoke in a coarse voice.
"Yeah, she's one of them."
"Bring her along, I got an idea." Cooky lead the way with Rose escorting the still dazed Gaia to the galley. By the table with a plate of sandwiches, stood Lucinda. Cooky pulled a long knife from his boot, and laughed, his smile becoming wicked.
"This is my lucky day."

 

[LAVA GODDESSS]

gaia

i dart past the two, i think it was that boy the other fellow i didnt recognize. i hope that they didnt see me well enough to know who i am.
i darted into a room on the left, it was noisy and there was my robe sitting on a pile of folded clothing. i sighed relief. a lady that didnt appear to speak english was scolding me. i just dropped my sheet and hastily put on the robe. the cool material gave me comfort. i will have to find my new clothing later.
i can't stand being confined, and i know noone will be on deck, i can have peace there. or at least someone would have to be crazy to be out there during the storm. i stand on the stairs leading to the deck. and i feel a big crack rip through the boat, the sound of wood crushing resounded in my ears. i braced myself and continued up the stairs.
it was pitch black out, and i sent a small light ahead of me. the rain soaking through everything, i paid little attention. i head to front of the huge ship. i look around. looks like i didnt do much help earlier. i bought us time, and all i really did was buy us more time to ponder the inevitable. we were going to sink. i heard talking, i whip around and notice a man crawling up some sort of mast. i shake my head at the poor fellow and i see the captain's light is on. i walk up the stairs, and open the door, nearly causing myself to fly off of the boat from the wind. i step in the captain's control room and notice everyone franctically trying to control the ship. trying to talk loudly, i speak to the captain when he notices me.
"sir, veer the ship to the south a bit, the storm seems to be heading east." he looks at me puzzled,i step back outside. they can run around like chicken's without their heads as long as they like. it isnt going to help one bit.
i think i figured out what i was missing when i was trying to calm the storm. although, im not sure i can make the whole storm disappear, i hope i can help a bit. i brighten my light, the second i am done with that, a huge wave begins to linger over the ship. i cry out, and manage to somehow halt it in midair, it seems to be blocking the wind and some of the rain. with a sigh of relief, i push it back to the ocean. just as another one begins. a shift in temperature causes the storm to worsen.

i wave my hand and all i manage to do is to lighten the rain. i frown, the man who is climbing to the top of one of the tall poles of the ship (hey i told ya i never been on a boat like this) he seems to be wavering back and forth. i send small gusts of wind to keep his balance. the stupid man, what is he doing up there? i send small waves against the larger waves, making them head backwards. i know im disrupting the flow of the storm, but for now i dont worry about that.
i get the rain to slow to a heavy downpour, and not a terrential monsoon rain it was before. the winds have died down a bit, and only a few tidal waves wash over the ship. i hold my ground. being washed around the ship a few times, i mumble a curse at the sky. lightening cracks, i dont think i'll do that again. i see off in the very far distance that the storm isnt as heavy, but im not sure how far that will be.

[Edited by LAVA GODDESSS on 09-30-2000 at 08:44 AM]

 

[Jonas]

Stephen knew it was insane to climb the mask, but he felt he had to try. He was whipped back and forth. Everytime he felt he was going to loose his grip a blast of wind pushed him to the mask, or a wave knocked the ship back catching his slip. Finding the split he quickly wrapped the rope and the weak spot. The mask still creaked, but the spilt and stopped widening. The storm seemed to be easing as Stephen worked his way down.
"The winds seem to be helping me, but how..." Stephen's thought was answered as a flash of lighting backlight a female figure standing apparently naked on the bridge.
Stephen had to smile. He yelled, knowing his voice wouldn't be heard in the storm.
"Thankyou Gaia!" Stephen's smile faded at the sound of the second mask cracking.

 

[Moneytalks]

Lucinda looked up from the plate of sandwiches in surprise as that beady eyed little man entered the room with the boy Thorne. She looked at Thorne closely. What? A woman? She was suprised... doubly so to see the knife Cooky weilded along with an evil looking smile.

She paled slightly seeing the malice in his glance. "You can't be serious, there is no way you'll get away with this..." Lucinda addressed him coldly, her mind desperately trying to think of a way out of the situation.

 

[LAVA GODDESSS]

gaia

i heard a loud crash, more like something falling to pieces. i look up, and stephen is falling down to the ground, the mast he was standing on had broke down the center. quickly half mumbling and cursing, i aimed the wind beneath him like a blanket. he didn't land gently, but it was better than crashing to the hard wood deck. all i hear is an 'oomph' from him. i rush over. my clothing torn and near rags. aw damn it all to hades, why do i even bother. he lands on teh deck with a soft 'thud' the wind resumes it's torments on the sea and the forbidden intruder called a ship. the boat rocks and i grasp his arm. i yell for the wind to stop. sort of surprising me, it seems to whip all around us, but it doesnt touch us. he looks just as surprised as me. i notice a large gash is on his arm, and he is bleeding from his brow, too. i reach up and brush away the blood. my brow scrunches in thought. i turn his arm over as soon as i see the gash. i trace my finger along the curve of the cut, it stops bleeding but it is far from healed. the cut above his brow is not as fortunate. the wind whipping around us, and not touching us makes an eerie whistle.
" you aren't invincible sir," i say running my finger along the cut on his arm again.

 

[RoseThorn]

Damn...Rose's mind whirled, trying to find a way to get the poor women out of this. She decided she couldn't before she knew who else was in this. Till then she'd just have to keep the lady safe.

 

[Jonas]

Stephen watched his life pass before his eyes as he fell.
A calmness came upon him. He had almost excepted his death, when the wind slowed his fall, giving him hope. He grabbed at a passing line, his wet hands slipped off. The impact of the deck stunted him. He was bleeding. Then he saw Gaia. Dazed he watched as the woman bent the storm around them. She healed his wounds, her touch reviving him, as if he was drawing energy directly from her.
"Gaia, these spars are weak..." Stephen wipes the blood from his eyes, "Help me to the Captain." Gaia braces herself and helps Stephen to stand.

Back on the bridge, the Captain shouts frantic orders.
"Mr. Rosewall, we must turn back and make for safe harbor, the ship must be repaired." Stephen broke free of Gaia and grabbed the Captain.
"No, we must go on...this is the last chance I'll have..."
The Captain pointed to Gaia.
"Get him and yourself below, that is an order!"

 

[Jonas]

Cooky

Cooky hooked his finger down the front of Lucinda's dress and pulled her toward him. Her eyes stayed glued to the knife, his to her cleavage.
"I've a wild ride in store for you woman." Cooky laughed and winked at Thorne. "I'll teach you both to fly." His eyes watching Lucinda, he addressed Throne.
"Listen up boy. I've got the gas bags fillin' on me balloons. Soon will be a flyin' outta' this rotten ship.
Ye hear her cracking...she'll break up in this weather and cover our tracks. Miles should be getting the journal. You take this one and get her dressed for travel, don't worry the airbasket will handle seven, were only four counting her. Oh, have ya a sandwich here, then be off. I'll pack supplies and meet you and Miles at the hold."
He turned to Thorne and stared into her eyes, "Don't let this one outta your site...understand?"

 

[RoseThorn]

OOC: If I mess up the flow you're aiming for yell, ok?

IC: I glance at Lucinda as I lead her out, the ships definatly breaking, awww...damn....I reach out with the shadows strengthing what I can, God knows what the people on board will think, as I guide the woman to my cabin. As I shut the door, I glance at her and take a deep breath.

"Before you say anything...." I sigh, reaching into the shadows to pull out some of my extra clothes.

"I'm not on that bastard's side, but I think it's the only way to get to them since I'm the only who's been approached on 'friendly' terms. That took a man attacking me and me killing him..." I have the shadows errect a curtain she can change behind and give her a push towards it. I'm using my shadows without thinking, yup, I'm stressed.

"Stephan knows but...with this storm...." I sigh and shake my head.

"We're gonna have to see what Cooky tries before we rush in blindly. Here, I reach into the shadows and pull out another knife, similar to the one in my boot, I hand it to her as she steps out.

"If he tries anything...." I finally take a breath and wait for her to talk.

 

[Moneytalks]

Lucinda was quite well versed in men's clothing. She had insisted on riding a horse like a man when she had sought instruction and had had to wear breeches. She was amazed at how much easier it was to manouver in them. She hastily changed into the pants and shirt. She had intended to change herself when they neared their destination. She was outwardly calm but inwardly she was frightened for her life, and those of her friends. She didn't know much about this boy/woman whatever. She didn't know who she could trust, and the powers Thorn had displayed were eerie to say the least. The shadows moved at her command. She shivered as she recalled how that had looked.

Finally dressed she nervously watched to see what Thorn planned next. She was right about one thing. It didn't bode well to try anything until they knew exactly what was going on. She accepted the knife gratefully. She hefted it in her hand getting the feel for it. It was well balanced. She tossed it lightly and easily caught it again. "Thank you," she smiled tentatively at Thorne... "it is a very good knife... I will be sure to use it if need be." She took a deep steadying breath to try and calm her nerves and attempted to find confidence in the situation. She slipped the blade down her own boot as she had seen Thorn do. Thorn nodded in approval.

"We have to warn the others..." Lucinda said biting her lip as she thought of Stephan again.

 

[Jonas]

OOC: Don't worry about the flow RoseThorn, take it anywhere you want.

Cooky

Cooky packed several sacks with supplies for the trip and was preparing a barrel of water, when Miles entered the galley. Cooky's eyebrows rose at his appearence.
"Why are you here? Did you get the journal?" The youth hesitated, refusing to meet the short man's stare. Cooky struck him with the back of his hand sending Miles flying into the wall.
"Idiot! Here," Cooky picked miles up and pointed his head at the supplies. "Take this stuff to the balloon. I'll get the journal." Cooky whipped his knife under the youth's nose. "Fail me this time...I'll not forgive again." Miles nodded, his body shaking. Cooky dashed off down the corridor to Stephen's cabin.

 

[LAVA GODDESSS]

gaia

"sir i am a guest on your ship, and therefore i respect you, but I WILL NOT die below deck, do you really think we are safer below than up here. this piece of driftwood was not fit to sail before, and now it is in a worse shape. I KNOW FOR A FACT that you will not order me to my deathbed." my burgundy eyes glow at him. my anger is spilling inside me, i don't even feel in control of my body. i feel stephen grab me as i dart out the door, i shake him off gently. i stand on the stern. i have no clue what to do. my powers are measly compared to this monsoon rain. i run back to the ship's captain, stephen is still there.
"sail to the east captain, and head angled with the winds."

the captain looked at me in disguist, "you will not order me woman."

"you will do it if you want to live." i turn to the door, open it, the wind struggling against me.


i get outside, the drenching rain covering me and my rags that i call clothes. it struck me, it isnt the perfect idea, but it may work. i remembered that before when i had stopped a large wave from washing over the ship the rain and wind coming from that direction was stopped. or at least wasnt so severe. it would take a large wave to even help.
i just sat down on the deck and closed my eyes. the next wave that hit the ship wasnt even as large as the one i stopped before, but i am not as awake or aware as before, so i had to deal with what i had.

i sent the wave over to the west of the ship. with the angle and if the captain heads east it should stop most of the damaging winds. my arms upraised, i just waited patiently. i hoped that i wasnt doing it for nothing, i felt the rain diminish a bit, but i still heard the howling of the storm.

 

[RoseThorn]

"Ok..." Rose took a deep breath, glad to see the lady knew how to handle a knife.

"Good money says Stephan'll be with the captain, we'll go to the...that place where they steer the ship..." I say with a shrug, I couldn't quite recall the name now.

"I'll go with you till there, then I think I'll need to be on deck...I...I can use the shadows to hold things together and block winds...Listen, I think I heard Cooky say something about a journel? If that helps...." I hear the storm outside pick up a moment.

"We need to go..." I mutter, absently re-absorbing her disgarded clothing and a few other thing around the room into the shadows.

 

[Jonas]

Stephen, still dazed from the fall, crawled to the hatchway and watched as Gaia fought for the life of the ship. He felt the ship slowly begin to turn. He felt the winds on his face shift to starboard.
"Yes, yes that's it! We may have a chance." The cold spray was reviving Stephen and hope was giving him renewed strength. He staggered to the Captain, dragging him aside.
"Listen Sir! This cruise is my charter. You will work with that young woman! Dammit man, can't you see what's shes trying to do?" The Captain, humbled now by Gaia's powers, smiled.
"I will Master Rosewall. We may yet ride out this storm."
With 2 of the 3 masks shattered, her sails tattered, the ship sailed on.

 

[Jonas]

Cooky

Cooky ransacked Stephen's cabin until.
"At last, the journal...my guide to wealth and glory."
Cooky quickly wrapped the book in a oil cloth and tucked it securely in his shirt. He ran to the hold bouncing with the rocking of the ship. The gas bags were half full and beginning to fill the entire hold. Cooky rigged out the large gondola shaped basket to the bags and set up a bellows to his still arrangement. Miles entered the hold with a load of supplies.
"Have you seen the girl?" Miles placed his load aboard the gondola.
"No Cooky, the passage to the galley is empty."
"Dam her eyes! If she's betrayed us I'll wear her ears on a string. Miles, hurry and finish loading, then work the bellows to finish fillin' the bags. I'll go after the little rat and the Malone woman."

 

[LAVA GODDESSS]

gaia

i smile to see that i am helping, im not sure how much help i am, but at least we will live a few more moments. "stephen." i haven't called him by his name yet, it is always sir, and he seemed a tad startled due to the fact i don't address anyone by their first names. this is no time for formalities, and i had forgotten about them anyways. "i need you to tell me which direction to move the wind. i think that if i release this wave back to the ocean, i can use the wind to move the boat. i can't hold this up much longer." my eyes were weary. i just bit my bottom lip and stayed there. "stephen? i wish to thank you for allowing me on this journey, i hope we survive to continue it." i slowly lower the wave. it crashes intot he ocean making the boat rock over it and sail through the air. the boat almost came to pieces from it. i sent the wind to the back of the boat, pushing it. with no sails i didnt know what to do. but i remembered that i made my dress grow before. why couldnt i do it witht he sails. "stephen, i am going to fix the sails. i have sent a steady wind behind the boat. im not sure what having two spells in effect will do, let alone two so big. i have never done anything besides moving storms away from my village. if anything were to happen to me, don't consider it your fault." i close my eyes and hope that i am not overdoing it. im not sure if i am disturbing nature to an extreme. i know consequences will be severe. there is always a consequence. minor things like sending rains to a famine have caused some sort of disaster to happen to me. i just hope that it wont happen..yet. i hear stephen speak excitedly t ome. i can't really hear him. i have to sit down, i lower myself to the ground. i feel stephen help me. i sit, concentrating, hoping that i can keep the spells up.

 

[Moneytalks]

Lucinda parted with Thorn who stode up towards the deck as planned. Lucinda scurried down to Stephen's room hoping to save the journal. When she arrived she realised immediately she was too late. The room was in a horrible mess, and it was obvious this was caused by man not the storm. She glanced over to where she had seen Stephen hide the journal. The chest had been jimmied open and was now empty.

"Well now boy looks like you're still on my side after all..." Cooky's voice.
Lucinda froze realising his mistake. She was wearing Thorn's clothing but her back was to him. Desperately she tried to think what to do. She turned quickly flinging the knife as she moved. It landed with a satisfying thud into his chest. He seemed surprised but the look of pain she was expecting never occured.

He grinned nastily at her. "Well now even better, saved me the trouble of finding you..." He pulled the knife from his chest as it were nothing. Lucinda paled suddenly. He wasn't human? He laughed at her shocked expression and pulled open his vest. Tapping on the covered journal. "Always knew this thing would bring me luck as well as riches..." He smirked. He stepped forward aggressively and pulled Lucinda by her hair causing her to cry out in pain.

"You're coming with me now, you'll keep us warm and you'll serve well in the jungles, we can barter the use of your body for supplies. If on the off chance your little friends survive this trip, you'll be good for a hostage... but mind me girly, one peep out of you and I can easily decide you're too much trouble... understood?" The last was said in a menacing growl which Lucinda understood perfectly.

She was dragged along the passages to the back of the ship and saw the most amazing sight. A hot air balloon already full of air and ready to depart. She saw Miles leaning over the side smiling as he saw her. She was really frightened now. Cooky shoved her towards the basket and she crawled inside, helped by Miles who pulled her close. She slapped him away angrily and was startled to see the flash of anger in the young man's eyes. Cooky boarded now and told him to untie the ropes that held the ballon down.

The storm was whipping up now and Lucinda couldn't even hear herself over the roar of thunder and rain. She knew she was crying. Her face already wet with rain she felt the warmth of her own tears as she feared for her life. No point in calling for help, she concentrated on surviving for now.
She felt the balloon rock as it lifted off the ground. She was sobbing now as she heard the roar of the flame that lifted the contraption from the deck. As they rose slowly, buffetted by the winds she saw the front of the ship. Gaia was there with Thorn using their combined powers to save the ship.... and "STEPHEN!!!!" She screamed out. Seeing him there. So desperate was she that she screamed out again before Cooky backhanded her violently knocking her out cold.

 

[Jonas]

Stephen stood behind Gaia and tried to sheild her from the storm as she worked her magic.
"That's good Gaia! Yes, we have sails..." The ship shook as the wind changed, both slipped, Stephen grabbed Gaia holding her steady. He saw Thorne come on deck.
"Thorn! Here...I need your help!" Thorne struggled across the deck and knelt next to Gaia. Stephen sensed something passing between the two and felt the wind begin to fade.
"Good work, were holding together here, my God..." The port side loading hatch flew open and a brightly colored balloon started coming out. The starboard side hatch opened about halfway and the entire set of four ballons lashed together came out and moved with the wind toward the bow. Finally a gondola basket came up from the hold and wedged on the partially opened starboard door. Stephen heard a cry. He stood and a bolt of lightening cracked illuminatig the basket. He saw laying in the basket...
"Lucinda!" Stephen jumped down from the bridge and dashed for the basket.

 

[Jonas]

Cooky

Cooky smiled as he threw Lucinda in the basket.
"Open the hatches Miles, let's get off this wreck. I've got it all boy, the book, the woman and means to untold wealth." Cooky's smile faded as the basket wedged in the door. Lucinda's cry angered him and her knocked her down.
"Miles you idiot, get that door open or I'll open you chest and eat your heart." Miles stood and spied Stephen.
"Look Cooky." Cooky turned, saw Stephen approaching and pulled a pistol out of a box on the basket floor.
"I never liked him anyway." Cooky took aim.

 

[Moneytalks]

Lucinda Malone

Lucinda saw stars as Cooky's hand made contact with her jaw. She moaned as she felt Miles holding her. Through the haze of pain she could see the concern in his eyes and this angered her. He should have helped her in the first place but the weakling did nothing. She saw movment and turned to see Cooky's hand reach into a basket. The metal she saw him remove gleamed dangerously. He was going to shoot Stephen! Was her only thought. With great effort she shook Miles off and lunged at Cooky from behind. Her only clear intention was to stop him firing that gun.

 

[RoseThorn]

Rose quietly begain to block the winds from Gaia as Stephan asked and started keeping other things together, poor Gaia looked awful. She glanced up as a balloon started out of the hold and cursed.

As Stephan rand towards the basket she reach outward with the shadows and anchored the basket to the deck before turning her attention back to keeping the ship in one peice, she just hoped Stephan would be ok, just in case, she kept an eye as best she could on him.

OOC: Sorry it took so long to post...