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Post by Nako on Aug 25, 2008 19:38:04 GMT -5
And then Zuberi became somewhat nervous. Wringing her hands uncertainly, she looked anxiously over her shoulder as if expecting someone to be listening in. "I'm ambiguous because I really don't know what I be trying to find... And if I'm trying to find whatever it is because.. I just don't think I can live with meself until I -know- that Pinkbeard existed."
She looked down at her hands, unsure of what to do. She didn't want to divulge that she had some sort of.. treasure map. She could so easily be killed for it... have it stolen from her and she'd not be able to do a thing about it. Finally she let out a ragged, nervous breath, looking up at the pug with a most pleading expression. "I have.. clues... to find whatever is waiting for me. 'Hear the words both old and wise, from a man of mine own guise'...Pinkbeard's guise, and I think the man I'm looking for might be you. -you- know something I need to hear, I think." She bit her lip, fearing she'd divulged too much. She was just not wise or witty enough to try to fool him. She was so terrible at lying.
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Post by Kiki on Aug 27, 2008 21:01:42 GMT -5
Jenn and Nako receive 1 token each, to be redeemed in Ashwin's Shoppe.
This will automatically be added to your recorded totals in the shoppe.
Congratulations, and keep up the good RP!
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Post by The Jenn on Aug 31, 2008 18:21:39 GMT -5
As she recited the words on the back of the map, the pug acquired a most peculiar expression. "Ah... ehm... if you'll excuse me for just a moment, Miss." He abruptly stood, pushing back his chair and leaving the room. She would be left sitting alone for no more than five minutes before he returned with something small clutched in one of his hands. He sat back down heavily on his chair and looked across the table at her much more intently than he had before.
"Do you know what this is?" he asked in a pleasant but intense tone of voice, eyes bright as he held up a small black box for her to look at. "This, my dear, is a curiosity that has haunted me for my entire career, and not just me. It's said that this box once belonged to Pinkbeard himself. He left it here with the man he'd passed his job to, so says the story, and instructed them not to share it with anyone else unless they spoke a certain little rhyme. It's scratched on the bottom of the box in faint script, half-worn away, but still legible. You've just repeated it to me, and I know damn well that you've never seen this box before. So. I take it you want to know what's in it?"
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Post by Nako on Aug 31, 2008 18:56:04 GMT -5
When he abruptly got up, her heart jumped up into her throat. Had she said something wrong? Did he know? Was he going to come back with thugs that wanted nothing more than to kill her and steal her map.... It was the longest five minutes of her life for sure, and it was a constant battle of whether she should stay and wait... or leave before her life was truly in danger.
Then there was a box. She leaned forward curiously at the sight of it. When he questioned her, she shook her head gently. She didn't know what it was, what it meant... but as the man spoke the little squirrel gave a sharp intake of breath, one paw lifting up as if she yearned to touch it.
Staring wide eyed, she listened to him. He was the one, and he had what she needed. "Yes, I want to know.... I have to know.."
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Post by The Jenn on Aug 31, 2008 19:47:01 GMT -5
In the box was another scrap of parchment, this one seeming just as old as the map Zuberi had tucked away but far less weathered. Its crease looked like it could have been cut with a knife, it had been in the small box so long. On it was a small note scribbled in the same hand she'd become so familiar with.
When ye arrive, the place ye seek is past the worn and weathered crown, between its second tines and down. Place the round in its sunken bed and repeat ye these words: Eva ne' lorum, calliaghau tor. Then speak my name.
- - - - - - - -
After the arena fights had ended the following day, with Pinkbeard's champion coming in second to a particularly fierce-looking canine with a boxer's jaw and sabre fangs, the crew slowly reassembled in the ship throughout the course of the night. Some were ebullient, others downcast and hangdog. Ferris approached Zuberi as she helped Peggy clean up from the night's meal and pulled her aside. He was one of the particularly pleased men.
"We'll be hitting your island tomorrow evening if we leave at dawn, which I plan to do, their hangovers be damned. After that, I'll need to know your plans. Where on the isle do you want to be put off, and do you expect us to take you back again? How long will you be, if so? The island is a normal stop for us, but I don't know which settlement you're going for."
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Post by Nako on Aug 31, 2008 20:12:57 GMT -5
Zuberi bit the inside of her lip, wiping her hands off with a towel as she considered his question. "Well, I've been looking over some of the maps and King's Cove sounded as good a place as any to start off. As for how long I'll be staying.." She gave an almost helpless shrug. "I couldn't really tell you... two days? If I don't return... I don't want to keep you. If I keep you longer than two days I don't want you to feel obligated to stay. This island has ports and boats.. if I must, I'll earn up some money here when I'm done and find my way back one way or another."
If he had anything to say on the matter, she'd certainly cut him short. Hurriedly she continued speaking. "I've come too far to turn back now, you know?"
----
The following morning was filled with heavy groans from the hung over men of the ship. With a helpful swig of rum and strong coffee in the morning, most of them were set for work. Those that weren't... well, the Captain was not the sort to let them have the day off for indiscretion on their part in the evening past.
Zuberi was quick in the kitchen, and quick when it came to serving the men. The sooner they were fed, the sooner they could get to work.. and the sooner she'd reach the island.
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Post by The Jenn on Aug 31, 2008 20:31:16 GMT -5
They arrived two or three hours later than Ferris had anticipated, navigating the currents and rocks around King's Cove giving them more trouble than he remembered from last time. Their navigator was newer, having only been with the ship for a year and a half, and they hadn't come up this way in that time. He was going by instinct and maps rather than true experience with the waters. It made for a very tense Captain during the last few hours of the voyage and, consequently, a very nervy crew.
They finally arrived well into the night, the waters and sky equally dark. The torchlight surrounding King's Cove gave off a welcoming glow and they docked as quickly as they were able. It was one of the smallest permanent settlements on the large island and there wasn't nearly as much to do as their last port. People were still moving about, but the small pub seemed to have the most activity of any of the buildings.
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Post by Nako on Aug 31, 2008 20:49:55 GMT -5
Zuberi had never been so happy to see land. The anxiety of the crew had riled up her own nerves, and she hardly touched her dinner that evening. Being late didn't help either, but what got to the squirrel the most was how... anxious the Captain was. She hardly knew how the navigator could see the rocks and dangerous things that lurked under the water.
Zuberi packed everything she owned with great care. The map was still safe in its nook in her bag, and the newest neatly folded paper now there with it. The stone was certainly the heaviest addition to her backpack but she carried it without qualm. After all, it would prove to be a most integral key in what was to come.
It was dark and ominous as Zuberi made her way to the gangplank, items strapped to her back, and her empty stomach groaning sickly. For now, she'd have to ignore it. If worse came to worse she'd wash dishes for something to eat when she came into the town. From what it seemed, this tiny town didn't sleep with the sun. She paused, looking over her shoulder at the Captain which had brought her so far already. He was preoccupied of course, barking orders at the men finishing a few procedures in tying the ship down.
"Ey, Captain... In case I don't come back... I wanted to thank you... for taking me this far." She grinned, though the expression was probably lost in the darkness of night.
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Post by The Jenn on Aug 31, 2008 20:56:44 GMT -5
Ferris looked over when he heard her voice, having just called out for the ropes to by tied off properly, dammit, never mind that you can hardly see them. The moon was on its last legs before a completely dark night, only a sliver in the sky, and it didn't provide much light to work by outside of the range of the lanterns on the ship. "Eh? Oh... well, you were a good passenger." He paused, fishing around for something to say. He wasn't always the best with words. "Here's hoping you don't get lost doing whatever it is you've got to do here. The island's heavily forested and it's easy to lose your way if you stray from the local paths. Still, I hope you make it back to sail to safety with us. This isn't the safest place to leave someone."
There were various buildings in town, most of them small with the exception of what was undoubtedly a pub and another large building that could have been any number of things. The rest were either private residences or shops or warehouses or what have you. People were moving through the streets with lanterns and torches, most heading to the pub and a few leaving with less than heavy steps.
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Post by Nako on Aug 31, 2008 21:13:35 GMT -5
Not the safest place to be for sure, but Zuberi was glad not to hear words of cynicism or disparaging comments about her ability to cope. Perhaps she'd proven herself in the past couple of days. If not to him, then at least to herself. She gave a nod before turning away and walking down the gangplank, knowing full well that she may not set foot on them again.
In retrospect, as she walked down the port and towards the pub, she figured it would have been nice to say goodbye to Peggy as well. There would be no turning back now though; she was quite sure Peggy wouldn't be heartbroken anyhow.
Following a boisterous couple of men into the pub, she attempted to slip to the side of the action, taking in the situation. This was difficult as it seemed like everywhere was a part of the action. Frowning, she attempted to make her way to the bar, scanning the area for someone sober enough to be of help.
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