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Seas Of Erin > Isle of Refuge > Brother can you spare a dime?


Posted by: Kuleliti May 24 2008, 08:30 PM
The walls and floors of the captain's cabin had been scrubbed as clean as they could, but nothing could disguise the faint smell of blood. One of the crew, a skinny little slip of a girl with filed teeth was busy scrubbing at the one remaining bloodstain.

It was rather large and in the center of a floor, a remainder of what had taken place a little while earlier. Inductions. The prisoners that had elected to join her crew after guessing the alternative, but that hadn't actually killed anyone during the battle, had got the chance to do so now. It was a simple transaction, kill one of their former comrades and they would be accepted.

Simple and bloody.

Kuleliti was pleased.

It showed.

She had not washed since the battle, her skin caked with soot and blood. She still needed the terror to drive the point home with the new ones, not that the cabin didn't do it's part. The throne of bone was there, as were the skulls that lined the walls, each of them covered with scratches and symbols. In fact, there was more bone than wood in her quarters.

Just the way she liked it.

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 24 2008, 08:47 PM
"Are ye finished with your fun?" Barbossa asked, surveying the cabin. He didn't seem at all discomforted by Kuleliti's appearance. "How many of those prisoners be worth keeping?"

Posted by: Kuleliti May 24 2008, 08:52 PM
"We'll see. Some die. Good eating." She shrugged, her lower pair of arms crossing her chest. She was tall for a woman, and wirier than one might think from a distance. Her fearsome appearance came as much from her adornment and body paint as much from her four arms.

"Some work good. Live through first battle and they will be mine." The teeth that showed as she smiles was sharp as a sharks.

"Tuatha no good slaves." She seemed annoyed at that.

"You help Jonesie for favors owed or for him owing you in future?" The woman petted the decapitated head that was left standing on the table, slowly draining into a low tin bowl.


Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 24 2008, 08:59 PM
"For me own reasons," Barbossa said, giving her an equally toothy - if somewhat less threatning - smile. "I generally make sure favors are owed to me, and not the other way around. Seems like you've done good for yourself, even without the Tuatha."

Posted by: Kuleliti May 24 2008, 09:01 PM
"Ah, yes." She tapped the table with some very sharpened fingernails. "Lost one-ship, lucky I got more." She bared her teeth in a growl, though not at the other man. "Sea-witch playing false with the brotherhood, working for white devil redcoats!" She spat in disgust, and the girl quickly scrambled over to scrub that off too.


Posted by: Jack Hart May 24 2008, 09:05 PM
"C'mon, Sheys, we're goin' t'see about gettin' ye out of 'ere first sto-- 'Ector!" called the dark-haired man, as he swaggered toward the two. "Kullie! It's a veritable reunion, what?"

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 24 2008, 09:11 PM
The Qa'ad woman, who looked sick, horrified, and all-too-capable of breaking out of her manacles, greatly resembled a trained bear as she followed Jack. The front part of her black wooly hair hung in her face; the back part was half-shaved, with a glistening row of stitches like a seam in the middle of a puffy, purple-black bruise. "Stop addressing me as if you know me."

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 24 2008, 09:17 PM
"Just like old times," Barbossa said agreeably, as he looked over the pair. "Your friend doesn't look entirely comfortable, Jack."

Posted by: Jack Hart May 24 2008, 09:21 PM
"I'm tryin' t'get ye not eaten," Jack hissed at the woman, and he nodded his head to the older man. "Me friend 'ere is a leetle bit too big fer yer ship, me mates." He patted Sheys' arm. "And a leetle bit too big fer yer manacles. An' she took a bit of a whack t'the noggin, there, mates. What'ye say we drop 'er off somewheres she can make her way to a town?"

Posted by: Kuleliti May 24 2008, 09:24 PM
"Ah, yes, old times. Better now Jonesie?" She heaved her up from her chair, and walked over to the dark haired man, running her fingers over his cheek.

Leaving a raver vivid trail of fresh blood.

"Aiya, Qa'ad even larger up close." She faced Sheys without fear, hands on hips and arms crossed. "Too bad Jonesie have business, eh? Would love to have you."

Whether as dinner or crew was unclear.

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 24 2008, 09:29 PM
"What sort of business do ye have, exactly?" Barbossa asked, moving a step closer to the large woman.

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 24 2008, 09:30 PM
"Too bad for Jonesie's business, yes." Sheys finally had to inhale, and the stench made her wish she hadn't. "If you take me back to Refuge now," she began, as steadily as she could, "then no one would know of any of this for at least six weeks when the supplies come. You would all have time to get away."

Posted by: Jack Hart May 24 2008, 09:40 PM
"Ye want t'go back t'Refuge when half the guard've been killed an' there's guns strewn about and ye've got a proper wound on the back of yer skull that could go septic on ye, be my guest," Jack replied cheerfully. "An' besides," the man said, looking to the others. "Ye promised t'introduce me t'yer very tall sister, didn't ye, Sheysie?"

He grinned, then looked to Hector. "She owes me an apple tart."

Posted by: Kuleliti May 24 2008, 09:45 PM
"Ayiee Qa'ad, why go back? We took what we want. No need to run. No fear of little Tuatha ships." She stalked over to the table, running her fingers through the hair of the head there, lifting it up. "What you say little Tuatha? You lost your head? You think your friends will save? Your friend cut this up. Now one of us." She turned the head so it liiked straight at Sheys.

"Join us Qa'ad. Join us and kill whitedevil redcoats that conquered your people." Her eyes gleamed with a fierce, rather mad passion.

"None of these g-mes..." She gesture to Hector and Jack, the head dripping. "Revenge. Flesh for flesh."

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 24 2008, 09:47 PM
"We seem to be gettin' away fine enough on our own," Barbossa told the tall . "No need to be goin' back there."

"I would hate to have to deprive ye of that," he told Jack, eyes narrowing, "but accommodating your guest isn't our highest priority."

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 24 2008, 09:57 PM
Sheys looked directly at Kuleliti and tried to pretend she had not recognised the severed head. "You may keep the turncoats. They were all sent to us for a reason; with time I'm sure you'll learn what reasons those were." She inhaled again, through her mouth this time. "I assume it would folly to ask what becomes of me if I refuse your offer?"

Posted by: Jack Hart May 24 2008, 10:00 PM
Jack waggled his fingers in wild circles. "Now, now, wait, wait, first things first. Can I ask ye to what do I owe the honor of bein' broke out of prison and why the hell didn't ye come sooner, ye louts?"

Posted by: Kuleliti May 24 2008, 10:10 PM
Kuleliti bared her teeth in a sharp smile that sent the dried soot and blood on her face cracking in a series of wrinkles. Her eyes gleamed almost yellow as she looked up at Sheys. "You belong Jonesie." She tapped the woman's nose, then stepped back.

Turning to the men, she gestured "Broke you out now, talked to Hector now because we have problem. BIG problem."


Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 24 2008, 10:17 PM
"Sad to say, it wasn't for your charming company," Hector said, casually pulling an apple from one pocket of his long, elegant coat.

Posted by: Kuleliti May 24 2008, 10:25 PM
"We are in danger. The sea-witch has betrayed us. She works with the redcoats that sunk my ship. I will call council against her."

The woman seemed to be seething with anger underneath the face-paint.

Posted by: Jack Hart May 24 2008, 10:29 PM
Jack looked forlorn. "It wasn--"

Then he stopped, blinking. "Ah...Kullie, luv, let's not be hasty. Er. Think about...ye've got a sea-witch, and then ye've got a...er...you do realize ye're talkin'about th'Sea Witch, when ye say 'Sea Witch?' Aye?"

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 24 2008, 11:13 PM
"You attacked a whole island--" Sheys said incredulously, gesturing at Jack "--for that? We would've given you that."

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 24 2008, 11:23 PM
"The thought pains me too," Barbossa said, holding the apple towards the overly-large woman. "Next time, we'll be stopping to ask nicely. Are ye hungry?"

Posted by: Kuleliti May 24 2008, 11:31 PM
"I take what I want." Kuleliti bared her teeth at Sheys, then gestured at Jack. "I take this. I also take meat and men. Would you have given me that too, Qa'ad? Meat and men?"

To the men she said "Ayie, I know. But she sails with the redcoats. The redcoats have started hunt for pirates. All of us on the list. She betrayed me to them. One ship sunk. How long 'til you get sunk? Are we the Brotherhood or are we cowards? Is she our ruler?"

Posted by: Jack Hart May 24 2008, 11:35 PM
"How long 'til I get sunk?" Jack asked incredulously. "Sunk? We...Kullie, mate, I've been stuck on a rock for almost three years, luv. I wasn't going to get sunk."

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 12:27 AM
"You weren't goin' to get anywhere else," Barbossa pointed out. "You're out, now. I'd think ye have an interest in keepin' things that way."

Posted by: Kuleliti May 25 2008, 12:36 AM
"Ayie Jonesie, you want back to the rock? The man I remember was no coward." She flung back her tangled hair, eyes fierce and burning.

"Cowards are good for food only."

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 12:44 AM
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who said anythin' 'bout cowardice?" Jack demanded. "I'm no coward, Kullie, I'm just sayin' why the hell did you let me rot there for three years an' then pluck me up t'do yer dirty work, like?"

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 12:50 AM
"We're not here to run your errands," Barbossa said, tossing his apple to Jack. "I'd have thought you'd get out without our help. Were ye enjoying the rest too much?"

Posted by: Kuleliti May 25 2008, 12:54 AM
"What Jonesie? I no keep track of all you do. How you end up on rock this far north anyway?"

She turned back to the table, dipping her finger in the blood that had pooled from the head, then licked her fingertips.

"Three years lot of time. Sea-witch work closer with the white devils. She has apprentice who is daughter to redcoat captain. Redcoats serve on her ship."

She sounded more and more infuriated.


Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 25 2008, 01:51 AM
Sheys licked her own lips out of instinct, then swallowed. "I have no idea what you all are talking about," she said. "This man--Jack, Jonesie, whomever he is--was sent to us on a standard charge, which to Refuge would have been murder, rape, or treason. It has nothing to do with us, or with me."

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 01:57 AM
The man called Jack or Jonesie grinned. "Piracy, luv," he said cheerfully. "It's all piracy."

Jack took a big, crunchy bit out of Hector's apple, letting the juice run down his chin. "That's one delicious apple, 'Ector. Ye sure ye don't want a bite?"

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 02:03 AM
"I've got plenty more," Barbossa said with a shrug, not taking his eyes away from Jack.

"It started to have something to do with ye when this one insisted we couldn't let Kuleliti's people eat you, " he told Shey. "If you're useful, you'll be useful to us. If not, there's no reason to keep you around."

Posted by: Kuleliti May 25 2008, 02:06 AM
"About to be no more piracy if sea-witch and redcoats joins closer forces. She has redcoat lover. She has redcoat crew. She has the daughter of redcoat as apprentice. You plan to retire?" This she aimed at Hector. "You plan to go back to sit at rock?" This was directed plainly at Jack.

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 02:15 AM
Jack put both hands up in the air. "Right, right, I see where this's goin'. It may be an arduous, difficult, nigh impossible task, but I will seduce the Sea Witch for ye."

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 25 2008, 02:15 AM
"Your idea of useful and my own may not coincide," Sheys said cooly to Hector. "I have no opinion on your redcoats, pirates, witches, any of this. But I will not allow more people to be killed. You might as well be through with me now. Otherwise this is apt to get very fraught and boring." She gave the faint ghost of a grin.

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 02:26 AM
"I'm not easily bored," Barbossa told Sheys. "And I think we'll find some way for ye to repay us for your rescue, soon enough."

He looked at Jack. "I'm almost willin' to let ye try."

Posted by: Kuleliti May 25 2008, 02:31 AM
Kuleliti laughed.... which was a rather horrifying sound. And she didn't stop.

Eventually though, she calmed down somewhat, baring her teeth at Jack. "Ayie Jonesie, you think there is life in that bag of bones yet?" She stalked over to the man, circling him as if she was circling her prey.

"You can do this?" She reached up and touched his hair lightly. "Mmm perhaps stuck on rock for years have weakened you. Perhaps we should test your vigour?" It was hard to tell whether that lick on her lips was meant to be seductive or hungry.

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 02:37 AM
"'At's what Sheysie's introducin' me t'her sister fer!" answerd the dark-haired man, his greay hair swinging down into his face. "Ye two don't get any say over what 'appens to 'er, mateys, not till I'm through with 'er, savvy?"

He offered Sheys the rest of his apple.

"Kullie, luv, I've told ye once, I've told ye a thousand times; I like me women with two arms and a tail."

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 25 2008, 02:46 AM
Sheys caught the apple one-handed, and with a small look of disgust. Then again, so far, everything inside this cabin and everything that had gone on inside this cabin had disgusted her. One nibbled apple was the least of her worries. "It looks as if you're going to have to decide which of you has done the best job of rescuing me," she apologised, politely, to Hector. "Also I feel the need to remind you that the rescuing of an unwilling person translates by most law to kidnapping."

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 02:59 AM
"Have a fresh one," Hector offered, producing a shiny new apple from another pocket. "Kidnapping, is it? That sounds like a serious charge for folks who have just done you what most would consider a favor."

Posted by: Kuleliti May 25 2008, 03:10 AM
Kuleliti scoffed, but stepped away from Jack and sank down on her throne instead, tossing one leg over the armrest. It did not look comfortable, bone rearely was. But she was used to it.

"Should call conclave. For the brotherhood."

She caught the woman's gaze, yellowish eyes gleaming. "Ayie Qa'ad, you would not rather join me than him having you?" She pointed a filed nail at Jack. "You were taken. Only three fates for those taken. They join, are sold or food. You not a white devil, would not sell you. Much rather have you as one of ours. Those left won't miss you. Think you dead. Or one of us."

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 03:13 AM
Jack cleared his throat. "Ah, beg pardon, Kullie, but this one was, ahem, taken by me, not you, and the three fates for those taken differ wildly in me books." He grinned at Sheys. "Ye can make mad, passionate love t'me, ye can make tepid but nonetheless adequate love t'me, or ye can get me a pardon."

He winked at the much taller woman, then looked back to Kullie. "So," he said eagerly. "We're callin' the Brotherhood back together?"

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 25 2008, 03:20 AM
"There's always an honourable suicide," Sheys grumbled under her breath. She leaned back against the wall, her head ducked as far down as she could manage while staying upright. It was remarkably difficult to get hold of a round, slick apple with both hands shackled together and half-an-apple occupying one hand already, so she shook her head to Hector in polite refusal.

"If he claims me," she said wryly, with a look to Jack, "then I suppose I am not in a position to deny him, am I?" Although put her in a position to strangle him with these chains and she would hoist him off the ground before he could manage so much as a last lecherous grin.

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 03:35 AM
Hector pocketed the apple again, looking rather disappointed at the woman's refusal. "Then go on, eat that one," he urged.

"Aye, the Brotherhood," he said. "We stand together, we have the advantage."

Posted by: Kuleliti May 25 2008, 03:42 AM
"A conclave will be called then. Good. We spread the word then. Better now than too late."

Kuleliti didn't take her eyes of Jack, not for a second. "Claim, yes. Too bad. She has good eyes, killer eyes. Be careful in bed Jonesie, she has two hands, and I think the wrong head is what she wishes to wring with them."

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 03:48 AM
The dark haired man laughed, a low, gutteral laugh in the back of his throat, and clapped Sheys' arm. "Sorry, luv, but ye're not me type. I'm goin' wit' th'pardon fer ye."

Then he looked to his two cohorts. "Conclave, right. I've got to change into me second-best pair of boots fer that!"

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 25 2008, 03:53 AM
Sheys shifted in her place against the wall. She decided that she really was better off not knowing what kept jabbing her in the shoulderblade. "Am I now required to attend your conclave? Because if you are all representatives, I am afraid I will not much fit in."

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 04:02 AM
"I imagine you'd have trouble blendin' in with the rabble anywhere," Hector said, still eyeing the apple in Shey's hand.

"You're not borrowing any of my boots," he told Jack.

Posted by: Kuleliti May 25 2008, 04:09 AM
"You Qa'ad belong to Jonesie. You go where he says."

A distant scream made her pull herself out of the chair. "I should work on captives. You decide Jonesie whether to go with Hector or stay. I would like stay." She pulled a nail over Jack's chest as she walked past. "We talk later. I'm hungry." With that she opened the door.

"DO not eat my head."

She left it glaring at them from the table and was gone.

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 04:13 AM
"I call the earsies!" Jack called cheerfully, attempting to catch the departing woman's earshot.

Then he looked at the older man with a pained expression. "The cannibal, mate? Of all the people ye get to break me out, ye've got t'pick the cannibal? I apologize, Sheysie, luv, she's not a friend. Only a very, very tertiary sort of acquaintance?"

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 04:19 AM
"She seems to like ye," Hector said, amused. "And good allies aren't that easy to find, these days. I suppose you'll be wantin' to stay on my ship, then?'

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 25 2008, 04:23 AM
"If," Sheys hissed, "you lay a hand on me again, or address me by any other name than my proper one, or make any more vulgar suggestions, even by way of cover-up or jest, then your tertiary friend the cannibal will be astonished to find that the heads on her desk have multiplied, is that plain Jonesie-or-Jack-or-whoever-you-are?" Her black eyes flashed at him. "That woman is mad! Conclave or none, I would suggest you both get away from her. Nothing good can come of any conclave with such a beast as that in attendance."

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 04:30 AM
"Unless she's serving the drinks, because then everyone gets 'em at once and there's no fightin' over the first one," the dark-haired man supplied, taking a step back. "Easy, easy, Sheys- er- have ye got a better name ye want me t'call ye? Look, the lady had put her mark on ye; she would've dragged ye back to th' ship and done that to ye--" he pointed to the head. "It was all I could think of t'get ye out o' bein' an ornament, like."

He nodded at Hector. "Uh. Aye. Yer ship'd be better, assumin' ye're not still sailin' with--" He held both hands out in front of him, waggling them off-kiltered, and swayed in place.

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 04:37 AM
"You're welcome to stay here," Barbossa said, somehow not looking impressed by Jack's zombie impression. "But I can't be held accountable for what might happen when her crew is gettin' hungry."

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 25 2008, 04:46 AM
"You knew this would happen!" she snapped at Jack in a fierce whisper. "You knew these people! I would have sent you out at once! Anything's better than a massacre!"

Sheys stepped away from the wall and straightened as best she could. "Beggars cannot be choosers," she said stiffly to Barbossa. "If I have the choice, I will come with you. I hope you will take that into my favour. I can work. I will not fight if I have the choice."

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 04:49 AM
"I would've gone if I'd known it was them!" Jack objected. "Don't go blamin' me, luv, I'm not the one who shot cannons at us. They could've killed me, and then where'd we all be at?" he asked. "Luv, believe me, if I'd'a known it was this lot, I would've pranced on out over the wall meself."

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 04:55 AM
"I'll see about gettin' those shackles off as soon as we're settled," Hector assured the woman. "You decided if my crew is good enough for ye to associate with, Jack?

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 05:03 AM
"Are ye goin' t'tell me if ye've still got that brain-addled excuse fer a captain?" Jack retorted. "And have ye got any big-busted ladies?"

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 05:05 AM
"I'm afraid you'll have to do without the well-bosomed ladies," Hector said, "but I'm the captain. I trust ye have no complaints about that?"

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 25 2008, 05:06 AM
"If you simply want to knock him unconscious," Sheys said to Hector, "I will be happy to take the blame for it."

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 05:08 AM
"Ye're welcome t'try, luv, but me head?" Jack asked. "Is as hard as a week-old load o'bread, it is. Ye're captain? What'd ye do wit' ol' crotch-rot? D'ye think I should stop usin' 'is name t'get 'im in extra trouble, then?"

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 05:10 AM
"We don't talk about him," Barbossa said warningly. "But I'd say he's not in a position to complain about ye misusing his name."

"A generous offer," he told Sheys, giving the woman a small bow.

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 25 2008, 05:14 AM
Sheys gave Hector her bright smile. "I do what I can," she said kindly. "Do you wait on a word from her, or are you allowed to go as you wish?"

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 05:16 AM
"One thing ye learn fast?" Jack offered. "Is ye don't wait on word from Kullie, 'cause the word's more often than not, 'stew.' Ye got a ship near 'ere, 'Ector? Where's this conclave meant t'be?"

Posted by: Hector Barbossa May 25 2008, 05:28 AM
"Close enough. I don't stay here for more then I can help," Hector said, as he headed for the exit. "You'll find out where it is when ye get there."

Posted by: Sheys aSheydl May 25 2008, 05:37 AM
Sheys bit the inside of her cheek, but her face remained straight and solemn, and she dipped a little following Hector out of the low doorway.

Posted by: Jack Hart May 25 2008, 05:46 AM
Jack waved a hand in front of his nose. "Please tell me yer own ship doesn't stink like a rottin' dog," he said hopefully, as he took up the rear.

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