(M)The Rage of The Murderess(IC)

[John]

Captain’s log entry, May seventeenth in the year of our Lord 1715;
Set sail for Port Royal today. The crew’s spirits are good and the passengers seem anxious to get to their destination. One of the passengers is a musician. I look forward to hearing him play.

June second;
Crew morale is high. However I have been informed that some of the food has gone missing. Will place a guard near the food storage and hopefully we will be able to catch the thief. Most likely it is one of the passengers helping themselves to a late night snack. At least I hope that is what it is. I would hate to have to discipline one of the crew.

June seventh;
Have caught the thief. It seems we have not one, but two stowaways on board. As we are too far out to turn back now, they have been given quarters. I will decide what to do with them when we arrive at Port Royal.

June tenth;
One of the crew made advances towards Pip today. As a result, that member was summarily shot and his name stricken from the records.

June fifteenth;
Have noticed some of the crew eyeing the female passengers. Most notably, the one known as Mia. I will have to have a word with the quartermaster regarding the crew’s discipline.

June seventeenth;
Lost twelve crewmembers during a storm. Despite the loss, I am confident that we will reach our destination. Services to be held on deck today to mourn their passing.

June thirtieth;
Miss Grant has been complaining about her quarters again. Tried to explain to her that everyone gets the same quarters regardless of their standing in society. As such, I have given her my quarters for the remainder of the journey.

July sixth;
The merchant has expressed impatience at the length of the journey. I have assured him that we will arrive at Port Royal soon. Frankly I am anxious to be rid of him so we can free up the cargo space.

July tenth - Today

David stood at the wheel. It was the time he felt most free in life. Steering the ship and breathing in the sea air. With the exception of the loss of twelve crew members during a storm, he was feeling good about the journey. Though his back did ache from sleeping in a hammock below deck. He missed his bed and was anxious to make port, mostly just to be rid of the aristocrat in his quarters. They were still a week out of Port Royal, but they had finally made it to the Caribbean. All would be well from this point on, provided they didn’t run into pirates.

“Captain sir,” the voice came from the crow’s nest. “Ship to stern. She’s flying English colours along with a flag of distress.”

“All hands on deck!!” David yelled the words and turned the wheel and came about to intercept the ship. “And get the passengers on deck as well. We may need their help.” With David’s words, the boatswain started to ring the alarm bell and the crew sprang into action.

Once the ship had completed it’s turn, David looked through his spyglass. The ship which was approaching was a large frigate. He could see no movement on the deck and hoped that everyone aboard was okay. Still, he couldn’t help but notice that the ship appeared undamaged.

“Full canvas Mister McAllister!” David shouted the order to the rigger. It would allow for a little more speed, but they would have to come at the ship running beam reach. The galleon was no good running into the wind. But the frigate had the wind astern and it wouldn’t take long for them to get there.

[Stream]

A small bit of drool had puddled up below Alex's face, smearing the dark grime that had collected onto his skin and wetting the cloth sack he used as a mattress. His most prized and favored possession, soft cotton sheets he had invested in with nearly 4 months of wages wrapped around him like a caterpillar in a cocoon, inseparable, warm, and cozy. A loud snore echoed around the relatively empty cargo room as he slept.

There are a few things that Alex held dear in this world; his parents, his sisters, and the solitude and bliss that came with sleep. Though it had become commonplace for the larger crew members to give him sharp kicks to the gut to wake him up, it still made him irritable and testy whenever he woke up.

"Get the hell up ye useless scalawag!" yelled a crew member with a thick scows accent, "Cap'n West is callin' all hand hoay. Get up there 'n make yourself useful!" he finished, delivering two quick kicks to the stomach.

He coughed and faltered as he rolled across the floor, trying to untangle his body from the blanket. His eyes were still watering and he could barely see a thing.

"Aye! Right away!" he yelled back with a thick Cockney accent. Only two men aboard the Flourish knew what his real voice sounded like; still soft, cracking, and young. Of course he had grown accustomed to using his fake deep tone having been on board for over a year now.

Finally, Alex had freed himself from the soft white prison, stumbling over to the ladder and hatch up the next deck. The pattering of footsteps on deck was able to echo all the way down to the bottom cargo bay. From the sound of it, nearly every man on board was up there right now. Something big must've been going on.

As he climbed out of the hatch, two crew members came running past, one kicking him in the head as he ran past, nearly tripping over him in the process.

"Watch where the hell your stickin' your head out at!" he yelled back.

The young boy crawled across the floor for a moment, rubbing the side of his head, trying to gain his composure. Several bottles of rum rolled around on the floor, probably a box that had been knocked over in the fray. Usually Alex would've taken this chance at a free bottle of booze, but the wasn't the time or the place with crew members scrambling around. He got to his feet and followed the same path the two seadogs had took, straight up to topside.

He surfaced at the stern, surrounded by what was probably the entire crew. No real familiar faces could be seen besides Captain West on the wheel, shouting orders. Alex ran below his navigation deck, shouting at him.

"Cap'n, where'd ay need me?"

Without looking, the Captain shouted an order.

"Help Mister McAllister with the rigging. Be prepared to douse canvas and fire grappling hooks the moment we are along side her!" he yelled, expertly surveying the crew's progress.

"Aye!" Alex complied, turning to look at the helper skelter on deck. The Scot was no where in sight.

"Laine, ya stupid Scottish bastard, where are ya?" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

[Anne Bonny]

"Oh for heaven's sake! Where is that hairpin?"

Sophia Grant let out a groan as she searched the floor for the missing accessory. Despite being alone in the room, her cheeks reddened in shame at her predicament. Imagine if her friends back in England could see her now: crawling around on her hands and knees searching for a pin. Only a few months ago she would have sent a servant to buy a dozen hairpins without blinking an eye. But here on a ship, even little luxuries were too rare to come by to risk losing even one.

A silvery glimmer caught the corner of her eye and to her great relief Sophie turned to see the pin just to her left. But as she reached for it the Flourish suddenly lurched with the sea and it rolled under the bed. Sophie stifled a curse and flopped to the floor. Laying her cheek on the wood beneath her and squinting in the shadows, she began to look for the pin all over again.

The creaking of the cabin door behind her came as a surprise and the startled girl leaped to her feet. "Oh, Charles!" Sophia sighed when she caught sight of her family's aged servant in the doorway. "I've um... I lost a hairpin, and I think it rolled under the bed."

"Allow me, Miss," Charles said in his quiet, stoic way before lowering himself to the floor. It wasn't long before the prize was retrieved and handed over to it's smiling owner.

Sophia turned back to her hand mirror and debated where to place the pin, tucking in strands of blond here and there until Charles cleared his throat behind her. A wave of annoyance washed over the girl. Cold blue eyes shifted to the reflection of her servant in the mirror. "Is there something you want to say, Charles?"

"Everyone is being called to the deck, Miss," he replied unfazed. "Another ship is approaching."

"What sort of ship?"

"Don't know, Miss."

"Well that's silly. Why would I need to be on deck? Are they setting up some sort of welcome party? Is the musician going to organize a dance or something? Unless the ship is taking passengers back to England, I'm really not interested."

Charles remained silent as his mistress ranted on and on about being disturbed, about the manners of the Captain, about how much she hated this uncomfortable, unnecessary voyage. The older man had no response, and even if he had, he would have given it the first few times Sophia had given her recital.

Finally satisfied with her reflection, Sophie tilted her chin upwards and passed through the door Charles held open for her. Still in an angry huff, she positioned herself in the shade of one of the sails and peered into the sea for the other ship. The crew was bustling all around her, and her attention wavered. Sophie always felt a little better watching the sailors work.

[Security of Mem]

So far he felt the most out of place then all the passengers. Many looked at his original and crafted to personal taste guitar with admiration. They wanted a good story of how he gambled his way to gain the guitar. He never actually truly explained to them the story of the guitar. He couldn't really say to people, I lived a priveleg life, found out I had the talent of the guitar and ran away because I got tired of being exploited.

Most asked him to play music, which he gladly accepted all though at times he still felt exploited even by a non privileged life. He did on occasions play for the people without anyone asking him of it. Most cases watched as the man with ginger hair stared at the floorboards of wood. He would strum on his guitar like he was now (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLf0koZOW5w&feature=related). Other times in absent of a guitar, which was very rare in his case, his finger would play the movements of the guitar.

They say his finger moved as if they always had a guitar. And those in his previous life would have said, those are the fingers of a guitarist ones that never stop moving. Rorin found himself a quiet type of person, which many saw and looked at with suspicion. They wanted to know what he was hiding. And they all wanted to know why he stayed on deck for the most part.

Nature had always been a part of his muse and inspiration. The powers and the sounds he influenced in his works. He liked staring at the sky and he liked counting the stars. And he liked how he could stare into a night sky and more and more stars would appear as he became accustomed to the night. Others stared at him with great suspicion for other reasons. Like for his skin colour. Which was a light tan, a sort of mix between that of more white people and more dark people.

Racial arguments continually came up in the streets, Rorin remembered as he realized people's stares. The captain had ordered everyone on deck. Which for Rorin was no problem he was already here. So he moved his head moving back his ginger hair and stared at one of the wooden poles instead. At least now he looked more intent and focused.

The deck began to buzz with an energy of people. As they chattered and began to whisper. There was news of a ship bearing flags. Rorin wanted to get up to see himself, but he rather not do that in an already noisy group of people.

[Kirra]

"Damn it. I swear I took more than two bottles."

Staring down the neck of an empty bottle of spiced rum, Jess had a depressed look on her face. She dropped the bottle and let it roll on the floor near the other ones she had collected over time. As she laid sprawl out on her bed, she couldn't but think about captain of the ship. Had he been any other man, she would likely be locked up in a holding cell with scraps to eat. It was the first man who treated her with a shred of respect since her uncle.

It seemed so odd to Jess that the captain would treat her so kindly. When he found her, and her unwanted company, she assumed it was the brig or overboard. Which both sounded better than the third option, returning to England. After he gave the two stowaways their own rooms, Jess decided it was best not to mess with him to much. He very quickly could change his mind. And he was being way more than hospitable. Jess even was able to get a few bottles of spiced rum ever once and a while.

Jess stayed in her room most of the trip, slightly embarrassed that she was caught, but mainly because she planned on staying a low profile lest someone know of her father. The only time she ever really left was to get food or rum. Because she rarely left, Jess hardly wore any clothing. She normally walked around her room low cut top and shorts.

When a knock came to the door, Jess shot up on her bed.

"Miss, the captain requires you on deck."

What the hell did he want? Jess slipped on her boots and hid her flintlock pistol in the back of her shorts. She then wrapped a gown around her. "What does he need? Can't he come here? I'm not really in the mood to go up."

The voice on the far side of the door let out a sigh. "Miss, he said he needs you on deck now. Something about a British ship."

Jess froze. 'British. No way. He couldn't have found me already.' But she knew otherwise. He father was a powerful and well connected man. If he wanted to find her, he would. Jess started shaking. She let her self calm down before responding and let out a sigh. "OK, fine. I'll be right there."

Her resolve returned. If her father wanted to try and take her back, she would make it be as a dead body. Jess had no fear of death. But what he might do was far worse. She clicked her boot heel to the ground and watched as the blade popped out. She then pushed the blade back in. 'Let's see who I can take out in the process.'

When Jess made it to the deck, she noticed that all the guest where there. And it made her think. "Wait what the bloody hell is going on?" If it where her father, she doubted the captain would have brought everyone to watch. But what could it be? Was the ship in trouble? Jess decided she would help the captain to repay his kindness. She walked over to him covered in her blue gown. "What's going on? Can I help?"

[Falcon Red]

At the sight of the distressed English ship, Laine already knew his position. He made his way to the rope that held the main masts sails and looked toward his captain. He heard the orders and started working the ropes for the main sails. A thick cockney accent broke through the bustle of work around him.

"Right 'ere yeh cockney buggah, get yer lazy arse tu the foremast. Gud tah see yer lazy self finally du some work 'round 'ere." Laine said turning to pat the lad on the back with a cheerful smile.

As he let the sails fall, he moved to the next ones, and attached the ropes back to the mast to keep the canvas loose to catch the most of the air. He looked out towards the bow at the quickly approaching ship. Something seemed wrong, there was no damage to the ship, how could they be in distress. He ran up to Alex as he worked.

"What say yeh lad, thinkin' this be a fools errand? Somethin' feels off about this one. Just look at the ships condition." Helping the boy finish unfurling the sails, he turned back towards the captain and called out. "Canvas down Cap! Ships goin' full!"

Laine's hand came down to his sword and looked back out at the ship. "Cap tell yeh any specifics lad?" He asked.

[Cookies Ahoy]

Mia was getting used to the smell of the sea, the heat of the sun, and the fact that she didn't have to do anything to get somewhere. For a moment she thought she could enjoy a life on the sea. There was sure to be adventures to be had, but every time she had that thought, Mia thought of the twelve men that had died early on the voyage. She didn't mind risking her life for adventure, but she hated to witness someone else die.

The alarm bell rang out, Mia remembered what the other sailors had told her. They were to go onto the deck, something was amiss. Mia decided to see what was going on. As she was walking the stairs she ran into a familiar sailor met her on the stairs.

"The captain wants everyone on the deck, ma'am," the man said briskly.

Mia looked at him with a bit of curiosity, Why does the captain want everyone on the deck? Seems a wee bit odd.

"Aye aye," Mia said with a small smile.

The sun hit Mia's eyes and blinded her for a moment, causing her to bang her shin on the last step. Her bare feet shuffled across the planks to see what was happening. She rolled up the sleeve on the large white button up shirt she had stolen before purchasing her ticket to Port Royal. She'd cut the tan pants she stole to the knees. Most people would just look at her once and think she was a poor tramp, but in reality, only a few of the sailors knew what she used to do for a living.

Noticing the other ship, with its flags raised in distress. Mia approached the captain, a little nervously. It was obvious he was busy, but Mia's curiosity sometimes caused her to overstep boundaries. She wanted to know what exactly the problem was.

"Excuse me, captain. What exactly is going on?" her Italian accent still prevalent in her speech.

[Merry]

“Miss, the captain requires you on deck. There’s a British ship”

Margaret felt her heart jump to her throat at the words. “Yes, sir” she politely stammered in response, her voice barely above a whisper. Listening to the footfalls as he moved on to the next door, repeating the message over and over to the other occupants on the ship. Well this was it then, she thought to herself. She knew it was too good to be true. The captain and crew had been fairly decent about finding her and that other girl in the hold, putting them both in cabins on the ship. Not tossing them overboard immediately upon discovery. She had heard the stories. She knew that not all sea going folk were decent. This crew and its captain had actually been very civilized to her, much to her surprise. She knew it wouldn’t last.

Firmly masking her resolve, she decided that if she was getting tossed over board, or worse, put on a ship back to home, she would be brave, and take whatever punishment was coming to her. Besides, she vowed that she would do whatever she had to not to go back. There would be another opportunity to escape or hide somewhere else. Anything was better than the fate that awaited her back home.

She placed her best hat on her head, carefully tucking all the loose curls underneath and out of her face. Pulled on her favorite gloves, and smoothed down the ruffles on her skirt, more out of nervousness than any real reason. She headed out the door of the cabin to join the rest of the passengers out on the deck. Her little boots clicking on the stairs as she followed everyone up and outside.

The sun was a little blinding, at first, having been down in the cabin area of the ship, indoors. Squinting as she tried to adjust to its brightness. She couldn’t stop the smile that formed on her face at the heat of it against her skin. It was comfortable and welcomed. She had missed it the last few days, having been cooped up inside the cabin. Looking around, she noted in surprise that it appeared the whole ship was out on the decks. She couldn’t stop the confusion from showing on her face. What was this? Was the whole ship being evacuated? Surely this wasn’t all for the benefit of dragging her off the ship. Something else was going on, she was sure of it. The thought that perhaps she wasn’t going to be tossed over board like the days refuse, lifting her spirits a little. She tried to catch someone’s eye to ask what was going on, without much success. Everyone on the crew was jumping and running around, much to busy to talk to her. Since no one appeared to be paying her any undo attention she casually moved to stand beside another woman, standing in the shade of the sails. Her smile getting brighter as she breathed a small sigh of relief. For now she was still free.

[The Gypsy Queen]

Sean was enjoying the crossing. Something about the crisp sea air and the roll of the waves was very invigorating. It was the start of a new adventure. It was the first step on the list. He was looking forward to purchasing a new home when he arrived in Port Royal and getting his plantation set up. It seemed to him that sugar was the way to go, and since his father owned quite a few ships, the shipping costs would not be a factor. He would make a killing.

Then all he had to do was find his bride.

Leaning over the rail on the starboard side of the ship, Sean was enjoying watching the blue water roll beneath the Flourish. He heard the lookout’s warning and raised his head to watch a ship flying British colors get steadily closer. Sean was no seaman and hurried to get out of the way as the Flourish approached the mysterious ship.

He listened carefully to the captain’s instructions, but as the Flourish dragged the new ship, he wasn’t sure how much help he would be.

[John]

“All of you,” David looked at the passengers on deck. “Prepare to help with any wounded.” David placed the spyglass against his eye and looked at the approaching ship. He could clearly see the bow guns, which were pointed down. As well, he was able to tell that the ship’s gun port doors were closed. He could see that barrels lined the railing of the ship and that there was no one at the wheel. The deck appeared to be absent of all life. As the ship approached, men lined the deck of the flourish with grappling hooks and tow lines, securing the lines. Once the lines were secured, they awaited the Captain’s orders.

David had an uneasy feeling in his stomach. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. And if it was a trap of some kind, he didn’t have the men available to repel boarders. But it was an English ship and he was obligated to assist. It only took a few minutes for the Flourish to pull alongside of the ship, And that’s when David yelled out his orders.

“Everybody hang on to something!” The ship was moving fast and the Flourish would no doubt be pulled hard. “Release hooks” The men did as they were told and threw the hooks at the ship. They caught onto the railings and the ropes quickly went taught. It was at this moment that three things happened which really surprised David.

First, the sails on the ship dropped, causing it’s speed to be reduced as the Flourish started to drag it. The next two things happened almost simultaneously. The Barrels lining the railings opened as the men hidden inside stood up and placed their rifles on the railing, firing.

The sound of the gunshots was drowned out by an even louder noise however. The gun port doors on the sides of the ship opened and the cannons fired, slamming cannonballs into the sides of the flourish. The Flourish shook violently as men on it’s deck fell from the gunfire. The pirates aim was good and the shots took out most of the officers and soldiers on deck. Bodies fell over as the shots tore through them. Some falling overboard into the coldness of the ocean. Others falling where they stood, their blood colouring the deck red. One bullet crashed through Sophia's servant's head and another through the merchant Sean's, both leaving bloody gaping maws where the back of their skulls had been.

The riflemen dropped their rifles and pulled fresh ones from the barrels. Resting them on the railing, they aimed and waited. After a few moments, a voice rang out in the air.

“Do you surrender?” The voice was that of a woman and had an English accent which was a little rough. The passengers and remaining crew on the deck of the Flourish had taken cover. Under normal circumstances, David would have fought to the last man. But there were the passengers to think about. Perhaps he could negotiate for their safety.

“We surrender!” John’s heart sank in his chest. “I only ask that you do not harm the passengers.”

A woman appeared on the deck of the ship as two men placed a plank across the railings. She was wearing a white hat and had blonde hair. A white strap ran diagonally down her chest, across the yellow corset she wore. A cutlass was sheathed on her left side as well as knife on her other She was quite petite, standing at about five foot two, and she motioned to some of the men. They immediately ran across the plank with pistols drawn, and rounded up the remaining crew and passengers, hauling them onto the deck and pushing them to their knees. The woman climbed got onto the plank and crossed onto the Flourish, with two other women behind her. One of the women was blonde and dressed in black. The other was a brunette, with her hair tied back in a ponytail. She also had a scar under her left eye. David instantly knew what ship this was. It’s reputation preceded it. That and the Jolly Roger which had now taken the place of the English flag which had been flying before. It had a red skull on it and two roses were crossed beneath it. This was the Murderess. As the woman approached, David began to speak.

“Might I assume that I am addressing Anyssa Finch, fist mate on the Murderess?”

“You are indeed Captain West,” Anyssa smiled and she drew her cutlass.

“Take whatever you want. Just spare the lives of the passengers and crew.” David spoke calmly.

“There is only one thing I want,” Anyssa smiled and glared up at him. “You have in your possession a piece of a map. I want it.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” David stared directly into her eyes.

“Pity,” Anyssa frowned and raised her hand. Shots rang out and the rest of the crew fell, save Alex and Laine. “How about now?” Anyssa smiled evilly at David.

“I can’t give it to you,” David had lowered his voice to a whisper. “You don’t know what it leads to.”

“Oh I have pretty good idea.” Anyssa leered at David. “Give it to me now.”

“No,” David replied sternly.

“You‘re not making this easy you know.” Anyssa said, rage burning in her eyes.

[The Gypsy Queen]

A gunshot echoed over the two ships and the bullet ripped through Captain David West skull with a sickening crack. The man’s body, eyes still open in shock, crumpled to the deck of the ship with a hollow thud, bits of brain and bone spread by his pooling blood. There was a loud thud and the attention of the crew was redirected to a woman standing on the rail of the Murderess, holding onto a guide rope.

She was not particularly tall or large but her large man’s overcoat and hat made her appear bigger than she actually was. Her brown hair was braided in several spots and hung loose around her shoulders, and her bare belly was taught with toned muscle. Her young face sported a near maniacal grin as she surveyed the deck of the Flourish.

“ Oops.” She giggled, jumping to the Flourish’s rail and catching herself with another guide rope. “ Killed ‘im, dinnit I?” She hopped onto the deck and strode over to Captain West’s body, still grinning. As she did, Anyssa fell in step behind her, latching on to her arm. After inspecting the body briefly, the woman turned to what was left of the passengers and crew of the Flourish, still grinning. “ Search the man.” She ordered, and her crew clambered to obey her, tearing the clothes from the Captain’s body while his murderer wandered over the deck, inspecting the survivors.

“ Lesee…” she muttered, tugging on Sophia’s dress a bit. “ Too frilly.” She moved on to Laine and appraised him. “ Too low.” She moved on to Mia, cocking her head to the side. “ The hell kinda ship is this, all these dress-wearing landlubbers?” Shaking her head she pointed to Jessica, drawing the survivor’s attention to her. “ See, dat one knows howta dress.” She blinked and marched over to pull Jessica to her feet, still grinning. “ Don’t suppose you’re crew?” she asked, then shoved the girl away. “ Unlikely.” She muttered disdainfully. She spotted what appeared to be a minstrel and suddenly hopped up and down, clapping her hands. “ Ooh, ‘Nessie, lookit that! We got ourselves a musician! We’re gonna be civilized!” Her outburst ended as quickly as it began as she barked to her crew, “ Alvidia, Eve, get ‘im on ta ship and put ‘im the brig. Be careful wit ‘im, girls, musicians is delicate!” The crew of the Murderess jumped to obey.

She turned to inspect Sophia next, pulling the girl to her feet. “ Ooh… pretty one. And dressed to da nines. Be sure ta get her things.” She shoved the girl away and growled looking around the deck.

“ See anything you like, my captain?” Anyssa purred, nuzzling against the woman’s ear. As she did, the woman suddenly pulled away, her grin returning as she lunged for Alex, grabbing the boy by his arm.

“ Yes I do.” She answered, smiling at the young man maliciously.

“ Yes, Bree.” She purred again. Bree McLaughlin rolled her eyes at her lover.

“ Cabin boy, ‘Nessie. Might know where ta map is.” She turned back to the boy. “ Doncha, boy? Part o’ a map da late Cap’n had?” She turned to her crew, keeping an iron grip on the boys arm. “ Kill what’s left of the crew ‘till he talks.” She commanded, turning her psychotic grin back on Alex.

[Mysteria]

The tall blonde watched her viridion eyes flickering as the captain of The Murderess put a hole right through the captain standing on the deck of the other ship. Alvidia had served under several captains aboard all different kinds of ships but she had to admit, none of them were even remotely close in personality to Bree McLaughlin.

Alvidia had first met her while she was looking for work. It just so happened that Alvida had been in the right place at the right time and it hadn't taken long for her to be hired on upon The Murderess. Alvidia was multi-functional and could be utilized in many different ways on board the notorious ship.

Alvidia followed Bree onto the other ship and looked on as Bree inspected the crew and passengers of The Flourish. She could tell by the look of amusement on Bree's face that she was enjoying this. Alvidia herself could really have cared less about what was going on around her. Her only concern on the open seas was getting to her next destination even if she herself at times didn't know where exactly that might be. Alvidia had always been the kind to go wherever her heart led her.

When the captains eyes settled upon the minstrel and she said Alvidia, Eve, get ‘im on ta ship and put ‘im the brig. Be careful wit ‘im, girls, musicians is delicate!” Alvidia didn't hesitate to put the tip of her rapier against the musicians back "If'n ye be wise ye should take care 'n do as you're told. That's a good lad now, don't move. I truly don't wish ta be harmin' ye now."

Alvidia turned to the others on board as she withdrew her flintlock with her free hand. "And as ta the rest of ye, I'd suggest someone starts ta talkin' a'fore someone gets themselves killed."

[Stream]

The Scot had done into a frenzy of work, immediately working on the sails and canvas, and of course in giving Alex a friendly jab. The boy stood dumbfounded as Laine shouted out orders, not able to understand a damn thing that man said over his scrambling and the wails of the crew. Captain West's voice seemed to boom over all else, though.

"Cap'n said nothin' about that ship there, but she's running Engish colors 'n we 'ave. to stop 'n help." he shrugged, following Laine to the foremast to help with bringing down the canvas. The Scot looked with reluctance at the ship, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

A line of crew members appeared on port, taking standard procedure to hook and bind the Flourish to the ship. Alex scanned the deck of the seemingly derelict ship, zero sign of life showing. The wheel of the ship rocked back and forth hauntingly in the Caribbean breezes.

"Seems a bit ooh, y'know, she's runnin' distress colors 'n no one seems to be on. Might've been hit by pirates or something," he shrugged again, his eyes gazing down to the side of the ship, noticing all the hatches were closed, "real spooky. Cap'n West wouldn't let an English ship go wifout 'elp if it-"

Without warning, the sails of the ship dropped, rocking the Flourish for a moment, causing Alex to lost his balance a bit. Almost immediately after the hatches of the ship opened, and the railings on the deck were filled with gun barrels. The shock of the impact as the cannons fired at such close range, knocking the Flourish off balance and knocking Alex to the ground. Yelling and gun shots shot off as a canopy of smoke drifted over the deck of the Flourish. Cries of pain sounded from all around as the feeling of a warming wetness drifted across his back. The thuds of sailors bodies shook the deck around Alex, some men falling mere feet away from him.

“Do you surrender?” The voice was that of a woman and had an English accent which was a little rough. The passengers and remaining crew on the deck of the Flourish had taken cover. It was obviously a pirate ambush.

"We surrender!" bellowed the Captain, "I only ask that you do not harm the passengers!"

Alex looked up to see a figure walking across a blank linking the two ships. The smoke had watered the boy's eyes and he could only see the curving outline of a feminine body and the flashes of yellow before burying his head back into his folded arms.

“Might I assume that I am addressing Anyssa Finch, fist mate on the Murderess?” said the Captain

“You are indeed Captain West,” the woman quipped as Alex heard the distinct sound of a cutlass being drawn.

“Take whatever you want. Just spare the lives of the passengers and crew.” The Captain spoke calmly.

“There is only one thing I want. You have in your possession a piece of a map. I want it.”

Alex's heart sank as she spoke those words. Captain West and Alex had a strong bond from his year as a cabin boy aboard the Flourish and was under his protection, as his protege. He had shown him before, something about a "very important family heirloom".

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

There was a moments pause before the woman spoke again.

"Pity."

Immediately another chorus of shots rang out, the same sickening feeling of warmth and the haunting sound of bodies falling. The number was substantially less this time.

Alex looked up for a moment to survey the conversation.

“I can’t give it to you,” David had lowered his voice to a whisper. “You don’t know what it leads to.”

“Oh I have pretty good idea.” Anyssa leered at David. “Give it to me now.”

“No,” David replied sternly.

“You‘re not making this easy you know.” Anyssa said, rage burning in her eyes.

A shot fired, sending a cloud of smoke from the tip and a metal ball into Captain West's skull. Alex's only real father figure left in this world stood for a moment before crumpling on the ground in a bloody mess of gray matter and skull fragments. There was a loud thud and the attention of the crew was redirected to a woman standing on the rail of the Murderess, holding onto a guide rope. Tears sweltered in Alex's eyes as we whispered to himself in a somber sob.

"Cap'n… Laine…" he moaned lowly, burying his eyes into his dust covered sleeves.

“Oops.” She giggled, jumping to the Flourish’s rail and catching herself with another guide rope. “Killed ‘im, dinnit I?” She hopped onto the deck and strode over to Captain West’s body, still grinning. As she did, Anyssa fell in step behind her, latching on to her arm. After inspecting the body briefly, the woman turned to what was left of the passengers and crew of the Flourish, still grinning. “Search the man.” She ordered, and her crew clambered to obey her, tearing the clothes from the Captain’s body while his murderer wandered over the deck, inspecting the survivors.

The maniac jeered with sadistic delight in the inspection of each crew member, a crack at their clothing and appearance, and an insulting comment about the musician.

In a shocking instant Alex was yanked from the floor and onto his knees, staring with a sadistic vigor. He whimpered for a moment, expecting the worst. Soon enough they'd kill him too for being a crew member of the Flourish.

“Cabin boy, ‘Nessie. Might know where ta map is.” She turned back to the boy. “Doncha, boy? Part o’ a map da late Cap’n had?” She turned to her crew, keeping an iron grip on the boys arm. “Kill what’s left of the crew ‘till he talks.” She commanded, turning her psychotic grin back on Alex.

Immediately Alex lunged and grabbed on the woman's sleeve, pulling her down a bit towards his level.

"No!" he cried out, his heart pounding and his voice cracking, "No… I know what you want, and I know where it is. Please, just don't kill anyone else."

[Kirra]

As the ship was pulled forward one thing ran through Jessica's mind. "Something isn't right here." She started to remember the tales from her uncle, they way they would trick ships into pulling them in. Then they would wait until the ships where close and jump aboard. It was just like his stories. Jess tried to shout, but her voice was horse with excitement and fear.

"Pirates." She barely managed to squeeze out. But it was to late. Her voice was drown out by the sound of cannon fire. Then the shots came. Two bodies hit the floor. Headless corps where all that remained. 'Wait. No. Not yet. I have to talk to them. I have to see them before I die.'

“Do you surrender?” The voice sounding like a heavenly wind. So she wouldn't die just yet. If she got the chance to speak with the captain of the ship, maybe her uncles name would get her safe passage to Port Royal. Jess could only hope.

The captain's quick surrender didn't surprise her. He was good man, a kind man. And men like that didn't live long if they didn't roll over. The woman who accepted his surrendered apparently was the second in command. A plus where she stood from. But hearing the name Murderess stunned her. Not many women became the captains of ships. Even her uncle informed her of that.

As the other pirates bored, Jess only became more relaxed. Lot's of women on board. It could mean they will be more likely to accept her. And they where rather attractive too. 'Bad thoughts. Stay focused.' Jessica had to make sure the captain heard her plea before one of the others got antsy and started killing. She lowered her self so to be clear of any random shots.

Then it happened. A shot pierced the captain's head. His refusal to listen caused his death. He should have just rolled over. When the Pirate captain boarded the ship, Jess instantly knew she was the one in charge. She exuded power and control. A woman Jess had instant respect for. Surly she would a woman who could be bargained with.

Jessica was still to stunned to think when the pirate captain lifted her off the ground. "Don’t suppose you’re crew?” She couldn't respond. 'Come one say something. At least say no. Damn it she will kill you.' "Unlikely.” And the pirate continued down the line. 'Damn you coward. Say something. You will do this or your father was right.'

When the pirate captain grabbed the cabin boy, Jess' resolve started to return. Striking one of the pirates in the back of the neck, she grabbed his sword and placed it to his neck. Then she pulled out her hidden pistol and aimed it at the captain. "I am the niece of the pirate David Rasputin Speer! I seek and audience with you captain so I can discus my terms of parlay!" She tried to control her breathing as she watched for a response. She hoped to god that she said everything right.

Hand still locked in a vice grip on Alex's arm, Bree wheeled and blinked at Jess.

"You? Da niece of Speer? I'll be a tuppence whore if'n I believe a scrawny shit like you ever had a relation to a pirate of tha' renown."

Jess almost froze, her finger still tight on the trigger. The woman had heard of her uncle. A stroke of luck. But a short lived one if she couldn't convene her that she was his kin.

"You said something about a map, right? I know where you can find one with a rare treasure. But only if you take me aboard. This information was given to me by me uncle. And I assume you have heard the rumors of the things he found."

Cocking her head slightly, Bree shoved the boy into Anyssa's arms before approaching Jess, her grin spreading across her face.

"Ya talk big, little lass. I know what your uncle found. Heard ta tales all me life. But why in ta name Davy Jones would I believe you."

It was time for her to go all in. If the captain didn't believe her, she was dead anyway. Jess dropped the blade and her pistol. "Because if I am lying, you can kill me whenever you want."

Bree grinned as wide as she could, giggling a bit.

"How intriguing. 'Nessie? Keep your pistol on dat one. I want her."

Jess let out a sigh of relief. She knew Pirates to have more intelligence than to go against the captain. And as long as she stayed in her good graces, she would be safe. But Murderess seemed so odd to say. She needed to know how to refer to her. "What shall I call you captain?"

"Captain, damn it. Or Bree. That too." Jess nodded and smiled. Her dream of being a pirate was finally coming true.

(coop with Gypsy)

[Merry]

Margaret was still in a bit of shock at the events that seemed to happen so quickly on the deck of the ship. One minute she was squinting in the sunshine, the next minute gunshots and people rushing about, and blood. Alot of blood. Crew members shot and laying on the deck, while pirates, real pirates took over the ship. It was bad enough watching the crew members die, but the captain. She could barely control a shriek of horror when the man's head exploded and he crumpled to the floor. Holding her hand to her mouth to stifle the scream that was threatening to escape, biting hard on her gloved finger, the pain distracting her briefly from the events unfolding in front of her.

Her fear moving toward utter amazement at seeing the new captain take over, it was a woman. A woman? she must be truly evil for these people to listen to her so raptly. Look how quickly they were jumping to her orders. Look how easily she killed. Margaret had never imagined a woman would act like this, and be a pirate. Having never seen a woman in such position of power, it was quite astounding. She had heard of pirates, but had never dreamed that they were women. She couldn't take her eyes off the captain, and then the captains, friend? as well.

She tried not to cringe in fear as the captain and the rest walked down the line, poking, prodding, inspecting the prisoners, for that is what they were now. Willing her with every thought, not to notice Margaret, and then breathing and almost audible sigh of relief at not being singled out from the rest. She didn't want to end up on the deck, covered in hers or anyone elses blood. She listened intently as the girl Jess struck a bargain with the pirates. She was a pirate too! Or at least related to one. It seemed as if they were going to accept her as one of them. She wondered what would happen to the rest of them. She wondered what it would be like to be a pirate.

[Yoruyonaka]

At the guns Eve was. Not the best of her talents, but the best she would be on a ship. When Captain McLaughlin said there's game coming soon, Eve loved nothing more. Adventure was her calling. She wanted nothing more then to use her guns or saber.

"Oye! Ye bilge rats best be movin' yer arses 'fore we rain death upon them civilized dogs!" Eve yelled to the men and women loading the big guns below the deck. "The Cap'n say we're only few leagues away 'fore we hit them bloody still. Course we do them one shot, for somethin' we need lay on dat ship. Aim for the crew less then wood! We don't be wantin' ta send it early ta Davy Jones, savvy?"

A chorus of cheers echoed in Eve's ears. A devious smirk formed on her face. The ship would appear an English ship in need of help. Our Cap'n be better then any ol' scurvy man could try to be, Eve thought. So with a final laugh, she patiently waited for the orders to fire.

"Fire the cannons!" Just on cue.

"Ye heard em'! Fire the god damn cannons!"

The gun ports flew open as the cannons were aimed and fired. Eve had become accustomed to the loud noise and grinned at the sight. With that step done, she went up to join Captain McLaughlin with boarding the Flourish.


********

On board the ship Eve glanced at all the people. Shocked faces along with emotionless. Petty fools, Eve smiled at them since their fates rested on her captain. Alvidia was walking along side Eve behind the first mate Anyssa Finch.

Once Alvidia had secured the minstrel at saber point and had told the remainder of the crew and passengers aboard The Flourish to speak up or risk getting themselves killed she heard Eve speaking beside her.

"Aven't had so much fun en a long time, aye?" Eve asked Alvidia. The first mate had already begun negotiating with the Captain of the Flourish. "Fancy these dogs got some fancy food 'ere?"

Alvidia eyed the slightly younger but taller Scottish girl with regard. She had spunk she'd give her that. "Aye Eve, I cannae' say I've had this kind of fun in awhile." Alvidia said the words with a slight roll of her eyes. Alvidia had boarded enough of ships in her days on the seas to take them over that it had become all the same to her. Once you'd done it a few times, it seemed to lose some of it's luster but seeing the spark in the younger girls eyes had reminded her of the first few times she herself had done it.

"Fancy this dogs got some fancy food 'ere?" The thought of good decent food being on board this ship hadn't even crossed Alvidia's mind until Eve brought it up. "Aye now Eve, that thar' could jes' be. We all might have a decent bite o' food out of this if'n we get lucky 'nuff."

Alvidia kept her saber close to the minstrels back and with a wink to Eve she laughed "An if'n we gets lucky, me'be we might ev'n 'ave some music wit' our dinner eh?"

Eve grinned at Alvidia. "Aye dat be true," She agreed. "'Aven't heard any sort of shanty en years." Eve brought out the saber Drake's Fang her most valuable possession and brought it to Rorin's neck. Eve's face came inches from his as she smirked. "Dontcha s'pose ye best be movin's yer lazy arse then, musician, 'fore I slice ye a new chord?"

With that, Eve kicked Rorin to the Murderess.

Alvidia watched, sightly amused as Eve moved Rorin back towards The Murderess, her flintlock still trained on the passengers and crew of The Flourish as they did so. The lass was feisty, Alvidia liked that. As they walked Alvida couldn't help but chime in as they walked the minstrel towards the brig "Aye laddie, if I were you I wouldnae' move to quickly. I'd hate ta see m'friends hand thar slippin' crossed that fine neck a'yours. I kinda 'ave taken a shine ta the idea of hearin' a bit a music aboard this 'ere ship an' I dunnae like ta think of that pretty lil' throat of yers bein slit."

Upon reaching the brig Alvidia opened the door so that Eve could secure the prisoner inside. He looked harmless enough but Alvidia knew full well that things were not always as they appeared.

Eve shoved the minstrel in, none to kindly either, and went to give him a final word. "Yer luck is nigh less ye do as the Cap'n says. If ye don't comply, I'll make sure s'mthin' valuable of yers is cut off." She aimed her sword at Rorin's crotch. "Aye, Laddie?"

Eve stepped out of the cell and locked it. Alvidia was watching her the entire time. "We best get to the Cap'n for our next orders," Eve said. "Wouldn't mind ta 'elp scavenge dat ship."

Alvidia grinned a mischievous grin although she was damned serious when she said it "Aye we dinnae wanna be angerin' the capt'n and if'n the seas be blessin' us thar might jes' be some good grub on that ship yet to boot."

Nodding to Alvidia, the two then marched up to the deck and crossed over the plank leading to the Flourish. Eve then came up behind the captain and first mate and said, "Musician be stowed en the brig, Cap'n. What else ye need of me?"

[Co-Op with Mysteria]

[Security of Mem]

Rorin continued staying in his position. As other panicked and wondered what was going on. They all seemed to curious and to frightened to no any better. Rorin on the other hand didn't care. Maybe he forced himself to not care. Maybe he was forcing himself to feel no inch of curiosity simply because he didn't want anyone of his family finding him. Of course he had heard people speaking of English flags. So that wasn't the most plausible and likely situation, however he remained sitting.

Till it seemed through all the glaze of panic was another danger. And not one from the clouds or the sea itself. But one of people. Pirates. So pirates had tricked them into stopping and now were to steal all the plunder. Rorin smiled at his joke. An inner joke that he'd never share. He knew speaking or running wouldn't be of any good or any of use. So he simply waited. He watched as the hooligans waved around their weapons. To show off their false bravado. They were females.

It wasn't that he was looking down on them. However, they hadn't yet the truth of confidence. In reality it was more the truth in bandit mentality and some bits of insanity here and there. Rorin hadn't made much mark to pay attention to any of the conversations between the pirates. And he hadn't made much chance to watch a death of a captain. Just like those flaunting false bravado they spoke with their weapons before they put any real thought to the consequences. He stared at the dead captain with a particular look. It wasn't really that he cared. He was just man. Who was to die later or in this case sooner. People died.

He watched as they began to bother and harass others. Looking for the only items of their needs and they put less thought into their actions. Rorin didn't like law breakers. Not because it was illegal because none of them thought properly. However, Rorin felt himself getting to deep and personal in this. And so he set his eyes back on the floorboards of the flourish.

None of this was his concern not yet anyway. He sat calmly and quietly. He made no mention to run his fingers along the guitar. In hopes that they wouldn't bother to notice him or even to see him in that fact of the matter. However they met contact with his presence. And began a conversation as he heard them.

“ Ooh, ‘Nessie, lookit that! We got ourselves a musician! We’re gonna be civilized!” Her outburst ended as quickly as it began as she barked to her crew, “ Alvidia, Eve, get ‘im on ta ship and put ‘im the brig. Be careful wit ‘im, girls, musicians is delicate!

"An if'n we gets lucky, me'be we might ev'n 'ave some music wit' our dinner eh?"

One of the woman forced herself close to him. With a dagger her assumed was her own of finest. He stared into her eyes not very nerved by a false attempt to scare him, "Dontcha s'pose ye best be movin's yer lazy arse then, musician, 'fore I slice ye a new chord?"

The woman kicked him onto the other ship.

"Yer luck is nigh less ye do as the Cap'n says. If ye don't comply, I'll make sure s'mthin' valuable of yers is cut off." She aimed her sword at Rorin's crotch. "Aye, Laddie?"

Rorin gave her an eye, ""I see at least you have good taste in music. Do treat me well, musicians are delicate folks. And without that I'm not sure how I'd produce any sound."

And with that said he was now onto the other deck. With some of the other passengers. Victims and captures of shrieking harpies.
Forced on their knees like begging and worshiping to gods of man. To him they were mere shrieking sirens. After a few shorts more outburst of shrieking harpies he'd began to tune them out. Like he was able instead he stared at the new ships floorboards. Darkened wood. There was a somewhat beauty of the beat and scuffed boards. He heard the sirens shrieking again. He could almost imagine them waving and flaunting their weapons around. Like those were the only assets they had. In reality he realized this wasn't become they were female. In reality his view was more that men were the greedy type who knew nothing of morals and value. They were the bad guys. And woman were the ones who realized good and wrong. They were suppose to be the good guys. He'd just have to get use to his ideals changing quite fast.

[Anne Bonny]

(Co post with Naz and Gyps helped too!)

“Everybody hang on to something!” the captain of the Flourish shouted.

But instead of reaching for an anchor to hold onto, Sophia's hands moved to her hips. "What nerve this man has! He called us up here to work! I can't believe it. It's not my fault he lost some men in the storm. It's not my fault he's short-handed! I'm not helping any wounded passengers from that other ship. We could get sick! And I'm not - ooof!"

As the Flourish's hooks dug into the mysterious ship's railings, it slowed drastically, knocking Sophia onto her backside in the middle of her rant. The incident was a blessing, however, for before she knew what was happening, gunfire exploded all around. The girl was low enough to be safe from the flying bullets, but her servant wasn't so lucky. The older man caught a shot straight through his skull. In a glorious shower of blood and gore, Charles sagged to the deck.

Sophie let out a scream and pushed herself away from the corpse. To her horror, blood had splattered onto her pale dress and shoes. She watched the scene before her slowly unfold with a kind of detached disbelief. Women (Pirates!) were invading their ship. The captain was killed, the majority of the crew was quick to follow. What would she do? Who would look after her now that Charles was dead? Certainly the aging man couldn't have driven the villains away, but he would have protected her.

Another woman, the pirate captain it was revealed, grabbed Sophia by the arm and yanked her to her feet. "Ooh… pretty one. And dressed to da nines. Be sure ta get her things."

The enemy pushed her away, but something prickled in the back of Sophie's mind. Her things? Her things? The only things that she had left of England, of her life of riches? She wasn't about to just let them go without a fight. But here was the minstrel being lead away, here was the cabin boy surrendering without batting an eye. And here was another woman, one of the Flourish's passengers, joining the other crew! It was unbelievable to say the least.

Sophia pushed a strand of hair that had come loose behind her ear and drew herself up to her full height. "Now just a minute!" she said sternly, trying her best to keep the quiver out of her voice. "Although our captain may be dead this is still our ship. And we're not going to give up so easily and let you take whatever you want!"

She nodded to the cabin boy. "Be strong Alex! They think they can just wave their guns around and play bully with us?

"You're not touching my things," Sophie continued, glaring from one pirate to the next.

“Oh and what have we here?” Anyssa’s voice took on a cockney accent as she pushed Alex into the arms of another crew member. “And why should we be listening to you, eh lass?” Anyssa glared at Sophia and smiled evilly, stepping closer.

Sophie met her glare head on, and though she trembled inside, she forced a sneer onto her lips. "Because I am a lady of some importance. Although I couldn't expect a harlot of the sea to know that, could I?"

"Oh ye a dead bitch," Bree smiled and started laughing as Anyssa lunged at Sophia and pinned her to the mast.

"I'll show ye a harlot!!!" Anyssa screamed the words and brought up he pistol. "You bitch!!” She slammed the butt of the gun into the side of Sophia’s head. “What did ye say to me?!?!"

Her head felt as if it had exploded in pain. Her knees went weak and her vision blurred, but for a socialite who had never had so much as a blister, she fought hard against the tears that welled up in her eyes. "I think you heard me the first time," Sophia panted. "But if I'm wrong, by all means, say so."

She winced, each movement sending a throbbing pain up to her head. The realization was setting in that even with all the insults in the world, the fact remained that the pirates had might on their side. "Even if you got the scrap of paper you're looking for," she finally gasped, "you've killed nearly our entire crew. Save the traitor there," her eyes flickered toward Jess, "what will you do with the rest of us?"

“If ye don’t watch that tongue little miss,” Anyssa shoved the pistol into her belt and pulled her dagger. Bringing it up Sophia’s cheek, she placed the blade against her skin. “I will cut it from your head.” Anyssa oppressed the blade a little harder. “Methinks ye might look better if I cut that pretty face.” Anyssa giggled “And that is no mere scrap of paper and it‘s worth a fair bit more n you.”

Pride and anger aside, winning a battle of words was not worth living with a hideous scar for all of her life. Anyssa was mad beyond reason, Sophie was sure of it. But she shut her mouth quickly and turned her blue eyes toward the deck. "As you wish," she managed to spit out, "just get that blade away from me."

"You best be doing what I tell ye,“ Anyssa sheathed the knife and grabbed Sophia by the hair. Pulling hard she forced her to the ground, pushing her face against the deck. “You're gonna be fun to break.” Anyssa hissed the words and smiled, the Cockney fading from her accent.

Absolutely insane, Sophie thought. Her head was killing her, and with with the pirate's hand pushing her into the deck, she was beginning to see stars. "We'll see," was all she could manage to whisper.

“I’m sorry," Anyssa pulled up Sophia’s head and then slammed it back down into the deck. “What was that?”

"Stop!" Sophie cried, doing her best to curl into a ball beneath the pirate. "Alright, just... stop! What do you want from me?!"

"Good doggy," Anyssa leaned in close and purrred the words into Sophia's ear. "What's your name your highness?"

Although she bristled inwardly, Sophie complied. "Lady Sophia Grant," she whimpered, angry tears sliding down her cheeks.

Ohh, look boys, we got a lady!” Anyssa looked up at her crew and they laughed uproariously. “I think I will call you doggy. I always wanted a doggy.” Annysa pushed Sophia’s head hard and stood up. “Lick my boot doggy.” Anyssa placed one boot on Sophia’s head and pushed against her face, the crew continuing to laugh.

If Sophie's face could have gotten any redder after the abuse she had just been through, the laughter would have done it. Still, it was the same shame that spurred her into action. She drew herself onto her hands and knees before the first mate as if ready to comply, but suddenly sprung up against the woman and made a grab for her pistol.

"Being a captive is one thing," Sophia said as she leveled the weapon at Anyssa, "but I'm nobody's dog. Man, woman, or otherwise. I'll cooperate from here out, but you will stay away from me."

“You’ve got spirit doggy,” Anyssa sneered. “I like that. But surely you can’t be serious. Go ahead, shoot me. You’ll be dead before my body hit’s the deck. You will do what you are told or you will be goin to see Davy Jones, savvy? Now hand me the pistol.” Anyssa reached out her hand.

For several long seconds, Sophie weighed her options, but she kept coming back to the same conclusion: the pirate was right. It was better to be alive and be a prisoner, wasn't it? She pushed a hand through her tangled hair and relinquished the pistol with a sigh.

"To be frank, I'm surprised you haven't done away with me already," Sophia said.

“Who says I’m still not going to?” Anyssa levelled the gun at Sophia’s head and smiled malevolently. “Now are you goin to be a good doggy. Or shall I put you down?”

Her mind racing, Sophia frowned at the woman in front of her, at her terrible predicament. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, between humiliation and certain death. "Well you made a deal with Jessica, why not with me?" she thought aloud. "I won't fight you, and you won't treat me like dirt. I could be useful, maybe." A smile curled at the corners of her lips as she spoke. "I don't back away from an opponent and I am well versed in the art of negotiation, which believe it or not can be useful from time to time. Better to have more weapons than just guns and swords, hm?"

Anyssa strode forward and jammed the gun into Sophia’s stomach. With her free hand, Anyssa grabbed a hold of Sophia’s throat.

“You will do as you are told,” Anyssa leaned in and whispered into Sophia’s ear. The words purred from her lips. “As of right now your station in life means nothing. And do not assume that because I am a pirate, that there is naught in my head. You will respect me and my Captain. And if you do, maybe you will receive the same in return. I doubt you will get such an offer from the sharks."

It was all Sophia could do to keep from buckling over. At this point, she was sure she would do nearly anything to stop the pirate from hitting her again. Instead, she closed her eyes against pain and nodded.

"Say it," Anyssa whispered. "Say you're a good doggy."

Sophie groaned, but she was left with little choice. "I'll be good, I promise."

"Say it!" Anyssa snapped the words and pulled back the hammer on the pistol. "Say it or I will shoot you in the stomach and leave you here to bleed to death. Say you're a good doggy."

Sophia wished she hadn't have given the gun back. At least then she would have taken the first mate with her when she died. Perhaps time would give her another chance. "Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "I'll be a good doggy. For you, I will be."

[Falcon Red]

Laine's feelings didn't falter, he still felt uneasy about the whole operation, but as an English vessel they had to do it. He listened to the boys response, and watched him fall as the ships connected. Years of sailing experience, Laine was able to keep his balance, only stumbling slightly.

The ship was dead. He wasn't sure what to make of it, his grip on his sword tightened. Pirates sprang from the barrels, and a call for surrender came from a female voice. His arm tightened, ready to spring to action at his captain's word. But the captain complied, he could expect nothing less from him, with the passengers to think about and all. He pulled his sword from his belt and put it on the ground as pirates surrounded the crew and passengers, one took up his sword.

Laine watched all the action take place. He watched his captain die, he watched Alex, tremble in fear. He was just a boy, this was all new to him. He watched one girl request a council. Hatred began to boil in his insides towards her. Miserable selfish daughter of a pirate. What he saw next is what put him into action.

Lady Sophie, though a pain in the arse she was, was being treated like a dog. Even princess, his secret name for her only Alex understood, didn't deserve such treatment.

"Alex, shut yer mouth boyo, don' tell them anythin', it will just get us all killed faster. An you over there, jus' comply an maybe we can make it out o' 'ere alive, Miss Grant." Laine needed some time, he had seen all his friends and his captain die right in front of his eyes, he didn't know what to do, he had to do something though. "Captain, I would like to respectfully request a council with you as well. My name is Laine McAllister, jus' leave Alex out of this."

[John]

Anyssa was grinning from ear to ear. This was the most fun she had had in some time. The fact of the matter was, she hated the nobility. She had her past dealings with noblemen and she hated them all. Nothing but a bunch of pompous hypocritical asses in her mind. Even when she used to lay with men for money, she found that the nobility which came to see her were often rude, as well as violent. They felt they were better than herm just because they had standing in society. But even with all that they had, they still needed to pay for pleasure. It felt good to knock Sophia down a peg. And judging by the smile on her Captain’s face, Bree was enjoying it too.

It was then that Laine spoke up, telling Alex to be quiet and trying to reassure Sophia. Anyssa walked over to Bree and pressed her body against her Captain. Anyssa’s smile expression changed to one of lust, and she bit playfully at Bree’s lips.

“Perhaps I could gift wrap this one for you,” Anyssa motioned at Jess. “She is quite pretty and would look good on you.” Anyssa glared into Bree’s eyes before leaning in and whispering into her ear, so that only she could hear. “And what of the Scot my love? He may have skills we could put to use.” Anyssa squirmed slightly against Bree and moaned a little, her tongue flicking against Bree’s ear. Anyssa did have to fight the urge she was having at this moment. The urge to take Bree right here and now. She had to remind herself that there was a time and a place for everything, and pleasures of the flesh would have to wait until later. Though she knew Bree wouldn’t mind the attention Anyssa was giving her now.

Bree had long forgotten about Jess, but the reminder lit a fuse behind her mad eyes. She smiled at Alvidia and Eve, who had returned.

" 'Ello, lovies, take that one to the brig as well." she pointed to Jess. " And don' be too hard... or too gentle..." her maniacal grin turned back to Laine as she detangled herself from her lusty first mate. She grabbed Alex again, throwing him forward to the deck between herself and the Scot.

" What, old dog? The boy? Ye want 'im? I thought only Greeks were boy lovers... Absence of ta sheep got to ye?"

Gaining momentum, Bree kicked Sophia in the gut, forcing the girl to roll next to Alex. " Or, maybe it's ta girl you want, eh? Perverse old dog."

“Perhaps too much time wearing a dress has turned the Scot into a woman my love,” Anyssa giggled and walked up behind Bree, placing her hands on the Captain’s hips. “I think he fancies the boy. From the look of him, I don’t think he would know what to do with a woman.”

" Oh aye, my clever girl. Mayhap you're right." Bree suddenly strode away from Anyssa, pulling her flintlock from her belt. Moving quickly, she grabbed Laine's shoulder to hold him in place and levelled the muzzle of the pistol against his groin.

" Move an' I make ye useless to a woman or to a boy." she advised with a smile. " Now, cabin boy, speak up 'afore ye lose your lover or father or whatever the dog is. I want ta map. And I'll start killing folks 'till I get it."

Anyssa walked over to Alex, still laying on the deck and smiled wickedly at him.

“Ye would do well to do what ta Cap’n asks,” Anyssa raised her voice and her cockney accent showed through again. “It would be a shame if we had ta turn your lover into a eunuch. Oooh Cap’n , perhaps we should cut it off and feed it ta my doggy.” Anyssa glared at Sophia.

" Patience, 'Nessie... the old Scot called council." Bree grinned. " Speak your piece, dog."

“Aye laddie,” Anyssa glared at Laine, mocking him with a Scottish accent. “Or is ye haggis to small that yae cannot find tae words.” Anyssa giggled and turned her head, taking notice of Margaret.

“And what of that one Cap’n,” Anyssa motioned at Margaret. “She be good at holding her tongue, mayhaps I can find a use for it.”

Bree kept her gun on the Scot's groin, still grinning.

" Take ta lot of them on ta Murderess. This boat is done and crippled. Leave it to rot." She nudged the Scot towards her own ship. " Best move nice an' slow now... I got a twitchy trigger finger."

The crewmen standing behind the prisoners, jerked them to their feet and started pushing them towards the Murderess. Anyssa turned to one of the crewmen and smiled.

“Leave the boy,” Her voice purred, the Cockney accent gone again. “Bring some men on board and loot the ship. Kegs and shot are your first priority. And take as much booty as we can carry. I want the hold bursting with swag. Oh and get the doggy a bucket and a scrub brush. Let‘s see her scrub the deck in her finery” Looking over at Bree, she blew her a kiss.

“Aye Mistress,” the crewman shouted and more men came aboard and made their way into the cargo hold of the Flourish. Anyssa drew her knife and knelt down beside Alex.

“I am only going to ask you this once,” Anyssa smiled and placed the knife at Alex’s throat. “Where is the map?”

"The map…" Alex swallowed, gaining composure when he spoke, "is in the Cap'n's quarters. Under 'is bed, in a small lit el chest. Its got a small lock on it it does, but nothin' ya can't pry open," he finished, nodding towards the bow.

“But I’m guessing you know where the key is,” Anyssa continued to smile and lifted Alex’s head with the knife. “Or shall I assume you have no further use to me?”

"Yeh, I do," he smiled, looking into Anyssa's eyes, "Jus' figured you'd want to pry the thing open. Seems more your way."

“You would be wise to mind your tongue pup,” Anyssa’s smile started to fade. “Now lead me to that chest.” Anyssa grabbed Alex by the collar and dragged him to his feet. Drawing her pistol, she held it on him and leaned in to whisper in his ear. “And please don’t try anything funny. Just give me that map and I give you my word that your life will be spared. And if you are familiar with the stories of me, you will know that I do not go back on my word.”

Alex's expression turned blank again as he slowly stood, walking in pace with Anyssa towards the bow of the ship, and up a small flight of steps towards the overlooking Captain's quarters. Inside wasn't the usual neat and orderly possessions of Captain West, but the unkempt possessions of Sophia Grant strewn about the room. He stepped towards the bed and kneeled, reaching between the wooden frame and producing a small iron key. He then disappeared half-way under the ed for a moment, dragging out a small wooden box with ornate steel framing. He dropped both items onto the bed and unlocked the box, opening it up to reveal a few small possessions. The boy pulled up a tangled pocket compass case and tossed it at Anyssa.

"There y'are. In there's the map'r what ever ya wanted," he said, shutting the box once more. Rolling next to the box was a small, shiny hairpin. Alex placed the small object into his pocket slyly, not gaining the attention of the wretched woman.

Anyssa opened the compass case and pulled out the map. Unfolding it, she examined it and smiled. It was indeed this map they sought, at least a portion of it. The map had been split into four parts and right now they didn’t know where the other tree pieces were. Still, they were one step closer to their goal. And if what Jess ahd said was true, they may have a lead to the next piece.

“Very good lad,” Anyssa smiled and placed the map inside her corset. “You’ve done well. I think a reward may be in order for you. How would you feel about taking orders from pirates?” Anyssa stared directly into his eyes. So far he appeared to be the smartest of the prisoners. And by giving her the map, he truly showed that his loyalties did not lie with his now deceased Captain.

Alex placed his hands on the sides of the box, staring at the ornate cover. "Property of Captain David West" was etched into the brass plate on the top. He ran his hand slowly over the letters in contemplation.

"Ye don't know why I'm on this ship, ya surely won't know why I'd 'ave no other choice but to join up 'n get used to it," he said, turning to look at the woman, "we've got a lot to discuss."


“Then gather up that chest and fill it with booty, and we shall go see the Captain” Anyssa smiled while the words purred form her lips. This one, she thought, might prove very useful.

(co-op with Gypsy and Stream)

[Merry]

After the events of what had happened with the Captain, Margaret thought she was prepared for just about anything. That is, until the little showdown with the Lady Sophie and the one called Anyssa. She found she couldn't watch when poor Miss Sophie was pushed to the deck, treated as she was. She was certain that this would be the end of her life. Surely she would be killed as the others had been. There had already been so much blood, she knew if she witnessed this lady's head blown off, it would push her into hysterics. It was one thing to kill an armed man, or the Captain of the Ship, but a defenseless woman? Peeking through slitted eyelids, preparing to snap them shut immediately at the sight of blood, only to be surprised when Miss Sophie wasn't killed. She could hear them taunting her, and teasing her. Her eyes quickly snapping open hearing Sophie talking back to them, no, not talk back, fight back! Had she lost her mind? For surely these people were not to be trifled with. Didn't she believe that these pirates were capable of just killing her outright? They seemed to just enjoy roughing her up a bit. Once Sophie stopped trying to fight, they lost some of the interest in bullying her. Interesting. For some reason though, Margaret didn't think it would just end there. She felt as though Sophie had just stirred up a very large, very angry bees nest. That was never a good thing to do.

As the Pirates moved on toward another member of the ship, Margaret slowly slipped sideways, moving toward Sophie, wanting desperately to help the other lady up after she was brutally kicked across the deck. She could see that she was in serious pain, curled in a ball. It pulled at her heart to see her laid out like that. Treated as an animal, worse. Keeping a watchful eye toward anyone that might notice, she moved a little closer. Waiting until the Captain and Anyssa were talking again and appearing to ignore them, she had just one more step to go and she was within reach. Thinking she had gone unnoticed, until she heard Anyssa giggle and say "She be good at holding her tongue, mayhaps I can find a use for it" the color draining from her face as she realized she was talking about her. Her eyes locked briefly on the pirates and she looked quickly away. What could she mean by that?

Visibly shaken, but refusing to just collapse in fear on the deck she ignored the pirates comments as she crouched down and gently helped the other woman to stand up. Letting her lean on her till she appeared to have caught her breath again. She gave her a weak smile. Trying to tell her that it would be ok. Not to worry, but knowing that that was as far from the truth as she could be. She continued to help Sophie as they were herded with the rest of the passengers and remaining crew onto the pirate ship and off the Flourish for good.

[Security of Mem]

Alvidia spied the minstrels’ guitar leaning against the mast and had just picked it up when she heard the captains order “‘Ello, lovies, take that one to the brig as well." she pointed to Jess. “And don' be too hard... or too gentle..." No sooner were the words spoken than Alvidias flintlock was pressed into Jesses backside. “You ‘eard the Capt’n now be a good lil’ lass an’ move it.” Alvidia kept the pistol trained on Jess’s back as they made their way to the brig.

When she reached the bars of the cell, Jess started to breath rapidly. The cell was rather large compared to a single person cell, but the idea of being confined brought back terrible memories. She couldn't help herself from gripping one of the bars. It wasn't like Jess to freak out like this, but everyone had a weakness.

"No. We made a deal. Please no. Don't put me in here." She turned to Alvidia, still griping the bar. Her eyes wide in terror. "I'll do anything you want, just don't put me in there. Isn't there anything I can do?"

Alvidia felt a brief moment of compassion for the blue eyed red head before replying to her. “The Capt’ns orders needs ta be obeyed. Ye be to valuable ta be letting ya roam the ship. This is fer safe keepin’ and me’be later the Capt’n will let you out.” Alvidias voice softened slightly then “Don’t worry, I’ll see to it that you are taken good care of.”

Before unlocking the door Alvidia spoke to Rorin “You there minstrel move ta the back of the cell an’ don’t try anythin’ funny lest you want s ta feel the sting of lead bitin’ through yer skin. “

Rorin stared at the woman who spoke to him. He took just a few steps back till his toes touched the concrete wall. He continued to stare at her. She hadn't to tell him to step farther back. He had been close enough to the back already. Rorin smiled for a moment.

"I'm glad you think us delicate musician folk are worthy enough of fear of doing something funny," Rorin replied, "When we can, we delicate folk can whimper your soul to death." Rorin stared at his guitar. His eyes quivered just for a moment. He was probably in the dark enough so the woman couldn't see it. That guitar was the last extension of his master. As a boy who had been led in apprenticeship. That was the last extension of their conversation.

Alvidia eyed the musician curiously before replying “Minstrel or pirate, all folk kin be dangerous.” With the door now open Alvidia turned her attentions back to Jess. She could see the fear in the young girls’ eyes and she tried to offer a smile. After all of her years being away from a pirate ship Alvidia had softened her ways just a bit from her days aboard The Buccaneers Revenge. “Get ye in there and move away from the door. “

Jess simply nodded at the pirate. She could tell there was nothing that could be done. She had to use her other had to break her grip on the bar. She had to be brave for this part. The memories flooding back to her. "Just please tell the captain I want to see her as soon as she can. I will tell her where we need to go to find the map." Maybe convening the captain could get her out of the cell. She then sat on the cell floor directly by the door. It made her a little more relaxed to know she was close to the exit.

Once Jess had moved inside she put the guitar inside of the door and shutting the door she locked it. The prisoners now secure she said “Ye kin have yer guitar now.” Her viridian orbs looked them both over once more. She wouldn’t want to be in their boots and was glad that this time; she was working for the pirates.

Rorin took his guitar. He stroked his fingers across its wooden grains and felt its smoothness. Almost as if a child had gotten its favorite bear back. His fingers tapped on the wood for a moment as if the sound of its hollowness was something familiar and necessary about that sound. He took a moment and stared at the pirate.


His fingers still dancing around the guitars sturdiness. And even mentioned towards plucking a string, but he thought not of it. "Thank you for my guitar," Rorin said, "I'd kindly wish to ask a question, if I may."

Alvidia looked at the minstrel not sure of what exactly he could expect her to answer since she wasn’t the captain but she gave him her attention “I’m not sure if’n I kin answer, but I will try if’n I kin.”

Rorin took a moment. Imagining the strings of his guitar moving in his head. It was the only way he could quickly think and truly get what he wanted down. "Do you feel guilt?" Rorin asked.

With a raised eyebrow Alvidia regarded him before answering, showing an impartiality as she did "Guilt? I'm hired ta The Murderess. I 'ave to obey the capt'ns orders. I dinnae feel guilt for doing me job. And I will do almost anything to make sure I do my job while employed aboard 'er."


Rorin rolled his tongue in his mouth for a moment. His fingers played a puttering sound as he thumb it on the wood. "So, you're trying to tell me because you're hired upon a ship. You no longer feel guilt," Rorin paused, "You murdered someone over a meer piece of paper. One for your "pirates booty" or secret cove of awesome secrets. And you can't tell me you feel guilt. That's sound quite sad."

Alvidia looked at him stunned. "Murder? I dinnae murder anyone. That be the capt'ns doin's not me own." It wasn't this minstrels place to question her reasons, and she wasn't about to tell him her reasons for doing what she did. As long as she was employed on The Murderess she would do what was required as long as it was within her own code. She need not explain herself to anyone. She'd quit doing that along time ago. "Now I have to get back to the capt'n, Ye got yer guitar, be glad the capt'n let me bring it to ye."


Rorin took a moment and gathered his thoughts. And gathered his feelings. Rorin nodded his head towards the woman. "Let me clear that I wasn't questioning you, simply stating now I'll only feel pity for the people who locked others in a cell like cow," Rorin said, "Have a nice day Miss. Pirate."

Alvidia took what he said with a grain of salt and turned to leave and as an afterthought turned around and said "Ye dinnae know much about pirates do ye lad? When ye has a capt'n like the notorious Bree, ye does what ye is told." Alvidia looked at the floor adding "Even if ye might not always like it, ye follow orders, or ye die."

Rorin stared at her. "You let someone exploit you because they are your boss. Oh I know what it is all about. I have lived a life of it. May it not be pirating illegally with criminal charges and everything. May it be done under closed doors with negotiation of the other rich and powerful," Rorin paused, "Trust me I know what it is all about. At least the politics of it."

"Then ye know that thar be a time an' place for everthing minstrel. An' ye know that not following orders kin get ye killed. I let no one exploit me, I does what I has to in order to survive." Alvidia turned to leave "An I suggest ye both be doin' the same."

Rorin took a moment and look at the floorboards. And then he frowned. He kept quiet. And let the woman be on her way. He had already spent his life trying to survive within in the system. Only to be put back into the system by a bunch of criminals.

Alvidia looked back at the prisoners a moment of sadness filling her. She had been in their shoes herself once and she had survived. If the luck of the stars be with these two, they would survive also. Alvidia looked at Jess “I’ll be sure to give the captain your message.” Her pirate accent had vanished. What most people didn’t know was that Alvidia wasn’t your typical ordinary every day pirate. She had a job to do and she would do it, until she got where she wanted to be.

Alvidia headed back up towards deck to find Bree and give her the message.

{co post between Security of Mem, Kirra, and Mysteria}

[Cookies Ahoy]

Mia watched in horror as the captain was shot by the pirates. The whole ordeal had left her paralyzed in fear. She had heard stories of how pirates would pillage and plunder ships with no remorse and through the passengers into the ocean to die, and other sickening stories. When she had heard those stories she thought that would never happen to her, that they were just stories, nothing more. The sudden realization that the stories were as real as she was only dumped more fear into Mia's very being.

Mia was suddenly grabbed by one of the pirates, other passengers were seized too. The captain went by each of them sizing them up. Mia started to realize that they weren't going to be killed, at least not at that moment. They were most likely going to be taken prisoner, for reasons unknown. A knew fear started to grip at her. What would become of her?

Keep it together, you've made it out your share of tough scenarios. You can do this, Mia tried to comfort herself.

Mia looked around the ship, so much carnage had happened in a matter of seconds. In minutes the pirates had completely taken over the ship. Blood was beginning to run between Mia's toes now. She felt sick. Someone jammed a gun barrel into the small of her back.

"Ye best be moving now, ya wench," the pirate spat, his breath reeking of rotted food and alcohol.

Mia growled quietly as he prodded her again with the pistol. Reluctantly she was taken to the pirate's ship, where she was brought down into the brig. The pirate that had brought her into the brig slammed the metal barred door closed on the cell. Letting off a cold chuckle he left Mia in the brig. The fact that there were few pirates coming in and out of the brig brought some calm over Mia. She had time to collect her thoughts and think about what had happened. She sat in the corner of the cell, her breathing shaky,she was scared.

[Stream]

Alex nodded at the woman, picking up the chest and carrying it over to Captain West's desk. Mostly Ms. Grant's valuables were in here, necklaces, rings, and jewels strew about. He lazily dumped boxes of golden accessories and sparkling stones into the chest, filling it up almost immediately. Walking over to the dresser next to the bed, Alex shuffled through the top drawer, pulling out rings and chains that belonged to Captain West, tossing them into the open chest. Between two officer's shirts inside the drawer was an ornate spyglass and a flintlock pistol, both of which Alex tossed towards Anyssa.

"That's about it, I'd think," he said, shrugging.

Anyssa caught the spyglass and pistol and looked into the chest. One of the necklaces inside caught her eye and she took it placing it in her pocket. It would make a fine gift for her beloved, when the time was right. But if the crew knew she took it, there could be problems.

“The bauble I took,” Anyssa started at Alex. “That stays between you and me. Keeping mum on this will go a log way towards earning my trust. And I do not intend to keep it.”

"I couldn't care less what ya take, you're a pirate, after all," he remarked, "and do be careful with the pistol. Tis loaded," he smirked, picking up the chest of jewelry and slamming it shut.

"After the misses, eh?" he said, continuing towards the doorway, "I've got plenty to say."

Anyssa drew her cutlass and placed it on Alex’s shoulder. “You will speak only when spoken to. You will show proper respect to the Captain. And from here on in you shall address me by my title, Mistress. Do ye understand? And if you breathe a word of the gift I have for her, I will slice ye up for chum.”

"Misstress it is," he breathed, shrugging away the cutlass, "I'm not one of the others who's been threaten'n you, are I?"

"No," Anyssa smiled. "And that is one of the reasons I haven't killed you already pup. Show me loyalty and things will go a lot easier for you. The Captain is not as forgiving as I. Remember your place." Anyssa smiled, and keeping the cutlass at Alex's back, headed out of the cabin and back on deck to find Bree. Fortunately, she was still on deck. And still had her pistol cocked in Laine's direction, who looked quite nervous and was sweating profusely.

“Captain,” Anyssa called as she approached. “I wish to have a word with ye about this scallywag; and then a word alone at your earliest convenience.” Anyysa’s eyes reflected a desire to speak, not to swive. And as Bree knew Anyssa well, she would not misinterpret the meaning.

[co-op with Naz]

[Falcon Red]

(coop with Gypsy, Naz, and Mysti)

Laine's anger rose as they grabbed Alex and threw him down in front of him, as they insulted him to his face. Oh these wenches were insufferable. He stepped out as if to stop Bree as she charged forward and kicked Sophie, but he was to late. He felt his fists clench, his breath thicken as it came out his nose.

As he opened his mouth to speak, he felt Bree's hand on his shoulder and gun at his crotch. He looked down and closed his eyes, feeling scared for the first time they were in the ordeal. followed her pace, heeding the threat.This was low, threatening his gibblets. He wanted so badly to thrust back, but any wrong move and goodbye to the boys. She urged him forward as he followed her pace heeding her threat.

Bree grinned as she nudged Laine playfully with the muzzle of her flintlock as he walked, relishing in his apparent discomfort. Once they were on the deck of the Murderess, her grin changed.

"Worked on boats long, have ye?"

Determined to keep his mouth shut to the captain, his mind was changed for him as she played the guns muzzle against him. "Only a couple o' years. But me father taught me as a lad."

"Couple o' years longer dan most o' this sorry lot." Bree's grin widened. "Care ta join me crew?"

"Well that one depends, are me balls on the line if I say no?" He replied.

Bree winked and holstered her flintlock, smiling at Laine. " Depends on what ye mean by 'on ta line.'" she replied.

Laine turned looking the she-captain up and down as if sizing her up. "My answer be a no on that one, my father brought an honest sailor, an honest sailor I shall be."

Bree shook her head and sighed. " Too bad. Could use a decent sea dog." And with no further warning, she reared back and planted her foot against Laine's chest with enough force to send him to the ground.

The Scot was dazed at the sudden attack as he landed on his ass. He looked up at the famed captain, and sprang into action. Her gun holstered they were evenly matched he figured as he charged and tackled her to the ground.

Anyssa immediately charged across the deck, leaving Alex by himself. She still had her cutlass in her hand, ands when she reached Laine, she slammed the hilt into the side of his head, knocking him off of Bree. Immediately, she jumped on him and began hammering his head and face with the sword’s hilt. “I’m gonna kill ye!!!” Anyssa screamed in her Cockney accent and continued the assault. “How dare ye bastard!!!” Anyssa continued to wail on Laine, smashing his face into a bloody pulp. She was enraged beyond all sense of reason. Throwing the sword to the ground, Anyssa drew her knife and grabbed a hold of Laine’s ear. She pulled hard on it and prepared to cut it of. She was going to carve him into little pieces, and only Bree could stop her now.

Bree blinked up at blue sky, her face scrunched in mild confusion. It had been a very long time since anyone aside from Anyssa'd had the gall to tackle her. She'd almost forgotten how it felt.

She grinned. She'd almost missed it.

She rolled to her stomach and grabbed Anyssa's wrist, gently shoving the other woman off. She then crawled over to straddle Laine's waist.

" Stupid sea dog. Every gun on ta ship is on your head now. And 'Nessie don't forget easily. Now. I give ye two choices. Ye join my crew and swear loyalty to me, and ye live with no consequences. Or, ye refuse me a second time, and I have ye tied to the mast and lash some sense into your fool head."

Laine tried grabbing at the psycho girls wrists to stop her, but the blood leaking into his eyes was blinding. When the beating suddenly stopped and the strong violent weight was relieved and replaced by the gentle graceful weight, he leaned up onto his elbows wiping the blood from his eyes with a friendly smile. "Well lassie, who am I to deny the hospitality as a guest on yer ship?"

Bree smiled back pleasantly.

" Cap'n..." Anyssa grumbled a bit. " I disapprove... Let me gut 'em like da fish he is." Bree shook her head as she stood, wiping at her trousers.

" No, lovie. He's more useful alive than dead." She nodded to Alvidia, still smiling. " Get some of ta crew and tie the old dog to the mast." she grinned down at Laine. " And I'll decide what to do with 'im soon."

"Aye Capt'n but I think I kin handle this'n all by me'self." Alvidia eyed the dark haired brown eyed man curiously. Raising her saber to his chin and dragging down across his chest she grinned to her captain "I likes the looks of this'n Capt'n me'be he kin serve 'is purposes aboard The Murderess afta' all. Oh a' Capt'n ma'am the prisoner Jess would like ta see ya regardin's that map, a course, that is, when ye has time." Alvidia moved the captive along at saber point looking him up and down "Don't worry lovie' this won't hurt a bit." she said as she tied him to the mast, making sure the knots were tied securely.

Laine stood and allowed the saber to guide him to the mast and tied to it. This woman here seemed like she was sane unlike the other two, still he stayed quiet. This would be more pain than he ever felt before, but like before, he would not cry out.

[Yoruyonaka]

[Co-Op with Naz and Gypsy]


Brig dis brig dat. Oh, fer the love 'o Christ I want ta show my worth, Eve thought to herself as she watched bloody faced Laine get tied to the mast, all I bloody do is take blokes ta the bloody brig. Eve sighed. She wanted more than anything to prove her ability to the captain and first mate. Plus, she was getting bored and wanted some action of her own. Eve looked out at the ocean. What a sight it was. The ocean water glittered magically. It made Eve smile and forget her worries at times.

“Something on your mind Eve?” Anyssa stared at her and sounded angry, She wanted to kill Laine, but had been denied that. Now she was in no mood for games. But Eve seemed slightly troubled, and Anyssa wanted to know why.

"Sorry, Mistress, jus' got things on me mind," Eve replied. "Wish ye had more for me ta do is all." She wasn't one to get on the first mates nerves, so she hoped she hadn't gone to far.

“Well now that you mention it,” Anyssa smiled and the anger faded from her voice. “Put those two,” Anyssa pointed to Sophia and Margaret. “To work scouring the deck. You hear that doggy? You get to have some help. And I suggest you do a good job. I want to be able to see my reflection in the deck.” Anyssa laughed, knowing this was impossible.

“When you are finished with that, I will need you to take one last look around before we set sail. And then I want you to light a fire below deck.” Anyssa smiled malevolently at Eve. She hoped that the chance to destroy something would make Eve a little more content. She didn’t like it when the crew wasn’t happy, especially the female members, and destruction always helped to cheer Anyssa up

Eve's face broke into a smirk when she eyed Sophia and Margaret. "Heh. I wouldn't mind ta 'elp get their arses moving. Might be enjoyable. Aye, will do, Mistress. Jus' hope ye don't mind putting a word ta the Cap'n 'bout whenever she be needin' me thievin' her anythin'. I'm 'ere."

Bree glanced over her shoulder from where she was watching Laine being tied to the mast, her maniacal grin firmly back in place.

" Aye, girly, I haven' forgot ye. May have a right job for ye soon enough. For now, though, keep an eye on the prisoners... especially that one." Bree pointed to Sophia. " Got a plan for her. Now, where in the bloody seven seas is that map?!"

"That's one of the things I wanted to talk to you about Captain." Anyssa purred at Bree. Looking over at Eve, she smiled. "You heard the Captain lass, get to it."

Eve nodded in reply to her Mistresses, and then turned to her new job. "Ye lasses heard 'em!" Eve yelled at Sophia and Margaret. "Mistress Anyssa be wantin' the deck clean 'nough ta eat off!" Eve grabbed two mops and a bucket of water and thrust them into the new laborers' hands. Doubt the prissy one, Sophia, work a day en her life. Eve grabbed Sophia by the head and pulled her inches from her face and smiled.

"So, doggy, ye know 'ow ta mop?" Eve laughed at Sophia. "I hope ye can. How 'bout ye, lassie?" Eve stared at Margaret with a grin. "Ye best be learnin' lassies, 'fore ye become useless ta us, savvy?."

Eve pointed out the areas on the Murderess that needed the most cleaning. She also gave Sophia Mopping 101 on a Pirate Ship. With that, Eve marched off to scan every bit of the ship before they left. A lost rope was fixed, a sail redone, and some lose supplies stowed, the ship was in shipshape.

Eve stepped forward to the first mate Anyssa before going below deck. "Aye, the ship be ready for sailing, Mistress." That mission complete, Eve walked down below deck so as to start the fire in the man made oven they had for cooking. She tossed useless furniture from the Flourish and old wooden rum barrels in the oven. A splash of rum on the pile of wood and with a single spark it came ablaze. The fire was beautiful. It also warmed up Eve's spirit. Now that her work was done, Eve went back on deck to watch the departure.

Laine was still bleeding in the face where they left him when Eve ascended from below. She felt somewhat bad. Not a lot of men escaped Anyssa's wrath. The man was lucky. Eve grabbed a wet rag and walked over to Laine. She also felt a connection to him since he was also Scottish.

"Yer face'll be nothing less I clean it off," Eve said to Laine wiping most off the blood of. "Fester it might. Seen dat 'fore. Don't be thinking I'm givin' ye special treatment, ye be useless if I don't. 'Aven't seen me a scot as myself en a long time."

[John]

Anyssa smiled as she watched Eve go off to follow the Captain’s orders. Moving over to Alex, she took him by the arm and pulled him over to the Captain.

“I think that this one may prove useful to us,” Anyssa took the chest from Alex and placed it on the deck in front of Bree, along with the pistol and spyglass which Alex had given her.

Bree opened the chest with her foot, smiling down at the glitter of jewels and gold.

" I approve." she smiled at her lover, then at the boy. " And the map?"

Anyssa reached into the front of her corset and pulled the map piece out, handing it to the Captain.

“Here Captain,” As Anyssa handed Bree the map she shot her a playful smile and turned to Alex. She moved in behind him and pushed him to his knees.

“Have ye anything to say to the Captain, boy?” Anyssa purred the words at him.

"Well, yeah, I do…" Alex said nervously, shuffling his feet closer to Bree to make sure absolutely no one else could hear him, "this'd be a bit better'n private, right?"

“Perhaps you would like to join the rest of the prisoners in the brig then,” Anyssa looked up at Bree, trying to hold back her laughter.

"There's a thought, but here's another," Alex quipped, looking annoyed, "ow about we move away from everyone else, yeah? It's important.”

Anyssa looked up at Bree and shrugged her shoulders.

Bree took the map and carefully tucked it into her shirt, against her breasts, as she considered the boy on his knees. Finally she shrugged, grabbed his arm, and hauled him towards her quarters, yelling to her crew to keep working as she went. Once inside her quarters, she tossed the boy to the floor carelessly and closed the door behind Anyssa.

" So, speak, boy."

"Well, ya see, I'm not "of age" yet to be on a ship, right? Cap'n West took me in when I was fourteen, out of London. He protected me from the other crew members."

“I’m guessing ye’ve never even known the taste of cunny then eh boy?” Anyssa giggled and stood next to the Captain.

"I'm fif'een, on a ship full'a men. What'd you think?"

Bree laughed suddenly, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

" Ye don't say, lad? So maybe I was wrong? It weren't the old dog pining for you, t'were the other way 'round, mayhaps?"

"What'd I just tell ya? Cap'n West was the one who protected me. That's why I'm discussin' this with you two pricks," he quipped, "if'n I join, I'd need protection, eh?"

Anyssa's hand came up and struck Alex across the face.

"What did I tell ye about respect boy?" Anyssa's accent came through and she leered at him.
Alex yelped and brought his hand to his bright red cheek, rubbing it gently.

"Sorry, Mistress," he said mildly.

Anyssa looked at Bree and leaned in to whisper in her ear.

“I think this one can be moulded to suit us. I trust him more than the others.”

Bree nodded, watching the boy carefully. He was young enough, but she'd been younger. Still, he seemed impressionable, and he could be shaped if a hand strong enough to do it was behind him.

" I got rules, and plenty more of 'em for you, being as young as you are. And if'n you want my protection, you follow my rules. Savvy?"

"Pass 'em on. Figured you'd 'ave something for me, eh?"

Bree smiled faintly at the boy, then looked up to Anyssa. " Read him ta code and put ta mark on him." she glanced back at Bree. " You're mine now, boy. Ye swear your loyalty here, and ye belong to me. Be loyal, and ye be rewarded. Be disloyal, and ye be rewarded in kind.”

“Aye Captain,” Anyssa smiled and proceeded to tell Alex the code of the Murderess. When she had fished she glared at him. “Follow the code and we will have no problems. Now leave, I need to have a word with the Captain. Ask one of the deckhands where to mind Mister Mercer. He will give you some nice ink. I think the back of your neck will do just fine. You belong to the Captain now boy. And welcome to the crew.” Anyssa smiled before moving to the door and ushering him out. Once he was gone, she locked the door and walked over to the Captain.

Immediately Anyssa wrapped her arms around Bree and pressed her lips against the Captain’s. She kissed her passionately, probing Bree’s mouth with her tongue. After a few moments, she pulled away and pressed her forehead against Bree’s. Anyssa was breathing heavily, and wanted to do more, but now was still not the time. She had other things which were weighing heavily on her.

“Bree, we need to talk.” Anyssa’s voice sounded concerend.

(co op with Gypsy and Stream)

[Anne Bonny]

(copost with Merry Gentry)

The mop felt heavy and awkward in Sophie's grip as she clumsily moved about the deck. The pirate, Eve, had given both girls quick instructions on how to use the foreign object. But with hands unfamiliar to any sort of physical labor, the girl felt uncertain about how good of a job she was actually doing.

Her body protested against every movement. Her left cheekbone felt hot with pain where Anyssa had slammed her face against the deck. Sophie winced when she imagined how she must appear. And just when she was certain that he body couldn't hurt any more than it already did, the pain of hard work began to creep into her muscles.

But there was one thing about swabbing the deck that Sophia was thankful for: she was finally left alone. Besides the occasional member of the crew spitting insults, laughing, or pointing out a spot she had missed, Sophie and Margaret were left to their task.

She glanced over at the other girl. The stowaway and she hadn't spoken much over the journey, but she had been kind enough to help Sophie when she had been thrown to the deck. With a quick glance around to make sure Anyssa was no where to be seen, Sophie moved closer to where Margaret was working.

"I wanted to thank you," she whispered after clearing her throat to get the other girl's attention. "Thank you for helping me. Although I fear it may have put a target on your back as well."

Margaret jumped a little hearing Sophie's voice, she had almost forgotten the other girl was there, she was concentrating hard on the task of cleaning the deck. Knowing it was just something to focus on other than the fact that she was now stuck here on the pirate ship. Stuck here doing hopeless menial labor. There was simply no way this deck would ever be more than it was. Browned, weather beaten wood, with too many darks spots to count. She was focused on the actual scrubbing task, and on not thinking what the spots were probably from.

Turning her head to briefly to look at Sophie, she gave a weak smile, whispering back "You are most welcome. I couldn't leave you there. It was quite horrible what they did to you. You were very brave to do what you did" she blushed a little, thinking of how Sophie had spoken back to the pirates. "I was terrified that they would....would...." she left off with shudder.

"Well, I'm Margaret Robert." she continue "I've had more than one target attached to me in the past. This one's a little different, but a target none the less. We have to look out for each other. I don't see any of them doing it." she shrugged, refusing to think too deeply about it, for now. Glancing around briefly to see if anyone was watching them. "What do you suppose will happen to us?" sitting up a little, wiping her brow with the edge of her sleeve.

Sophie simply shook her head in response. There were a number of things the pirates could do to them, certainly, and none were pleasant to think about. "I don't know," she said slowly. "But you heard what Eve said about keeping us useful. If there's any way to get any sort of security, that would be it."

Her blue eyes moving to to man tied to the mast. The only other one who had said or done anything in her defense. "Just like Laine. They said they would keep him if he joined their crew, right?"

She paused, watching Eve tend to his wounds. How interesting that she hadn't offered help to her, Sophie thought. Although Laine was rather attractive... a crew dominated by women was bound to keep a handsome, young sailor around, weren't they?

Another member of the crew wandered by and snapped at Sophia and Margaret to "stop the gossip, this ain't no party." So with a final nod to her newfound friend, Sophie turned her attention back to the deck.

[Security of Mem]

Rorin sat closest to the wall in the cell. His hands were shaking, but not from the cold or any sort of fear. But from joy as he stroked the last bits of wood from his guitar. He stared at the lady who had been with the pirate lady as his guitar had. She looked frightened, he at least assumed she was frightened.

"If you fear them, they'll continue to push you around," Rorin said calmly, "That's the way and will of a criminal."

Jess shot the minstrel a glare. She refused to let anyone treat her like she was weak.

"Shut up. I'm not afraid of them. I fear no one." Her words where laced with venom.
She was not going to let this man demean her.

"I just... I just don't like bing confined." She looked away from his eyes when she spoke the last part. Afraid to let him see her fear.

hRorin raised his eyebrow and gave a brief smile. Rorin took a moment and plucked a string on his guitar absent minded. He took a moment focusing on what he wanted to say.

"Fear is more appropriate in this situation," Rorin paused, "Look around you everyone is afraid here. I wasn't trying in no way to insult you. I was merely stating something to make you feel better. Though I'm a fool when it comes to conversation such as this."


Jess was surprised at his words. She had never met a man who acted so kindly. Especially considering that Jess basically abandoned them all for a chance at her own safety. She looked at his guitar and smiled.

"Well minstrel, you seem do be doing an all right job. Can you do anything with that?" She pointed to his instrument, not moving from her spot on the floor. "I mean are you any good at it?"

Rorin smiled and grasped his guitar. He moved his hand and smoothly ran down it. He stared at the girl.

"I wouldn't know myself, how about you tell me?" he asked.

He played a brief tune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op59jpyK6Hk&NR=1%5d). He smiled at her as he finished. Waiting for her comment. He hadn't found himself this much enthralled in another's life quite like the way he was doing now.

Jess was enthralled by the music. She had heard a lot music before. But it was normally the same basic tones. These new sounds made her relax a bit. It was a calming tune. She couldn't help her self from letting a word slip out.

"Wow." She shook her head slightly and came back to the world. "You are good. I bet the will keep you alive so they can hear you play. Not completely sure what my chances are right now."

Rorin smiled at the girl for a moment.

"My name is Rorin Silverheart," he said. Of course this was simply his stage name. And the name he hid under. However, it was his name at the moment and that was how he was going to great himself.

"I'm sure they'll keep you alive," Rorin said, "I think some of these pirates can understand a good nature young woman. Who may provide a clean slate of conscious on them. I believe at least one pirate would feel guilt if they had to kill you."

Jess sighed heavily. The upbeat feeling from the song was wearing off, and she was starting to get antsy. She starting looking around the cell. "Maybe." She hoped he was right. Jess had one thing in her favor, the map. If she could get to port Royal, then she would be able to secure her position with the crew.

"So what are you traveling for?"

Rorin stared at her for a moment.

"Traveling for?" Rorin paused, "I suppose I was more running away then traveling."
Rorin felt odd blurting out the truth. And he took a few downward glances at the ground. He looked back up.

"I didn't catch your name," Rorin said.

What would she say? She couldn't tell the truth. If her father found out where she was, she was dead. But would this man ever get off this ship?She couldn't take that risk.

"Jess. I was never given a last name. I am a run away from England." She hopped her fair skin and proper speech wouldn't give her away. But it probably would.

Rorin's heart skipped for a moment. Two runaways. What was the likelihood of that, very likely. Rorin bit onto his lip however. He didn't want to simply state that to her. Me too, hey look we're both run aways we have something in common. Instead he stood quiet and kept his inner most feelings off his face.

"Jess is a wonderful name," Rorin said, "What kind of music do you like? Slow or fast?"

More music. Maybe that would calm her. The environment was starting to get to her again.

"Well maybe something... relaxing." She didn't want to admit her fear, but she needed to escape. And if this man could help, she would let him. "Sorry, I don't know much about music. What do you play when you want to escape the world?"

Rorin took a moment to think about her question. He stared at a nail in one of the floorboards. He wasn't why he was staring at this one nail. It was rusty and crooked a bit. His eyes seem to drift in this sort of fashion. Finding beauty in the most unorthodox of items.

"Generally I'm always playing something on the guitar," Rorin said, "By myself that is, just small little tunes. I know one story. One song my master taught me. It calms me down every time I think of it. It reminds me of him as well. I suppose I could say I use that song to escape the world."
Rorin bit his lip for a moment.

"I could play it, though I don't know how cliche that would be."

Jess tried to hold back her enthusiasm. She needed him to play something. She wanted to scream yes at the top of her lungs. Instead she simply shook her head slightly. "Go ahead. I would like to hear it." Jess started to relax when she thought about the music appearing again.

Rorin set himself up. He wiggled his fingers just a bit as if getting ready for a firefight. He stroked his guitar as if to reassure the guitar. He tuned the strings and plucked each string just for a moment. He closed his eyes and thought about the nights with his teacher and he needed his teachers advice. How the two guitars would sing. And he played (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEb1UnEyGbk%5d).

Jess started to close her eyes as the tune played. It's up beat sounds kept her cheerful and calm. The room started to disappear from around her. She was free again. Free like when her uncle had shared his stories. But she was starting to drift off from the tunes just when he stopped. She couldn't help but blurt out her thoughts.

"No." She caught her self before she said any more. "I mean. Please feel free to continue."


"I'd like to thank you for having a human conversation with me," Rorin said.
He kept his tongue quiet and led Jess on that the conversation came to a close. And each on their own again. At least for now. Who knew what the future would hold. And if Jess would become a closer individual. Maybe in the future as a friend.

Jess smiled lightly at him. She didn't know really how else to respond. Jess decided to let him be with his thoughts. She hoped he would play again, but wouldn't push the subject. She pulled her knees up into her chest and wrapped her arms around them.

Rorin took one more look at Jess.

"If you like, if we both live. I can teach you more about music." he said.

She smiled at him. "That would be nice."

[co-op Mem and Kirra]

[The Gypsy Queen]

Bree sat on her cabin bed, watching Alex go, before smiling up at Anyssa. Her maniacal grin was gone, replaced by a calm, serene expression. She crossed her legs slowly, bobbing one booted up and down in a surprisingly girlish fashion as she leaned back a bit, bracing her hands on the bed behind her.

" Let's talk then." she said, still smiling pleasantly.

“ I…I..” Anyssa looked at the floor. “I am sorry for showing too much affection in front of the prisoners love. Sometimes it’s just hard for me not too.”

Bree grinned, still wagging her foot.

" You make it hard to be a big scary pirate with your cute ass all over me."

“ I will try harder,” Anyssa looked up and smiled. “ Close your eyes.”

" Why?" Bree asked plaintively, quirking an eye at her lover.

Anyssa moved over to the bed and leaned in to Bree to whisper in her ear.

“ Please,” As Anyssa spoke, her tongue flicked against Bree’s earlobe.

Bree smirked as her hands moved up Anyssa's sides, shivering a bit.

" As you wish." she whispered, closing her eyes.

Anyssa crawled onto the bed ad moved in behind Bree, pulling the necklace from her pocket. She gently pulled back Bree’s hair and started to kiss the tattoo on the back of Bree’s neck. Using her tongue, Anyssa traced the rose and then brought the necklace around the front of Bree. Pulling back slightly, she allowed the topaz pendant to fall into Bree’s cleavage, and clasped the chain. Anyssa moved to Bree’s side and lay down on the bed beside her, looking up and smiling.

“ Open your eyes.”

Bree opened her eyes and lifted the pendant to inspect. It was a simple round gold affair and had a round topaz set into it, all on a simple gold chain.

" Pretty." Bree muttered, laying back as she twisted it to catch the sunlight through the window on it's glittering facets.

“ I don’t know how much I trust Speers,” Anyssa’s words purred from her lips and she leaned in closer to to let her lips brush against Bree’s. “ She could be lying. Trying to save herself. I want to go talk to her… alone.” Anyssa took one of Bree’s hands in her own. She moved Bree’s hand up to her lips and started to gently suck on her fingertips.

Bree hummed happily for a few moments, nodding blithely and off in a happy world of bright colors and pretty thoughts... until she blinked.

She grinned and poked Anyssa's nose with her forefinger.

" Silly girl, you're making me all lily-livered and weak kneed. Save it for tonight."

Anyssa rested her head on Bree’s chest and wrapped her arm around he, still holding Bree’s hand in her own.

“ Tonight I will give you a bath my love,” Anyssa purred and began to nuzzle into Bree’s breast. “But let me have Speers. I think she’s playing a game with us. She is too eager to help. Even your new pet didn’t jump at the chance to join us. And I trust him a lot more than Speers.”

Bree toyed with her lover's hair absently, mulling her choices over. Jess presented a problem, in that she could be lying. But not many outside of the business knew old Speers. And Bree had known of him, in a very personal way. It was a chance she had to take.

" Then spend the evening with her. But make sure to mark the boy. Make a fine buccaneer out of him with a few years time."

“ Of course my love,” Anyssa pulled open Bree’s shirt slightly and kissed her breast. “ And what of the Scot?” Anyssa was still purring but her accent was stating to show through again as she felt a sense of rage flow through her.

Bree smiled down at Anyssa warmly.

" Keep him tied to the mast, and make sure to mark the boy in front of him... and be sure to make an example of the girls where he can see. Man needs to know who is in charge."

“ May I beat him?” Anyssa looked up at Bree with eager eyes, moving one hand down between Bree’s legs.

Bree arched off the bed, moving her hips away.

" Time and place, 'Nessie, time and place. We talked about this, right? Time and place." she reminded her lover, voice a bit higher than normal. " You can beat him if he sasses you."

“ Thank you love,” Anyssa smiled wickedly. “An oh yes I agree. But there is no harm in making you aware of the things I have planned for you tonight.” Anyssa moved quickly between Bree’s legs and started to grind a little. “I shall make my siren sing.” Anyssa suddenly had a thought and her smile became more playful.” And shall I have the musician play some music for us to make love to?”

" Ooh. I like that." Bree said, squirming a bit.

“ I think I will bring the other bird up from the brig as well,” Anyssa started to grind a little harder and flicked her tongue at her lover’s lips. “She was so quiet. Perhaps some labor might loosen her tongue?”

Bree struggled not to respond to her lover's movements.

" Sounds fine." Bree said with a gasp. " And get a cask of rum out and let the crew get get good and drunk." She kissed Anyssa hard. " No attend to it."

With that, she shoved Anyssa off playfully and smacked the blonde on her rear soundly, grinning as the first mate went out the door. She followed moments later, her maniacal grin back in place, arms folded imposingly over her chest as she watched her orders being carried out.

[Stream]

Alex was pushed out of the cabin, the door shutting quietly behind him, Anyssa barely able to contain herself. He leaned against the adjacent wall on the left of the door, sure to not get hit in the face when Anyssa burst back outside and kicked it open. He could hear a few muffled voices from the inside, but nothing too distinguishable. Mostly more flagrant displays of affection and sexual deviation, and something about trust.

“I thought I told ye to do something boy,” Anyssa smiled at him. “But still, it is good you are here. Take him boyos!!” Anyssa shouted the words and a few of the deckhands grabbed Alex, and started to drag him over towards Laine. Anyssa looked to another crewman and smiled.

"Get me Mercer. We be needin some ink.”

The crewman gave a hearty “yes mistress” and went below deck.

Alex was able to utter a "What the blood-" before he was yanked off the wall and into the arms of two deckhands, dragging him down the steps from the stern and onto the deck, towards the mast Laine was tied to. He could feel the splintered wood digging into his fetes and his nails scratched across the wooden surface.

"I would've jus' walked down here me self!" he yelled.

“I’m sure ye could have,” Anyssa purred at Alex. “But methinks ye would not have wanted to stay.”

Anyssa turned and lifted her hair, showing her tattoo of a rose with a B on it.

“This is what you are going to get. And believe me boy, it’s going to hurt.” Anyssa giggled and moved away to allow Mercer to get to work.

Mercer let out an enthusiastic "aye", moving towards Alex with what he could only describe as a hammer with an oversized spike in the other hand, dipped in a thick red paste. He leaned over the back of Alex's head, setting the spike down lightly on his neck before viciously striking it into his flesh.

"Ah! Fuckin' hell!" he screamed, the paste stinging the insides of the ripped flesh. It felt like hours as the clumsy and dumb man lazily struck at the top of the nail, his sausage-like fingers not able to keep the damn thing in balance.

"C'mon ya bloody ogre, get it done!"

"Shut up! I'm trying ad best I can!" he yelled back in a deep scows accent. The man really was an ogre.

“Oh stop your whining boy,” Anyssa was laughing along with the rest of the crew. Grabbing a bottle of rum from a nearby crate, she uncorked it and walked over to Alex.. Once she was in front of him, she tilted his head up. “Here boy, have some medicine.” Anyssa started to pour the rum into his mouth.

Alex tried his best to gulp down the rum, but the burning sensation was too much and he began choking, spitting up a good amount at Anyssa's feet. Immediately he felt inebriated, tilting a bit and swishing from side to side, much to Mercer's chagrin.

"Keep still, damnit!" he yelled, tossing his spike into a nearby bucket of seawater, "all done you whining lit-le tit!"

"Let him go boyos," Anyssa yelled, still laughing. "Let's see if his sea legs work now?"

For a moment he stayed on his hands and knees, composing himself, being sure he got up and stood smoothly for the crew. Instead, he stumbled a couple feet to the left as he stood, barely able to catch himself from falling. Finally he was planted firmly on the ground, chine high in the air. At least his feet were firm on the deck, as his entire upper body was wobbling.

“I think ye be needin some food boy,” Anyssa shouted the words to Alex. “Come on boy, let's get you some nice salted pork. Or maybe some nice raw fish. Or perhaps ye be faincying the Scot's haggis.”

"Pork'it is, m'am," he said stumbling away towards the stern, on his way towards the lower decks. He paused in front of the stairs, holding himself up on the frame of the doorway, "or maybe I should be laying' down, eh?"

“Sure boy,” Anyssa yelled. “Lay down right there on the deck. Someone get him some pork, make sure it’s good and rare. “Anyssa was holding her gut form laughing so hard. “ And a keg o' rum for the crew, compliments of the Captain."

Alex pushed himself off of the frame and stumbled towards Anyssa.

"Rum… I want some rum! Get me some ru-" he tripped over his own feet and smacked into the deck, passing out.

Anyssa continued to laugh for a few moments before turning to Sophia and Margaret.

“Doggies, the boy has spilt some rum on the deck. Come here and clean it up.” Anyssa looked at the Scot out of the corner of her eye. “Show the Scot how good you can clean. And don’t worry, I have to go below deck. I will send you some help soon.” Anyssa turned to Alvidia and Eve. “Make sure the boy is unharmed. And keep the doggies close. I’m sure that he will give them something to pick up soon enough. And feel free to have some rum.” Anyssa turned and made her way below deck.

[Naz is a pretty girl and wants me to say this was a co-op.]

[Yoruyonaka]

[Co-Op with nazguljcg]

As she was making her way below deck, Anyssa stopped and looked over at Eve, still standing next to Laine, the now bloodied cloth in her hand.

“Eve,” Anyssa sneered. “With me.”

Shit, Eve thought as Anyssa saw her near Laine. "Aye, Mistress, ye be wantin' me?" Eve walked towards Anyssa.

“I am curious,” Anyssa started into Eve’s eyes. “How does attacking the Captain warrant an act of mercy?”

Eve blinked. She knew that action wasn't the best one, but it was her Scottish blood telling her to. "No act o' mercy, Mistress," Eve replied. "Only cleanin' the face fer ye ta beat his sorry arse fer later."

“I think,” Anyssa lowered her voice and leaned in closer to Eve. “That you have a bit of a soft spot for your countryman. Mayhaps you would like to join him tied to the mast?”

Eve winced. Anyssa had hit a raw nerve, but Eve didn't plan on losing her long friendship with the first mate. "I promise ye, on my honor, I don't 'ave any soft spot fer the bastard. Next time he thinks o' comin' close ta the Capt'n he'll be feelin' my saber."

“Eve,” Anyssa’s voice went calm. “You know I like you, but you would do well to remember where your loyalties lie.”

"Aye," Eve sighed. "'Tis my fault fer letting the ties o' country blood intervene. I know well where loyalties lie. Been wit' ye fer four years. I don't be changin' my mind o' where I want ta be." She smiled at Anyssa reassuringly.

“An act of mercy like that could undermine our authority on this ship,” Anyssa purred the words. “The crew and the prisoners would have seen that. We can’t be casting any doubts for them. They need to fear us, but we need them to be loyal to the Captain. If you of all people start going against the Captain, we will have anarchy in no time. I need you on my side. On the Captain’s side. Please don’t put me in a position I don’t want to be in with you. If you were any other member of the crew, save Alvidia, you would have tasted my whip for that.” Anyssa stared at Eve, a pleading look on her face.

"What can I do to make up fer dis," Eve asked her. "I do anythin' ta show my loyalty to ye and the Capt'n."

“I think,” Anyssa’s smile became malicious. “That other bird in the brig needs to do some work. She could help the doggies on deck. She was so quiet before. Let us see if we can’t loosen her tongue a bit shall we.” Anyssa gestured for Eve to lead the way to the brig.

Smirking back, Eve walked to the brig. "Even if I 'ave to help loosen it fer her."

They walked down to the brig without a word. Eve was still thinking about her mistake by showing sympathy for Laine. A pirate never shows sympathy. I will not be makin' dat mistake again.

Anyssa followed Eve down to the brig, grinning ear to ear. She felt better after her talk with Eve and now wished to humiliate another of the prisoners. Once she spied Mia in her cell, the smile faded.

“Oooh, she be a pretty one,” Anyssa’s accent was coming through. “What say ye Eve? I think she will look good on her knees with the doggies, don’t you?”

Eve gave a devious grin. "Heh, this 'ere little Italian be a nice lil' doggie," Eve said in heavy Scottish. "Huh, poppit? Why dontcha get yer arse movin'."

“Perhaps ye would like a pet Eve?” Anyssa spoke softly. “This doggy is yours until the Captain decides what to with her. Take her out of her cell and try not to hurt her too much, she looks fragile.”

Eve would gladly take this job. It meant a little more fun. "Come on, poppit, yer mine 'til the Capt'n says otherwise."

Eve grabbed Mia's arm and dragged her to the deck.

[Kirra]

Jess sat for a while before any one else appeared. She watched for Alvidia or the Bree to appear, but they didn't. But she didn't want to just wait for someone else to show. She waited for the pirates to finish conversing. When Eve left, Jess jumped to her feet and looked at Anyssa. "You are the captains first mate correct?"

"I am," Anyssa smiled at Jess. "And you will address me as Mistress."

Jess sighed a little. "Yes. Ok, mistress." She hated saying it, but would for now if it got her what she needed. And she needed to see the captain. "Please, I need to speak with the captain. We where in the middle of making a deal."

"Then speak what you will to me," The smile faded from Anyssa's face, "and I will relay it to her."

Jess pointed to the musician. "Are you sure we should speak in front of the mistral?" She was hopping to get out of this cage any way she could. If the pirate though she needed to hide information, maybe she could get out.

"The minstrel will remain silent," Anyssa leered to Rorin. "Or I shall cut out his tongue. Besides, I have no reason to trust you, and have no intention of letting you out of your cage yet."

Jess took a deep breath. She reached in her pocket and started to fiddle with a hidden coin. Her good luck charm. "I understand." She had to think of what she could do next. And this heirloom always helped her focus. "What can I do to prove my loyalty?"

"You claim to have knowledge of a map." Anyssa purred. "Tell me what you know."

"The map. Well there is a slight problem. I only know where part of it is." She quickly tried to defend her statement. "But the treasure is worth it. My uncle told me how to find it. He said if someone found all four pieces, they would find a treasure like no other. My uncle wouldn't lie."

"So far," Anyssa's accent started to show through. "You are telling me nothing I don't already know."

Jess was stunned. "You know of my uncle's map. How? He said he only told two people."

"How I know isn't important," Anyssa was starting to become visible agitated. "And frankly I see no reason to share that with ye. Now do you have something to tell me that I can use, or shall I introduce you to Davy Jones?"

Jess had heard that name enough times to know what the threat meant. She had to give in, at least for now. "My uncle told me that he hid the map in a secret location. Only one man knows where it is. He said I would find this man in Port Royal. That is why I stowed aboard that ship."

“And his name?” Anyssa looked at Jess expectantly.

Jess was unsure if the name would be helpful. She knew it was a fake name, but she said it anyway. "My uncle said he went by the name Salty Dog. He said that he couldn't tell me his real name lest someone was listening in. But he also told me that the man would know who I was the instant I entered the room. I don't know how honestly. I was only a child at the time."

“Ye sing very well birdy,” Anyssa smiled. “But pray that what you have told me is the truth. If I find out you are lying, I will shoot you from a cannon. And I really don’t want to do that. It makes an awful mess.”

Jess' eyes widened at the thought. It seemed impractical and messy, and she knew the pirate would do it. "I am not lieing. I only wish to serve and fulfill my uncles legacy. Please allow me the honor mistress." She hopped her display would get her a little headway. "If there is any other information you need from me, I am willing to give what I know. I do not want my uncles death to way me down forever."

“I think I have all I need from you for now,” Anyssa pondered what Jess had said. “I will relay your words to the Captain.”

Jess didn't want to be stuck here any more. And she hopped her openness would get her out quickly. But she had one more thing to do to show her authenticity as the niece of David Rasputin Speer. "Wait mistress. Would you do me a favor? I need you to show something to the captain. My uncle said I should give it to the one I want to call captain."

“Then give it to me,” Anyssa glared at Jess. “And I will take it to her.”

"I only ask one favor," Jess pulled the coin out from her pocket. It was a golden Aztec coin. It had the picture of Speers special Joly Rodger carved into the back of it. Any pirate knowing of him, would know its symbol. It was his lucky coin, and his first treasure. "If you decide to kill me. Please give it back before you do." Jess reached past the bars of her cell with the coin in her open palm.

Anyssa looked at the coin, but made no move to take it or get any closer.

“Place it on the floor and slide it over to me.”

Jess lowered her self to the ground, placed the coin down and pushed it just out of her reach. She then reached to grab it. "It's out of my reach now. No tricks." Jess pulled back and stood at the door.

Anyssa drew her cutlass and placed the tip on the coin. Sliding it over, she bent down to pick it up.

“As for whether or not you will get this back, we will see. But as I said, I will show it to the Captain.” Anyssa paused and took a breath. “Now was there anything else? I have other matters to attend to”

Jess tried to put on a kind smile. It only half worked. "No. I guess not. Just please let the captain see that right away. I think she will know what it is." Jess simply stood at the door. She desperately wanted out. But if she couldn't get out, she wanted the pirate to leave so she could feel upset again. She refused to show this weakness in front of her.

“I said I would,” Anyssa smiled. “But don’t think your words, or this bit of shine change anything. I do not trust you. And in the end, it is my trust you have to earn.”

Jess simply nodded. She had no other actions to make. She could only wait for the pirate to do as she asked.

Anyssa turned to Rorin and smiled at him playfully.“I would speak with you as well musician.”

'No. Please just leave.' Jess sat down in the corner and waited. She would hold her brave face as long as she could.

(co op with naztastic!)

[Security of Mem]

Rorin watched the pirates come into the cell storage. He called it storage, certainly felt like a wine cellar. He watched as the sneered and flaunted aspects of their power towards the persons. He watched as they peered into the cages if staring at dangerous bulls rather then a few cows. He watched as a young girl was dragged off by the looks of it.

The girl was struggling. It didn't nerve him as much as it should. There was probably a bit of insensitivity. The only thing that was truly affecting him was well the cell atmosphere. His eyes glanced to the conversation between the pirate woman and Jess.

Jess was relaying information to them that didn't quite concern him. However he listened and the more he tskd and scoffed in his mind. Pirates after a piece of paper. How foolish.

Anyssa turned to Rorin and smiled at him playfully.“I would speak with you as well musician.”

Rorin stared at the woman. She wore a cunning belted smile.

"Oh, would you like me to play you a tune to soothe that black soul of yours?" Rorin said, "Good you want to clean the sins you have laid yourself today."

“Oh you have a slick tongue in your head don’t you?” Anyssa smiled. “But yes. Play something for me. The Captain desires music and I wish to know if you are any good with that.”

Anyssa pointed at the guitar.
Rorin gave her another cunning smile. He played his strings rather lazily in front of her. Like a protest to her plea of music.

"Sounds like I'm out of tune," Rorin said, "I don't play when someone orders me to."
Anyssa drew her pistol and leveled it at Rorin’s head.

“Then I guess I have no use for you.” Anyssa giggled, pulling back the hammer.

Rorin bit his lip for a moment. He tuned his strings all though there was a gun at his head. He felt no rush no hurry for his life. Maybe because invisible guns had been pointed at his head before. Those sneering cold eyes watching every performance of his to make sure he didn't mess up. And if he did he knew the consequences. He stroked his fingers across the strings for a moment and played a brief technique of guitar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6WYV28HuFU&feature=related%).
Anyssa stared at Rorin with a confused look on her face. Frankly she had expected more. But perhaps he was incapable.

“Is that it?” Anyssa asked


Rorin gave the pirate another look. He sighed a bit.

"That doesn't prove anything?" Rorin said, "And does pointing a gun at my head prove your powerful and strong? Does pointing a gun at my head make me want to listen to you? Frankly, all I have seen you is hide behind your weapons and placing fear into people's heart. If you take the gun down I'll play something longer."

Anyssa’s smile became malevolent and rage showed in her eyes.

“Perhaps ye would like to hear me counter offer,” Anyssa raised her voice and pointed the gun at Jess. “Since ye don't seem to care for your own life. Play something or I will shoot the birdy.”

Rorin stared at the woman. A scowl forming on his face, frown lines begin to form on his brow. He bits hip and took a moment. He took in a breath. And stroked his guitar for a moment. And he rubbed along the strings. And then he began to play his guitar with his tune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2iCyGlDAiw&feature=related).

Anyssa was moved by the music and the rage left her eyes. Putting away her pistol, she listened intently. Once Rorin had finished the tune. She smiled at him.

“Very nice musician,” Anyssa clapped softly. “Later this evening, you will have the honour of playing for the Captain. In exchange, you will be fed well. Perhaps, if you play well enough for the Captain’s ear, a change of accommodations will be in order.”


Rorin stared at the pirate. And he looked around the cage. He caught details of the grains of wood once again. He caught details of her shoes and her cloth. He even caught details of her mildly attractive face.

"A woman such as yourself, why did you choose this profession?" Rorin asked, "And what of the others in here? You take the ones that benefit you the most. How do you know that I won't cut my fingers off? Will you force me to play with stubs?"

“I would most like to see that I would,” the look on Anyssa’s face was somewhere between dementia and euphoria. “Please, if you wish to cut off your fingers, don't let me stop you.”

Rorin smiled a bit.

"You didn't answer my other questions," Rorin said, "You're so pleased by violence. Was your life full of abuse? Was your father cruel to you in ways men shouldn't be cruel to a woman? Why are you so pleased by cruelty?"

“I see no need to tell ye anything about my past,” Anyssa glared at him. “Or anything else for that matter. I have made you an offer. You need not answer now. I will be back later when the Captain desires your presence. I will only say this. If you are useful, you will be treated well. If not, I will execute the prisoners one at a time in front of you until ye learn your place. Consider what I have said carefully musician and know that I'm not bluffing.” Anyssa turned and started to make her way back to the stairs.

Rorin bit his lip. As he watched the pirate begin to walk off. He knew his opportunities. He knew his chances. And he said out loud before she left his ear shot.

"I have already considered my possibilities," Rorin paused, "I'll take your offer. I know that much to consider my consequences and my chances. I choose living to continue my goals. I need to answer now. Because I feel now is to know that I have no intentions of dying by pirates hands. I have goals of something meaningful."

“As do I musician, as do I,” Anyssa spoke the words loud enough for Rorin to hear and went back on deck.

Rorin's fingers stroke the wood grains on his guitar as he watched the pirates silhouette disappear. He had realized he played the game to hard. But what else was he suppose to do. Something about being locked in a cage. Something about being not allowed what his soul had willed for so long was bothering him. He wanted to see the skies and smells the seas. And he needed to feel the wind. To him the insides felt stuffy. Even when they weren't.

Even though he knew that this mild temperature. To him he felt stuffed. He felt closed in. Hot and allowed no air. Was he having a panic attack or was he just having claustrophobia he wasn't sure. He wasn't sure what these emotions stirred from the inside of him were. He wasn't sure the closed in feeling he got. He believed himself to not think to much
If he did he'd surely reason that he was would puke or worse.

[co-op Nazgu and Mem]

[Merry]

(co-op by merry, stream, naz)

“Doggies, the boy has spilt some rum on the deck. Come here and clean it up.”

oh that one, she is so cruel Margaret thought, squinting in the sun to watch Anyssa swagger away. Glad once again that she hadn’t directed too much attention her way. Best try to keep as far away from her a possible. Which was almost laughable, for where could she go? This was after all a ship, and there was limited space to hide. Not that she thought she would be hiding any time soon. It felt as if the eyes of the entire crew were upon her and Sophie cleaning this deck. She didn’t mind cleaning the deck, really. It had her out in the sunshine, and the fresh air. The sea air and salt was actually pleasant on her tongue. It was much better to be out here, than cooped up indoors pretending to be a lady. Sighing she moved over toward the boy that Anyssa spoke of, Alex. He didn’t look well. His face had a green tinge to it.

Margaret remembered the last time she had seen some with that groggy look, and realized he was drunk! That poor boy, what on earth had they done to him. These pirates, getting a young lad like that drunk He was completely passed out drunk.

Thinking about the last time she had seen someone like that, it was her father. After he had been to one of the many social parties that she had been dragged to. Her mother had been furious. Not that anyone outside of the household would have known it. It was in the way she carried herself, stiff and silent. Her lips pursed in a very thin dark line, not a frown, and no where near a smile. Almost like it didn’t matter that you were there. She had this way in the set of her head, a way of looking right through you, as if you didn’t exist. As you were something that had intruded on her calm peaceful dreams and needed to be ignored until needed. Margaret had seen the look a few times, usually directed toward her, never toward her father. It had shocked her that evening. The carriage man had helped her father to the door, while the ladies had watched. Her mother never spoke a word to him, just glared a bit and went upstairs.

Leaning closer to him, she sniffed his breath. Leaning back and making a face at the smell. He reeked of rum. She pulled on the petticoat under her skirt, ripping a bit of it off, dunked it into the clean water, and wiped his brow a bit, and his chin. Doing her best to clean him up a little.

It was funny how that memory of her parents had just popped into her head, looking at the young man here, of all places. Thinking about her parents, should have made her miss them. She wondered why it didn’t. It didn’t matter at all that she would probably never see them again.

Alex fidgeted a bit, jerking his head around as he mustered enough life to roll over onto his back away from the woman. The salty water stuck to his lips.

"Rum…" he groaned, getting a gust of energy to sound all the more irritable, "get it!”

“Does ye be havin’ a soft spot for the boy?” Anyssa glared at Margaret. “He’s never known a woman’s touch you know. Maybe ye could be helping him with that?” Anyssa giggled and turned to the crew, backing away from Alex. “Now someone get this little sea dog something to eat. He said earlier he wants pork. Get it for him! And more rum too!”

Margaret jumped at hearing the voice of Anyssa. She hadn’t seen her come back up on deck. Her cheeks immediately blushing a deep scarlet color at the proposition about “helping” the boy. Ducking her head, she quickly scooted away from Alex and began scrubbing the deck with renewed fervor, ignoring the raucous laughter of the crew around her at Anyssa's suggestion.

[Anne Bonny]

(copost Anne x Naz!)

The pirates truly made a show of putting their mark on poor Alex. Sophia felt nauseous, and found that she had to turn away from the scene. But even with her eyes squeezed shut and a firm grip on Margaret's forearm, her knees felt more wobbly with every gruesome yelp of the boy. Sophie was certain that she would faint if it continued much longer.

But fortunately for the lady, Alex was the one who ended up on the deck instead of herself. And sweet Margaret was quickly by his side to help. The other pirates were momentarily distracted, most of the women going below deck for one reason or another, and Sophie seized the opportunity. She grabbed the bucket of dirty water and a rag and in a few quick steps, situated herself at Laine's feet.

"You know, bleeding all over the deck isn't making my job any easier," she whispered to the Scott. But tilting her head upwards she gave a quick wink to show her jest. "And by the way, thank you for saying something earlier. You were the only one who did, and..."

“Does ye be havin’ a soft spot for the boy?” the first mate's voice split the air and made Sophia jump. But to her great relief, Anyssa was directing her attention to Margaret rather than hers. But as she watched her new friend being shamed with filthy innuendo, Sophia's blood began to boil. Poor Margaret shrank back to scrubbing the deck. But Sophie straightened her shoulders, although she remained on her knees.

"The girl's only doing as she was told," she was saying before she could think to stop herself. "Why must you insult everyone you come across?"

“I’m sorry,” Anyssa turned to Sophie and glared, a wicked smile on her lips. “We’re you speaking to me?”

"Seeing as you're the only one pushing people around at the moment, yes."

Anyssa walked closer to Sophia, still smiling. She thought she had made things clear to Sophia before. Perhaps it was time for another lesson. Still, she had to respect Sophia’s boldness.

“And do tell,” Anyssa’s tone became more pompous and reflected nobility. “Just how should I treat people? Perhaps you could give me a lesson in the proper etiquette.”

Sophie fought to keep from cringing before the pirate. In truth she was terrified. She knew what would be coming if she continues. But her hatred for Anyssa was beyond control.

"Oh yes, mistress," she said, eyes narrowed. "Perhaps we could even share our evening tea?"

“Oh can we please?” Anyssa still kept her tone, but it now had a note of sarcasm behind it. “I could have one of the servants fetch us some crumpets and finger sandwiches. Would that please you milady?”

"That would be great fun," Sophia returned dryly, climbing to her feet. She noticed with some wonder that Anyssa's speech was very proper when she put her mind to it. "But what a pity! My servant was killed by some vile pirates!"

She tilted her head to the side. "Such a shame."

“Well I am sure he deserved it,” Anyssa smiled as she spoke. “They are just servants after all and must be kept in line. They need a good beating every now and then or they forget who’s in charge. Don’t you agree?”

Sophie bristled at the suggestion. Charles had been faithful to her family since she was a child! How dare Anyssa suggest... But then she caught the evil glint in the first mate's eye and realized exactly where the conversation was heading. She swallowed hard.

"Well that's the difference between a servant and a slave, isn't it?" she said, her voice a bit quieter. "A servant is treated civilly, at least. But one can do whatever he wants to a slave."

“Oh come now,” Anyssa shot a glare to a deckhand standing behind Sophia. The deckhand moved in behind Sophia and waited. “Surely you don’t mean to say, that you, or even your father have never beaten one of your servants?”

"My father is an honorable man!" Sophie cried, feeling much like a kitten cornered by a snarling dog. "He would never raise a hand to anyone! If anything, he was too soft! Unlike you, who berates your captives when they have done nothing against you!"

“Then perhaps I shouldn’t berate ye then,” Anyssa’s Cockney accent came through and the deckhand behind Sophia grabbed hold of her. The deckhand dragged Sophia over to the capstan while another deckhand came over holding two lengths of rope, two capstan poles and a baize bag. The deckhands quickly shoved the poles into the capstan and leaned Sophia over it and tied her wrists to the poles. Anyssa pulled her cat o nine tails from the bag and walked over in front of Sophia and knelt down.

“Wonderful thing this,” Anyssa dangled the whip in font of Sophia. “Had it specially made. Cost a pretty penny too. You see doggy, each of the tails have small metal barbs protruding from them. They are quite small, but if ye look close, ye can see them.” Anyssa held the whip up to Sophia’s eyes.

The metal glinted in the sunlight and Sophie's eyes grew wide. She hadn't even known such a foul tool existed. "You-You're out of your mind! You can't use a thing like that on a person!" She squirmed against her restraints.

Anyssa smiled and stood up. Two of the deck hands pushed against the poles and rotated the capstan so that Laine would have a perfect view. Anyssa moved to Sophia’s side and ran a finger down her back.

“Actually Sophia,” Anyssa giggled. “I can.” Anyssa raised the whip and brought it down with all her strength. As the ship connected with Sophia’s dress, the barbs hooked into the cloth and Anyssa pulled hard, tearing away part of the dress and cutting into her flesh. Immediately she raised the whip again, bringing it down into Sophia’s exposed flesh. As she pulled, bits of skin tore away and blood started to gush from the wounds as the whip tore open the skin of Sophia's back.

Tears began almost immediately, and Sophia couldn't restrain her screams with each strike of the cruel whip. Only minutes ago she had been certain that she couldn't hurt any more than the ache was feeling, but this was like fire tearing accross her back.

"You're a witch!" she cried between lashes, summoning up all of her remaining strength to strike Anyssa with whatever words she could think of. "A monster! A devil!"

“And ye will learn yer place bitch!!” Anyssa screamed the words and brought the whip down again. Blood poured from the wounds as bits of flesh were torn away.

Sophia gasped between sobs. "My place isn't here," she moaned, mostly to herself. "I don't belong on this ship." Her vision was blurring, the capstan seemed to dip and spin beneath her. The pain was unbearable.

Anyssa could tell that Sophia was close to losing consciousness and she silently hoped that Sophia had learned her lesson now. Though by Sophia’s words, Anyssa had her doubts. Anyssa moved back in front of Sophia and placed the handle of the whip under her chin, tilting Sophia’s head up. Anyssa didn’t want to beat her anymore. Although she loved to inflict pain, causing it to a woman, made Anyssa feel wrong.

“Is there anything ye would like to say to me now?” Anyssa sneered the words and glared into Sophia’s eyes.

Hatred still raged inside of her, but Sophie could barely focus on her tormentor's face, only inches away. She wanted to spit in her eyes, but with the remainder of her energy, Sophia barely managed only a few words. "I would very much like to go to the brig now."

“Why do you insist on being so stubborn?” Anyssa whispered the words so that only Sophia could hear. “Is it your wish to die? For I do not wish to kill you. But you are slowly leaving me with little choice.” A tone of compassion accompanied the words.

Sophia closed her eyes while trying to process Anyssa's words. Was she so delusional that she imagined a shred of concern? Her response also came in a whisper, for that was the most she could muster. "If our roles were reversed, would you just kneel down and accept your fate?"

"Probably not," Anyssa whispered. "But believe when I say that accepting this is truly your best option right now.” Anyssa sighed. “I will be honest. What I have subjected you to thus far is nothing. Believe me when I say that I can be quite creative when it comes to torture. And whether or not I do, is entirely your choice.”

Sophia fought against the desperation that was welling up inside of her. Instead she stared at the woman in front of her, truly bewildered. "Why are you telling me this?"

“I‘m telling you this,” Anyssa’s voice wavered slightly as she whispered into Sophia's ear. “Because I do not wish to hurt you anymore. I have been the recipient of enough violence in my life that to inflict pain on another woman saddens me. But I cannot show weakness in front of the crew. So I ask you, shall I continue or have you learned your place?” Anyssa pulled away form Sophia and started into her eyes, pulling something from inside her corset as she did.

"No," Sophia said, her words barely louder than a sigh. "I'm finished." Darkness was creeping in around the edges of her vision and she turned her head to lay it against the capstan. "You'll get no more fight from me."

Anyssa leaned back in and placed her lips agianst Sophia's ear. She moved her hand up to Sophia's mouth.

"Thank you," Anyssa whispered. "I am goign to place somehting in yur mouth now. It will taste bitter, but do not spit it out. Suck on it. It will numb the pain as well as your senses and allow you to sleep. I'm sorry, but I have to leave you here for here for now. I will come to you later when we can speak privately and tend to your wounds." Anysssa placed the opium ball into Sophia's mouth and stood up.

"Well," she shouted. "It looks like the doggy has learned her lesson. Leave her tied to the capstan. And if anyone on this ship so much as breathes on her, they will taste my steel!"

Sophie took the pill without question and let it melt in her mouth. The mercy of unfeeling sleep was already beginning to wrap itself around her as the pirate finished her command.

[Falcon Red]

Laine leaned against the mast he was tied to closing his eyes trying to rid the blinding blood from them as he let out a breath of finally being able to relax. Every last one of these women were heartless. He hadn't seen treatment like this in... well ever. Turning his head attempting to wipe blood from his eyes on his arm, he scanned the area noticing he was pretty much alone on deck, he finally relaxed his weight, letting the rope hold him up by his stiff arms.

Losing himself in his thoughts and reflections of the day, he felt an unnexpected touch on his face. He opened his eyes to a rag cleaning his bloody face, instantly jerking back to see who was tending to him. Glaring at her he listened to her speak.

"Yer not to be touchin' me face with that, me face will be the least of me worries once they're done with me."

"Aye, dat be true," Eve said smiling at Laine. "Only if ye don't comply with the Capt'n." She continued to wipe his face whether he wanted it or not.

Laine pulled away again looking at this girl as if she were insane. "An' you think I will comply with tha' beast? Right, all yeh lasses be crazy." He rolled his eyes and turned his head forward towards the mast again. Still, he hadn't seen a Scot in a long time and pirate or not, blood was thicker than water, and curiosity was beginning to pull at him. He turned his head up to look at her again.

This bloke was definitely Scot, Eve thought giving him a smirk. "Sure we may be a bit o' bonkers, course dat be the best part. Would ye rather be hung by yer balls or live ta see the next day. Dat be yer only choice at the moment."

With a final wipe, his face was rid of most of the blood. She grinned at him again. Although Eve was a pirate and never friendly to only her crew, she felt a need to talk to Laine, because it reminded her of home. Her native home that is.

"An' how come yeh be on this sorry ship?" He asked.

"I don't be thinkin' its any o' yer business," Eve retorted. "Maybe if ye be earnin' me trust I might tell ye."

"A Scot's honor be nothin' ta yeh nemore I see?" He asked standing up straight and turning his way towards her best he could with his hands tied to the mast.

Eve's eyes widened. She hadn't heard that term in a long time it caught her by surprise and made her laugh out loud. "Aye, ye got me thar," Eve sighed. "Scots be wily bastards as well. Fine, I'll tell ye so as not to ruin me honor. Me father was killed when I be a whee one. Murdered right in front o' me eyes. Them pirate blokes take me aboard and grew me up as a pirate lass. When I get the chance, I slip ta freedom. Got on this ship 'ere 'cause they the only one's who care for the lasses in this 'ere world. Dats why I be on this sorry ship. They me only family now. They saved me life."

The man nodded his understanding and leaned forward again, letting the ropes catch his weight. "Yeh know, family be there when yeh need them, not when it suits them." He relaxed again leaning his head down. "Yer lot killed me brothers, me captain, yer family killed mine."

"Hmph, dat a sorry thing ta hear," Eve replied and got her face inches from his as she grinned mischievously. "Don't be blamin' yer sorry luck on us. We didn't kill yer family, only the Cap'n of the Flourish. If I were ye, I'd watch my tongue 'fore ye lose it." Laine was cutting a raw nerve. Eve didn't like him bad mouthing the crew. One more comment like that and she would make sure he met Davy Jones as quick as she blinked.

Laine looked at the girl angrily, at her threat. "Families stan' by eachother, good to see yeh sell ou' yer captain." He looked forward again deciding against talking anymore. He wasn't sure what else to say.

Eve then pulled a dagger from between her breasts and brought it to his face. "Watch yerself, boyo, for I cut up yer already damaged face. Or better yet, I could tie yer legs ta an anchor and shove ye off meself. Aye, I could fancy that."

Eve then lifted her gaze up when she saw Anyssa standing near. Anyssa called Eve over in an unhappy tone which worried Eve. She put the dagger away and thrust the bloody rag at Laine's feet and walked off.

Co-op with Yoruyonaka (sorry it was so late, busy weekend =/)

[Mysteria]

Alvidia had watched as Eve cleaned Laines face before having been called away by the First Mate. She’d also stood silently watching as Sophie and Margaret scrubbed the deck. She hadn't intervened when the two started to talk. Alvidia could care less as long as the two kept scrubbing the deck and following the captain’s orders. However when Sophie’s eyes had wandered to Laine she was about to step in when another crew member did saving her the trouble.

After Alex was branded and the rum was spilled on the deck and the doggies had been instructed to clean it up Alvidia moved over to the Scotsman. As she reached her hand towards his face to inspect the wounds that Eve had been cleaning earlier the Scot tried to jerk his head away. "Easy thar laddie" Alvidia said with a slight grin "I'm not about ta hurt a 'andsome thing like you."


"Don' yeh 'ave a code to stick ta? Yer captain ordered yeh ta 'urt me"

Alvidia eyed the Scot curiously but didn't let him deter her from looking at the wounds. "Yer wounds'll heal just fine Scotsman." Alvidia said as her fingertips traced around the wounds lightly. This one had a bit of fire in him. Alvidia would have to talk to the captain later about those "uses" she had in mind for him but for now she'd answer his questions. "Indeed, there is a code to stick to although you're mistaken, the good captain didn't order me to hurt anyone. She ordered me to tie you up and I did." Alvidia's speech was uncommonly clear as she spoke and then just as quick it turned back to what it was earlier. "An' ye, Scotsman, do ye always judge ever'one by the actions of others?"

"When one attacks a man for no damn reason, and yeh do nothin' ta 'elp, yer no' any better than the attacker."

Alvidias fingers lingered on the Scots face for just a moment before she moved around behind him and checked that the knots were still secured. Leaning close behind him she said in almost a whisper "You know nothing about survivin' on a pirate ship do ye Scot? If'n I were you, I'd be taken everythin' that gets told ta me ta heart, an' I sure as hell wouldn't be makin' enemies of ever'one I comes in contact with." Assured that she hadn't lost her touch on tying up a secure knot Alvidia moved back in front of Laine. With gentleness held in her eyes but not in her tone she spoke to him again. "When just a bit of kindness gets tossed yer way, ye might want to takes advantage of it me pet."

Laine kept the scowl on his face, refusing to let her get to him. He brought his venemous eyes up to her gentle ones and just stared at her thinking of her words. "From my end, kindness would be freedom, not servitude or restrainment." He replied still mulling what she said in his mind.

The Scots stubbornness would get him nowhere and Alvidia knew this. She could only hope that his irrationality would fade when his anger began to subside. She couldn't blame him for being mad, hell she'd have been mad if she was in his shoes but the truth was she wasn't. And the Scot needed to learn that his fate hadn't yet been decided even if he was accepting it as though it already had been. Holding his gaze she answered him the only way she knew that she could "Aye, but remember this Scot, freedom comes in many forms and when we're givin' choices, we's free ta makes them as we sees fit." Then leaning in so close that she was certain he'd feel her warm breath upon his ear she said in a low voice "And hopefully lovie, when and if the time comes you'll be smart enough to make the right choices." Her lips brushed his cheek, partly for fun and partly just because she wanted to taste male flesh again.

With that Alvidia turned to see if she could find the Captain or First Mate. There was something she'd be wanting to discuss with the Captain, as soon as there was time. First there was the matter of finding a drink of rum.


{co post with Falcon}

[The Gypsy Queen]

The crew was getting good and drunk and the boy Alex had made a fine fool of himself. Bree grinned, mind already hard at work. She'd need the girl, Jess, for the next piece. Then just two more pieces. Then she was home free. Retire. Get a harem perhaps. Her grin grew wider.

Her eyes settled on Alvidia approaching her.

" How can I 'elp ye, lovie?"

Alvidia smiled at the captain. She'd not had a problem with the captain yet and was fairly sure that the captain and first mate neither one would take issue with her request since they both knew how lonely being on the seas for months on end could be. "I was wonderin' me dear Capt'n if ye thought me'be it'd be jes' fine if I could maybe spends me some time wit' that thar Scotsman, if'n he so choses not ta be a problem for us whilst he's on this ship." With a slight wink to the captain she added in proper English "I know that you understand me when I say that being out to sea for this length of time can leave a gal lonely. I thought the company might be nice. That is of course, if ye 'ave no objections, me capt'n"

Bree's grin softened into a smile. She was all too aware of how cruel the world was to women, and had enjoyed a very free life herself. It was a privilege to offer the same to the girls she took aboard, and usually the first step on that road was sexual freedom.

" Ye fancy 'im, lovie?" she asked, eying the Scot critically. " Sure ye didn't knock your head too hard las' week?"

"Nay Capt'n I dinnae bump me head too hard. " Alvidia grinned. "This one has fire he does. I like that in a man. A little fight tis always a good thing don't ya think?"

Bree made a show of rolling her eyes.

" Always a fair share and a free choice on my ship, lovie. Ye wan' 'im, he's yours." She clapped a hand on Alvidia's shoulder and leaned in close. " And do me a favor. Make him scream."

Alvidia let out a hearty laugh. "Aye Capt'n fer yer fairness and generosity when the time comes, I'll do jes' that. Fer now though, I wants to see jes' how much fire the boy has in 'imself." Alvidia knew that although her captain was tough, she was kind hearted to the women who were loyal to her and that she understood just what it was to be a woman in what was typically a mans world. "And Captain Bree ma'am, thank you." Alvidia needed say no more. She knew her captain understood her need, even if that need was only nothing more than companionship from time to time.

" Ta pleasure is mine." Bree said with a grin, firmly back in her role. Over Alvidia's shoulder, she saw Anyssa approaching and could practically feel the self loathing rolling off her from halfway across the deck. " Now, ye best scurry, lovie, and make sure that damned helmsman doesn't get totally off his kilter drunk."

"Aye Capt'n, ye kin counts on me ma'am. I be watchin the helmsman like a hawk I will." With that Alvidia went to refill her drink and keep an eye on the deck.

Bree grinned as Anyssa approached her but knew the other woman well enough to know there was nothing to smile about. She didn't say anything, opting to wait for her lover to speak.

Anyssa approached Bree and stared into her eyes. Anyssa showed no emotion, and when she spoke, her voice came quietly.

“I have spoken with both Speers and the musician. The musician will provide you with some dinner music. And Speers wove an interesting tale, indeed.” Anyssa tilted her eyes down and stared at the deck.

" Mmhmm." Bree blinked at her lover curiously. " Mayhap the conversation should take place in me quarters?" she prodded lightly.

Anyssa nodded her head and moved passed Bree and into their quarters. She sat in the chair in front of the dressing table and placed her head in her hands. She wanted to cry but she couldn’t allow herself to. She was one of the most feared pirates in the Caribbean, and weakness wasn’t allowed.

Bree closed and locked the door to her quarters behind her, and then approached Anyssa from behind, placing her hands on the other woman's shoulders. " You should've let me deal with her, 'Nessie, her type always gets under your skin."

Anyssa tilted her head to the side to rest it on Bree’s hand. Bree’s skin was warm and Anyssa felt a little more at ease.

“I will… be fine,” Anyssa’s voice held no emotion. “I have you.” Anyssa kissed Bree’s hand and turned, wrapping her arms around her Captain.

Bree pecked Anyssa's nose and moved away a bit.

" You better, how else would I run this boat?"

Anyssa stood up and wrapped her arms around Bree, pressing tightly against her.

“Kiss me,” Anyssa smiled a little and looked into Bree’s eyes.

Bree chuckled and kissed the other woman hard, leaning her back as she did.

Anyssa quivered as their lips touched and she found herself never wanting to leave the arms of her love. At this moment, everything was perfect. Still, there were things they needed to talk about. Anyssa eased Bree back up and pulled back slightly, licking her lips.

“Speers has said there is a man in Port Royal who knows about the map,” Anyssa purred. “She also wanted me to show you this. And she says she would like it back.” Anyssa pulled the coin form her corset and placed it in Bree’s hand.

Bree flipped the coin over a few times in her fingers, snuffing a breath through her nose as she did. She traced the Roger on the back with her thumb thoughtfully.

" Convincing little bitch." she conceded out loud. " Not impossible she got it through some other means though." She handed the coin back. " It's Speers' alright. Doesn't prove much but what choice do we have at this point?"

“If I might suggest,” Anyssa smiled and moved back from Bree, still holding her hand. “Since it will be dark soon maybe we give the prisoners a night in the brig. Except the doggy of course. Tomorrow we make them an offer. Send the Scot too. I…,” Anyssa’s face became a little more serious. “I don’t want him to see me on deck later.”

" Understandable." Bree said. " I'll have the crew attend to it." She started for the door.

“I shall have Monsieur Lafayette bring you some dinner.” Anyssa smiled as he watched Bree move away. “And maybe send for the musician love. I think you would enjoy it. And after dinner, I shall give you dessert.”

Bree didn't respond, smiling instead as she stormed out the door, grinning like a maniac.

" Oi, ye drunken dogs! I wan' ta prisoners in ta brig now! And one of ye bring me ta musician! Step to it!" she bellowed over the deck, her grin widening as her crew scrambled to obey her.

" Oh, yo ho..." she hummed softly. " A pirate's life for me."

(co-op with Mysteria and Naz)

[John]

No sooner had Monsieur Lafayette laid out the meal, than one of the crewmen appeared at the door with Rorin in leg shackles. Anyssa smiled and directed them to enter and led Rorin over to a chair. Pulling out the chair at the table for Bree, she prompted Bree to sit.

“He be quite talented Captain,” “Anyssa glared at Rorin. “Would ye like to hear him play?”

Bree leaned back in her chair, sighing at the feeling of a full belly.

" I would at that, 'Nessie." she said with a grin.

“Play for us musician,” Anyssa looked at Rorin and smiled.

Rorin stared at the captain for a moment. He almost wanted to take the moment to be defiant, but he didn’t.
Instead he stared at the ceiling for a moment. The cooling affect of the world around him made him feel well. Refreshed of the feel. He wondered if they wanted a long song or a short. "Long or short, may I ask?" Rorin said.

" Depends on how much of a show ye want, boy." Bree growled.

Rorin stared at the captain. "What happens if the show is short?" Rorin asked, "What if I drag out the show so I shall have more time here?"

“He be a chatty one Captain, don’t ye think?” Anyssa purred the words at Bree.

Bree scowled light at Rorin.

" Bit much so. I'd hate to be gettin' blood on me nice cabin floor..."

Rorin stared at the captains frown lines. He took a moment bit his lip and sighed. "What are you looking for something with dance or something with a slow beat?" Rorin asked, "Not trying to be chatty, you're not helping me. Its best I know what the audience wants."

Bree leaned over the table and grabbed Anyssa's knife and threw it with a flick of her wrist. It landed with a thunk next to the musician's head.

" Use your imagination, boy. Which would you rather make love to? And ye best figure it out quick, or I won't miss next time."

A frown line crossed Rorin's face. He bit his lip and made a deep irritated sigh. He tuned his guitar. Stroke the wood of his guitar. He played a chord before getting in. He gave a tap of the wood and played (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv2Fyjk0GGM&feature=related).

The melodies washed over Anyssa. She thoroughly enjoyed the music, as did Bree; especially when Anyssa started to gently kiss her lover’s neck. Anyssa pressed her lips lightly against Bree’s soft skin and wrapped her arms around the Captain. Anyssa embraced and kissed Bree until the song had finished. Bree hard started squirming as Anyssa kissed her and let out a moan when Anyssa pulled away.

“Thank you musician,” Anyssa purred and began to caress her lover. “Return to the brig for now, the crewman outside will take you. We will speak again in the morning. "Oh and take a little food with you, payment for a job well done.”

Rorin stared at the woman for a moment. Their friendly touching and rubbing was a different sort of site for him. He felt indecent watching them. And as his song finished he didn't know what his reaction was to be. They were so human in front of each other. And so inhuman to their prisoners. He scowled a bit when they were to send him off like a dog with food. But his thought wasn't of him. But of the others. Jess came into his mind. Grab some grapes and did as they asked.

" Now where were we?" Bree asked, after Rorin was gone.


-xXx-

Anyssa walked down the long stone corridor, torch in hand. The firelight danced on the wall, lighting up the cobwebs and stone, which was dusty from the time it spent undisturbed. She had been walking for what seemed like hours when the hallway opened up into a large room.

The room was adorned with Aztec relics, which were dust covered and tarnished. The room was dark except for the torch Anyssa carried. And although she couldn’t see anyone, she distinctly heard the sound of a woman crying. Anyssa moved forward towards the sound and suddenly, the torches on the walls came to life.

Almost instantly, Anyssa was grabbed by two men, wearing Aztec ceremonial garb. The forced her to her knees and made her look at the far end of the room. Which Anyssa could now see had an altar. The men dragged her forward and she could see Bree laying on the altar, naked and struggling against the bonds which held her in place. A gag was over her mouth and Anyssa tried in vain to break free form her captors.

A few moments later, another man appeared in the room, as if out of thin air. He was clothed in the garb of an Aztec high priest. He held a jewelled dagger in his hands and moved over to the altar. He was chanting in a language that Anyssa didn’t know, and she screamed as he brought up the dagger and plunged it into Bree’s stomach. Blood flew form the wound and tears started to stream down Anyssa’s face as she watched the priest dig into Bree’s stomach with him finger tips and begin to tear the skin from her body. Anyssa continued to scream as Bree bucked against her bonds and her blood streamed down the sides of altar, pooling on the floor. As a dagger moved across Anyssa’s throat, she opened her eyes and awoke with a start.

Anyssa sat up in bed, Bree sleeping next to her. Anyssa was sweating and breathed heavily for a few moments, the dream still weighing heavily in her mind. She turned to get out of the bed, when she saw the Aztec priest standing there holding the dagger. The dagger came down into Anyssa’s chest and she opened her eyes and awoke with a start.

Anyssa wiped the sweat form her brow and got out of the bed, retrieving her robe from the wardrobe.. She put it on and then took some salve form a cupboard along with some bandages and a cloth. Kissing Bree on the cheek, she left the cabin and retrieved a bucket of fresh water from one of the barrels on deck. Once she had done so, she made her way to the capstan and untied Sophia.

“Don’t move,” Anyssa’s voice came softly. “Let me clean and bandage your wounds before you stand.” Anyssa took the time to carefully clean Sophia’s wounds, applying the salve and bandage once she was done. Helping Sophia to her feet, Anyssa led her to the railing of the ship and took a cup of water from one of the buckets and handed it to Sophia.

“Drink,” Anyssa stared at Sophia with compassion in her eyes.

With one hand gripping the cup and the other holding her tattered dress to her body, Sophie did as she was instructed. The water tasted better than the finest wine every had, but she eyed the pirate warily as she quickly finished it off. It was everything she could do not to cringe and shrink away with every movement Anyssa made.

Nervously, she glanced around the empty deck before handing the cup back. "Thank you," she said, her throat feeling hoarse. "May I ask, where is everyone else?"

“They have been taken to the brig,” Anyssa smiled. “Except for Alex, I don’t know where he got to. But it’s really not important right now. I wish to speak with you if you will allow me.”

Sophia couldn't hide her surprise at Anyssa's words. "Yes," she finally stammered, "Of course."

“I wanted to say,” Anyssa looked directly into Sophia’s eyes. “I’m sorry for what I did to you.”

Sophie's mouth fell open in shock as she stared at the other woman, but in a few short seconds her surprise turned to anger. "You're sorry?" she repeated bitterly, her eyes never leaving Anyssa's. "Why? You're a pirate. Isn't this sort of thing what you do?"

“Yes,” Anyssa maintained the eye contact. “And no. Sometimes brutality is necessary. But I hate it when it is against women. You don’t know how hard that was for me.” Anyssa kept her voice hushed so that no one else could hear.

Sophie almost laughed. "It was hard for me too," she snapped. But the look in Anyssa's eyes made her uncomfortable. It was too... concerned. The pirate was easy to hate for being so cruel, but the opium earlier and now apologies, Sophie didn't know what to thing. She lowered her eyes to the deck and wrapped her arms around her body.

"I suppose though, that I should thank you for not doing me in. And for the pill you gave me," she said quietly.

“You don’t understand,” Anyssa knelt down in front of Sophia and turned her back. Undoing her robe, she lowered the back of it, bringing into view the mass of scars running across Anyssa’s skin. “You probably think I enjoyed doing that. And though I admit that if you were a man I would have enjoyed it, I took no pleasure in beating you.” Anyssa did up her robe and faced Sophia.

Sophie was unable to contain her gasp at the sight of her tormentor's scars. But despite all of her earlier anger and embarrassment, somehow pity rose to the surface of her emotions. "Who did that to you? Why?"

“I used to work as a prostitute,” Anyssa began, her vioce calm. “Which I am sure doesn’t surprise you. I understand all too well how nobility views people like me. You see, I catered to more of a higher class. The so called noblemen used me when they became bored of their wives. It’s why I can do the accent so well. Helped to give them an illusion. Oftentimes, they would beat me, just to show their superiority over me. Oh yes, beating a helpless woman, so noble your people are.” Anyssa’s expression didn’t change but her Cockney accent came through again.

The thought of a person hurting another so out of fun and pleasure was sickening. "You have every right to be angry, but I pray you don't take that anger out on me," Sophie said gently. Then, afraid how far she could push the pirate without fear of punishment, she quickly added, "As long as I behave, I mean."

"You have to understand," Anyssa smiled. "I have to set an example for the crew. At the moment you are a prisoner. A certain image has to be upheld for the crew. But I submit you are less of a prisoner here than back in your life. Do you think you are anymore free there than you are here?”

"Well of course I was..." Sophie began, but her thoughts trailed off. Wasn't she being taken across the ocean against her will? Didn't she, by society's standards, need someone to watch over her? Wasn't she expected to be at a certain place at a certain time every day of her life?

Her face reddened as she retreated from Anyssa's gaze again. "I knew how to survive in that prison, at least," she said. "Here, I don't know what to do. I don't know what is to become of me, or the others. I have no idea what to expect."

“What if I told you,” Anyssa leaned in little closer. “That I could give you freedom. And best of all, no man would be able to give you an order again. Because really, isn’t that the life you truly have to look forward to. To be at the beck and call of some man you call husband. Someone who was most likely picked for you that you don’t even love. That you have to marry out of a sense of duty to your family with no regard for what you want. Never getting to live the way you want and forever looking back wondering if there could have been more?”

"How?" Sophia asked, almost too quickly.

“In the morning,” Anyssa smiled playfully. “The captain and I will make an offer to you and the rest of the prisoners to join the crew. If anyone decides that they don’t want to, they will be released.” Anyssa glared at Sophia hoping she caught the meaning behind the words. “But I give you my word that this holds true for you. If you like, we will take you to Port Royal and you can leave. Go back to your life and wither away becoming nothing more than a frail old woman, forced to keep up appearances with no regard for what she ever wanted.”

Sophie pondered her words for a moment, but when she did, a smile began to tug at the corners of her mouth. "Would I still have to scrub the deck?"

“Why,” Anyssa let out a laugh. “Did you want to?” Anyssa had to admit to herself that this was easier than she expected. But still it was satisfying. She would show Sophia that being a pirate woman had more freedom than being a noblewoman. And over time, she could make amends for what she had done to Sophia.

“Now I will take you to the brig for tonight. You will be brought up on deck in the morning. And tell no one of our conversation.” And with that, Anyssa took Sophia to the brig before retiring herself.

(co op wiht Gypsy, Mem and Anne)

[Cookies Ahoy]

Mia was content with sitting in the cell. She wasn't being harassed or beaten like the others she could hear on the top deck. It was a peaceful Hell. A man by the name of Rorin was playing the guitar, that seemed to lift Mia's spirits. It wasn't too bad in the brig. That was all ruined when two of the pirates came down, one was smiling, and that smile faded when she spotted Mia. Mia scooted herself deeper into the cell corner, trying to make herself disappear.

“Oooh, she be a pretty one. What say ye Eve?"

Mia started shaking her head. She hardly listened to what else the two were saying. The only other thing she heard was "Come on, poppet, yer mine 'til the Capt'n says otherwise."

Mia struggled against Eve's pulling. Now she was getting scared. Eve was stronger than she was though, and she began to drag Mia across the cell. Eventually Mia got to her feet and trudged along, just to avoid getting splinters.

Just cooperate, it'll be easier, Mia thought to herself.

"So, poppet, what they call ye?" Eve asked when they finally got on the deck. She had dragged her to the port side where to one appeared to be.

Mia looked at her new 'owner', then down to her own feet, then muttered quietly, "Mia."

"Mia is it now?" Eve said turning her and grinning. "Small wee thing are ye. Drink none o' ye mum's milk as a lass?" She laughed out loud and glanced out at the shimmering sea. The sun was already started to set.

Mia shuddered at the comment. It made her feel uncomfortable, her mother scolded her for talking like that. She simply just stood next to Eve. She didn't want to give her the satisfaction of agreeing with her, and Mia didn't want to disagree with her and anger her.

"Wait here," Eve said stepping away. "You so much as move a step and I'll cut off dat pretty hair o' yers." Eve walked away in the direction of the galley.

Mia didn't object, either out of fear or because it was the smart thing to do, she didn't know. She watched as the ship easily slipped through the ocean.

Mia started to think to herself, What is she doing? What do pirates even keep in the galley?

"'ere we are," Eve said coming up behind Mia. "Bet ye be hungry an' thirsty."

Eve handed her a plate of what looked like a meat stew and a jug of rum. Eve took a swig out of her own jug and took a deep sigh.

"Aye dat be good," She laughed out. "Rum an' pork stew. Now, eat, 'fore I stuff it down yer gullet." Her smile faded though, glancing back at the Scott who remained tied to the mast.

Mia took the given food and drink. She was quite hungry. The rum burned her throat as she drank it, she wasn't used to such a strong drink. The rum did make the pork stew taste better though.

After a few moments passed, Mia said, "Thank you," Mia was relaxing slightly from the drink, "What is your name? I don't think we ever introduced."

"Ye be wantin' ta know yer captive's name?" Eve said glancing back at Mia. "Well it's Eve, dat is, Evelyn Morgan the Hawk, savvy?"

"Err... Savvy, Eve. How did you get the name The Hawk?" Mia laughed a little to herself, taking a swig from the bottle.

"Ho ho ho," Eve swiftly brought out a dagger from within her blouse and brought it to Mia's neck. "Ye rather not learn o' me tales." She put the weapon away and turned back to the observe the others walk about and drink rum. Eve stared back at Laine, then gulped down the last bit of rum.

"Finish yer food and I'll take yer arse down ta the brig again," she ordered Mia. "Ye might 'ave better arrangements made t'morrow."

Mia released her breath, Eve had put a dagger to her throat faster than Mia could react. Mia finished her meal in silence. When she was finished Eve brought her back down to the brig. Eve forcibly tossed Mia back into the cell.

Mia muttered something inaudible under her breath. She slowly drifted into sleep, or maybe she passed out. She wasn't sure.



[Coop with Yoru]

[Kirra]

When the break of day hit the ship, only notable through the small rays of light coming through the cracks in the planks above them.

Anyssa stood in the door of her cabin, looking out at the deck. She hadn’t slept well and the dream was still weighing heavily on her mind. The sun’s warmth on her face helped to soothe her and put her mind on today’s events.

“Alvidia,” Anyssa called out. “Take some men and bring the prisoners on deck.”

The day had just begun for Alvidia as she made her way to the deck, the bright sunlit causing her to squint. There hadn't even been time to enjoy the fresh air or warmth that the sun was providing before she heard the first mates voice addressing her. Alvidia nodded as she obeyed Nessa's orders. "Aye ma'am." Then to the others she called out as she pointed. "You and you, come with me."

Jess sat by the door of the cell as the night dragged on. She barely noticed as the others where brought into the cell. She just waited to hear someone say her name. As the hours passed, Jess finally gave into her emotions. She pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around, and tucked her head in.

The memories of her passed flooded her. She couldn't keep them back anymore. Flashes of images kept passing through her mind. The worst times had been shortly after her uncle had been hung. Her father refused to let her see him before he died. She couldn't even say goodbye. Jess was locked in her room for almost a month. Her window was boarded up so she couldn't even see out. She was brought food three times a day. But otherwise, she had no human contact. And even then, the servant wouldn't speak with her. She didn't even know of her uncle's death until after she was released.

When the break of day hit the ship, only notable through the small rays of light coming through the cracks in the planks above them. Jess refused to move even when she heard the door open. She was afraid she would fall over when trying to stand.

When Alvidia and the men arrived at the brig she sent them to get the other prisoners and take them on deck while she retrieved the prisoner known as Jess.

Addressing the prisoner "On yer feet ma'am. The first mate wants all of ye on deck. I'd suggest ye don't makes them wait any longer than needs be, if'n ye knows whats good fer ye."

Jess looked up at the kind member of the pirate crew. Her face helped Jess relax. Jess pulled her self to her feet. When she did, she almost fell on Alvidia. "Shit." Jess stood strait up. "I'm sorry. Just lost my legs for a minute. You said you're taking us to the deck?"

Alvidia caught the young girl and helped to steady her for a moment. "Not to worry lassie, you'll find your sea legs soon enough." Alvidia smiled at the young girl and just as quickly turned back into her pirate self. Alvidia didn't always care to use the pirate lingo. She'd been born on a pirate ship, and she'd left it and lived in the other world for awhile. While she loved the pirate life because it afforded her more freedom than any other life, there were some aspects of it that weren't her favorite thing in the world. The trick for her was finding that equal balance.

Alvidia held onto Jess's arm until she was sure the girl had found her footing then left go and began walking beside her. "Now, let's not keep the good capt'n a waitin'. We dinnae wants ta be startin' the mornin' on a bad note now then does we?"

Jess smiled back at Alvidia. She was hoping they would have the chance to be friends. She could tell that Alvida wasn't the cruel kind like the ships first mate seemed to be. But form some reason, Jess had the feeling that Anyssa was hiding a soft side. She would have to figure out all of them, if she was allowed to live of course.

Jess was finally able to stand up strait again. She let go of the pirate. "Yes. You're right."

As they headed to the bridge, Jess stayed close to Alvida. She watched the other pirates as well, checking for options of what to do if this was an execution. She still had her hidden knife. Her ace in the hole should she have to use it. Jess knew she wouldn't survive the fight, but she could take some down with her.

Jess turned the Alvida and smiled at her. "I don't suppose you could tell me what they plan to do with us?"

The young girls smile put Alvidia at ease somewhat. Alvidia knew her place and always followed the captains orders. While she could be cold when the need arose she didn't see the need to be that way all of the time. Her position on the ship didn't call for it the same as the Captain or First Mate's did. Both the Captain and First Mate knew that when they needed Alvidia she would be there for them. She was loyal to them both. In return for her loyalty they had allowed her to retain the identity that made up a huge part of whom she was.

Turning to Jesse Alvidia offered only these words since she herself didn't know exactly what might happen once they reached the deck. "Nay lassie, I kinnae tell ye what the good Capt'n wants. The only things I kin tells ye is the Capt'n an' First Mate both bes fair, so mind ye their words carefully."

By then they had reached the deck. Alvidia escorted Jess in front of the first mate, adding only these words before releasing her "Heed me' words, and use yer brain an' 'opefully all will be well." With that Alvidia released the prisoner and took a few steps back.

Jess was a little nervous standing before Anyssa. but if she had to be in attack range of one of them, she was Jess's first choice. Well almost. There were a number of males who she would love to place a knife into. "Hello mistress."

(co-op with Mysti and naz)

[Security of Mem]

Rorin was escorted by the men back to his cell. He still held the bit of grapes he took. But they weren't for him. He felt almost indecent to eat them. It was simply because he felt like a dog. A dog being set back his cage with a bone. And Rorin wouldn't dare begin to eat something like that. He rather starved then eat a meal of dis gratitude and well a meal fit for a dog. But then he felt rude for what he was to do with them too. As he went back into the cell he stared at Jess.

"There are a few things I'm beginning to realize I hate," Rorin paused, "Pirates, jail cell bars, indoors, and shackles. I brought you some grapes."

Jess looked up at the minstrel with confusion. She had no clue why he would share his food when they had no clue when they would see their next meal.

"Um... Yeah thanks." Jess reached out for the grapes and stared eating some. "Why would you share? You didn't have to."

Rorin stared at her. He took a moment and took a deep sigh. To many times had he been given a roof like a dog. To many times was food his reward. And to many times was the I gave you life speech given to him. The memories were flooding and he didn't exactly care for such memories.

"Because I refuse to eat dog food," Rorin paused, "The dog works and the dog is given a treat then sent back to his house till his master calls for him again with another treat. In this way the dog takes the treat his master and gives it to the more needed. And the person who didn't get the treat."

Jess was to hungry to make sense out of his words. He seemed to always talk in a sort of riddle. It reminded her of the minstrels back home. Always full of thought.

"Oh... Well thanks." Jess ate a few grapes before curling into a ball in the corner of the room. She was still responsive at the time, but started to zone out.

Rorin realized the signs of sleep. It was passing him as well. His mind no longer thinking as becoming a dull puddle of thoughts he couldn't exactly remember anything. It was passing him as well his thoughts. And tunes were beginning to play in his head. Tunes of life he couldn't remember. Sometimes he had deeper dreams. Ones that made no sense to him. Fires and burning people. Guns and death.

He never truly wanted to decipher such violence. Nor had he had the time to think of what his own subconscious would consider. And as he too went into a dull trance of sleep. All the images passed in his head were some form of music and some form of pain. And what awoke may have been the sun peering from a hole he hadn't realized. A morning. At least one morning. His dreams one giant riddle. His mind one giant riddle. And he stared over to the sleeping Jess.

She looked less troubled in her sleep. But he wondered about her.

"Good morning," he said lowly so as to not wake her fully.

Jess's head rolled slightly to the minstrel. She wasn't awake, but she wasn't compleatly asleep either.

"She was nicer this morning." Her words where nonsense. But something true did slip out. After her mumbling she said, "You're nice too." Her head rolled back into her legs and she drifted back to sleep.

Rorin smiled at her. She was talking in her sleep. It had been a long time since he had heard a conversation come from the mouth of a sleeping person. He was simply reminded of the orphans on the street those who talked their subconscious away. He took a moment and stroked the strings of his guitar for a moment. He began to play a quiet tune as to not awake people.

A tune to himself that he too began to hum to. A general morning routine off to a good day. Had he not remembered he was in a hole with some pirates. And as that was said and thought men walked into the hold cells and started making racket. Which awoke his senses. He quit playing his tune to such a morning and watched them.

"On yer feet ma'am. The first mate wants all of ye on deck. I'd suggest ye don't makes them wait any longer."

And as said so. Rorin got up. A frown line increased on his forehead. Pirates he was beginning to hate them. He really was beginning to despise them. Rorin watched the girl collapse onto the pirate and his scowl turned less severe. But still. He walked and rejected any need of an escort. He was tired of being jabbed by guns and swords. He just simply wondered what the captain wanted.
He took one moment to catch Jess's eyes and mouthed, "Thank you."

Jess caught his words and offered the only reply she could in a a time like this. A smile to him. She would have to wait to see if they survived to offer any more.

And as he stood on the bridge he caught her smile. But that claustrophobia feeling was coming back. His stomach felt hot and even though he hadn't had anything to eat he felt sick. He wasn't going to show any sign of this to the pirates of course.

He only wished they would hurry up with the execution. He was tired of feeling this cold something running down his spine. He was tired of how he felt so closed in even though the world was so big and wide. He was tired of how his stomach was churning. It was because he couldn't die. Not now.

Now was to early. But they were pirates. He watched and heard them kill with no remorse before. Like they were to listen to others pleading. So he kept his tongue and only smirked for the idea of going out by taking pirate's pride made him somewhat happy.


Even though his stomach felt like it was going through guitar chords he didn't even understand. The musical chord of wanting to puke. But he fought it back and kept his straight face.

[co-op Kirra and Mem]

[Merry]

Everything felt like it was in a fog. A soft hazy fog. After Sophia was beaten bloody by Anyssa for sticking up for her, again, Margaret felt as if she had fallen out of herself. She was somewhere else, watching from a safe distance. It was if she was made of wood and couldn’t feel anything.

It all had a fuzzy edge to it, and didn’t feel real. She knew she should be upset, it was horrible to see what Anyssa had done. The blood, the flesh tearing. She should have said something, or stopped her. She couldn’t even seem to cry. She knew she should cry, but for some reason, the tears wouldn’t fall.

She remembered being semi dragged, semi pushed down to the brig, and put in a cell with some of the other prisoners. The loud sound of the metal door closing with a harsh and final sound. There was a memory of something to drink thrust in her hands. She recalled looking around at all the other prisoners in the cell, waiting for them to bring Sophia back, but they never did. At least not to where Margaret saw her. She heard the others in the cell the low murmured whispers in the dark and then curling into a corner falling into a fitful sleep. Hugging her arms tight to her chest for warmth. She was so cold.

There was a dream. A dream about trying to learn to sew but no matter how hard she tried, it had to be ripped out and redone. The stitches kept coming out all wrong, and the thread kept breaking. Then after what seemed like only a few minutes, someone coming down and pushing them all up onto the deck into the bright sunshine. Her breath catching in her throat as she looked slowly about noticing that the prisoners were all lined up, as if for execution. The tears slowly starting to fall as she realized she didn’t want to die. Not like this, not here.

[Yoruyonaka]

[Co-Op with Naz and Cookies]

Anyssa watched silently as the first of the prisoners were moved on deck. She had to admit that she was a little surprised to see one of them crying. Then she realized why. Margaret thought she was going to be executed. Something that was a definite possibility depending on her actions in the next few minutes.

“Eve!,” Anyssa called out. “Where be ye lass?”

"Aye!" Eve had just came from her cabin. She didn't sleep well last night. Worrying about things she shouldn't even have her mind on. Anyssa brought her to attention. Eve walked over to the first captain who was ordering the prisoners on deck.

"Aye, Mistress, what ye need?" Eve asked with a smile.

"Eve," Anyssa leaned in close and whispered. "Get the rest of the prisoners on deck. And I think that they may be thinking their lives are going to end. Don’t say anything that would make them think differently.”

Smirking maliciously, Eve nodded and walked down to the brig. Her steps were loud in the dank quiet room. The prisoners were hovering near the corners of the cages. Eve laughed out loud. They didn't know they weren't going to die. Fools, Eve thought.

"All right!" Eve yelled out walking first to Sophia's cage. "Rest easy, doggie. Jus' need ya ta get out o' ta cage an' come wit' me."

Eve had Sophia by the arm, and she eyed the last prisoner. Mia, the one she was talking to last night.

"Aaah, poppet," Eve purred. "Come wit' me then."

Mia rolled over groggily. The gentle rocking of the sea had kept her in a deep sleep, and she wasn't eager to get up for another day of imprisonment. In her dreams she could forget about her problems. Her world was perfect in her dreams.

Wordlessly, Mia pulled herself from the prison's floor. She looked at Eve questioningly. Mia wasn't sure if this was the end or if she was being fed again. Deciding she had little say in the matter, Mia followed Eve silently.

Eve brought the two up to the deck wordlessly. Anyssa was still waiting for her, so Eve had two crewman take Sophia and Mia to the other prisoners. Eve glanced around to see most of the crew on deck and knew the time to see who would join was coming.

"Mistress, the others are on deck," Eve said to Anyssa. "So, when is dis show startin'?"

"Soon," Anyssa smiled at Eve. "Get the prisoners on their knees."

Eve walked to the prisoners and aimed her flintlock at their faces. "Now get ta yer knees," Eve ordered the prisoners. "The Mistress wants her pets ta be more relaxed."

Shoving her gun away, Eve glanced around to see Laine wasn't among the group. She must have forgot him.

"Mistress, it appears the Scot isn't here," Eve said observantly. "May I go get him from the brig?"

"Yes Eve. The Scott too." Anyssa purred.

Eve grinned. She just couldn't help herself. Running down to the brig, she hoped the Scott wasn't mad from before. She also felt confused to why she wanted that. These feelings were strange to Eve. Laine was in the last cell. His arms tied behind his back.

"Scot!" Eve yelled in heavy Scottish to get Laine's attention. "Ye need ta wake up. Time ta get on deck."

She opened the cage and lifted Laine to his feet. Standing behind him, they marched up to the deck. Eve smirked. She couldn't wait to see what happened next.

[The Gypsy Queen]

Anyssa smiled at Eve as she brought the last of the prisoners on deck. They were silent and didn’t know what to expect. In Anyssa’s mind, now was the time to make the offer. However, the choice wasn’t hers to make.

“Love,” Anyssa poked her head into the cabin. “They’re ready. Give them a good show.”

Bree snarled in response. She had a strong aversion to mornings, especially the ones that demanded she be out of bed and without something to snuggle. But, she knew, she had business to attend to.

" I know, I know." she grumbled, pulling her boot on and standing from her bed. Her new necklace glinted enticingly above her breasts and she gave Anyssa a suffering look. She was seriously considering just letting the lot of them bake under the hot Caribbean sun for a few hours while she got some sleep.

But duty called.

She shook off her cranky, sleep-deprived self and her very stature changed from a grumpy girl to an imposing woman. Grin firmly in place, she strode past Anyssa onto the deck, leaving her heavy coat in the cabin. The sun beat on her bare shoulders and belly mercilessly. She didn't envy Anyssa's little doggies in their heavy dresses.

" Good morning, everyone." She said pleasantly.

" Good morning, Cap'n." her crew responded in unison. She paused to look around. They were gathered around for the upcoming show. Her grin widened.

" And good mornin', my little birdies." she said to the prisoner. The response she got was less enthusiastic. " Tsk tsk. We'll have ta work on that." she noted, pacing in front of the line of prisoners. She paused for a moment to take in the fearful, defiant, and despairing expressions. " What a sorry lot ye are. Pathetic." she boomed, her powerful voice carrying across the ship. " Look at ye." she paused to tug at Margaret's dress, in a sad state after a night in the brig. " And quit your crying, girl. Makes ye look weak." she added as she went past her. " I'd be a right imbecile to want a single one of ye on my boat." she shook her head at Laine, unimpressed. " So... Good thing I'm not an imbecile." She said, smiling. She watched their shoulders collectively fall and practically giggled as the hope died in their arms. " I'm just crazy." she continued. " Any one of ye swears loyalty to me now gets fair share and equal treatment, same as crew. Anyone who don't gets released."

“Now before all of ye answer,” Anyssa shouted removing a scroll form her corset. “Listen to me words. For this is the law on this ship, and all of ye will follow it.” Anyssa cleared her throat and unrolled the scroll.

“If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death. And please note that this goes both ways.” Anyssa smiled and glanced at Laine and Alvidia.

“To desert the ship or their quarters in battle, to be punished with death or marooning. No striking one another on board, but every man's quarrels to be ended on shore, at sword and pistol. (The quarter-master of the ship, when the parties will not come to any reconciliation, accompanies them on shore with what assistance he thinks proper, and turns the disputant back to back, at so many paces distance; at the word of command, they turn and fire immediately, (or else the piece is knocked out of their hands). If both miss, they come to their cutlasses, and then he is declared the victor who draws the first blood.) The Captain and First Mate are to have three full Shares; the Quartermaster is to have one Share and one Half; The Doctor, Gunner and Boatswain, one Share and one Quarter. That no man shall open, or declare to any person or persons, who they are, or what designs they are upon; and any persons so offending shall be punished with immediate death.” Anyssa paused for a moment to take a breath before continuing.

“That no man shall give, or dispose of, the ship's provisions; but every one shall have an equal share. He that shall have the Misfortune to lose a Limb in time of Engagement, shall have the Sum of Six hundred pieces of Eight, and remain aboard as long as he shall think fit. If any Man shall steal any Thing in the Company, or game, to the Value of a Piece of Eight, he shall be marooned or shot. If any Man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, he shall be marooned with one Bottle of Powder, one Bottle of Water, one small Arm, and Shot. And finally, the Mistress speaks the Word of the Captain, and that Word is law. Anyssa rolled the scroll back up and glared at the prisoners.

“So you dogs,” Anyssa giggled. “Who wants to join the crew.”

Sophia turned her head slightly to follow the captain's gesture. A trickle of sweat tickled her temple. This was the chance Anyssa had spoken of last night, she knew it. Even before the first mate was finished reading the rules, he decision was made. Her eyes moved to catch Bree's gaze.

"Captain," she said in a voice that was surprisingly strong, "I would like to join your crew."

She felt the eyes of the others, pirate and prisoner alike, burning into her, but Sophie ignored them. "If you will have me, of course."

Bree's eyes blazed and her grin widened to a maddened fury as she stormed up to Sophia, grabbing the girl by the arm and dragged her before the rest of the prisoners, in plain view of the crew.

" Ye think ye got ta stomach? Ta spine? Ta legs, ta arms? Ye look a sorry sack o' meat. Already made tender too." Bree dragged a finger down the horrific gashes on Sophia's back. " Bein' a pirate means pain, ta likes of which will make this seem like a passing dream. Ye want this, girl?" Her eyes were hard and cold on Sophia's. " I'll drag ye to Hell and make ye sit your sweet ass in the Devil's own hearth, and if ye swear to me, ye'll do it. Ye want this?"

Sophie fought back a wince, but continued to look Bree directly in the eye. "I don't deny that I will need some training, but I am a quick learner. I can do it. And if I can't, you can kill me and we'll be no worse off than we are now."

Bree grinned and shoved Sophia to Anyssa.

" Good answer, girl." she lifted her eyes to Anyssa. " Put ta mark on her and don't be so rough. If my newest crew dies it'll be hell to pay." she then spun on the rest of the prisoners. " Who else? Any of ye got half the spine that girl has?"

(co-op with nazguljcg and Anne Bonny)

[John]

Anyssa smiled as she watched Sophia step up to take her place on the crew. She felt extremely happy by this, a happiness which momentarily faded as Bree pointed out the lash marks on Sophia’s back. Marks which had been caused by Anyssa’s hand. She still hated herself for what she had done to Sophia, but now that she was part of the crew, Anyssa had no doubts that she would be able to make amends for it. Once Bree had given her orders, Anyssa motioned for Sophia to come to her side.

“Don’t worry,” Anyssa kept her voice low so that only Sophia could hear. “When you get your mark, It won’t be near as bad as it was for Alex. I promise you.”

Sophie eyed the first mate. "Going easy on me now?" she whispered with a wink.

“I will,” Anyssa purred quietly. “I just hope you can trust me after what I have done to you.”

"I trust you more than anyone else on this ship," Sophie replied. "You didn't have to tell me those things last night."

Anyssa felt tears start to well up in her eyes and immediately moved away form Sophia, glaring at the prisoners. She walked down the line, stopping in front of Rorin.

“And what say ye musician,” Anyssa eyed him grinning. “Will ye serve.”

“I do not believe that you will release us as you say you will,” Rorin replied almost defiantly.

“Do not impugn the honour of the Captain,” Anyssa sneered. “She is a woman of her word, as am I. If ye do not wish to join, ye will be released.”

“Then,” Rorin looked up at Anyssa. “I must decline. You are all nothing more than a bunch of murderers who thrive on the fear and pain of others. I will have no part of it.”

“Very well,” Anyssa smiled. “Eve, release this pestilent cur.” Anyssa shouted the words and Eve, along with two crewmen, grabbed hold of Rorin and started to drag him towards the side of the ship.

“You are all liars,” Rorin shouted. “You said you would release me.”

“Indeed I did,” Anyssa giggled. “I just didn’t mention how or when.” Anyssa watched smiling as Eve drew her dagger and cut into Rorin’s arm. Blood flowed freely form the wound and the crewmen threw the musician over board. Moving quickly, Anyssa grabbed Sophia by the hand.

“I’m sorry to do this,” Anyssa whispered. “But you have to watch.”

She didn't want to watch whatever was going to happen next. Sophie wanted to shrink back below deck, into the brig and hide. But instead she clenched her teeth together, gave the first mate a curt nod, and allowed herself to be led to the side of the ship.

Anyssa walked up to the railing, as well as several other crewmembers and peered over to look at Rorin, floating in the water and shouting curses at the pirates. After a minute, the curses stopped and Rorin looked down, a freighted look on his face. A smile appeared on Anyssa’s face. It was a smile of evil mixed with what looked like ecstasy, and she leaned over the railing a little more.

“Watch,” Anyssa purred the words and her tone was that of a woman locked in the throes of passion.

“Without warning, the shark appeared, it’s jaws closing over Rorin’s arm. Rorin screamed as the shark bit down and his arm was ripped off. Blood streamed form the wound and the water turned red. Drawn by the scent of the blood in the water, a second shark appeared, and locked it’s maw onto Rorin’s shoulder. Rorin screamed as the shark whipped him around before throwing him into the side of the ship. Rorin was still screaming and his words floated up to Anyssa’s ears.

“Please,” Rorin Cried. “Have mercy!!!” Rorin clawed at the side of the ship with his remaining hand in an effort to get out of the water.

“Sorry love,” Anyssa shouted back. “I be all out of mercy!” Anyssa laughed manically as the two sharks grabbed onto either side of Rorin. They bit into him and he screamed as blood spurted from his mouth. The sharks continued to bite down and the screams changed to a gurgling noise as Rorin started to choke on his own blood. Rorin was then ripped in half by the sharks. Blood and organs flew into the once blue ocean and the sharks dragged what was left of the musician down to the depths. Anyssa stopped laughing once the show was over and walked back over to the prisoners, grinning at Bree with a look of ecstasy.

“Alright you lot,” Anyssa shouted, smiling. “Anyone else be wantin to be released?”


(co op with Anne)

[Kirra]

So she had got what she wanted. The captain of the crew was asking for people to join. Jess had her doubts about being released should she say no. But of course, Jess had no intention on saying no. She would have jumped to answer before Bree finished if she didn't think she would get laughed at. Jess decided to wait for the captain to finish.

Jess listened to the pirates as they made their display. Most of if was basic pirate rules of living with each others. Ways to keep the crew civil. Jess smirked at idea of a quartermaster. The one to keep them civil sounded like a fun job. And the shares sounded more than fair. “So you dogs. Who wants to join the crew.”

Jess started to step forward. But a voice stopped her. She looked at Sophie with confusion. Jess had figured the pirates would push overboard anyone foolish enough to say no, so she didn't expect many to do so, but she didn't figure the princess would be the first to step up. And her voice held no hesitation. Jess was truly stunned.

With the minstrel following, Jess was not at all surprised by his answer. He was not cut out for the life. And his rude replies where nothing but a death wish. Jess took no real pleasure in his death. After all he had been kind to her. She noticed his guitar still sitting on the boat. A thought kept going over in her head. She had always loved music and took a few lessons, but nothing substantial.

She had to ask. She took a step forward. "Captain Bree, I have been yours from day one. Long live the Murderess." But she couldn't stop from asking. "I have a small request my captain. May I have the minstrels guitar?"

Bree strode over to Jess and yanked her arm firmly, shoving her away from the prisoners and towards the crew.

" Odd how the fair ladies of the late Flourish speak quicker than her men." She turned to Jess. " If none of ta other crew wants it, I have no quarrel with your keeping it, girl."

Jess smiled brightly at the captain. She had gotten her wish. It made her truly happy. She looked among the rest of the prisoners. Who would be next? It wasn't like anyone would say no. Not after what happened to the minstrel. But who would be brave enough to speak?

"Captain, please let me know when you wish to speak of the item I told your first mate about."

" Bit busy right now, girl. Wait like a good little girl." Bree said before grinning at the prisoners eagerly.

Jess reached over and picked up the owner-less guitar. She held it close and plucked a few strings. Nothing good. That could come with time. She tried to remember the notes the minstrel played. Imagining his fingerings as the notes filled her memories. It may take a while, but she may learn a few songs.

[Merry]

Margaret wiped her eyes in disbelief. It took a minute to register what was happening on the ship. She shook her head in disbelief. They were being offered a choice? Who gave prisoners a choice? Then it became clear, there really wasn’t a choice. There couldn’t be. She listened, horrified as the musician was eaten alive, his screams for mercy ringing in her ears. Clenching her fingers at her side to stop from putting them against her ears to block out the sounds. She knew she didn’t want to end up like that. Who would? Before she could even think too much about it, she took a step forward, raising her right hand she spoke out “I’ll join as crew, if you’ll have me, M’am.” her voice crackling a little, a suddenly unsure if she would even really be given the chance.

Bree spun and charged towards Margaret, her grin as mad as ever. She grabbed the girl by the arm and hauled her away from the prisoners and in plain view of all the crew.

" Ye don't sound too sure of that, girlie. Ye scared?" she purred in Margaret's ear.

Cringing at the captain’s words, and her sudden proximity to Margaret, she wavered a bit. She took a deep breath, gathering her courage before attempting to look her in the eye, not quite able to do it for more than a brief second “Yes, m’am I truly am. You’ve left me little choice. Either join with you, or become shark food. If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather live awhile longer, if you please.”

Bree belted out a loud laugh, marching Margaret to the crew slowly." Very practical little thing, ye are. I'll enjoy havin' ye around." And without any further dramatics, she shoved Margaret to the rest of her new crew, still grinning like a cat.

“Captain? If I may be so bold, could I be allowed to wear pants? The clothing of a man? As does the rest of your crew?” She pulled on the now tattered edge of what was once her best dress for emphasis. Looking down on it in a wistful way, seeing the dirt and the grime from the events of yesterday and last night in the brig she bit her lip.

Maybe this wasn’t all so bad. It suddenly seemed like quite a pleasing turn of events. Having been convinced that she was destined to die this day, and now being offered a chance at freedom of a sort she realized that he situation was at least slightly more positive than she had previously thought it to be.

Bree turned back to Margaret, half surprised the little mouse had spoken again. " Ye may be so bold, girlie. There be some spare clothes about the ship, and ye be welcome to them after ye be marked and sworn." "Thank you m'am" she gave a little curtsy out of habit before she could stop herself.

Bree laughed at the little gesture. " Best stop that now, girlie. Ye be a pirate. If ye must, at least bow. Curtsies are for silly fops wearing frilly skirts, and those numbers ye be leaving."

“Yes, m’am, I shall do my best. I’ve not known any other life than that which I was brought into. I shall try to remember and not do it again.” blushing a little at the laughter of the captain in her direction, attempting to bow, casting her eyes downward in hopes of hiding her reddened cheeks.

" Ha!' Bree bellowed, pointing at Margaret as she looked at the rest of her crew. " That's called humility, ye ugly lot, best learn it from a master!" She then marched over and grabbed Margaret's arm, forcing her to stand up straight. " I ain't your father or your master, girlie, I'm just your captain. Show me respect and I'll give you the same. But ye be equal standing here so keep your head up. Ye be nobody's servant on my ship."

“Yes m’am” she brought her gaze up, looking into Bree’s blue eyes, really looking at her for the first time without fear. A little surprised at the resolve she could see in the other woman’s face, in her stance. she means it, she really believes in what she is saying “Thank you, m’a….Captain. Thank you” a small smile forming on her lips, and she did not bow but instead threw her shoulders back a little, standing up straight and feeling suddenly very fortunate to have been captured by pirates.

(co-op w/ gypsy & merry)

[Cookies Ahoy]

Mia's knees ached against the wooden floor of The Murderess. For a moment she, and most likely the other prisoners, thought they were going to meet their end in a few moments. Mia felt tears begin to well up, she was disappointed with the life she had led. It felt so incomplete, and she wasn't ready for it to end. Fortunately, the captain, Bree gave the captives a choice in their future. Join, or leave. Mia immediately thought leave. She had no desire to be a pirate, all the stories and tales she had been told since she was young. She had also heard her fair share of pirate horror stories while she was living in England.

Mia's dream of leaving was crushed quickly. One of the prisoners, Sophia, was the first to join. The next person was Rorin, the musician, he said the answer Mia had barely been holding back. What happened next was appalling. Eve and two crewmen grabbed Rorin and cut his arm, he was then quickly thrown overboard and eaten by the creatures of the sea. Mia had a look of horror on her face, she had never seen such cruelty. It only confirmed the stories she had heard about pirates. It also made Mia really think about her options. Death, or serve pirates.

This isn't a choice, its a way for these filthy rats to force us into slavery, Mia thought to herself, Maybe, just maybe there is a way out of this. This ship can't stay at sea forever. I'll join, swear loyalty, and when the ship lands out the first port make a break for it. I've runaway from two other lives, this one shouldn't be any harder.

Mia got to her feet, ran a hand through her short hair, and reluctantly stated, "I'll accept your offer and with pleasure, take part in this crew."

Bree was quick to spin on Mia, grabbing her forcefully as she had the other prisoners who spoke up.

" By the sea, the Flourish had an abundance of outspoken women." she paused to sneer at Laine. " Funny how they tend to speak before their men." She turned her attention back to Mia. " And why should I have ye, eh? What good can ye do for me crew?"

Mia opened her mouth and paused, this wasn't going to be easy, she had to prove her worth somehow. She looked around at the other crew members, most looked weathered and tough. Mia doubted she would be much use on the deck. She looked up at the sails. That could be her saving grace.

"I... I know how to sew, I can fix your damaged sails. I wouldn't have much trouble climbing the ropes to get to the sails either, and I'm sure I could learn the required knots," Mia said, fumbling with every few words.

" Heh, every sailor worth his salt can sew. But we'll find a use for ye, girlie." Bree shoved Mia towards the crew. " Hope ye can take the mark! Hurts like hell!" she said with a laugh

"Mark?" Mia asked quietly, shaken from being tossed into the crew.


(Coop with Gypsy)

[Anne Bonny]

(co with Naaaaz!)

Sophia bit her lower lip in anticipation as one prisoner came forward after the next. After the display the pirates had made of the musician, it was no wonder that none chose to follow his lead of protest. Even sweet Margaret joined the crew, which made Sophie breathe a sigh of relief.

Anticipation was building inside of her, however, and it wasn't long before the girl was looking toward Anyssa again.

"I don't mean to get ahead of myself, but I'm not one for waiting around. When do we get this mark over with?"

“You need to learn patience,” Anyssa smiled and walked close to Bree, She whispered something in the Captain’s ear and Bree nodded her head. Walking back over to Sophia, Anyssa spoke softly. “You have a choice, Mister Mercer can do it, and I assure you he will be far more gentle with you than he was with Alex. Or I can do it for you. The choice is yours.”

As a reflex, Sophie's eyes moved to the burly man that had beat the tattoo into their cabin boy's neck. "You think I'd let that man touch me?" she whispered back. "Of course I pick you!"

“Come with me,” Anyysa turned and led Sophia into the cabin she shared with Bree. Once inside she closed the door. “Before we begin,” Anyssa smiled. “There are some clothes in a trunk behind the screen over there. Help yourself to anything you find suitable. When you are done, have a seat on the stool over there.” Anyssa pointed at a stool which stood next to a small table with a hookah pipe on it, and then made her way to a dresser and started to remove some needles and paints from one of the drawers.

Thank goodness! Sophie thought as she practically darted towards the trunk. Her dress, fine as it was, was not only completely impractical, but also barely hanging on her body after being ripped to shreds by Anyssa's whip the night before. But after rummaging through the clothing, she felt a bit disheartened.

"I can't wear any of these!" she moaned, holding up a skirt to her waist and turning toward Anyssa. "It's either pants, or a skirt that shows my ankles! It's a bit inappropriate to wear these in front of the men on the crew, isn't it?"

“Are you a lady?” Anyssa sneered. “Or a pirate? Why do you care what the men think?”

Sophia turned red, but snapped her mouth shut and turned back to the trunk. She selected a white blouse and black skirt, and a pair of high rising stocking to cover the parts of her legs that remained exposed. She added the final touch, a red scarf around her waist to keep the loose-fitting skirt in place, while moving over to the seat as instructed.

“You look fine,” Anyssa smiled as Sophia sat on the stool. “And remember, if any of the men on board give you a hard time, they will have me to answer to.” Anyssa walked over to the table and placed the needles and paints on it. Reaching into her corset, she removed a small metal box and opened it. Taking out a brown substance she placed it in the hookah and took out a box of matches from in behind the device. Taking one of the matches, she lit it and then held the flame to the bowl while drawing deeply on one of the hoses. When she exhaled she trembled noticeably as the euphoria hit her. Smiling at Sophia, Anyssa offered her the hose without a word.

"What is it?" Sophie asked as she took the hose, eying it suspiciously. After slight hesitation, she mimiced the pirate's motion and breathed in from the pipe. A feeling slowly crept over her, warm and relaxing, something like taking a hot bath. "Ohhh," she said slowly, feeling her cheeks grow hot again.

“It’s opium dear,” Anyssa placed a hand on Sophia’s shoulder. “A little vice of mine I must confess. But it calms me, and it will kill any pain you might feel from the needles.” Anyssa grabbed a chair and slid it over. Almost falling into it, she smiled at Sophia. “How do you feel?” Anyssa purred as she grabbed for another of the hoses and took a long draw on it.

"Ummm... I feel..." Though she searched her mind for the right words, they all seemed to have left her. Finally, Sophie simply shrugged her shoulders and offered Anyssa something of a silly grin. "Well, I feel good, anyway."

Anyssa coughed as she started to laugh, the drug now taking it’s full effect on her. Once she was able to regain control of herself, she stood up, and then fell right back into the chair and started to laugh again.

“I take it this is you first time,” Anyssa giggled as she spoke. “Do some more if you like."

"Well of course it's my first time! This isn't exactly the sort of thing that..." Sophie reached for the hose and took another draw, this one longer than the first. After a short cough, she continued. "I mean, if my father knew..."

She bit her lip with the sudden realization that she didn't really care what her father thought at the moment. Whether it was her decision to join the pirate crew or the effects of the opium, Sophie suddenly felt completely free of her earlier worries and obligations.

"Well let's get on with it!" she cried, a bit too enthusiastically before erupting into a fit of giggles.

Anyssa placed the hose on the table and sat up a little straighter in the chair. She stared at Sophia, smiling.

"Give me a moment," Anyssa purred and her voice had a tone of ecstasy to it. "You know Sophie. We will be going to Port Royal soon enough. If you wanted to see your family, it could be arranged"

"Mmmm, no," Sophie returned. "They would catch me again, you know? They would trap me. No, no, no."

With each "no" the girl shook her head vigorously. But dizziness quickly overtook her and she had to suddenly stop and grip her stool to remain on it. Wide eyes glanced up at Anyssa as if making sure she was safe before Sophie began giggling again.

"Anyway, you know how family is. They can be very persuasive. I'd rather not see them," Sophia said with a wave of her hand.

“You need to understand,” the smile faded from Anyssa’s face and she took Sophia’s hand in hers. “We can’t go to Port Royal very often. We are a commissioned privateer for the French. This maybe your last chance to say good bye. To…see them again” Anyssa sounded a little choked as she spoke the words and squeezed Sophia’s hand lightly.

Sophie held the other girl's gaze for several seconds, turning her words over in her head. "I don't understand you," she finally said. "Last night you said that this was my best chance for freedom, and today you say that I should take the opportunity to go back to them."

She glanced down at her hand in Anyssa's. A part of her wanted to pull it away. "I understand what you want from me," she finished.

“I just… I…” Anyssa shook her head for a moment and stared into Sophie’s eyes with an inquisitive look on her face. “Wait. What do you mean? What do I want?”

"Nothing!" Sophie snapped, pulling her hand away and averting her gaze. Maybe she needed another draw at the hookah. She was beginning to feel nervous. "I just think you're contradicting what you said last night, that's all."

"Wait a second," The smile returned to Anyssa's face. "Did you think I was trying to bed you?” Anyssa stared at Sophie for a moment and then sighed. “I won’t deny that you are incredibly attractive, but I love the captain. And she is the only person on the planet who has the privilege of being allowed to touch me. And dear,” Anyssa gave a coy smile. “Believe me when I say, it is a privilege. But you know, if you do like women, I’m sure the Captain might oblige you. At least then I could watch.” Anyssa giggled a little and then reached for Sophie’s hand. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to anymore. Okay? And,” the smile faded again. “I never got to say goodbye to my parents. For that matter I don’t even know if they are alive. Sometimes I would give anything to see them again. It is the one regret I have in life. I just wanted you to have the chance I never got.” Anyssa looked down at the floor and slumped a little in the chair.

Sophie pushed a hand through her hair. "Well, I'll think about it. About my parents I mean," she added quickly. Her eyes turned back toward Anyssa. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply..."

She cleared her throat. "Well maybe you'll get the chance to go looking for your family sometime. You've got the means to travel, and I'm sure a pirate can dig up the resources."

“It’s been seventeen years since I’ve seen them,” Anyssa looked back up at Sophie. “If I haven’t found them by now, I think it’s safe to say I never will. But please do think about it. This will most likely be the only chance you get to do this.” Anyssa looked at Sophie with curiosity in her eyes. “Were they really that bad?”

"No," Sophie said slowly. "Just... stubborn. Set in their ways. Things in our family are traditional, the way they have been for years and years. And I fear I was a great disappointment when I didn't decide to marry any of the men they saw fit for me. They were bringing me to the New World as a punishment, I fear. I wasn't living my life the way they had wanted, so they were bringing in so they could take back control."

She sighed. "They were never cruel, just unreasonable. I never fit perfectly into the mold they wanted. I was always too outspoken, too stubborn."

A smile curled at the side of her mouth. "So we'll see if the life of a pirate suits me better."

“I think it will suit you fine,” Anyssa smiled and got up from the chair. Picking up one of the jars of paint and a needle, she moved in behind Sophia and pushed the hair away from her neck. “Now tilt your head forward, and try not to move.”

[John]

(co op with Anne and Gypsy)

Anyssa dipped the needle into the paint and began to draw the outline of a rose on Sophia’s neck. The act of doing this, coupled with the effects of the opium, gave her great pleasure. It was something she enjoyed, and it combined her two favourite things about Singapore. She could still remember the first time she was shown how to do a tattoo. She had seen them given before, but it was done by people who truly should not have been doing it. They didn’t appreciate the subtle art in applying ink to skin. But in Singapore, they took their time. It wasn’t about getting it over with, it was about patience and enjoying every moment of the shared experience. In a lot of ways for Anyssa, applying a tattoo was a lot like sex.

“So dear,” Anyssa purred at Sophie and her voice sounded dreamy. “Ever used a sword before?”

"No," Sophie replied. Her head was hanging low to give Anyssa as much of her neck as possible. Blue eyes had been squeezed shut, but not from the pain of the needle as one might expect. The opium now running it's course through her system was putting her completely at ease. Besides a little prick here and there, Sophie felt as if she could have fallen asleep right there on the stool.

"I've never used a sword, but I am not a bad shot with a gun." She paused before continuing. "Although that is something I'll have to learn, I think."

“I would recommend it,” Anyssa giggled as she continued to work on the tattoo. “A gun is fine and all, but after you take our shot, you still will need to fight. If you like, I could teach you. Though I will admit, that Bree is far better than me. If you can get her to like you, she may be willing to teach you what she knows. You do understand that you are going to have to fight?”

"Well yes, I had figured... What do you mean if I can get her to like me?" Sophie repeated, her eyes snapping open. "What does she have against me?"

“Nothing that I am aware of,” Anyssa finished with the outline of the rose and picked up a cloth from the table and dabbed away the blood. “But do you think she trusts you yet?”

"Probably not," the girl replied with a deep sigh. "But she's the captain. I should try to get in her good graces, I think. Any ideas?"

“Well for starters,” Anyssa picked up a fresh needle and another jar of paint and started to colour in the rose. “Staying on my good side tends to help. My word goes a very long way with Bree. But I think you did surprise her, as you did me. I didn’t think you would be the first to accept our offer. But I must confess, I’m glad you did.”

Sophia allowed herself a smile. "I am too. You will be even more surprised though when I'm the best pirate you've got on this ship."

Anyssa pulled the needle away form Sophie’s neck to keep from jabbing it in as she started to laugh.

“A bold statement,” Anyssa chuckled in her Cockney accent. “Coming from someone I’m sure has never e’en killed a man before.”

Even Sophie giggled at that. She turned in her stool to look Anyssa in the eye. "Well maybe that will change once I learn how to use a blade, hm?"

“Oh I am sure it will,” Anyssa smiled, purring at Sophia. “But I wonder if you will enjoy it. Watching the light fade from a man’s eyes. Watching the blood flow from his body.” Anyssa closed her eyes and had a look of ecstasy on her face. She thought about the feeling it gave her to kill a man. To her it was nothing short of heaven. Opening her eyes, she tilted her head sideways and stared at Sophia. “You saw what happened to the musician. Did you enjoy that?

"No, I didn't," Sophie said, making a face. At the very mention of the musician she was certain she could still hear him screaming for mercy, she could see the look of pure terror on his ashen face as the sharks began to circle...

Suddenly she snapped her fingers. "That's why it bothered me though! It was because he was helpless! He was unarmed, and couldn't have defended himself if he had been. I felt pity for him because he had no chance."

“And I wonder,” Anyssa pushed Sophia’s head back into position and continued colouring in the rose. “If you will feel pity for someone who dies by your hand. Someone who is maybe unarmed. Someone who is bleeding to death, moaning in pain and suffering to the end. Someone you could save if you wanted. Will you still feel that pity?”

Sophie considered the question and tried to picture herself in such a situation. But whether it was the opium clouding her mind or the fact that Anyssa was right about her never being in that particular predicament, Sophia just couldn't imagine it. "I don't know," she finally admitted. "Maybe the way to find out would be to try it."

“Oh don’t worry,” Anyssa purred as she continued to work away. She was almost finished with the colour and all that remained after that was to put the “B” and she would be done. “You will get that chance soon enough I think. You will get your first taste of battle and then we will see what you’re really made of shan’t we?”

"I hope so," Sophia said. I'm curious too, she finished to herself. There was a pause in the conversation as she shifted in her chair.

"So what about the other new crew members? Do you think they will do alright?"

“One can only hope that they will rise to the occasion,” Anyssa had finished with the rose and used the towel to dab away the blood. Picking up another needle and the third jar of paint, she started to work on the “B.”

“Though I do confess, I haven’t had time to really talk to any of them yet,” Anyssa paused for a moment to exhale. “And the one I have spoken with, I’m not yet sure what to make of yet. But that other one, Margaret was it? You had a chance to speak to her. What do you think of her?”

The smile returned to Sophie's lips. "I like her. She's got a sharp wit and those eyes of hers see everything, I think. And she's strong too. I think she will do just fine."

Anyssa smiled as she worked on the letter. Sophia seemed to be full of confidence and this made Anyssa feel at ease. Confidence would be needed for Sophia to survive. But it still had Anyssa wondering about one thing.

“Sophia,” Anyssa leaned in and whispered in Sophia’s ear. “Are you scared of what's to come?”

Her smile vanished, and Sophie sat for several seconds, pondering her answer. Answer truthfully and risk looking like a foolish little girl again? Or lie and risk Anyssa losing some of the little trust Sophie felt she had. Finally she spoke, choosing her words carefully. "Yes, I am," she said slowly. "But I am not as afraid as I was last night, and even then I was less afraid that when you first boarded our ship."

“Good,” Anyssa smiled and returned to working on the tattoo. “Had you told me you weren’t afraid, I would have thought you a fool. You should be scared. Soon you will get your first taste of battle and it is possible that none of us will survive. But it is a risk you will have to take. And when it happens, I want you to stay close to me. Do you understand?”

"Yes," Sophie replied with some relief. "When do you think I'll get the chance to learn how to use a sword?"

"I am hoping," Anyssa's voice took on a serious tone. "That you will be able to get some time with one today. Speaking of which. Have you thought of anything you might be suited for aboard ship? We will have to find something for you to do while you’re here. Of course you could always scrub the deck.” Anyssa giggled.

"Oh no!" Sophie cried dramatically. "Anything but that!" She laughed along with Anyssa.

"Actually, I haven't given it any thought. I'll need to learn anything that I do. I think anything out in the fresh air would be nice though. I would hate to be cooped up inside the ship doing something. Not that I would complain if that's what you needed from me, though," she added hastily.

“I’m sure we will find you something,” Anyssa put the finishing touches on the tattoo and then wiped away the blood. “It’s finished. There is a hand mirror on the dressing table over there. Go have a look and see what you think.”

With a rush of excitement, Sophie scrambled to the dressing table. She tilted the hand mirror until it's reflection angled with the one on the dressing table, giving her a good view of her "artwork." The skin was still pink around the rose, but otherwise it was quite impressive.

"It looks much better than Alex's" she said with a giggle. After one final glance, Sophia carefully put down the mirror and turned back to Anyssa. "Thank you for doing it, and for sparing me the pain with that," she said, waving at the hookah. "And the conversation was a welcome change too. Thank you."

“It was my pleasure,” Anyssa smiled. “Now come. I need to speak to the Captain. And remember to address me as Mistress in front of the other crew.” Anyssa led Sophia to the door and exited onto the deck of the ship. She inhaled deeply as the sea air washed over her and drifted, still feeling the effects of the opium, over to Bree.

“Captain,” Anyssa kept her voice low. “A word if I may.”

Bree was giving Laine a very stern stare when Anyssa approached, distracting her totally. She grinned at her first mate, skin glistening from her time in the sun.

" Yes, 'Nessie?"

“As we are headed for Port Royal,” Anyssa leaned in to whisper to Bree. “And we have all these new crewmen. Might I suggest we adjust our heading. Perhaps see if we can’t find a test for the new crew. Not to mention that we can’t exactly make port in an English town where both you and I have a high price on our heads.”

" Damn English." Bree grumbled, lifting her head to inspect the horizon. She took a deep breath and hardened her gaze, taking in the wind and water. " Adjust our heading due north a bit. Not much. Just a bit."

Anyssa grinned at Bree and licked her lips. She knew exactly what the Captain was thinking. Given where they currently were, adjusting their heading would take them right into one of the English shipping lanes.

“Helmsman,” Anyssa shouted. “Adjust heading twenty degrees north.”

“Aye Mistress,” the helmsman responded and followed the order. Anyssa moved in a little closer and brought up her hand to hide Bree’s ear from the rest of the crew and whispered in her ear.

“And what of the Scot my love?” Anyssa’s tongue flicked against Bree’s earlobe. Anyssa wanted to do much more than that. If it were up to here she would have Bree right there on the deck. But due to the fact it wasn’t only her attraction to the Captain, but the high from the opium as well. Not to mention the fact that Bree tried to discourage her from showing displays of affection in front of the crew, Anyssa refrained from giving in to her desires.

[The Gypsy Queen]

Bree rolled her head back and grinned eerily at Laine. He was the only one who hadn't spoken, and if he'd been anyone else, she would have lowered him inch by inch to the sharks herself, just to see how long he'd survive as they ate him from his feet up. But he was an experienced sailor, and those were always in short supply.

No, she couldn't kill him yet, as badly as she wanted to. But she also couldn't show any weakness. No one was irreplaceable and she wanted to be sure the crew remembered that. Very clearly. Her grin remained fixed on her face, betraying none of her thoughts.

" Alright, ye sorry dogs!" she shouted suddenly, standing straight up and wheeling on her crew. " I want all me new girlies, front and center!" she commanded, her grin widening as they scurried to obey. " Now, my little pets, here are your first orders. Let's see how well you obey." she said, grinning. " Take the old dog-" she pointed to Laine. " And throw him in the brig. No need ta be gentle." she added happily. " Eve! Alvidia!" she called two of her more senior crew over. " Ye two watch 'em close, ye hear? See that it's done right."

And with that, she turned and strode off for her cabin. It was early and there was still time for a nap.

[Stream]

Back and forth, back and forth…

Alex snorted a bit, turning onto his side.

Back and forth, swinging back and forth…

He rolled back the opposite way onto his stomach, drool pouring out of his mouth.

Swinging back and for-

With a yelp he twisted in midair, seemingly caught on a net, before landing onto his back, staring back up at a swinging hammock. Apparently he had been moved into his slumber to the crew's quarters. Several other people around him snored in their slumber, rocking back and forth. He lifted his hand, the wet slobber running down his palm and onto his sleeve.

"Fucking rum…" he grunted, slowly rising, his vision blurred and his head spinning. A sour feeling burnt at his insides, the pressure taking a toll on his stomach. His insides growled and trembled a bit, causing him to clench his abdomen in pain.

"Porthole or deck, porthole or deck!" he debated to himself, looking back and forth between the sunlight trailing down the nearby ladder, and the sunlight pouring into the porthole between two sleeping crew members.

"Fuck it!" he yelled, rushing for the ladder. As he gripped the ladder, his stomach let out, the vomit seemingly unending, dripping down the ladder and splattering a bit on the walls and floor. Several of the other crewmembers awoke, chuckling a bit.

"Keep this one away from the rum, aye?" a man said to a chorus of laughter.

Alex sighed and climbed up the vomit covered ladder, onto deck. He really couldn't smell much worse right now.

He crawled onto deck, still on his hands and knees, towards Bree. She seemed to be addressing the new crew members, spouting out more bastardized English and pointing to Laine.

He scrambled to his feet in front of her, saluting lazily.

"M'am."

[Anne Bonny]

***Massive collab between Merry, Mysti, Me, Naz, Cookies, and Yoru. And even thought I wrote the least, I'm posting it!***

Margaret was feeling quite pleased with herself at the moment. She had hardly flinched at all when she was “branded”. Having watched the other crew members start the branding process with some of the newest additions of the crew she wasn’t sure what to expect. When she had heard the captain talk about putting the mark on them, she envisioned all sorts of horrible things. It turns out it was just a small tattoo of sorts.

It stung of course, but she had just grit her teeth and turned her head. Only a small yelp at the initial start of the process was all that she allowed herself. Having stuck herself countless times in sewing classes with her mother and her mothers gaggle of friends in the finger tips was much worse than this.

Gently rubbing her fingertips together in remembrance of those countless hours listening to those society ladies gossip on and on about this one and that and then look disapproving of her as she stuck her finger yet again. Her mothers disapproving voice telling her that she was going to get blood all over the new doily’s. It brought a small grin to her face, guess she really wouldn’t have to worry about that now, would she. Gingerly touching her neck on the spot, it was sore, but it would fade. Looking toward the first mate for direction with regards to their next task of moving the one tied? to the mast, the one the captain had wanted put into the brig she stepped forward “What would you have us do with him Mistress”

Anyssa looked over her shoulder to how far away Bree was. Leaning in, she whispered to Margaret.

“Take him to the brig as the Captain ordered. But make him bleed.” Anyssa purred the words and tried to think of how she was going to talk Bree into letting her kill Laine. She still wanted him dead for the attack on her love. And she meant to do it in the most brutal way she could think of.

Sophia, still standing at Anyssa's side, glanced up at the first mate. She pitied Laine, who stood just as strong in his resolve as she herself had, refusing to join a side that he felt was wrong. But she had made her choice as well, so she didn't speak out against Laine's treatment.

Alvidia shook her head as Margaret stepped up and asked the question of the first mate. Sooner or later the new recruits would learn to get a feel for what was expected of them without having to question it. Alvidia stepped up beside Margaret with a grin on her face "Ye like that new tattoo do ye dearie?" Alvidia leaned in with a sympathetic voice "It'll stop hurting soon, the pain fades quickly." Stepping back away she continued in her sea voice. "Ye 'eard the mistress, get that Scotsman moved ta the brig and be quick 'bout it."

Eve glanced over at Anyssa, sensing the blood lust. Walking over to Margaret and Alvidia, Eve wiped the remaining blood left by the now deceased Rorin onto a rag. Her blue eyes indifferent and serious.

"So, we 'ave a bunch of lassies joinin'?" Eve said looking at Alvidia. Eve watched as Laine was getting pushed to the Brig by the new recruits.

"Aye Eve, it seems we do now. Lets see how they handles themselves with their first task."

Mia stood rubbing her mark, the pain wasn't bad, but it was constant. As Bree ordered her and the others to toss Laine into the brig, Mia looked around at the others. She let out a light sigh. The captain was cruel, getting her new crew to turn on one of their own. Eventually Mia peeled herself away from where she stood.

Mia tried to pull Laine up while saying quietly, "I think this will be easier for us all if you just go quietly."

"Hey, poppet!" Eve yelled from behind Mia. "Who 'ere said ye can talk wit da Scott? Keep yer mouth shut 'fore I shut it meself."

Eve wasn't in the mood. She had just killed a man, and it usually depressed her spirits.

[John]

Anyssa walked over to where Bree and Alex were standing. She chuckled quietly as she noticed how pale Alex was. She could tell he had a hangover and actually found it quite amusing. Still, he needed to be in better shape than he was if he was going to attend to his duties.

“Lad,” Anyssa smiled at Alex. “Go get yourself cleaned up and get some food in ye. Once you have finished with that, help out with the rigging and sails.” Anyssa paused for a moment and looked at Bree. “If that be okay with you Captain.”

Bree glanced at Alex and shrugged. " Fine by me."

“Get to it then lad,” Anyssa purred at him and turned to Bree. “A word alone if I may Captain.” it was easy to see that Anyssa was still feeling the effects of the opium. Lust was in her eyes and she stared at Bree, licking her lips slightly.

Bree cocked an eyebrow. " Alone?" she asked, weighing her options.

“Yes alone,” Anyssa leaned in to whisper in Bree’s ear. “Unless you would like someone to join us. But I wish to discuss the Scot as well.”

" Lead on," Bree answered with a shrug.

Anyssa and Bree entered the cabin, closing and locking the door behind them. The moment the door was closed, Anyssa pushed Bree into the wall and pressed her lips against those of her lover. Anyssa’s tongue probed into Bree’s mouth as she wrapped her arms around the Captain and ran her hands up the back of Bree’s shirt, caressing her soft skin. Anyssa continued to kiss her lover, biting playfully at Bree’s lips before moving to nibble on her earlobe.

“As grateful as I am that you allowed me to indulge today,” Anyssa purred the words into Bree’s ear, flicking her tongue playfully against her skin. “I may have a hard time concentrating on my duties.” Anyssa pressed her body hard against Bree.

Bree kissed back, relaxing. " Too bad..."

“It is,” Anyssa started to undo Bree’s pants. “Whatever shall I do to occupy my time?” Anyssa made a pouty face before she smiled and started to kiss Bree again.

Bree arched her back, undoing the laces on Anyssa's corset.

" Oh I'm sure you can think of something..."

Anyssa moaned slightly as her corset came loose and she continued to kiss her lover. Anyssa began to kiss Bree’s neck as she unbuttoned the Captain’s shirt. Slowly, Anyssa kissed her way down Bree’s body, her tongue flicking out occasionally against her soft skin. Falling to her knees in front of Bree, Anyssa pulled at the her lover’s pants, letting them fall to the floor around her ankles. Anyssa’s heart was racing as she kissed Bree’s thighs, anticipating the passion to come.

Bree rolled her head back, hooking a knee over Anyssa's shoulder and biting her lip. The last thing she needed was half the crew at her door, listening for moans.


-xXx-

Anyssa and Bree lay in the bed, holding each other close. Anyssa glanced around at the mess that was once their cabin. Chairs were knocked over and their clothes were strewn about. But it didn’t change the fact that Anyssa was smiling more than contentedly at her lover, and kissed her gently.
“I love you Bree,” Anyssa kissed her gently before staring into Bree’s deep blue eyes. Anyssa wanted to go to sleep now. The opium had run it’s course, but there was still the matter of the Scot to attend to. “May I ask for something love?” Anyssa’s voice came as little more than a whisper as her body continued to tremble and quiver against Bree.

" Mmm." was Bree's half asleep answer.

“May I have the Scot?” Anyssa whispered as the smile on her face became malevolent.

" Mmhmm..." Bree hummed, half aware.

Anyssa stared at Bree curiously. This was almost too easy, but Anyssa thought she better make sure Bree knew exactly what she intended to do with him.

“Love,” Anyssa spoke with a sadistic look on her face. “I mean to tear him apart.”

" Mmm, yeah, that's fine, 'Nessie. Whatever you want." Bree mumbled, arching her back and settling down as she always did when she was falling asleep.

Anyssa kissed Bree one more time before rising form the bed. She had to catch herself on the bedpost as her knees buckled. Steadying herself, she started to pick up her clothes. It took her only a couple of minutes to get dressed and she looked in the dressing table mirror. She thought she ought to take a bath. She could still taste Bree on her lips and had no doubts that she smelled of sex. Her hair was also a frightful mess, but right now, she didn’t care. Walking to the door, she grabbed the green baize bag which contained her whip and exited onto the deck. Anyssa squinted as the sun greeted her eyes. Looking around at the deckhands working, she stepped forward.

“Alvidia,” Anyssa shouted. “Front and center.”

Alvidia stopped inspecting the ropes and made her way across the deck to the first mate. "Yes ma'am what kin I do fer ye?"

“Bring the Scot on deck,” Anyssa yawned. “Strip him and tie him to the capstan.”

"Aye Ma'am, yer wish be my command" Alvida replied before making her way past the first mate and down to the brig where she found the Scott sitting on the floor.

"Ta yer feet Scott, the first mate be needin' ye up on deck." The Scotsman moved far too slowly for Alvidias likings. He had fought and raged against his capture. He'd either change his tune soon or he'd be likely to follow the minstrel shortly. "I told ye, do as they say or never have freedom again." Alvidia said as she brought Laine across the deck, stripping him of his clothing before securing him to the capstan. Turning back to Anyssa she simply stated the obvious

"There ye be Ma'am, jest as ye ordered." Alvidia took a few steps back and waited. Seeing that she was no longer needed, Alvidia went back to inspecting the ropes. She didn't really need to see what happened next. The Scot would conform, or he wouldn't. Either way, the choice was his and his alone to make.

Anyssa thanked Alvidia as she went back to her duties and scanned the deck for Sophia as some of the other crew started to gather around. Once she had located Sophia, she moved over to her and whispered.

“I want you to go to the cargo hold,” Anyssa’s tone was serious. “There is a large crate with a red letter “S” on it. Inside you will find a nice collection of swords. Find one that suits you and bring some for the other new crew members as well. And do it now. You don’t want to watch this.” Anyssa turned as Sophia made her way below deck and walked over to Laine. Kneeling down next to him, she grabbed him by the hair and twisted his head to meet her gaze.

“I will give you one more chance Scot,” Anyssa didn’t really want to, but she had to think of what was best for the ship. “So what do ye say?” Without a word, Laine spit into Anyssa’s face. Bringing up a hand, she wiped it away and stood up. Moving over to his side she removed the whip from the bag and smiled maliciously.

“I was hoping that would be your answer,” Anyssa giggled and started to lash Laine with the cat o’ nine tails. Blood flew into the air, splattering on the deck as the flesh was ripped from his bones. Laine screamed in agony as Anyssa continued to bring the whip down, grinning from ear to ear. She had carved him deeply and his spine was showing through the gaping wounds in his back. His blood poured onto the deck and his scream had turned to low moans of pain as he started to twitch. Anyssa walked over to Laine’s hands and untied him, pushing him off the capstan. Laine rolled on to his back and Anyssa dropped on top of him, straddling his chest. Anyssa took the whip and wrapped it around Laine’s neck.

“You should never have attacked the Captain,” Anyssa leered at Laine. “At least then your death would have been quicker.” Anyssa yanked on the whip and the barbs ripped through the skin of his neck. Blood sprayed into Anyssa’s face and she giggled as Laine gurgled and died. Anyssa rose to her feet, grinning evilly and looked around at the gathered crew.

“Everyone, back to work,” Anyssa shouted and the men started to move back to their stations. “And you,” Anyssa pointed at a random crewman. “Clean that up.” Anyssa pointed at Laine’s body before heading in the direction of the helm. As she arrived, she heard a voice from overhead.

“Mistress, ship ahoy!” the voice sounded form the crow’s nest and Anyssa immediately grabbed for a spyglass. Extending it to it’s full length, she peered into it and looked at the ship on the horizon. It was still too distant to make out it’s colors, and it would take some time to catch up to it, but Anyssa smiled nonetheless. It looked like the new crew would get to test their mettle soon enough.

“All hands full canvas!!” Anyssa shouted the orders and turned to the helmsman. “Lose that ship and I will tie you to the capstan next.” The helmsman nodded and continued to steer the ship as Anyssa made her way below deck to check on Sophia.

(co op wiht Mysti and Gypsy)

[Merry]

Margaret watched the scene unfold with the first mate and the Scotsman with growing horror and revulsion.The sounds of his screams while the flesh was being ripped from his bones, was absolutely horrifying and fascinating at the same time. The long sickening screams which slowed to whimpers of pain ringing in her ears, over an over.

Feeling her stomach lurch, the contents of her meager breakfast suddenly felt all to heavy. She quickly made her way to the opposite side of the deck, her fingers gripping the railing, white knuckled and tense. Blocking out the sounds, that she feared would never leave her memory. She had to close her eyes to block out the site when Anyssa finally strangled him to death, knowing that if she saw that, it would be her en-grained in her memory for longer than she could bear to keep it. Hearing the cheers and goading as his lifeless body was finally dumped over the side. The sickening splash as his mutilated body hit the crystal waters. The sound deafeningly loud, even at this distance across the deck. Breathing deep, willing her body not to reject her breakfast over the side.

She was able to push the thoughts of the mans brutal death away quickly at shouts of an oncoming ship. Adrenaline rushing to her aid, as she realized they were going to attack this ship. She was a pirate, and pirates did not show weakness, if she wanted to stay aboard, she was going to have to abandon her squeamishness and be as indifferent to the violence, as the others appeared to be. Racing toward the front of the ship, she waited for someone to tell her what she should be doing, while trying not to be in the way at the same time.

[Mysteria]

Alvidia watched as the First Mate strangled the life out of Laine with no show of emotion at all. He would have made a wonderful play mate to have on board the ship. It was a shame though actually that he hadn't heeded her words to him. The truth was that even if he had his life aboard the ship would most likely not have been as easy as most of the females on board would be and that bit of mishap with the captain had upset Anyssa enough to begin with.

Other than that Alvida looked around at everyone else on board the ship. What a motley crew that they had gathered or were they? Each one had their own story to tell and there were still stories to be written. The new recruits would either learn their way on the sea or the sea would take them. It was simple as that. Alvidia was glad that she had been born at sea and had learned to live the life of a pirate from birth. She also however had always known that she was destined for more than just a pirates life when she had left the crew that had raised her but their was a part of being a pirate that would always own her heart. With being a pirate came many freedoms that one would never have in any other type of life.

While Alvidia had left for other shores for a short time, she had returned to the seas. It would always be her home.

Alvidia watched as Margaret leaned over the edge of the boat. Easy now girl Alvidia thought to herself. All Margaret or any of them had to do was just hang in there a little bit longer and they would grow accustomed to the workings of a ship. Margaret had moved to the front of the ship and Alvidia made her way over to her. Margaret was one of them now. They all were and Alvidia would do what she could to help them settle into their new lives aboard The Murderess the best that she could.

Stopping to stand still beside Margaret Alvidia turned and offered her a smile "Welcome aboard The Murderess Margaret, the names Alvidia," she said extending her hand as her proper English faded back into her typical pirate lingo "I knows it kinnae be easy fer ye and the ye dinnae ask fer it but considerin' the alternative I think a life at sea will grows on ye soon 'nuff." Alvidia looked around. People were beginning to move around on the ship again. Alvidia yelled over to the captain "Capt'n Ma'am I's gonna take this young'un here withs me to do a check on how much rum we gots us stowed in the cargo hold if'n that be okay with ye." Alvidia grinned "We's sure as hell dinnae wants to be runnin' out of the rum."

One thing you did not want was to have pirates at sea for months on end with out a good supply of rum because without it, things were sure to get ugly fast. Alvidia waited for the captain to reply before going any further.

[Ladie Luck]

He awoke only to cringe as his eyes tried to come into focus and take in his surroundings. Sharp pain filled his head. He blinked to clear his vision, see beyond the bright white light distorting his grim surroundings. Things slowly began to come back to his memory. He knew where he was. The brig of an British ship. He knew why he was there. He remembered now the gross betrayal of the crew that was supposed to be his, the way they had all come upon him as he slept, barging into the captain quarters and dragging him to the deck. Each member of the crew took a turn at kicking him, spitting on him, shouting vulgar insults. And then they had tossed him to the ocean, leaving his fate up to the sea. None of them had it in them, what it took to send their captain down to the locker. That was all fine and well. It had allowed for him to escape death for a bit longer.

He had taken this calmly, cursing them only until he hit the water. Then it did him no good and knowing that he stopped. Saving his energy, trying to swallow as little water as possible. He wasn’t an adept swimmer but he could manage as well as the next man. He didn’t allowing himself large movements, didn’t flail and struggle. He simply drifted. Five hours he spent this way before passing out, unable to tread water any longer, too tired to swim. When he woke he wasn’t in the hell of God fearing men, only in the hell of pirates, aboard a ship of the British Navy.

His right forearm bore a tattoo (http://mob197.photobucket.com/albums/aa51/littlenativebaby/TribalWolftattoo.png) of a wolf, the mark of his crew… the crew that had been his but that wasn’t what had got him in his place in the dank cell . It was his left arm that had got him here. The burnt arm. The arm that bore the branding given to a man stigmatized for life, caught in an act of piracy and marked as such. He had been caught only once, a long time ago, an old mistake, relevant now only because it was what had damned him. He had never seen the brand as much of a problem, never felt that it need be removed… no that was a lie. He had simply never had a stomach strong enough to go through the process of cutting it out. Pain was tolerable, pain inflicted upon others had potential to be amusing, but inflicting pain upon one’s self was sick. Disturbing. Wrong. So he hadn’t cut it out and now this was his just reward. He had been pulled up on the deck of the wrong ship, not conscious enough to hide his identity.

Now fully conscious his first concern was thirst. He knew better than to think he could change his situation at the moment. He had escaped from a situation similar to this following his branding. Escape didn’t happen aboard the ship unless you had somewhere to go upon escaping. Another ship or a nearby island. He had escaped at port that first time. He was hoping to do it that way again. But right now he wanted water and he said as much to the man outside his small confines.

“You got water?” He said. His voice was hoarse, throat dry. The last syllable was the word water was a squeak more than it was a word. It hurt for him to speak at all. It felt unnatural, forced.

The reply he received was a grunt at first, as the man given the job of guarding the brig sat up and turned to look upon him. “What?”

“Water?” Todd repeated. It was a small bit less painful the second time he spoke, abbreviating the question.

The man laughed. That was enough of an answer for him. But the man continued. “As if the captain would waste water on you, you slimy scoundrel Why would we give you our water, or our food?”

“I’m an English citizen.” He replied, a small smirk falling upon his lips.
“You revoked you right to identify yourself as that when you became a pirate I figure. You’ll be dead soon as we reach the shore, fact is you’d be dead now if there was something to hang you from and people to learn from your mistake. That’s all you’re kind are good for, making an example.”

Todd let out a small, raspy laugh and leaned his back against the grime covered wall of his cell. This wasn’t quite the life he had chosen.

[Lethe]

Aboard the Navigator
Inside the Brig


The wily pirate formerly known as Aengus Finn McGee, snorted twice, scratched his tousled chest hair once, and then rolled over onto his left side. He wiped a bit of drool from the edge of his mouth and tried to resume snoring. He had been in the middle of a grand dream about a buxom beauty that he had met two years past in Santo Domingo. The dream had been vivid. The lass had been most accommodating, and Whiskey McGee had been having the most agreeable time since his unfortunate capture. The pirate draped his arm across his one good eye, crossed his boots at the ankles, and attepted to again get comfortable on the rugged deck floor. He tried to call to mind the face and shape of a comely wench he had made the acquaintance of whilst visiting the Guiana coast. He remembered that she had dark eyes, long wavy hair, and… and… This actually wasn’t the first time Whiskey had been thrown into the brig.

Unfortunately the other lad incarcerated with him wouldn’t stop talking. He had been asking for water and apparently expected special treatment for being an English citizen. He didn’t seem to be making much headway.

Finally resigning himself to the fact that he wouldn’t be able to return to sleep until his fellow prisoner calmed down a bit, Whiskey slid his body into a slightly more upright position. He yawned once before addressing the young man before him.

“That man there, he dinnae care that ye be English, lad. To be sure, all he be concern ‘bout is tha fact that ye be a pirate. The cap’n o’ this vessel be a bilge-sucking geebag, ‘tis true, but he will nae let ya die, lad. Wait an’ see. Ye be gettin’ yer drink in due time.”

Whiskey left unspoken the reason that the crew wouldn’t let the pirates die at sea, was because the pirates were to be imprisoned once they reached the mainland. Then they would be put on trial and most assuredly found guilty. After which, they would probably be put in the pillory, then flogged, hanged, and later their remains put in irons for display as a warning to other pirates. The courts would have no mercy on his fellow prisoner due to his more youthful age. He would die the same as any other pirate.

Fortunately for Whiskey, the fool Brits who had captured him hadn’t located his favorite deck of playing cards. The crusty pirate removed the deck from the inner lining of his right boot, inspected it, and then kissed it for luck. It was a specially crafted deck, with hand painted images of wenches flaunting bold and interesting poses on each of the face cards. An identical likeness of a jolly roger decorated the back of each card. Whiskey spent time looking at each of the painted beauties before methodically shuffling his cards. He dealt a hand for himself and an imaginary companion and began playing a makeshift game of "Reversis." Whiskey took turns playing from his own deck and the deck in front of him. It wasn’t as exciting as playing against an opponent, and he had no rum, nor did he have coin with which to gamble. Still it enabled him to pass the time. Besides, it was pleasing to see images of the fairer sex.

He hadn’t been an unruly prisoner. In fact, Whiskey had gone out of his way to draw as little attention to himself as possible. Thus far the pirate had remained unshackled and was free to roam about his cell. While he played his card game, he began going over the ship’s layout in the back of his mind. He had been able to memorize a great deal of the vessel when he had once been brought out of the brig to be shackled to the top deck while the ship’s captain had questioned him. Whiskey had been respectful, but had feigned stupidity as a response to most portions of the interrogation. He had also lied about his name, pretending to be a rigger named Liam McLoughlin.

Having no desire to stand trial in England, Whiskey began planning his escape. Besides, he was privy to information that perhaps no other man alive knew. This information could lead to what might be the grandest treasure in all the seven seas. And it would be a wee bit difficult searching for treasure until he found a way off this ship.

[Anne Bonny]

“I want you to go to the cargo hold,” Anyssa’s tone was serious. “There is a large crate with a red letter “S” on it. Inside you will find a nice collection of swords. Find one that suits you and bring some for the other new crew members as well. And do it now. You don’t want to watch this.”

Sophia's eyes shifted from the first mate's to the tethered Scott and back again, but finally she gave a curt nod and headed below deck. Nausea was building inside her stomach, and as much as she told herself that she was strong and brave, Anyssa had been right. The truth was that she knew well what was coming for Laine, and she wanted to turn from the sight more than anything.

As she made her way down into the dark underparts of the Murderess, Sophie heard Laine's screams echoing down after her. She moved faster until she was nearly running, trying in vain to outrun the sounds, trying her best not to picture each strike of the cat-o-nine-tails as the man cried out over and over again. Finally, Sophie made it to the cargo hold and slammed the door behind her. She slumped against it, thankful that the heavy wood blocked out all sounds but her own panting.

As she took a few seconds to rest, her cheeks began to feel hot with shame. Laine had been friendly enough to her on the ship before they were captured. He had silently put up with her silly demands which often interrupted his work, sometimes even giving her a smile in return. He had spoken up for her at the first sign of the pirates' cruelty. And what had the noble Sophia Grant done for Laine during his time of suffering? She had run.

Her eyes began to burn as they welled with hot tears, but she angrily wiped them away. Well, the Scott had made his choice, hadn't he? And she had made hers. And look who was still alive because of it! Sophie pushed herself away from the door and began a determined search for the crate marked with the letter "S". That man was a fool, she told herself as she dusted the front off one crate before moving on. He could have at least pretended to cooporate until they reached the port or... or something. Or he could have embraced the freedom that the pirates had offered them, a chance to throw off classes and rules and society itself and be whatever they wanted to be.

Sophie paused to push some hair back that had fallen in her face. Such freedom was what she had always secretly longed for, but she had to admit that it was a little intimidating at the same time.

"Pull it together, Sophia," the girl told herself as she turned from one crate to the next. "Imagine what Anyssa would think if she saw you this way." The very thought gave her a slight chuckle. She sniffled a bit, but blinked away the last of her tears.

"Ah! There you are!" the girl finally cried as her gaze settled on a crate in the corner of the hold. She leaned over to look inside and find several glittering blades. But which one to choose?

The first she withdrew was a longish sword that Sophie chose because of the gems encrusted on the handle. But she tried to lift it and found that it took too much effort. She would never be able to sustain holding such a weapon long enough to defend herself in battle, let alone swing it around. She pulled out another sword, then another, testing their weight, moving a few through the air in front of her. In all honesty, Sophia wasn't entirely sure what she should be looking for. But finally she came across a curved cutlass with a gilded handle that seemed to fit perfectly in her small hand.

With a deep breath of relief and a smile, Sophie gathered up several of the other blades and exited the cargo hold. Her eyes still burned a little, but that could easily be blamed on the dust. Did the pirates ever go down and clean in the hold, she wondered? The place was really a disaster. Her new clothes were already dingy from digging around. Maybe when they got to Port Royale she could buy some new ones. If she had any money, that is. Sophie wondered idly how pirates were paid.

She was lost in daydreams about shining gold coins and new, soft leather boots when she rounded a corner and nearly ran straight into Anyssa.

[Yoruyonaka]

Eve's eyes widened when Anyssa killed Laine in cold blood. Hell, he had it coming, but Eve felt a pressure on her chest, that because of her Scottish heritage she felt bad for the lad. However, she wouldn't shed a tear, her tears dried up a long time ago. She didn't have feelings for him, just a sense of honor, but now that was over. No more interferences. A ship was now seen, that meant getting the guns in order.

"Eve, best get ta it 'fore ye distract yerself," Eve whispered with a grin.

Eve marched her way down below to the gunner stations. The crew was already coming down from witnessing the new members joining, but now was the time to get serious.

"Oye, ye bloody bastards, time ta get movin'!" Eve ordered, the crew at attention and hurrying to their posts. "We be comin' up on a ship, so the guns best be shipshape ta crush wood into sawdust!"

The crew whooped and roared in agreement and had the guns at the ready. Eve nodded in approval and walked up to the top deck to speak to Anyssa to say the guns were ready, but she wasn't there. Eve sighed and started to make her way back down to the guns.

[Stream]

Alex pathetically moped on the deck, each churn of the ship making him feel more uneasy. His skin had turned completely pale and his eyes were red, and the sour taste of vomit still lingered in his mouth.

“Lad,” Anyssa smiled at Alex. “Go get yourself cleaned up and get some food in ye. Once you have finished with that, help out with the rigging and sails.” Anyssa paused for a moment and looked at Bree. “If that be okay with you Captain.”

Bree glanced at Alex and shrugged. " Fine by me."

He rolled his eyes and sauntered away, not in the mood for eating anything right now. Hardtack infested with weevils or tough and salty pork didn't sound well for his stomach, though a bit of water or rum to wash the vomit out of his mouth sounded wonderful.

"Rum…" he said shivering, his memories of the evening before flashing back to him, "water it is."

Several buckets of salt water had been laid out o the deck for the swabbies, some of him were already well at work to keep the deck tidy. Searching in each bucket for the least dirty water, Alex scooped up a relatively clean handful and sipped it into his mouth, sloshing it around, the salt cleaning off his teeth and the vomit fizzing up. He spat it over the side of the ship.

He took a look around the deck, surveying the crew at work. Anyssa was clinging to Bree, as usual, and the only thing out of the ordinary was one of the female crew members carrying a shaggy, dirty man onto deck. He was quiet and bound in chains.

"Poor bastard," Alex said shaking his head and turning away from the imminent violence. It wouldn't be long for Alex before he would try and run for it if they ever made port. Or allowed him off the ship, for that matter.

A familiar sound on the deck caught Alex's attention. It was the screams of a man, and the sound of leather meeting flesh. The man was being beaten and punished. Alex let his guard down and peeked for a second, barely able to see anything through the gathering crowd of crew members.

Blood poured between the feet of the crowd, oozing through the planks on deck and into the area below. The capstan must have been a massacre; stained in red and covered in flesh.

“Everyone, back to work,” Anyssa shouted and the men started to move back to their stations. “And you,” Anyssa said, pointing at Alex next to the cleaning buckets, “Clean that up.”

She pointed at the corpse of the man on deck. He lay motionless, covered in a pool of his own blood. Alex took a dirty rag and dropped it into a bucket, carrying it over towards the body. At the warm blood drenched his feet and he edged closer to the man, the figure became clearer. The red hair was covered in dirt, and his clothing was covered in blood. It was Laine.

Alex stepped back slowly, dropping the bucket onto the ground, the water washing away a good portion of the blood. A pulsing red ring was around Laine's neck with the marks of barb wounds pulsating blood. Only now did Alex realize he was standing in his friend's blood. Quickly he turned away and ran for the stairwell to the lower decks, his red footprints trailing behind him. He ran all the way through the ship down to the cargo hold, knocking the door open and rushing to a dark nook between two sizable crates. He crawled his way through the maze of cargo and crates, as he did aboard the Flourish.

He sat with his back against the side of the ship and his face buried into his hands. He sobbed quietly to himself.

[The Gypsy Queen]

(ooc: Please read the OOC Thread post first if you don't mind! :D)

The stone walls were damp, moist and glistening with moisture of questionable origin. The stone work was impeccable, each piece fitting together like a massive mosaic. Even the ravages of time had done little to the structural integrity of the long passageway, which echoed with a steady drip... drip... drip...

Once, Bree imagined, that stone passageway had been filled with light, and the stone had the tone and texture of the familiar sandy beige rock so common to the Caribbean. She could almost see it, warm breeze salty and right off the sea humming through the light, warm passageway. But those days were long gone.

Time, water, and lack of care had aged the stone to a brownish gray, dark, dank, and damp in the night's chill. Liquid to thick to be water but too fluid to be mud flowed down the sides near the walls, and a rank stench filled the air, thick and heady.

It was a familiar scent. She's smelled it before, on ships floating dead in windless waters, ravaged by hunger, plague, predators like herself... or madness. The madness had been the worst.

And as though she was fourteen again, the smell and sight filled her mind, her every instinct rebelling and screaming at her.

Run! Run away! Get away before they get you!

As though the corpses, mangled, bloated hands holding distended stomachs, blue-gray fingers threaded through rotting intestines. She couldn't shake the thought that those fingers, belonging to the remains of a grizzled sea dog with his mouth hung open in an eternal shrieking laugh, had been playing cat's cradle with his own innards. He had been at the mast, facing her as she climbed on like some kind of horrid host, his open, slack jaw soundless, but the sound it lacked, the awful silence, filling her deepest, darkest dreams. Flies tormented the next corpse, a boy no older than she had been, bent over an empty rum barrel and literally torn asunder in an act no righteous god could have allowed, the lower parts of his digestive track hung out upon his thighs. His eyes were still open, glazed in death but the expression of terror and agony still clear in what had been once a handsome face, young and graced with expressive blue eyes. His tormentor was dead behind him, drained and emaciated, bled out from between his legs, leathery bloodless lips and hollow cheeks frozen in a satisfied, toothless grin.

A hand had descended on her eyes then, as the captain who's knee she'd learned everything at had covered her gaze and gripped her to his chest, tucking her gangly teenage form against his massive barrel chest, throwing his coat over her head to spare her the rest. She'd screamed in terror and wept a night against his chest, what she had seen haunting her in a way she'd never been able to conquer. The captain, her captain, the only man who'd ever held her tame and passive and willing and never taken advantage of it, had never spoken of what other horrors he'd seen on that ship in dead water, taken by madness like a ripe maid under a madman's hand.

But no hand descended on her now, no comforting touch of a parent to guide her and shield her. She squeezed her eyes shut but when she opened them the corpses were not gone like the fleeting nightmares they should have been, still grinning slack-jawed at her in the damp, dank tunnel.

Her body rebelled beneath her.

She'd seen heads explode, men torn apart by bullets and cannonballs and explosions, innards askew and limbs half off or missing entirely. She'd killed, cut, and torn men open herself, with as little care or remorse as the cold, hungry sea. But this was different. This was the madness of dead water, slow and destructive, driving men to ends unimagined by the sane mind.

The boy, raped to death and left to bleed, seemed to beg her for release. She screamed at him, bellowed a wordless command for the ghosts of dead water to leave, but she had no sway in this cold, stone passageway. The quiet, the silence, was creeping behind her, soundless, windless, waveless. The noises of her life, wave and wind, rain and storm, grunt and sigh, were sucked from the air and bled against the walls, where the moisture and moss had gone red with blood, and the silence and the stillness were creeping up behind her-

She ran, past the gaping corpses and their soundless screams, as the demon of silent and still, chased her soundlessly.

Dead water.

She escaped the passage way, a breeze smacking her in the face like cold water. She sucked in a breath and doubled over, sobs escaping her in gasps and shrieks. She wiped at her eyes and stood up, sucking in the dead, rank air desperately - and froze.

On a mound of bones, human bones, there was an altar, made of skulls that grinned hideously out at her. A man loomed over it, his skin stained dark by more than the sun. His teeth gleamed, too white, against his cheeks, lips blood red and stretched out in an expression that was more snarl than grin, but just enough grin to make her shiver. He wore little, feathers and shells and animal skin, and jewelry of bone in his ears. His skin was painted in red patterns, and he clutched a wicked, twisting dagger in his hands.

Before him, on the bleached bone altar, lay Anyssa.

Bree had never seen Anyssa like this. The older woman had always had an air about her, a part of her that Bree could never quite reach. But this Anyssa was stretched out, bound at the hands and feet, as naked as the day she was born, and she had never looked more vulnerable. Her hair was a knotted mess and her face was streaked with tears, lips and eyes swollen in sobs.

" Bree! For the love of God, help me!" Anyssa shrieked, voice high and trembling as the man loomed over her ominously. Bree jerked as though slapped and lurched forward to go to her lover, fully intending to end the man's life in imaginative ways. But her body remained rooted to the ground, a tingling, anxious feeling creeping up her legs. She glanced back up towards the altar, eyes wide and terrified.

The knife descended slowly, so slowly. Anyssa's eyes seared into Bree's, tears welling fresh around those blue orbs, so expressive and cool. Flashes of memory careened in front of Bree's eyes, laughter, wine, and passion, hands cool over her fevered skin, cheeks bright and pink with lust, lips swollen and red, eyes puffy and skin sallow in illness. Years of life together, of love, companionship.

Lover. Friend. Shipmate.

The sound was sucked from the air and everything was still. Everything but the man and his knife. It plunged into Anyssa's porcelain white skin, smooth and flawless, at her breast. Her body heaved in the white hot pain and Bree screamed, feeling it as though the blade was at her own breast. It did not plunge deep, instead following the round, full curve of Anyssa's breast, white skin and pert nipple peeling away and exposing the muscle beneath, red and pulsing and marbled with white. The knife glided downward, more of Anyssa's skin peeling away like the skin of every red apple Bree had ever peeled, coming up and off cleanly.

Blood poured down the mound of bones, dead white stained with pulsing red, Anyssa's fleeting life draining and pooling at Bree's feet.

Anyssa screamed and Bree echoed her, struggling to move, run, fight, do something but there was no sound, no movement.

Just the stillness and the creeping madness as the knife moved in smooth strokes, skinning Anyssa alive as Bree watched helplessly. She clawed at her eyes, desperate to not see, but nothing blocked the sight.

Dead water.

Bree woke with a shriek and a start, the knife that had been under her pillow glinting in the air before hitting the wall opposite her bed with a hollow thunk. She blinked, suddenly aware she was back in her cabin, naked in her bed.

Suddenly aware she’d never left.

It was just a dream.

Bree’s hands covered her face and she pulled her knees to her chest, flopping over in the bed and curling into a ball as she drew in a shaky breath and let it out slowly. It hadn’t been real. Anyssa was fine, if they mess of clothes strewn across the cabin was any indication. There was no passageway, no painted man, no twisted knife.

She shivered, unable to convince herself that the corpses hadn’t been real, because she couldn’t stop herself from knowing that they had been, knowing that had really happened. That there was always dead water.

She leapt from the bed and yanked on a pair of pants, glaring at them when she couldn’t button them. She yanked them off again, tossing them away and grumbling about Anyssa’s skinny ass, and found her own pants. Once she had managed to dress herself again she stormed out of her cabin.

She froze before the door had even closed behind her.

A corpse, bloody and torn, lay before her, barely recognizable as Laine.

Anyssa. She’d asked. Bree had agreed.

Bile burned in her throat.

She lurched forward, pushing her disgust and fear aside and masking it in a grin of madness. She couldn’t afford to let her crew see any weakness in her, and telling them she’d had a bad dream wasn’t going to earn her any credit. She stepped over the corpse as though it hadn’t mattered to her as she managed to half convince herself it didn’t, and surveyed her crew.

“ Stars above, who ever saw such a lazy, worthless pile of dogs and bitches and tried to excuse ‘em as a crew!” She roared, half from a need to relieve the mounting tenseness beneath her breasts and half from the need to prove to others and herself that she was still in charge on this boat and her subconscious had nothing to do with it. “ One o’ y’all get your ass up that damn mast an’ untangle those ropes before I start slittin’ throats!”

She was distracted by Alvidia.

“ Mm, yeah, you do that.” She growled, giving Margaret a glance over. “ Don’t be drinking yourselves into a stupor.”

She shook it off. It was just a dream. Didn’t matter.

[John]

Anyssa took some of the swords from Sophia and helped her carry them on deck. The moment she emerged, she noticed two things which bothered her. The first was Laine’s body. It was still laying on deck, baking in the sun. Normally she would have only been mildly irritated by this, but the fact that Bree was also on deck and not sleeping, bothered her immensely. Bree would be less than pleased that the body was littering her ship and Anyssa wondered where Alex had got to. She had told him to clean it up. She wasn’t trying to get to him, he just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Still, it would be something which would affect him greatly. But it didn’t change the fact that her orders had not been followed.

Anyssa glanced around, seeing Eve and some of the men attending to the bow guns in preparation for the battle to come. Crouching down, she placed the swords on the deck and saw the remnants of the blood trail, presumably left by Alex as he ran below deck.

“Sophia,” Anyssa spoke softly. “Head back below deck and find Alex for me.” Turning from Sophia, Anyssa continued moving towards Bree, stopping to give orders to Alvidia and Margaret.

“Both of you,” Anyssa spoke with a stern tone. “We need rifles and pistols on deck immediately.” She was going to say more, but she noticed Mia out of the corner of her eye.

“You there,” Anyssa shouted at Mia. “Take a couple of men and get rid of that.” Anyssa pointed at Laine’s corpse, now starting to draw flies and then turned to Bree.

“Captain, you’re awake?” Anyssa’s tone was concerned. Normally Bree would sleep for a time after she had been with Anyssa. Still, it saved Anyssa the trouble of having to wake Bree up to give her a report.

“We sighted a ship,” Anyssa moved a little closer to Bree. “It will take a little time to catch up but it should be a good way to test the new crew.”

Bree stared at Anyssa for a fraction of a second, the memory of her nightmare racing in front of her eyes, but she buried it as soon as it surfaced.

" A ship?" she asked, eyes widening as she wheeled and scanned the horizon. " Why the hell didn't you wake me?!"

“It’s still going to take some time to catch it,” Anyssa lowered her head submissively. “Figured you could do with some rest. I was going to wake you soon enough.”

Bree reined in her aggression and ran a hand through her hair.

" Captain." she said, pointing to herself and arching an eyebrow. " Next time let me decide."

“I’m sorry,” Anyssa’s tone became apologetic. “It was nothing I couldn’t handle. I didn’t think it was worth disturbing you until preparations were made.” Anyssa was a little surprised. She had expected Bree to yell at her a little. At least scold her. But instead, Bree seemed calm.

“Bree,” Anyssa lowered her voice to a whisper. “Please forgive me.”

Bree shrugged, letting out a long breath before shrugging out of her coat.

" It's fine. Get me my sword and pistol." she said quietly, glancing around the deck. " Stars and stones. Sheep to the slaughter." she muttered at them, the vast majority greenhorns.

“Captain?” Anyssa looked confused. Normally Bree would already be shouting out orders and relishing in the anticipation of the battle to come. It almost seemed like something was bothering Bree, and Anyssa couldn’t help feeling she was the cause of it. Had she been lax in her duties? Maybe she was no longer pleasing to her Captain anymore.

“Are you okay?” Anyssa’s tone changed from confusion to concern as she whispered in Bree’s ear.

" Fine." Bree responded, setting her jaw and throwing her shoulders back. " Get some goddamn barrels up here to put the riflemen behind! Have I got to do this all by myself! Move!" she bellowed. There was no time to deal with anything but the encroaching ship.

Anyssa stepped back and gave Bree an irritated look. She knew something was up, she knew Bree far too well. But Anyssa had to follow orders no matter what she was feeling.

“You heard the Captain ye scurvy dogs. Get to it!!!” Men started scrambling to prepare for the upcoming battle and Anyssa entered her cabin. Walking over to one of the dressers, she retrieved Bree’s sword and pistol. She walked out the door and pushed the items against her chest, dropping them into her arms.

“If you need me for some other petty task,” Anyssa was careful to keep her voice low and her face hidden form the rest of the crew as she sneered at Bree. “I will be at the railing watching the other ship.” Anyssa turned and walked to the railing, removing the spyglass from her belt. She felt like she wanted to cry when Bree let her walk away. Anyssa was becoming convinced she had done something wrong, and the thought of losing her lover was more than she could bear. Stepping to the railing, she looked through the spyglass and eyed the ship, which was drawing closer.

(co op with Gypsy)

[Merry]

During the bustle of the crew to get ready for the oncoming ship, Margaret couldn't help but notice the brief exchange between the captain and the first mate. It was obvious to her that the exchange wasn't very loving this time. Coming from a woman that had spent countless hours watching faces and body language for any signs of disdain, or a glimmer of approval, only to be shut down time and time again. She saw the grim cast of Anyssa's features as she turned away. Last time they were together on the deck it as obvious to anyone watching that the pair were quite smitten with each other. Something had happened to change that. What was brewing between the two, she wondered silently.

Frankly she had never seen two women together and the thought of them, together was cause for her to rethink her teachings. She knew that men often took lovers of various types, some openly. Others not as obvious. Try as she might, she couldn't remember hearing of women together. Then again, that wasn't something that would have been in her small circle anyway.

A smirk formed on her lips at the thought of her dowdy aunt, or worse her mother with a lover of the same sex. She raised her hand to her lips, out of sheer habit to hide the laughter that wanted to bubble forth. Only to stop her self midway. So what if she laughed, she could do anything she wanted here, as long as her loyalty stayed with the captain.
From the experiences she had already witness firsthand, laughter at an off colored joke, was the least of her worries. She did refrain however from making any sound, as from the current glint in the captains eyes, laughter right now might not be welcomed by anyone within earshot. She wanted no quarrel with this woman, by any means.

Anyssa's bark of “We need rifles and pistols on deck immediately.” snapped her back from her silliness to look to Alvidia for guidance.

Alvidia watched the exchange between the captain and first mate with a questioning eye. It would appear that there were trouble in paradise for the pair but Alvidia knew that it wasn't her place nor would it behoth her to question the happenings although she found it rather odd. Bree seemed to be slightly upset by something and it was not like the captain to become easily rattled and surely not over something as insignificant as an approaching ship. After all, they had battled and been victorious over countless ships in the past hadn't they.

Well whatever it was would come to light in time if the captain felt it pertinent for them to know, in the meantime they had their orders. Not only was she to take Margaret to check the remaining rum they were go gather rifles and pistols.

Alvidia turned to the young woman "You there, come with me an be quicks about it." Alvidia turned her stride towards the cargo hold "Come now lassie, no time ta tarry, what's a wrong wit ye? Cat got yer tongue?"

"Oh No M'am!" Margaret exclaimed hurrying after her, at a quick trot. Quickly forgetting about the captain and her lover, so as to not be in trouble with crew woman. To be honest, she hadn't had much dealing with Alvidia, and wasn't sure what to expect from her. She appeared to be straight forward, and trustworthy, but she was after all a pirate. Margaret had her reservations. "Do we have enough weapons aboard to give to the crew?" she asked, continuing to keep the pace the other women had set so as to not fall behind.

Alvidia slowed her pace and turned to look at the young woman, a pang of sympathy running through her as she did so. She looked very timid. Alvidia smiled at her "Margaret is it? There is absolutely no need for you to worry." Alvidia realized how she was speaking and quickly went back into pirate mode "No worries matey, theys be plenty a weapons ta take care of this, and ye be sailin' wit one of da finest crews on da seas."

Passing through the cargo hold Alvidia noted that there was enough of rum to hold them for awhile and decided they could get a better count later after they had dealt with the other ship.

Finding the crates the guns and ammo were stored in Alvidia pried one open, then another. There were various rifles and pistols, along with black powder.

" 'Ere now lassie, lets get these loaded up and back topside." Alvidia looked at Margaret and suddenly stopped what she was doing and laid a hand on her shoulder as she remembered how she had felt the first time she had ever had to be involved with two ships battling. "Dinnae worry lass, it'll be fine. Have ye ever shot a firearm afore?" Alvidia asked, her tone gentle and non hurried. The least she could do was make sure the young woman knew how to properly fire a gun.

Margaret was wringing her hands slightly, watching as Alvidia pulled the crates apart, her face a little downcast, casting a quick glance about and seeing that they were alone in the hold "Actually, no" she replied softly. Then locking her eyes on the other woman's, her jaw set in a determined manner "But I won't let that stop me. I will do what I can to be a member of this crew. I was raised that a lady was kept sequestered indoors and attended parties and tea's, sewing. It was quite dreadful and dull." hoping now that she had confessed her lack of knowledge that she wouldn't be written off as useless baggage "If you would show me what to do, perhaps I could still be of use on this day? I will be a part of this crew." she held her breath.

She knew Alvidia was different, she had heard the small slips in her speech. Margaret was sure that Alvidia had come from very different back round than the one she was presently in. Staring boldly at the other woman she brought her hand up to hold the others on her shoulder "Won't you help me do this, please?"

Alvidia smiled then, a warm smile. She admired Margarets bravery in the face of all that she had endured and that was yet to come. "Aye lass, ta be a lady tis fine, but ta be a pirate will bring ye more freedom than ye kin ever knows." Alvidia picked up one of the flintlock pistols looking Margaret directly in the eyes as she did "Maggie ma'am I'm going to show you exactly how this is done and with any luck, it might just help to save your life."

With that Alvidia first showed Margaret how to eye up the shot and then shoot the flintlock once it was loaded. Once she was certain that Margaret had a good feel for how this was done she then went through the steps of how to load the black powder, wad and ball into the flintlock and make sure it was prepared properly for shooting.

"An' that be hows ye shoots yeself a flintlock Miss Margaret, ma'am." Then dropping the slang all together Alvidia spoke softly to the new pirate "Don't worry yourself Ma'am, just remember what I showed you and do exactly as I told you and you will be fine. If you need help, find me." "Oh, you can count on that" replied Margaret with a smile, feeling much better about the day already.

Alvidia turned back and picked up a bunch of the rifles and loaded them in Margaret's arms and then loaded her own arms up with pistols. "We best be gettin' ourselves back ups on deck now, lest the good capt'n and first mate be sendin' others aftah us, and we's dinnae wants that ta be happenin'" nodding in agreement, Margaret held tightly to the supplies handed over.

Alvidia didn't give Margaret time to ask her any more questions as she headed towards the deck although she was certain the proper lady had more questions for her. There would be another time for that, but by now that other ship would be fast approaching.

Margaret quickly followed the other woman, grateful for her assistance. Running through the steps over an over in her mind so as to not forget. Trying not to drop any of the supplies they carried, knowing they had already tarried long enough and needed to back up on the deck with the others.

co with the lovely Mysti woman & meself

[Anne Bonny]

(Copost with Streeeeeeeeaaaaaaam!)

Sophie struggled with the blades she carried as she made her way up from below deck. One would slip, she would move to catch it, then another would move. The juggling act took nearly all of her focus as she followed Anyssa into the blinding sunlight. Finally one shortsword escaped her grasp and fell loudly onto the wood beneath them.

With a grimace, Sophia stooped to retreive it. But as her eyes fell on the blade, she hesitated. It had come to rest in a splatter of blood. Green eyes turned upward to find the body of Laine, laying across the deck, horribly massacred.

"Oh God," the girl whispered. She had known Anyssa was going to kill him when she was sent below deck. She had greived for him briefly, but seeing his corpse, that was another matter.

Her stomache was beginning to churn when the first mate's voice called out to her again, telling her to go back below deck to find Alex. With a dumb nod Sophie complied, carelessly dropping the rest of the swords into an uncerimonious pile.

Once again Sophia found herself retreating below deck, running from one thing to find another, but grateful for the relief. And once again the girl wondered exactly what she had gotten herself into when she decided to join the Murderess' crew.

"Alex?" she called out the boy's name as she poked her head down one hallway or into a nearby room. "Where are you hiding?"

Alex sniffled a bit, wiping his nose on his sleeve, leaving a streak of dirt across his mouth. Sophia barely startled him; he knew Anyssa would be sending someone down to find him.

"Yeah, I'm just… looking for something," he called out, "I'll be a minute."

"Where are you?" Sophie repeated, following Alex's voice through the dim underbelly of the ship. He couldn't be too far...

She rounded a corner and finally found the boy, his back to her. "Ah!" she exclaimed with some relief. Hide and seek in the middle of a pirate ship didn't sound like an ideal game. Sophie cleared her throat as she approached. "Well, what are you looking for? I can help."

With the inside of his sleeve he wiped the grime from his face, his eyes still a bit red. He moved his hair in front of his eyes to hide it.

"It's not here. Head up to the deck, I'll be there in a minute."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. Did Alex just tell her what to do? "No," she replied slowly. "Actually, I was sent down here to get you. So let's go up together."

"Gotcha," he said, standing and turning to Sophia, "lead the way."

"Well good!" she said with a curt nod. But upon seeing the boy's face, she paused. "Alex, are you alright? Your eyes are red."

"I got some salt water in my eyes. I was looking for a clean cloth, which ain't on this ship."

Sophie snorted. "I've noticed." She glanced around, made a half turn to leave, but paused again. "Do you... um... Do you think they've finished cleaning up on deck?"

"I'm not sure anything on this ship could get clean that fast. I don't really care anyways," he said, his adolescent voice cracking up a bit.

Sophia's hands moved to her hips as she looked the boy up and down. "You don't care," she repeated. "Well you're a strong one, aren't you? Or maybe a man just has a better stomach than a lady. I hardly knew Laine and I don't want to see him like that again."

Alex forced a smile a bit, getting uneasy and a bit aggravated she'd bring it up to him, again.

"Let's get up there, or 'nyssa'll have us next."

While Sophie continued to wonder about the boy's attitude, she knew he was right about them needing to get back on deck. Without another word she turned and made her way back, Alex in tow.

She cautiously poked her head out into the sunlight again, praying silently that the gruesome scene that she had left was gone. And with a great sigh, Sophie's wish was granted. Only a bit of blood that had soaked into the deck remained of Laine, and that was overlooked much easier than an entire body.

Something else had changed since she had first headed below deck, Sophia realized. There was an energy in the air that hadn't been there before. The crew and hurriedly working around the ship, talking anxiously among themselves. Wondering what all the commotion was about, Sophie glanced around. Eventually her gaze settled on another ship, not far away on the previously empty sea.

[John]

The type of ship and flag could now be easily discerned through the spyglass. It was an English frigate. Anyssa noticed that the gap between them appeared to be closing quicker than before, as the frigate was now coming to and making it’s way right at the Murderess. As it turned, Anysssa could clearly see the Royal Navy markings on the side. Anyss didn’t have much worry that they would succeed at blowing it out of the water. But she found herself wondering how the new crew members would fare. These were not civilians which they would be fighting, these were soldiers. And given that the Muderess was going to go for a frontal assault, there was an even greater risk that they would lose members of the crew.

“All hands listen up!!” Anyssa screamed the words. “Eve, be ready on the bow guns. Fire the moment we are in range. Alvidia, I want you to ready with a boarding party, take Margaret with you. Sophia and Alex, get some rifles and get behind the barrels on the railings. The rest of you dogs, ye know where I want ye. Get to it!!” Rage burned in Anyssa’s eyes as she felt the anticipation of the battle to come. No doubt the crew of the other frigate was wondering who they were by now, given that the Murderess had not yet hoisted it’s colours.

At the speed they were now closing on the ship it would only be another minute before they were in range of the English ship. Anyssa’s heart was beating faster in her chest. Her bloodlust would soon be satisfied amidst the scrams and blood of the English soldiers inhabiting the ship. She grasped the railing, digging her nails in. She couldn’t wait for the symphony of carnage which was about to unfold.

“Hoist our colours!!” Anyssa shouted and smiled as she watched the Jolly Roger unfurl as it rose up the mast. There was no turning back now. There was only one course of action. Fight. And what a fight it would be. Anyssa drew her pistols and took cover behind a barrel on the deck

“We give no quarter!!” She screamed just as the frigate came in range of the cannons.

[Lethe]

Aboard the Navigator
Inside the Brig


At first, Whiskey McGee awoke grumpy, rather put out at the fact that some noise had roused him from a vivid dream sequence involving a curvaceous wench that he had once met in a seedy seaport tavern off the coast of Spain. After all, the imprisoned sea dog enjoyed precious few pleasures during his current incarceration. He was provided with only enough bread and water to keep him alive until they reached the mainland, where he would no doubt be tried and found guilty of piracy. On most days, he tried to spend as little time as possible considering his unpleasant fate. Not only did he dislike dwelling on disagreeable subjects, but his overall philosophy and world view was generally so upbeat and positive, that it was nearly impossible for the pirate to seriously contemplate his own demise.

It took several moments for Whiskey to collect his thoughts. Not all was as it should be. From some distance beyond his cell, he heard the calls of anxious voices. Although he could only discern a handful of the words, he was able to detect a high level of tension in the air. He began hearing the rapid patter of many pairs of feet as they frantically traversed the deck above him. Something had definitely captured the attention of the ship’s crew.

Could they be headed for inclement weather? A typhoon perhaps?

Whiskey placed his palms and ear against the deck and closed his good eye in concentration. He inhaled deeply several times. The air didn’t smell of an upcoming storm. Nor did his ears or fingers detect any unusual vibrations emanating from the wooden deck such as might be caused by changes in the sea and surges in the surrounding waves. Although it was possible that one of the lookouts had noticed a patch of dark clouds on the distant horizon, Whiskey doubted that this was the case.

One of the few perks of being locked up in the brig included the luxury of being able to lie back with absolutely no responsibilities while the rest of the ship was caught up in a frenzy of purposeful activity. Without looking around, the crusty pirate lazily flexed all nine of his remaining toes and let his imagination wander. In his mind’s eye he saw a large, multi-tentacled behemoth from the depths lunge forward to wrap an enormous appendage around the mast, knocking terrorized English sailors into the sea. Perhaps the fictitious sea monster would make a meal of that stuffy captain who had condemned him to the brig after forcing him to endure a lengthy, self-righteous speech on the shortcomings of a life of piracy. Whiskey couldn’t resist grinning as he enjoyed his daydreams. He had never actually seen a sea monster before, but he had shared enough tall tales in wayward taverns to be able to imagine such a creature. Thoughts of taverns reminded him of ale. What he wouldn’t do for a spot of grog at this very moment!

Of course it was far more likely that the ship had spied another vessel and was either making haste to render assistance, or to defend itself from a perceived threat. Of all possible scenarios, the one that might benefit Whiskey the most would be a situation in which the English vessel he was upon would be attacked and boarded. Bolting upright, the captured pirate began hastily donning his socks and boots. He grabbed his hat and rose to his feet. Whiskey’s good eye gleamed with anticipation as he peered out from between the bars of his cell.

[Merry]

Margaret moved quickly about the deck, not really sure what she should be doing or where she should be, just focusing on handing out weapons to anyone that needed something. Letting them pick from the large cache of arms she had carried up with her onto the deck. Finally handing out all but the one she had practiced with down below the deck with Alvidia. Her hands shaking a little nervously as she quickly glanced at the approaching ship. It wouldn’t be long now and they would be on top of it. Having only heard about what happens to ships that run into Pirate’s on the sea’s she was preparing herself for the worst.

What if the ship they were bearing down upon ended up sinking this vessel? What would happen to her? Suddenly she found herself wishing that she had changed into pants like the lady Sophie. It just hadn’t seemed all that urgent to do so, at the time. The thought of being captured by the other ship also briefly crossed her mind. She was branded a pirate now, there was no turning back. Her life before this already seemed so remote and constricted, compared to this new life she had started.

Even though she had only been here a few short days she realized that she was not going back, would not go back. This was where she belonged, and this is where she would stay at least for as long as she could manage it. The realization that it was something she wanted brought a small smile to her lips. She wanted to stay here. She wanted to belong here. She would fight if necessary to remain, here, on this ship.

Alvidia began handing out the weapons and noticed that Margaret had already begun with out having been told what to do. Alvidia smiled to herself. She had a feeling about the young woman who had such a determined look on her face, and Alvidia was certain if that look was any indication that she was correct, Miss Margaret was settling into her life as a pirate just fine.

"Alvidia, I want you to ready with a boarding party, take Margaret with you." Anyssa's voice rang out over the ship barking orders for everyone and the ships crew sprang into action along with Alvidia. Holstering a weapon on both sides of her waist Alvidia nodded to Anyssa then turned to Margaret "Margaret, you're with me." Alvidia smiled a reassuring smile at her and then continued "And ye other scurvy dogs, git yer asses in gear an' get ready to board."

"Yes M'am" Margaret nodded back toward the captain, grabbing her weapon and heading toward Alvidia quickly reaching her side and stopping beside her "What do we have to do, exactly?" she whispered, keeping her eyes locked on the quickly approaching ship. She had a sneaky suspicion she knew what the woman would answer her, and it was all she could do to not collapse in fear on the deck. Her hands clenched tightly on the gun in her grasp. "I'd be most grateful not to die this day" she whispered, more to herself than anything.

"What do we have to do, exactly?" That was not a question one could easily answer but Alvidia tried to answer as briefly and concisely as possible "That'd depend on ta Capt's orders and what kind'a ship we be up against lass." Alvidia looked back at some of the others who were standing with mouths hanging open still not moving. They needed to get moving and not wanting the captain or Anyssa who were both already in a foul mood to notice Alvidia yelled loudly "I said move yer asses ye scurvy lot!"

Turning her attentions back to Margaret she continued "Stick close ta me an' ye be fine." Then sensing Margaret's trepidation she leaned closer with a reassuring voice "And Margaret, be ready.." Her voice trailed off as she glanced towards the direction of the other ship "Be ready fer anything." Her tone turned serious then "And I do mean, anything." In those few simple words she had hoped that she had conveyed that the possibilities of what could happen well may be something that Margaret along with the rest of the new crew may well not like, let alone be ready for.

Margaret nodded, looking at Alvidia, her eyes widening a bit at the implications she grasped from the other womans direct comment. Turning back toward the approaching ship, her face set in a stony grimmace. She had never deliberately caused anyone harm. Today would probably change that in a dramatic way. Gripping her firearm, she took a deep breath as she braced her self for what would happen next.

Alvidia turned to look at the approaching ship. It was still too far away to see what it's colors were so she truly did not know exactly what, or whom they would be up again yet. Some of the new crew still looked scared and they had every right to be. But it was Margaret that she worried for. Not because she she was scared, she'd seemed to have found a new resolve in her new life aboard the Rage. Alvidia worried for her because she had come to admire the womans courage and also, she had come to take a liking to her. She could only hope that she would act with as much grace under fire as she already appeared to be acting with her new found courage.

The freedom of life at sea was one thing, but to take another persons life was totally different. While some seemed to do it with ease and little effort, even seemingly enjoying it, it was still something that Alvida did just in order to survive and she took no pleasure in it.

Stepping up to the railing she lay her hand on Margarets shoulder "Just remember everything I taught you, and stick close to me." Smiling then she added "I won't let you be hurt." Returning the smile with one in return Margaret just hoped she was right.

co/post with the brilliant Mysteria

[The Gypsy Queen]

The canons roared beneath Bree's feet, fire licking from their muzzles as the whole of the Murderess rocked with their force. Most of the crew went to their knees as a result, but Bree did not stagger. The canons fell silent as the firing crew rushed to reload them, and a dull silence fell over the deck as the English frigate drew ever closer, the cries of dismay and fear at the Murderess colors a growing roar.

The barrels she'd requested were being lined up as rifles were distributed. The sharp sound of swords against their sheaths was a familiar song to Bree's ears, as old and soothing as the waves at her ship's brow and the salty wind through her hair.

Something inside her mind had stopped. All thoughts of her fears and anxieties, memories of Anyssa's angry expression and sharp words, and remnants of bad dreams drained from her like an open rum barrel. All that was left was something hard and sharp, like a finely crafted blade.

There was killing to do.

The Murderess pulled alongside the English frigate with astonishing speed. The crew took cover and Bree stood alone on deck, smiling girlishly at the other frigate's crew and passengers. They were too far away to notice her eyes, dead, cold and flat.

The more experienced crew took advantage of the momentary stillness to throw hooks onto the other ships deck, where they found purchase and secured one ship to the other, providing a means to board.

" Aim!" Bree shouted, and the English Frigate fell into a frenzy as the muzzles of a dozen or more rifles appeared over the barrels. " Fire!" Bree screamed two seconds later.

The roar of guns filled the air.

[Lethe]

Aboard the Navigator
Inside the Brig


The entire English frigate shuddered. Whiskey McGee, otherwise known as Nine-Toes McGee, grinned from his place of confinement within the ship’s brig. The pirate was quite pleased in this new development. In fact he had never been so happy in his life to be aboard a vessel that was being attacked. If pirates overtook this ship, he had at least a slim chance of being set free! He clutched the bars of his prison firmly with both hands and began shouting at the top of his lungs.

“Look lively now ye bunch o’ lily-livered blaggards! Prepare ta meet yer doom! ARrrrr!”

He heard the scampering of feet across the deck above him followed by the panicked shouts of frightened seamen, some of which had never been on a ship as it was attacked and boarded.

“Oh my God! Heaven help us!”


“Pirates? We’re being attacked by pirates!!”

“…do you think we’re going to die? Well, I think we’re going to die. I think we’re definitely going to die. I knew this was a bad idea. My mother always told me to be a farmer.”


“Oh shut up.”

“What did the captain say? I can’t hear what he said. Oh dear God in heaven. They’re firing again!”


“Of course they’re firing again, you bloody idiot. That’s what they do, you know.”



“How many ships are firing at us? I thought there was just one!?”


“There’s only one ship firing at us.”

“What happens if the pirates get on board? Oh for heaven’s sake, don’t let them come aboard.”


"I can't get my hands to stop shaking."

“Edward said he saw some of the pirates while he was looking through his spy glass. He says one of them was real purty. I think he’s been drinkin’ too much o’ the sauce again.”


“Stop waggin’ your tongue and man your post!”

Whiskey listened as attentively as he could under the circumstances. Oh how he loved a good scuffle out at sea! He wished to be a part of the action! He despised being caged up like this. He began wondering what group of pirates might be attacking this vessel. Over the years he had made a few friends and more than a handful of enemies in his travels at sea.

[Yoruyonaka]

The deck of the Murderess ran red with blood of both friend and foe alike. The sound of metal against metal as swords clashed greeted Anyssa’s ears along with the screams of rage of each crew and the cries of anguish and pain from the dying. Anyssa smiled wickedly and decided it was time to have a little fun. She had a plan, on which would require a little help. Grabbing two muskets, Anyssa hurried to where Sophia was taking cover.

“Having fun yet?” Anyssa giggled and fired her pistol into the face of a British soldier who was preparing to fire at them. “I need to get to the bow. Care to join me?”

Sophie glanced up at the first mate from where she was hiding, crouched behind a barrel. Her blue eyes were wide with fear and her hands shook, but she swallowed hard and nodded in response. Somehow, Anyssa's maniacal giggling was reassuring. Like the pirate had everything under control.

She took one of the muskets that Anyssa offered. The gun felt heavy and reassuring in her small hands. Alright, Sophie thought. She had an experienced pirate at her side, and a weapon she knew how to use. She flashed Anyssa a nervous grin, and both women were off toward the bow.

Below the deck amongst the smoke and grime of the cannons, Eve prepared her flintlock and knives for battle.

"Ye bloody bastards prepare the next round!" She yelled raising her gun. "I've got business on deck. Mr. Johnson, ye be in charge. Make sure ye cripple the bloody ship an' not sink it."

Eve heard a yell in reply and she stormed on deck. A Brit had just walked in front of her catching her of guard, but she easily stabbed him in the back with one of her many daggers and moved forward. She eyed the first mate and Sophia at the bow and hurried over to them. Eve noticed another Brit aiming his gun at them and she easily flung a dagger at his head. She made her way passed the fallen bodies on the deck and came to Anyssa.

"I am 'ere, Mistress, what be yer orders?" Eve asked her first mate. "The cannons are already at work crippling the British ship."

Anyssa opened one of the crates at the bow of the chip and removed chain shot for the cannon. The shot itself was two cannonballs with a chain between them and only had one purpose. Handing it to Eve, she grinned.

“If you would be so kind as to take down her mast for me,” Anyssa drew her pistol and fired at another soldier, hitting him in the chest. “Then the three of us can go on board.”

"Aye," Eve gave a devious grin. "Would be me pleasure, Mistress."

Passing by crew members fighting with Brits she carried the chain shot with both hands. One man was shot in the head and his blood spattered the deck in gory brain matter. Eve winced slightly, but jumped over the bodies. One soldier stood from her and the entrance to the lower deck. He raised his gun to her to feel the harsh blow of the chain shot's hard iron to the temple. Without a second thought, she ran to the cannon hold and pushed the chain shot into a cannon herself. She aimed the cannon right on the enemies mast.

"Fire the bloody cannon!" Eve roared to the gunners and with a deafening blow, the chain shot spun out toward the British ship. A large crack could be heard and the mast fell over into the ocean. Smirking with accomplishment, Eve hurried back on deck and to the first mate and Sophia.

[Co-op with the wonderful Anne and snazzy Nazy]

[Stream]

Thoughts and images of Laine's eviscerated body swimmer in Alex's mind. His flesh had literally been torn from his muscles, leaving nothing more than a bloody and ripped apart rag doll, at this point probably lifelessly flailing about in the ocean. Laine was one of the few friends Alex had aboard the Murderess, and the closest thing to a brother in the caribbean.

And then he thought about the Flourish.

Captain West had taken him aboard despite knowing of his age, and given him quarter. The happiest times of his life were aboard that ship; which sounds pitiful at first, but with the consideration of his impoverished childhood, a home and steady supply of meals is a godsend. All of that, taken away by the Murderess in the blink of an eye. Everyone he knew fell around him, leaving only scattered crew member and a majority of fucking tourists.

It was a sick thought, but there was nothing he wished more than for their passengers to die in lieu of his crew mates.

And then he thought about his life in London.

Days without meals, and the meager sums of foodstuff they could actually manage distributed to whoever had the most ribs sticking from the abdomen at the time. Alex did have a pet dog, once, before his family were forced to kill it for nourishment on a particularly cold winter night. No one in that city cared, they were too busy enjoying their lives to care about people barely able to scrape by.

And finally, he thought about the Murderess.

A crew of cold-hearted murderers and thieves, without a shred of nobility. There was very little distinguishing them from any of those bastards in London; especially Anyssa. Everything about her was sickening, her sadistic pleasures, the piercing cackle, and the way she voraciously clawed at Bree. She killed Laine. She killed David West. And as far as he was concerned, she had killed Alex.

There was only one person left to die.

Slowly Alex climbed to the deck of the ship, hearing the screams of Anyssa, ordering the crew to attack a ship. As he reached the top and the sunlight hit his face, the waving white-and-red British flag flapped in the distance. Alex wouldn't have any part of this.

[John]

Anyssa grinned as the frigates mast fell, moving next to one of the barrels on deck. Tipping it onto it’s side, she rolled the barrel of gunpowder over to Eve and Sophie.

“Both of you,” Anyssa hissed grinning maniacally. “Get to the other ship and get this barrel below deck. I’m sure that most of the crew is on deck in the fight now. Feel free to have a look around. I’m always in the mood for something sparkly.” Anyssa giggled and the look on her face was one of utter insanity. She glanced around anxiously licking her lips as she could see the men from both sides being cut down. Anyssa loved the carnage, and right now, especially given the treatment she had received form Bree, Anyssa wanted to kill something.

“Follow behind me,” Anyssa sheathed her sword and quickly reloaded her pistols. “Once we get over get below deck right away,” Anyssa’s voice lowered to almost a whisper that only Eve and Sophie could hear.

“And both of you be careful.” With that, Anyssa got up and started to head across the plank to the English frigate.

The moment Anyssa reached the plank, a British soldier came rushing across with his sword held high. Without a word, she brought up one of her pistols and fired a round at the soldier‘s head. Blood sprayed over Anyssa as the soldier fell. Placing the pistol in her belt, she drew her sword, still gripping the other pistol tightly.

The moment she reached the other ship, she was instantly attacked by another sword wielding soldier. Anyssa deftly blocked his attack with her own sword and fired her pistol. The shot hit him in the chest and he sprawled back a few feet before hitting the deck. Anyssa quickly turned to Sophia and Eve, yelling.

“Get moving you two!!” Anyssa pointed at the hatch and turned to face an oncoming attacker. Her sword came up hard into his jaw, the blade slicing through and the soldier making a gurgling noise as it did.

Anyssa turned an made her way towards the Captain’s cabin. She kicked in the door and slowly made her way inside. She knew Sophia and Eve would no doubt find hr something shiny. But Anyssa wanted to find something as well. Maybe even a gift for Bree if she went back to normal. Still Anyssa couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. She could tell that something was bothering Bree at the time, and she probably would have talked about it if not for the frigate approaching. Perhaps a diamond would make things a little better.

Anyssa turned suddenly as the door of the cabin shut and heard the loud bang before she actually saw the crewman who was in the cabin with her. He had been hiding behind the door and fired, the shot hitting Anyssa in the stomach. For a moment she was unsure what had happened and her hand went instinctively to her stomach. Bringing iit to her face, she looked at the blood on her fingers and giggled before collapsing to the ground.

The crewman walked over to Anyssa and knelt down to check the body. Before the crewman could react, Anyssa’s sword was in his throat and ane grinned at him as she started to turn pale, the floor of the cabin becoming stained with her blood. The crewman fell backwards, stumbling over a chair and falling to the floor.

Alex crept around behind Anyssa, sticking to dark nooks as she made her way towards the Captain's cabin. The gunshot and subsequent sword-to-flesh sounds were all the signs needed to know it was ok to move. Tip-toeing his way inside to see the dead crewman sprawled out and a groaning Anyssa at his feet, clenching her gut as red dripped to the floor.

"Get help you fucking rat!" she yelled, jabbing the air with her bloody sword. Alex smiled at her.

"I'm sure Laine asked for help, too. Or any'a the other's ya've killed."

The remaining colour faded from Anyssa’s face and her eyes pleaded with Alex.

“Please,” The word came as little more than a whisper, and Anyssa coughed, blood spraying from her mouth.

"You're askin' me all posh now. Fine then. You're polite when you're bleeding out on the ground and got a round in your gut, but you're laughing and smiling when you're killing my friends and my…" he swallowed, his lip quivering for a moment. He brought his arms to his eyes and wiped the sweat off of his brow. "You've fucking ruined everything."

“I’m…I…” Anyssa felt weak. Too weak to continue. Her eyelids were growing heavy and she wanted to just go to sleep. Drift off into another world. Just for a second. Anyssa lay her head down on the floor of the cabin and closed her eyes, and slipped into oblivion.

"Fuck you, 'nyssa," he whispered. He exited the cabin, laughing lightly to himself. One loose end squared.

(co op wit Stream)

[Flex]

...

[The Gypsy Queen]

In the chaos of battle, Bree's mind was the most clear. She counted the falling bodies, judged the ship and how much damage it took. Her eyes were cold as she noted her crew and shot a man charging her with a sword, watching a bloody hole blow through his chest as he fell to the ground twitching. Bree stepped over him and through his pooling blood, leaving a trail of bloody bootprints behind her and she boarded the other ship. She shot another man, roaring his anger at her, and left him to bleed the black blood of a gut shot as she moved on.

She noted Anyssa enter the captain's cabin and paused to dip in a gentleman's bow to a young woman who had wandered on deck, eyes wide in fear.

" Take the young lady aboard the Murderess. I'm afraid this ship is no longer hospitable." she said, grinning madly at the girl in the pretty summer dress. A few members of her crew leaped to obey. " Alvidia," she barked out, not waiting to see if she was acknowledged. " Take Margaret and check below deck for anyone or anything of value."

And then something caught Bree's eye. It was Alex, leaving the captain's cabin. The grin on his face sent something cold and hard through Bree's gut, and she started for the cabin at a brisk pace that quickly became a sprint.

" Nessie?" she asked as she threw open the door, voice higher than normal and trembling. The cabin was a mess, and lying in it's middle was Anyssa, bleeding from her stomach. The breath in Bree's lungs left her in a whimper and she sank to her knees, pulling her lover to her. " Nessie." she whispered, gathering the smaller woman in her arms. She struggled to her feet. Anyssa was not heavy but Bree found it difficult to breathe. It felt like she had swallowed a rock, and couldn't get it down or up. She felt nauseous. She couldn't believe what was happening.

Finally, she kicked the door back open and stumbled out onto the deck, mostly clear of living threats by then.

" Someone help!" she shouted to her crew, praying one of them could staunch Anyssa's blood as it poured down Bree's left leg, warm and thick. " For the love of God, someone help!"

[Merry]

The stench of gunpowder and blood was thick in her nostrils. It was creating havoc with the butterflies in her stomach, threatening to cause what little breakfast she had managed to grab earlier to be expelled in a most un-lady like manner. Trying to stop her fingers from shaking as she held the rifle the way Alvidia had shown her below deck was becoming an impossible task. The end of the rifle was wavering as she held it in front of her.

She was convinced that she would be unable to pull the trigger and would soon become just another corpse on the deck at any moment. Watching as deck hand and pirate alike locked into fierce battles for control of either ship. The sounds of the cannons roaring in her ears so loudly that it seemed as if the entire world was suddenly devoid of sound, only to come crashing back with amazing clarity when her hearing cleared. The overwhelming sounds of swords clashing, people screaming, dyeing, gunshots were almost too much to bear.

Sliding along the side of the deck, trying to stay away from some of more intense battles being waged she watched as the pirates were quickly cutting a large path through the crew of the English ship, almost unhindered. The English ship was quickly becoming outnumbered by the shear ruthlessness of the pirates. With savage passion the pirates were cutting the members of the other crew down at a furious rate. The pirate cries continuing to ring out loudly as their victory was becoming ever more apparent.

She had almost breathed a sigh of relief when she felt a hand grab her shoulder from behind, “Hey….what are you doing here!?” said a graveled male voice. Fear caused her to instinctively pull her shoulder away from his grasp and throw herself forward. She turned quickly, and without even considering who was speaking, without a second thought, she felt her fingers pull the trigger.

The gun exploded, rocking into her shoulder hard, almost knocking the breath from her with the impact. The explosion ripped through his upper chest and neck area. She screamed in horror as the blood from his wound splattered across her face, her clothing, covering her in his gore.

The explosion had torn an enormously large hole in his neck. She watched in horror as his mouth worked feverishly trying to speak, to ask her what happened. His head falling backward, neck no longer able to support it. His hands outstretched in her direction, trying to grab her still, as she took another step back, away from his fingers. Her eyes riveted to his, as his face slowly in shock registered what had happened. What she had done. She brought her fingers to her lips in revulsion, watching as his body collapsed on the deck dead before he was fully on the floor. Her eyes like a magnet, automatically drawn to the large and spreading pool of blood underneath him, his eyes frozen open, staring at nothing.

She raced backwards away from the body, turning almost directly into the melee on the deck to see the Captain looking very distraught and screaming for help holding the limp and lifeless body of Anyssa. Her body shaking and refusing to look down at her now blood covered clothing, she grabbed the rifle and headed to the Captain.

Later, I will think about what I did, later…. she whispered to herself, wiping her face with her sleeve. Knowing that she had to focus on something else and not let the scream that was bubbling below the surface out. Instinctively knowing that if she did allow a scream to escape she probably might not stop.

Ducking low, trying to avoid as much fighting as possible, she scurried across the deck and reached the Captain, dropping her gun, “What happened Mistress? Are you hurt?” She said. Seeing all the blood on the pair, it was hard at first to determine who had been injured.

Realizing that the blood was all from Anyssa, she felt the blood drain from her face. “She’s lost a lot of blood, mistress, we need to move her safe place and stop the blood flow.” Tearing off her sleeve, she pressed her already bloodied hands against the large wound in the woman. Watching as it soaked quickly soaked through. “What happened to her?” pressing to hold the blood from flowing. "Put your hands here, with mine" hoping it would be enough.

[Mysteria]

Alvidia had been watching the events as they unfurled around her and had heard the Captains command " Alvidia," Bree snapped the order out " Take Margaret and check below deck for anyone or anything of value."

The words faded across the ocean as all hell was breaking loose on board the Navigator. Alvidia saw Margaret putting to use the few things Alvidia had shown her earlier and was glad that the mini lesson had been useful in helping to keep Margaret alive during the whole bloody damn mess even as Alvidia had needed to raise her own musket and take care of the nearest threat.

Within moments things had gone from bad to worse as Bree carried the first mate on to the deck crying hysterically for help. Margaret was the first to move to the captains side. Alvidia looked on, sickened by the sight. There was little that she could do to help and there were already enough of hands on Anyssa by that time. The only thing that she could do was follow Brees order and go rummaging below deck. Fancy fine British ship like this Alvidia figured maybe she would get lucky and find someone scared from all of the gunshot hiding below decks that might be able to help the first mate.

And pigs fly...Alvidia thought to herself as she carefully went below decks on guard, looking, and listening. Alvidia continued moving below decks using extreme caution and as she neared the brig she heard a voice. When she was close enough she could see a man behind bars. Oh but this was not just any man. Alvidia had been involved in the pirate world all of her life in some form or another and she knew a pirate when she saw one.

Leaning against the door casually and glancing in the bars to the big burly man inside while still watching for any other danger which now appeared to being maintained on deck. Alvidia said in that slow pirate voice of hers "Well now then stangah, it do be lookin' like quite the predicament you done did gone and gotten yerself inta." Alvidia turned to get a better look at the pirate who seemed to remind her of someone though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Propping her foot against the wall and tapping her foot against it slowly with her boot she continued with a light laugh as she flashed her brilliant smile "Care ta tells me how ye went an' did that, sir?"