[ P ] Ahoy There

The salty air infiltrated Muriel’s nose, the scent making her inhale deeply. It was home, one of the only in Rhionnach that the woman had ever known. She’d heard the tale of others of her affiliation who had moved into the area, a few whispers of thieves - pirates - taking up residence and causing somewhat of a ruckus. Nothing unusual in the kingdom, per sey. Not really, anyway. With the Thieves’ Guild holding the land in its shadowy, but iron grip it was truly no surprise to Muriel that a crew had taken up residence in her usual stalking grounds. Now, however, was time to seek them out and figure out what they were about. It was time to find her a crew, to no longer be a lone pirate in the vast land. And so, with sandy paws, Muriel trotted along. She wove around the pillars of stone on the beach, hopping over driftwood logs as they came into her path. She splashed through the waves as they rolled into her path, wrapping around her toes with the ever-present, quiet, comforting hiss of the ocean’s breath. She knew roughly where they had supposedly set up their camp, the place they claimed as their ship of the shoreline. A cave, a multitude of crevices that acted as dens. Was there a home for her here? After the passing of her mother, Muriel had taken up the family occupation wholeheartedly and without question. She enjoyed it, the danger of it, the thrill of it. Hell, she even enjoyed the occasional prison sentence just for the bragging rights of it! Her first had been shortly after she’d turned only a year old and pledged herself to the pirate’s life and the Thieves’ Guild as a whole. At least, she thought she had. Really, she’d just taken to the lessons her mother had given her, taking up the trade of stealing and trading without much trouble. She’d been bred and born to do it, feeling the ocean in her heart, the faintest hint of its waves upon her side in the curves of her colors. Her flag light tail waved high, swaying from side to side with the motion of her hips. A figure appeared up ahead, a darkened figure that the women could see - even from this distance - the distinct white of markings. The breeze carried to her the scent of a man, who smelled frozen in his own regard. Was this one of them? One of the pirates? Oh, how she hoped so! “Ahoy, there!” She called, as she came within a bit of a speaking distance. “Sir, may I trouble you for a conversation?” If things went ass sideways, she’d merely turn tail and run. But she had to know, and if not. Well, if the man had something of interest, she could nearly swindle it from him and steal off with a prize to her own den in a large driftwood log a few miles away, behind some rocks. - you know that it's not over -

@Leviathan

Oh to be free!

To feel the black sands curl betwixt his toes, to feel the crisp, salty air within his fine, wispy fur! To no longer rot and decay like a peasant, a letch, a worm behind those rusted bars. Though his time there had been short, it had not been without misery. The dwelling darkness, no one to entertain him. Not even a morsel to play with...But it was not wasted time, no. He had formulated a plan, finally having room to think and to breathe. His cunning mind began to play, and play he would.

And all of this happened... because of Rook.

It was a simmering anger, one that boiled like hot lava from the pit of his stomach, it was an envious, defiant rage. He was a man without bonds! A man who was free to do what he wished, he was tied to no one but himself, (and perhaps, Nicharion). But to belong to someone who never even had the audacity to show their pretty little face, it was ghastly! It was unheard of!

It was his darkest secret. The price of freedom, came with a cost.

So there he stood, Avast the rocks that glimmered and gleamed, freshly salty sea water crashed against the weathered stones, chipping away as time seemed to stand still within the peaceful turn of Spring. Spring. It was a bountiful season for him-for them babies were ripe for the picking in terms of prey... and for the sicker individual.

Yet he was oh so brooding, oh so intent on his next step; that he almost jumped out of his skin at the beckon call of another. “Ahoy, there!” A familiar greeting to those that knew, dark ears perked, not showing his face, nor giving his full attention. Those icy eyes rolled at the inconvenience.

“Sir, may I trouble you for a conversation?” But oh so polite, as he turned to see whom exactly dared to trouble him, a new face greeted him. Eyes glimmered like gold, yet the seas marked her skin. It was a familiar sight, yet to a stranger's face. The Captain seemed bewildered briefly, before snapping back into his usual charming façade. "Not at all." Dark lips twisted into a wry smile. "I am always up for a good chat."For indeed, he was a socialite at heart! Always wanting to be at the centre of attention.

"What brings you to the black beach, then? Is it the unfathomable stench within the air... or perhaps, the" he paused, to pull a small grimace. "Delightful tavern, just over yonder?" His ivory brow quirked into that signature smirk.

Of course this was all fun and gests, for it had been a... while since he had last spoke to another outside.

The man turned, his darkened cloak swaying in the breeze as he moved. Muriel observed him, looking him over. He was a handsome man, of stone and ice, his gaze dancing with something that Muriel felt was close to insanity. Hm, just her kind it would seem. Surely he would offer good conversation, even if he couldn’t offer good information. Her tail rose in a greeting, ears twitching as the man before her spoke. ”Not at all, I am always up for a good chat,” he said, lips holding a smile. ”What brings you to the black beach, then? Is it the unfathomable stench within the air… or perhaps the… delightful tavern, just over yonder?” Muriel snorted slightly, offering a wave of her paw. “No, nothing of the sort.” She started. “I see information, and I’m hoping you can help me. I’ll cut to the chase of it, the point, no sense in beating around it, right? I hear there are speak of Pirates upon this beach – I want to find them.” Muriel was honest with her actions, her paws working in the sand as she spoke. Her gaze shifted about for a moment, flickering from the man to the scenery, taking in all that there was to see until her full focus shifted fully to the man as she waited expectantly for his response. Her golden gaze hung on him, waiting for something, anything. It was clear there was an excitement about her, but there also existed an extensive lack of nervousness or cautiousness. She wanted some form of excitement in her life, and for the time being she was a woman with a mission. - you know that it's not over -

@Leviathan

He could feel the confines of the bars fall away. The dreary isolation melt from his aching bones. He did not enjoy being locked away... he had half expected Nassar to come and gleefully mock him. But alas, ever the disappointment, she was nowhere to be seen.

It almost hurt to think that he was not a priority. Even behind bars!

But now his plans could go into motion. To set his black flag high. To call those under the skull and crossbones to arms and truly settle once more. To become the Captain that he once was... had been. Will be.


“No, nothing of the sort. A dark ear flickered idly. How boring... he had hoped that she was in... or up for a good time. Indeed, it had been a while since he had given a fair maiden one of his tours. “I see information, and I’m hoping you can help me. I’ll cut to the chase of it, the point, no sense in beating around it, right? I hear there are speak of Pirates upon this beach – I want to find them.” Bewildered, the Captain blinked. Oh... this had taken a turn unforeseen, yet one oh so welcome!

"Oh, information should come with a price, love..." A chuckle, one that sparked giddy joy within his icy heart rattled from his chest. "But alas, this time you shall have it for free! For you have stumbled upon the perfect, handsome soul to help you find them." Upping the theatrics, he lowered himself down into an oh so graceful bow. "Captain Leviathan Salvatoré at your service ma'am." He resumed an oh so royal posture, looking down upon the coastal-pelted lass with a grin.

Indeed, the stir-crazy had gotten to him... it seemed.

The silence after her statements was massive, but not uncomfortable. It seemed the man before her was a bit bewildered. And, as the moments ticked by, she figured that perhaps he knew nothing of what she was asking. Which, was fine! Muriel was content in speaking to a stranger in a friendly manner.

He had nothing of clear value, so there was nothing to plunder. Muriel flicked an ear, her tail swaying gently with the quiet lapping of the waves setting the rhythm of the motion.

”Oh, information should come with a price, love,” the man stated. Muriel’s ears flicked sideways, a slight sneer touching her lips. Before she could spit out a biting remark, the man continued.

”But alas, this time you shall have it for free! For you have stumbled upon the perfect, handsome soul to help you find them.” He bowed as gracefully as a royal asshole. Muriel snickered, almost throwing her head back in the most un-lady-like cackle. She didn’t, however, she restrained herself. The man continued.

”Captain Leviathan Salvatoré at your service ma’am.” Muriel’s head cocked to the side, her ears angled forward. ’Salvatoré? Am I related to this seagull?’ Muriel thought. Her brow scrunched, eyes narrowing slightly.

”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain. Muriel Vos-Salvatoré standing before you,” she said, letting her surname hang in the air to see how the captain would respond.

It seemed that like many, she did not respond to his... humour. Yes, many would scoff at his pompous theatrics. But that was all part of the fun. He could be as snarky or as comedical as the next unpleasant fellow, but what made him different was his ability to turn to ice. To be harsh and cruel. A true bastard in many eyes.

Yet it was rare to see someone seek out his little motley crew. Usually, he would have to linger in the Tavern for days to recruit the next poor unfortunatesoul. Yet here, a woman was before him willing to join! Perhaps his luck was changing?

”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain. Muriel Vos-Salvatoré standing before you, And perhaps in some twisted way, it was. The words hit his chest like a thundering punch. It took him a moment, truly taken for words. His head jerked slightly back; regarding a pricing side glance. "Salvatoré?" Speculation was clear within his tone. "How...?" Indeed, she had the right colouring; the monochrome, the steel, blue and white. Yet the eyes, though bright. Were not the common icy blue or green. Yet he could not be so judgemental. His own Father's eyes were a bright yellow.

Yet as his gaze veered, he pushed back. Blinking. Scouring her frame with his gaze. "Who were your Parents?" To whom did she belong?

Part of him hoped that she would spit his Mother's name.

She could see a myriad of emotions filter across the man’s – her relative’s – features at the mention of her combined surname. Muriel’s ears angled back slightly, wondering what the man’s reaction might be once he caught his clearly shocked tongue and managed to speak. She wasn’t when – if – he’d be able to as the moments ticked by, leaving him there looking at her, almost side-eyeing her with a speculative glance. ”Salvatore?” He asked, his tone showing something of a cautious thoughtfulness. ”How…?” The Captain seemed to hum a little, thinking to himself. His gaze swept over her, taking her in, analyzing her, judging her. Muriel’s gaze narrowed slightly, almost spitting out a biting remark when the man spoke again. ”Who were your parents?” Her head tilted to the side curiously. “My mother was Nevaeh Vos. My father was Rhelenso Salvatore. Who was he to you?” Her tail flicked to punctuate her words. She looked at him with a speculative sparkle in her golden eyes. - you know that it's not over -

@Leviathan

She did not seem afraid. She did not cower beneath his piercing gaze. Instead, she met him with defiance. Indeed there were qualities of a Salvatoré there; unafraid in the face of dominance. At least she had that going for her.

“My mother was Nevaeh Vos. My father was Rhelenso Salvatore. Who was he to you?” A single ivory brow quirked. "Rhelenso," Was a name he had not heard for a very long time. A small smile danced upon his dark lips. "My uncle. Tell me, is he still as grouchy and stubborn as ever?" A small chuckle rumbled from his throat.

Yes, he had known Rhelenso. A very good counsel to his Mother way back when. He was as wise as he was old and though Leviathan did not spend as much time as he would have liked with the older male, he did eventually grow to like the man made of ice and stone. "I did not have the pleasure of knowing your father well, unfortunately our time together was short." His dark ebon head tilted to the side ever so slightly. "Let's hope you live up to his standard, hmm?" Partly a joke, partly a test.

His dark tongue rasped over dry lips; icy gaze wandering to the sprawling seas. "If you would like to stay with me, I am amassing the rest of the remaining Pirates. I believe it is time to hoist our sails high." They had been separated, forgotten and downtrodden. But now was the time for the Pirates to return to Rionnach. "But for now, I would love to hear more stories of your Father over a few pints. What say you?" He cast Muriel a smile that was perhaps for once, genuine.


-Exit Leviathan, unless stopped.-

As she spoke, Muriel could see the movement of the Captain’s facial features. He, at the very least, knew the name she had said. Now, whether that was good or not had yet to be seen. ”Rehelenso. My uncle. Tell me, is he still as grouchy and stubborn as ever?” Muriel offered a small laugh at this question. “I don’t know. He left my mother to return to his wife before my mother gave birth to me,” Muriel stated honestly. Did it change the way that Leviathan thought of his uncle? She didn’t know. But it was the truth, and the pirate girl had little reason to lie to the crew Captain before her. “My mother, however, told me that he was – “ Muriel winced slightly. “- A force to be reckoned with.” ”I did not have the pleasure of knowing your father well, unfortunately out time together was short. Let’s hope you live up to his standard, hmm?” The captain said, and at this, Muriel cackled, throwing her head back with her jaws opened wide. “It’s not his reputation – or standard – I need to live up to! It’s my mother’s. She was a well-known pirate here. I hope to make my name more known than hers ever was.” Muriel beamed, puffing her chest out slightly in determination. While she was fully grown, it was clear that the ragtag, rough-and-tumble child never fully left the woman’s heart as she grew to reach adulthood. ”If you would like to stay with me, I am amassing the rest of the remaining Pirates. I believe it is time to hoist our sails high… But for now, I would love to hear more stories of your Father over a few pints. What say you?” Muriel grinned, a shark-like thing, all teeth, and gum. “You’re on,” she challenged. “And how about this? I regale you with stories of my mother too? Since I’m sure you’d like to know her reputation as well – know what came together to make me.” She said, before laughing once more. She took off at a steady trot, not waiting for the captain to take the lead this time. She was eager to get a few drinks in, to hear a few stories. [ exit, Muriel ] - you know that it's not over -

@Leviathan