It was rare for the cat to allow himself to be subjected to the treatment of a rag doll, but he was in no real position to be stating his rights to himself and being wherever he wanted to be. For the moment, he actually didn't mind being held and moved from one person to the other. He was in no hurry to go outside to the upper decks, where there would be almost certain doom. Cat had no idea what had happened to make the ship churn and groan the way it had, but it certainly was no storm. A whirlpool couldn't have created such a mess. He was perfectly happy with dying and never knowing what they had run aground on; he'd long heard and read tales of great sea monsters, of animals the size of a village that reeked of death and brine, and had teeth like the twisted, rocky spines of Cape Winfher. He didn't want to see one, he didn't want to meet one, it was enough to imagine what such a beast would be like.
Truly, he was very the epitome of the expression "fraidy cat," and despite his awareness of the fact he didn't give a flying rat fart about being brave. The girl went to exit the room yet again, while the troll of a man barged in through the door. This was an odd little group, fussing over mere cat scratches with bottles of brandy, changing weapons and clothes every five minutes, he just didn't know what to make of any of it.
He had little intention of staying with them for any lengthy period of time, especially because of the dog, and had even less an intention of revealing his "inner-self" as it were.
He kept his paws on the back shoulders of the elf, adjusting himself to be easier to carry and more comfortable while simultaneously trying not to make too many claw marks on him. The elf smelled of alcohol and a weird kind of musk that wasn't altogether unpleasant, just odd. It was as if he'd been born and raised in a tavern, Cat didn't know how else to describe it. He listened while they talked behind him, turning his ears for a moment, and then rolling his eyes, or at least trying to. The girl was obviously some form of mental handicap, especially considering she was so eager to get back outside. He saw no reason other than her attractive and young appearance to go after her.
He was quite sure that the elf was trying to steal his pets. Ass.
Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Ko leaned himself just right against the doorframe, a step behind Ceallach. He eyed Shann, and the girl, and Shann, and the girl, and --
He caught his lips drawing back into a snarl and pressed and tightened them into a mocking smile. That weren't him to gawk and gammer over prissy things. He took what he wanted and threw it away. He'd no need for --
"While in my presence you will not sabotage me or the Captain. Or out of it, for that matter. This is why I work alone." Jinhuff was saying all red-faced and drawn up to his full, short height. Ko stared at his shoulders. The gnome was a right steam bucket of spunk, and his slight size made it all too funny. Ko choked back a snigger, letting hisself turn away from the black emotion threatening at Shann's actions.
Jin strutted out the door like a cock to the fight, and Ko smirked at his back. He flanked the gnome's right side, stepping right smart behind him with the gait of any worth-his-salt guppy sailor. They went up to the top deck, toward the storm's center that was the ship's god, Captain-and-don't-you-forget-it Ledilomps. He weren't no deck licker, far as Ko could see. He expected obedience, and he got it.
They were intercepted by the bosun. Ko didn't pay attention as Jin argued with the man, leaning to look at the chest of the Captain and the man standing next to him. Fallson, first mate. His mind jiggered this up for him automatically. Death to any sailor couldn't remember a ship's leaders. Everyone was busy, and the bosun was temporarily handlin' the crew while the Captain worked out plans with his first. Ko wondered where the second mate was, and looked up. Ah. Watching. Right. He looked out across the port side and drew in a breath at the inky not-water that spread out before them, the mass of somethin they'd crashed up on. That was new.
Then Jin was moving, escorted by the Bosun to Cap'n Ledilomps. Ko, bored already, caught mention of Jin offering services like some trade prince promising to sell an elixir of life. Ko snorted. Right. Mumbo jumbo mentionings of technology and shit. What came next interested Ko:
"Additionally, you may choose any from my retinue when you. . ." He gestured out. No other words needed there.
Captain Ledilomps didn't hesitate. "Your murderer, his keeper." His turn to pause and stare at Jin. He looked behind Jin. "Who else would be of use to scout?"
He caught his lips drawing back into a snarl and pressed and tightened them into a mocking smile. That weren't him to gawk and gammer over prissy things. He took what he wanted and threw it away. He'd no need for --
"While in my presence you will not sabotage me or the Captain. Or out of it, for that matter. This is why I work alone." Jinhuff was saying all red-faced and drawn up to his full, short height. Ko stared at his shoulders. The gnome was a right steam bucket of spunk, and his slight size made it all too funny. Ko choked back a snigger, letting hisself turn away from the black emotion threatening at Shann's actions.
Jin strutted out the door like a cock to the fight, and Ko smirked at his back. He flanked the gnome's right side, stepping right smart behind him with the gait of any worth-his-salt guppy sailor. They went up to the top deck, toward the storm's center that was the ship's god, Captain-and-don't-you-forget-it Ledilomps. He weren't no deck licker, far as Ko could see. He expected obedience, and he got it.
They were intercepted by the bosun. Ko didn't pay attention as Jin argued with the man, leaning to look at the chest of the Captain and the man standing next to him. Fallson, first mate. His mind jiggered this up for him automatically. Death to any sailor couldn't remember a ship's leaders. Everyone was busy, and the bosun was temporarily handlin' the crew while the Captain worked out plans with his first. Ko wondered where the second mate was, and looked up. Ah. Watching. Right. He looked out across the port side and drew in a breath at the inky not-water that spread out before them, the mass of somethin they'd crashed up on. That was new.
Then Jin was moving, escorted by the Bosun to Cap'n Ledilomps. Ko, bored already, caught mention of Jin offering services like some trade prince promising to sell an elixir of life. Ko snorted. Right. Mumbo jumbo mentionings of technology and shit. What came next interested Ko:
"Additionally, you may choose any from my retinue when you. . ." He gestured out. No other words needed there.
Captain Ledilomps didn't hesitate. "Your murderer, his keeper." His turn to pause and stare at Jin. He looked behind Jin. "Who else would be of use to scout?"
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
~*~ Before leaving the room, Selena was abruptly stopped and not by her own accord. Her eyes focused on Shann as he made his offer to accompany her to her room. She was not prone to show emotion and because of that she did not blush. Her face remained stoic and not even a smile resided in the smooth texture of her face. She could hear the commotion upstairs and she was actually excited, however the key part of her being able to manipulate elements was the art of keeping your emotions in check. With enough experience and ages to read and learn, Selena knew she could master the art of the weather and its key elements...maybe someday she can invoke a hurricane. She had never seen one, but she read stories of how much damage and havoc a single hurricane could do to a city, or even an army. That thought churned a smile on Selena face, which to other might have been seen as a smile to Shann's offer. She however dismissed that thought, for she was either helpless or useless. "I appreciate the offer Master Shann, however it is not needed. I merely go to change into my leather tunic and boots. I leave you to your, cat." She said softly and she bowed her head to him and left the room. She could feel the wind outside churning and could feel the waves crashing against the side of the boat and the island. Nature was indeed a remarkable power. Upon entering her room, Selena's gown dropped to the ground and she slipped into her traveling gear. She ended her dressing with the final snap of a strap along her back, ensuring her quiver would not tip or get lost, and the placement of her black leather gloves. Those gloves covered her middle finger with a type of harden texture, the same finger from which she used to shot.
She slipped on a black cloak and gown over her cloths and drew the hood up before her eyes, concealing her blond hair and creating a shadow, only allowing her emerald hues to be seen. Selena packed her bag and placed it over her back. It was light, for she did not travel with many things. Selena was no stranger to traveling on land, and she knew that if she bore too much weight, she would go down and no one would be there to save her. Once done, she stepped from her room and ascended upstairs onto the main deck. She gazed around and nodded, realizing that they had crashed into land...but whose land?
The mention of the barbarian caught Selena's attention as she turned her eyes towards the man. He was still upset about the warrior slaying one of his own, so it was only right that he would send the warrior forth first into this land. Selena turned around from the conversation and stared out into the forest. She spoke loud enough for the sailor to hear her, but even so, her voice held a tone of melody in that she knew the man would not be able to resist. "I shall go with him...Into this land." It was a statement, for Selena has no obligation to stay any longer on this crashed vessel. It probably would take them a week at most to fix the vessel, but that was only an assumption in which Selena could be completely wrong. She for once hoped she wasn't.
She slipped on a black cloak and gown over her cloths and drew the hood up before her eyes, concealing her blond hair and creating a shadow, only allowing her emerald hues to be seen. Selena packed her bag and placed it over her back. It was light, for she did not travel with many things. Selena was no stranger to traveling on land, and she knew that if she bore too much weight, she would go down and no one would be there to save her. Once done, she stepped from her room and ascended upstairs onto the main deck. She gazed around and nodded, realizing that they had crashed into land...but whose land?
The mention of the barbarian caught Selena's attention as she turned her eyes towards the man. He was still upset about the warrior slaying one of his own, so it was only right that he would send the warrior forth first into this land. Selena turned around from the conversation and stared out into the forest. She spoke loud enough for the sailor to hear her, but even so, her voice held a tone of melody in that she knew the man would not be able to resist. "I shall go with him...Into this land." It was a statement, for Selena has no obligation to stay any longer on this crashed vessel. It probably would take them a week at most to fix the vessel, but that was only an assumption in which Selena could be completely wrong. She for once hoped she wasn't.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
“Very well,” Ceallach grunted.
The captain was a beady eyed little bastard, that was for sure, and he was obviously still a bit miffed about Ceallach’s disposal of that drunken degenerate. Well, he could wring his hands about it all he wanted but the warrior would not be concerned.
“I hope your party is well and ready. I will grab my knapsack and some basic provisions then we can be on our way,” The fighter said.
The captain started to say something in return, but Ceallach’s unsettling two toned glare locked him in place. He was in command of this vessel, but the mercenary was an untamed beast, a lion that would not be cowed by the words of a mere man.
“Given my expertise, it would be best if I lead. Embarking on long marches and returning victorious is something that I am rather proficient at."
Ceallach looked around. "We will require large, hardy men. Boarding axes for weapons, pick axes and spades if you have them just in case if we have to entrench. If you have any men that are decent with a bow, they'd be assuredly welcome. And three days provisions per man, with plenty of water, no rum. I want them all clear headed."
The captain was a beady eyed little bastard, that was for sure, and he was obviously still a bit miffed about Ceallach’s disposal of that drunken degenerate. Well, he could wring his hands about it all he wanted but the warrior would not be concerned.
“I hope your party is well and ready. I will grab my knapsack and some basic provisions then we can be on our way,” The fighter said.
The captain started to say something in return, but Ceallach’s unsettling two toned glare locked him in place. He was in command of this vessel, but the mercenary was an untamed beast, a lion that would not be cowed by the words of a mere man.
“Given my expertise, it would be best if I lead. Embarking on long marches and returning victorious is something that I am rather proficient at."
Ceallach looked around. "We will require large, hardy men. Boarding axes for weapons, pick axes and spades if you have them just in case if we have to entrench. If you have any men that are decent with a bow, they'd be assuredly welcome. And three days provisions per man, with plenty of water, no rum. I want them all clear headed."
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Speaking of changing clothes, the girl seemed the be particularly talented with rushing out and then returning in an instant with an entirely new wardrobe and set of weapons. Where and why she had learned such a skill, he didn't know or care. Even when he had been human weapons were not really his strong point. Magic was what he knew, and whatever she was claiming to be doing was not the same magic that he knew and loved and hated. She certainly hadn't lived where he had and was not from where he was from. To him she looked and acted like a standard, probably selfish bitch, but regardless he still would have liked a night alone with her.
He hated women.
Cat had very little desire to move out onto the deck with the other idiots, but he didn't really seem to have much choice in the matter and considering that without his new crew, he might get smashed, or eaten by a dog, in the chaos, he figured he'd rather take his chances with these guys than cause another cat scratch freakout. He kept himself firmly attached to the elf, trying not to breathe in as the smell of the man's hair wafted onto him. He suddenly had a strong urge to groom himself and get rid of that male musk, but distracted himself by remembering humans smelled worse, by far, than elves.
If he was ever human again, he'd have to find himself a decent cologne just to kill the memory of that smell.
Maybe he was the only one who noticed the crashing, stormy, horrible waves around them while they were briefly outside. It seemed sort of like the ocean itself felt like eating them today, and something told him there was more awfulness to come yet, that they hadn't just accidentally hit some random island in the center of the sea, that there was devilry that sat in wait for them. His bright eyes were wide with alarm even as he was brought into a warm, but damp and unsurprisingly dank room. He tried to shift so he could see, but he accidentally hooked one of his untrimmed claws into the bony part of the elf's shoulder, and he felt the man wince slightly and push Cat further up. He twisted his head around as much as he could while the murder guy and the hard-faced captain exchanged words.
He didn't know what was going on; they'd entered too late and he was too bad at subtext to understand what was happening and why they seemed to be preparing for a fight. He hadn't seen a ship of any kind, so it wasn't raiders, he didn't think. Damn pirates.
His fear brought him back to one of the pages in his old book of astral beasts, an old illustration of pen and ink. His grip on Shann tightened.
He hated women.
Cat had very little desire to move out onto the deck with the other idiots, but he didn't really seem to have much choice in the matter and considering that without his new crew, he might get smashed, or eaten by a dog, in the chaos, he figured he'd rather take his chances with these guys than cause another cat scratch freakout. He kept himself firmly attached to the elf, trying not to breathe in as the smell of the man's hair wafted onto him. He suddenly had a strong urge to groom himself and get rid of that male musk, but distracted himself by remembering humans smelled worse, by far, than elves.
If he was ever human again, he'd have to find himself a decent cologne just to kill the memory of that smell.
Maybe he was the only one who noticed the crashing, stormy, horrible waves around them while they were briefly outside. It seemed sort of like the ocean itself felt like eating them today, and something told him there was more awfulness to come yet, that they hadn't just accidentally hit some random island in the center of the sea, that there was devilry that sat in wait for them. His bright eyes were wide with alarm even as he was brought into a warm, but damp and unsurprisingly dank room. He tried to shift so he could see, but he accidentally hooked one of his untrimmed claws into the bony part of the elf's shoulder, and he felt the man wince slightly and push Cat further up. He twisted his head around as much as he could while the murder guy and the hard-faced captain exchanged words.
He didn't know what was going on; they'd entered too late and he was too bad at subtext to understand what was happening and why they seemed to be preparing for a fight. He hadn't seen a ship of any kind, so it wasn't raiders, he didn't think. Damn pirates.
His fear brought him back to one of the pages in his old book of astral beasts, an old illustration of pen and ink. His grip on Shann tightened.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Shann had been late to enter the room and in doing such he missed part of the exchange between the captain and the others. What he did catch was the barbarian giving the captain orders as if he were the one in charge. To top it off, his demands sounded as if he was planning on leading some kind of attack on this island. Exactly what a barbarian would do, run ashore with weapons raised to the sky and letting forth animal cries as he charges forth. This man fed into just about every human stereotype he was taught as a child. Some of his old friends would have both loved and hated the guy at the same time.
He pushed the cat a bit further up on his shoulder and hoped that the thing might curl up around the back of his neck so that its hind legs would stop slipping down his chest and its claws wouldn't get caught in his shirt.
More words were exchanged and from the sound of it, it appeared as if Ledilomps wanted to send them off ship. But why? This island was clearly not their destination. Jin had been very clear that he wanted his inventions documented and he wanted the recognition these items would bring him. If he was to become well known and sought after for his fishing gear than he would have to travel to a densely population place to try his luck. He had thought that they had agreed that the best place for him to get his name out there would be in Keltaris. In the bustling city by the sea where people of various races and backgrounds met, Jin could sell his gear to all sorts of people. His inventions could even take to the trade routes and from there spread farther, so what were they doing getting off here?
From the reaction of the captain and the crew upon reaching this island, he couldn't help but assume that this island held no importance. If it did, it would have been a scheduled stop. The would have pulled along some harbor and a town full of welcoming people would have come to greet them, but no. At best there would be a little, insignificant little town nearby. At worst, they could be the only people on the island.
While examining the expressions the others held about such a task, Shann slowly edged his way over to Ko until he stood just behind and off to one side of the man. He leaned over his shoulder a bit and spoke just loud enough so that the other should be able to hear him. "What is the plan?"
He pushed the cat a bit further up on his shoulder and hoped that the thing might curl up around the back of his neck so that its hind legs would stop slipping down his chest and its claws wouldn't get caught in his shirt.
More words were exchanged and from the sound of it, it appeared as if Ledilomps wanted to send them off ship. But why? This island was clearly not their destination. Jin had been very clear that he wanted his inventions documented and he wanted the recognition these items would bring him. If he was to become well known and sought after for his fishing gear than he would have to travel to a densely population place to try his luck. He had thought that they had agreed that the best place for him to get his name out there would be in Keltaris. In the bustling city by the sea where people of various races and backgrounds met, Jin could sell his gear to all sorts of people. His inventions could even take to the trade routes and from there spread farther, so what were they doing getting off here?
From the reaction of the captain and the crew upon reaching this island, he couldn't help but assume that this island held no importance. If it did, it would have been a scheduled stop. The would have pulled along some harbor and a town full of welcoming people would have come to greet them, but no. At best there would be a little, insignificant little town nearby. At worst, they could be the only people on the island.
While examining the expressions the others held about such a task, Shann slowly edged his way over to Ko until he stood just behind and off to one side of the man. He leaned over his shoulder a bit and spoke just loud enough so that the other should be able to hear him. "What is the plan?"
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
The waves were roiling, and the fog that had confounded the watch was not as thick as it had been, but it still obscured the farther reaches of the thing they'd wrecked upon. From the deck of the ship it was visible as a dark grey and black mass, a hard and tough ground occasionally dotted with odd looking plants and what seemed to be silt. The whole of it stank like dead fish and saltwater.
Captain Leddilomps was not one to be bossed around -- one couldn't be, with that name -- and he dismissed Ceallach's suggestion without considering it at all. He sent his men for supplies from down below, and Ko barely stopped himself from flinching away from the elf. So, he'd had his fill of the woman, had he?
"Explore," Ko said, "No natural business is this. Bad luck 'swhat it is. This . . . thing shouldn't even be here." His voice went down into a whisper. The Captain knew it. He didn't know how many of the crew knew it, or even if Jin knew it. Something had made the piece of land or whatever it was pop up out of nowhere. Ko didn't want to know why, or how, or even what nasties were about upon it.
He lowered his voice further. "I heard stories at port sayin' Leviathan is about."
Which was, of course, the perfect time for the noise. It was a deep, bass rumble at first; the sort that might come out of any large animal. It was loud enough to cause the ship to vibrate, but it veered upwards into a moan that cut off. Another noise, further out. Then another. "Fuck." Ko wasn't wearing his cutlass. He wasn't wearing his cutlass. Panic. He scrambled for the door down below, only to find that it had filled with stupid gawking passengers.
"Out of my way!" He growled as he forced his way down.
Abovedecks, a white shape had begun to form out of the mists. The other sailors still had their own cutlasses, and they drew them. The white shape stretched upwards, indistinct in the clinging fog. It disappeared. Then another, off the stern. Another, rear starboard. Both of those shapes disappeared. A low thrumming shook the ship, and then creeping white tendrils started to come over the ship rail. A sailor struck at one with his cutlass, but it went right through the creeping white and stuck in the rail. The white thing bunched and slid, and when the sailor could not immediately free his cutlass he just abandoned it and drew a knife instead, retreating.
None of the sailors' weapons touched the things.
Ko, belowdecks, started to hear screams from further down. He'd retrieved his cutlass and looked down the passageway. The lamps were out. They'd all gone out. There was a quality of blackness that held a special terror when you could hear things moving around in it, with screams being the top contender for get-me-the-fuck-out-of-here.
The long, multijointed fingers closed over his leg and yanked him down before he even had time to scream. Grindylo he thought desperately, before he started stabbing frantically down.
Captain Leddilomps was not one to be bossed around -- one couldn't be, with that name -- and he dismissed Ceallach's suggestion without considering it at all. He sent his men for supplies from down below, and Ko barely stopped himself from flinching away from the elf. So, he'd had his fill of the woman, had he?
"Explore," Ko said, "No natural business is this. Bad luck 'swhat it is. This . . . thing shouldn't even be here." His voice went down into a whisper. The Captain knew it. He didn't know how many of the crew knew it, or even if Jin knew it. Something had made the piece of land or whatever it was pop up out of nowhere. Ko didn't want to know why, or how, or even what nasties were about upon it.
He lowered his voice further. "I heard stories at port sayin' Leviathan is about."
Which was, of course, the perfect time for the noise. It was a deep, bass rumble at first; the sort that might come out of any large animal. It was loud enough to cause the ship to vibrate, but it veered upwards into a moan that cut off. Another noise, further out. Then another. "Fuck." Ko wasn't wearing his cutlass. He wasn't wearing his cutlass. Panic. He scrambled for the door down below, only to find that it had filled with stupid gawking passengers.
"Out of my way!" He growled as he forced his way down.
Abovedecks, a white shape had begun to form out of the mists. The other sailors still had their own cutlasses, and they drew them. The white shape stretched upwards, indistinct in the clinging fog. It disappeared. Then another, off the stern. Another, rear starboard. Both of those shapes disappeared. A low thrumming shook the ship, and then creeping white tendrils started to come over the ship rail. A sailor struck at one with his cutlass, but it went right through the creeping white and stuck in the rail. The white thing bunched and slid, and when the sailor could not immediately free his cutlass he just abandoned it and drew a knife instead, retreating.
None of the sailors' weapons touched the things.
Ko, belowdecks, started to hear screams from further down. He'd retrieved his cutlass and looked down the passageway. The lamps were out. They'd all gone out. There was a quality of blackness that held a special terror when you could hear things moving around in it, with screams being the top contender for get-me-the-fuck-out-of-here.
The long, multijointed fingers closed over his leg and yanked him down before he even had time to scream. Grindylo he thought desperately, before he started stabbing frantically down.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
~*~ Selena ~*~
Selena had begun shaking her head as her vision was blocked by this incoming fog. She thought of Shann for a moment, and though her particularly intriguing despite his several unwelcome advances. She did not truly understand the wiles of men, but from what she had seen, they were not exactly in her favor. Her mother had told her once, that there were two types of men. Men you see and smile but stay away from, or men you see and smile and extend our your hand to greet. She clearly did not think about this before she offered her services. Selena did not think of herself as beautiful, because she hardly ever focused on her looks. Her life was far to busy for her to focus on that.
Selena shook her head again, focusing on what was at hand. She could not make out anything of the waters below, but the fog seemed to be odd. Selena moved to the other side of the ship and tried to glance at the land. Something was wrong, but she could not place it. It was as if nature was churning against itself, and causing mischief for them. It did not surprise Selena when he turned around to seeing white tendrils creeping over the ship. "Gentlemen....." Selena's voice said just loud enough for them to hear her. Her eyes narrowed as she slowly stepped towards the middle of the ship, away from the railing. Selena then ducked low trying to make herself not an object of prey. She than began to analyze the situation. Swords did not touch these wisp like shapes, so Selena did not bother withdrawing her bow. Selena breathed deeply as her eyes flashed white. She began to speak softly forming a spell into her mind. She did not cast it, but held it, waiting for a more opportune time. She needed more information.
Selena had begun shaking her head as her vision was blocked by this incoming fog. She thought of Shann for a moment, and though her particularly intriguing despite his several unwelcome advances. She did not truly understand the wiles of men, but from what she had seen, they were not exactly in her favor. Her mother had told her once, that there were two types of men. Men you see and smile but stay away from, or men you see and smile and extend our your hand to greet. She clearly did not think about this before she offered her services. Selena did not think of herself as beautiful, because she hardly ever focused on her looks. Her life was far to busy for her to focus on that.
Selena shook her head again, focusing on what was at hand. She could not make out anything of the waters below, but the fog seemed to be odd. Selena moved to the other side of the ship and tried to glance at the land. Something was wrong, but she could not place it. It was as if nature was churning against itself, and causing mischief for them. It did not surprise Selena when he turned around to seeing white tendrils creeping over the ship. "Gentlemen....." Selena's voice said just loud enough for them to hear her. Her eyes narrowed as she slowly stepped towards the middle of the ship, away from the railing. Selena then ducked low trying to make herself not an object of prey. She than began to analyze the situation. Swords did not touch these wisp like shapes, so Selena did not bother withdrawing her bow. Selena breathed deeply as her eyes flashed white. She began to speak softly forming a spell into her mind. She did not cast it, but held it, waiting for a more opportune time. She needed more information.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Ceallach pulled his sword and ducked behind his shield, preparing for combat. He dropped back to centerline of the ship and placed his back against the main mast.
He wished for a long spear, but this was all he had at hand. A short sword would do the moment.
The warrior looked around him and calmly observed the panic. It was unorganized, sheer pandemonium. As the ship began to rock and heave, he couldn’t help but be reminded of cattle at the slaughterhouse.
This would not do.
Mustering his many years of commanding men in the field, he screamed, “Everyone who would like to live, to me!”
Some of the sailors that heard him gathered around, pressing their backs to the vertical pole so that they couldn’t be attacked from behind.
The men kneaded together in a tight circle and maintained their position and Ceallach began to hear screams echo from below decks and he recognized them immediately.
They were the sound of terrified men dying badly and he knew that whatever was causing it soon would be amongst them.
The warrior spat and snarled. He tightened his grip on his blade and relaxed it again, then again.
Whatever the damned thing was, he was ready.
He wished for a long spear, but this was all he had at hand. A short sword would do the moment.
The warrior looked around him and calmly observed the panic. It was unorganized, sheer pandemonium. As the ship began to rock and heave, he couldn’t help but be reminded of cattle at the slaughterhouse.
This would not do.
Mustering his many years of commanding men in the field, he screamed, “Everyone who would like to live, to me!”
Some of the sailors that heard him gathered around, pressing their backs to the vertical pole so that they couldn’t be attacked from behind.
The men kneaded together in a tight circle and maintained their position and Ceallach began to hear screams echo from below decks and he recognized them immediately.
They were the sound of terrified men dying badly and he knew that whatever was causing it soon would be amongst them.
The warrior spat and snarled. He tightened his grip on his blade and relaxed it again, then again.
Whatever the damned thing was, he was ready.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Holding tight, he coiled around his transport's neck like a dead mink, gripping the clothing he had access to with some serious strength. Sounds of panic traveled around them beyond the room and the smell of fear ran putrid and terrible through his nostrils. His heart leaped to his throat and a stagnant, acidic feeling sat at the pit of his stomach like a stone. Leviathan. The mere idea of such a monster petrified him where he lay, it, or something else's call reverberating through the wood and thick structure of the ship's walls. His mind was running amuck with a dozen possibilities of beasts it could be. Whatever it was, it was displeased at having a wooden thing cutting through its patch of sea, and seemed to be killing people.
The elf was moving, but in this position it was impossible for Cat to see where he was going. He only felt the motions of moving downwards rather than up to the top-most deck. Shouting, yelling, cursing, screaming, all of it came at him at once. Strange moans from the monster flushed fear through them all. He could hear the clamor of metal weapons against wood, and further down, weirder still clicking and pain-filled screeches from some other-worldly thing. Then someone grabbed him and he was peeled like a sticky bandage from Shann's backside.
His sight of the elf disappeared with a swirl of auburn hair and he realized he was screaming. It was a horrible sound, his own screaming cat-cries that made men turn their heads to see if he was another beast.
His spine twisted and his claws flew around to meet the weird, black and mucus-coated eyes of an animal he had only seen in books. Grindylows, dozens of them. It raked him with its long, spindly fingers and dragged him, screeching about its bleeding eye. A flurry of claws and legs and fingers and someone's cutlass, and then he was running. Someone stepped on him and he screamed again, and heard the man behind him be swept down.
The elf was moving, but in this position it was impossible for Cat to see where he was going. He only felt the motions of moving downwards rather than up to the top-most deck. Shouting, yelling, cursing, screaming, all of it came at him at once. Strange moans from the monster flushed fear through them all. He could hear the clamor of metal weapons against wood, and further down, weirder still clicking and pain-filled screeches from some other-worldly thing. Then someone grabbed him and he was peeled like a sticky bandage from Shann's backside.
His sight of the elf disappeared with a swirl of auburn hair and he realized he was screaming. It was a horrible sound, his own screaming cat-cries that made men turn their heads to see if he was another beast.
His spine twisted and his claws flew around to meet the weird, black and mucus-coated eyes of an animal he had only seen in books. Grindylows, dozens of them. It raked him with its long, spindly fingers and dragged him, screeching about its bleeding eye. A flurry of claws and legs and fingers and someone's cutlass, and then he was running. Someone stepped on him and he screamed again, and heard the man behind him be swept down.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Overall, the day wouldn't have been so bad. The waves were slapping about the ship and the landmass, and the fog wasn't entirely pleasant, but it was not terribly cold or hot. The wind played at a slight breeze, nothing irritating or fearsome. Of course, it didn't make much sense then that the sea would be so rough without the wind to stir it, but that wasn't too important. Not when there were monsters to contend with.
The ship had run itself aground and settled upon the breast of its new home, but still it was not stable. The movements from passengers and sailors alike caused it to give a great lurch starboard, and it was only due to the tight discipline Captain Leddilomps ran aboard his vessel that nothing shifted overmuch from whence it had been stowed. People, on the other hand, were not so tightly held to the decks, and a cry arose at the sudden jerk and tumble from those not braced.
The Captain was one whom planted himself firmly wherever he was, and he did not topple though he moved with the crippled deck of his ship and regained solid footing a moment later. He assessed the situation coldly: two unknowns to contend with. In his eyes, either they stayed with the ship and faced the monsters, or hauled ass over and dealt with what the land might have to give.
His ship and his crew were everything to him. Men generally liked serving with him, because he got them paid and kept them alive. Oh aye, not all of them liked the rigidity of his rules, and he'd had his share of mutinous individuals. With the men who'd served years under him he'd still found his foothold in their craggy souls, and to him they afforded some tenuous loyalty. For the rest, he tossed overboard or dumped at port. He had new men with him, and he could instinctively trace the cracks of division that had begun to form at his murderous prisoner's steely control.
But that was a moment's worth of clarity, and he did not fully grasp all of it at once. There was a problem at hand, his problem, and he'd see to it.
He put his hands behind his back, one grasping the other in a parody of military stance. "Master Fallson," he said, just loud enough to be heard over the melee. He was not yet in danger. He was far enough away from the hatch that he had his time for dignity in the face of what was to come. Even then, it still stuck in his throat. "Abandon ship."
Fallson looked at him, eyes wide. Fallson's weapon, a cudgel, wavered in the tight grip he hand on it. He did not speak aloud his hesitance, but only looked at Ledilomps. For a moment they shared grim silence amidst the clamor.
"All hands! Abandon ship!"
Two men and a tarboy didn't move from where they'd gathered about Ceallach. They were new, or newer, than the hardbitten men who'd crewed with Ledilomps for years. There were only eight of his men abovedecks: four sailors, his bosun, first mate and the tarboy. He'd sent men below.
His bosun, Alberto, heard Fallson's cry and raced to the bell, abandoning the bloody mess he'd been attacking near the hatch. That wretched bell pealed the order, its sound resonating far below where his men -- or what was left of them -- would hear it and obey, and hopefully the passengers would get the hint.
_______________________________
Ko stared down at the nightmare that'd caught him up. Couldn't see the fucking thing. Was it a blessing that the darkness hid its ugly carcass, or would it get him killed? Doom either way, he thought rather bitterly. Thoughts of death always did him in, flashing him back all gooey eyed to a time when he'd held a real woman's body in his arms.
"Pethenas," he groaned. Stabbing, stabbing.
His cutlass finally stuck on something. Whatever held him was strong, he knew it 'cause the deck'd moved under him, or he over it, going down to where the foul seawater licked greedily at the pocket of air within. He wasn't moving now, and he was able to kick off whatever had gripped him so carefully. Half a dozen ideas sprang immediately to mind as to what it coulda been. Sailors were a talking lot when it came to sharing stories and curses in the dark, and Ko had stored enough of them in his head to have a scurvy clue. He wasn't no hero.
The bell clamored for attention, and he didn't need to be told twice. He went back the way he came. Seemed pretty fucking likely his luck had run, because more of the things moved in the faint light that came from the open hatch up to the top deck. Light on things, light on corpses, light on blood and seawater. "Thanks, Changers," he said as he heard the slimy squelch of more little clawed feet further down the corridor behind him, "thanks a whole fucking heap."
The ghostly forms answered with a chilling call of their own as men and a particularly clever cat screamed.
The ship had run itself aground and settled upon the breast of its new home, but still it was not stable. The movements from passengers and sailors alike caused it to give a great lurch starboard, and it was only due to the tight discipline Captain Leddilomps ran aboard his vessel that nothing shifted overmuch from whence it had been stowed. People, on the other hand, were not so tightly held to the decks, and a cry arose at the sudden jerk and tumble from those not braced.
The Captain was one whom planted himself firmly wherever he was, and he did not topple though he moved with the crippled deck of his ship and regained solid footing a moment later. He assessed the situation coldly: two unknowns to contend with. In his eyes, either they stayed with the ship and faced the monsters, or hauled ass over and dealt with what the land might have to give.
His ship and his crew were everything to him. Men generally liked serving with him, because he got them paid and kept them alive. Oh aye, not all of them liked the rigidity of his rules, and he'd had his share of mutinous individuals. With the men who'd served years under him he'd still found his foothold in their craggy souls, and to him they afforded some tenuous loyalty. For the rest, he tossed overboard or dumped at port. He had new men with him, and he could instinctively trace the cracks of division that had begun to form at his murderous prisoner's steely control.
But that was a moment's worth of clarity, and he did not fully grasp all of it at once. There was a problem at hand, his problem, and he'd see to it.
He put his hands behind his back, one grasping the other in a parody of military stance. "Master Fallson," he said, just loud enough to be heard over the melee. He was not yet in danger. He was far enough away from the hatch that he had his time for dignity in the face of what was to come. Even then, it still stuck in his throat. "Abandon ship."
Fallson looked at him, eyes wide. Fallson's weapon, a cudgel, wavered in the tight grip he hand on it. He did not speak aloud his hesitance, but only looked at Ledilomps. For a moment they shared grim silence amidst the clamor.
"All hands! Abandon ship!"
Two men and a tarboy didn't move from where they'd gathered about Ceallach. They were new, or newer, than the hardbitten men who'd crewed with Ledilomps for years. There were only eight of his men abovedecks: four sailors, his bosun, first mate and the tarboy. He'd sent men below.
His bosun, Alberto, heard Fallson's cry and raced to the bell, abandoning the bloody mess he'd been attacking near the hatch. That wretched bell pealed the order, its sound resonating far below where his men -- or what was left of them -- would hear it and obey, and hopefully the passengers would get the hint.
_______________________________
Ko stared down at the nightmare that'd caught him up. Couldn't see the fucking thing. Was it a blessing that the darkness hid its ugly carcass, or would it get him killed? Doom either way, he thought rather bitterly. Thoughts of death always did him in, flashing him back all gooey eyed to a time when he'd held a real woman's body in his arms.
"Pethenas," he groaned. Stabbing, stabbing.
His cutlass finally stuck on something. Whatever held him was strong, he knew it 'cause the deck'd moved under him, or he over it, going down to where the foul seawater licked greedily at the pocket of air within. He wasn't moving now, and he was able to kick off whatever had gripped him so carefully. Half a dozen ideas sprang immediately to mind as to what it coulda been. Sailors were a talking lot when it came to sharing stories and curses in the dark, and Ko had stored enough of them in his head to have a scurvy clue. He wasn't no hero.
The bell clamored for attention, and he didn't need to be told twice. He went back the way he came. Seemed pretty fucking likely his luck had run, because more of the things moved in the faint light that came from the open hatch up to the top deck. Light on things, light on corpses, light on blood and seawater. "Thanks, Changers," he said as he heard the slimy squelch of more little clawed feet further down the corridor behind him, "thanks a whole fucking heap."
The ghostly forms answered with a chilling call of their own as men and a particularly clever cat screamed.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Zain had been asked to stay out of the way. He had been told to restrain his furry friend. He had done what the others had requested of him and he had sunk back into the corners of the minds of those that watched over him. He liked it better that way. When others chose not to pay attention to him he didn't feel as if they expected things of him.
While the others had gone to speak with the caption, Zain had hung back and observed the ongoing activities of the ship. He noted the unusual way the crew was acting. They weren't observing their normal routine, too many people were on this shift, they weren't stationed at their normal posts. It was wrong.
The passengers were wrong too. At this time of night some of the passengers should be out making rounds on the top deck, trying to walk off their dinners before bed. There were sounds coming from up there but it wasn't the slow, rhythmic movement of soft shoes against wooden planks. No, what he could hear sounded more like frantic running or thunder. He hadn't seen a single person since leaving the cabin, yet there were people pounding on the deck above him.
When the ship shifted again, Zain found himself pulling his dog into his chest for protection. There was a yelp of protest from the quick jerking motion he used to pull the length of rope leash that separated the two of them, but all was forgiven the moment the scared young man wrapped his arms around the creature. Nestled between the mass of fur and what he hoped was a secure wall, Zain tried to wait out the movement. He hoped things would return to what they should be.
That was when the screaming began.
It had suddenly become dark, very dark. He could barely see much beyond his own feet. He doubted the possibility of seeing his own hand should he stretch his arm out in front of him, but his hand was
busy clutching a fist full of fur-covered skin. The rest of his body trembled at the sounds of the screaming coming from the dark beyond his reach.
If he could, he would run. He wanted to hide. He wanted to cover his head and scream right along with the terrible cries that seemed to echo all around him, but he couldn't. He was too scared to do anything beyond digging his nails into loyal friend.
____________________________________________________
It seemed in no time flat things went from a rather uneventful day to complete shit. In one moment he had been standing with his group of traveling companions trying to figure out what their next move was and in the next moment chaos broke out.
Ledilomps seemed to be trying to maintain control of his ship, but not even he could contain this madness. Shann had been standing there watching the events unfold in a rather confused state of being. He didn't know what was going on, he didn't know what the proper procedure for such a thing was. It wasn't until somebody started ringing a bell and shouting about abandoning the ship that it even sunk in that things could be that bad.
It was in that moment that Shann became focused. They needed to abandon the ship and find safety. They needed to find a boat or some kind of flotation device that could get them to the island. They needed to...
Shann kept thinking in terms of 'they', Zain, himself and that mangy dog. Zain wasn't standing right beside him. The boy wasn't within his eyesight either. Shann had told him to stay out of the way and now he didn't know where the boy was.
Without thinking, he passed off the cat to the first person he had passed. It wasn't that the animal had been much of a burden carrying it around, but as he made a quick dash for the last place he had seen his nephew he didn't want anything to slow him down or get in his way.
"Zain," he yelled. "Zain, where are you?"
People were screaming, trying to run for safety, some were even trying to take up what weapons they could against whatever it was that was scaring them so, but all Shann could think of was trying to find the only family he had left and protecting it from harm.
While the others had gone to speak with the caption, Zain had hung back and observed the ongoing activities of the ship. He noted the unusual way the crew was acting. They weren't observing their normal routine, too many people were on this shift, they weren't stationed at their normal posts. It was wrong.
The passengers were wrong too. At this time of night some of the passengers should be out making rounds on the top deck, trying to walk off their dinners before bed. There were sounds coming from up there but it wasn't the slow, rhythmic movement of soft shoes against wooden planks. No, what he could hear sounded more like frantic running or thunder. He hadn't seen a single person since leaving the cabin, yet there were people pounding on the deck above him.
When the ship shifted again, Zain found himself pulling his dog into his chest for protection. There was a yelp of protest from the quick jerking motion he used to pull the length of rope leash that separated the two of them, but all was forgiven the moment the scared young man wrapped his arms around the creature. Nestled between the mass of fur and what he hoped was a secure wall, Zain tried to wait out the movement. He hoped things would return to what they should be.
That was when the screaming began.
It had suddenly become dark, very dark. He could barely see much beyond his own feet. He doubted the possibility of seeing his own hand should he stretch his arm out in front of him, but his hand was
busy clutching a fist full of fur-covered skin. The rest of his body trembled at the sounds of the screaming coming from the dark beyond his reach.
If he could, he would run. He wanted to hide. He wanted to cover his head and scream right along with the terrible cries that seemed to echo all around him, but he couldn't. He was too scared to do anything beyond digging his nails into loyal friend.
____________________________________________________
It seemed in no time flat things went from a rather uneventful day to complete shit. In one moment he had been standing with his group of traveling companions trying to figure out what their next move was and in the next moment chaos broke out.
Ledilomps seemed to be trying to maintain control of his ship, but not even he could contain this madness. Shann had been standing there watching the events unfold in a rather confused state of being. He didn't know what was going on, he didn't know what the proper procedure for such a thing was. It wasn't until somebody started ringing a bell and shouting about abandoning the ship that it even sunk in that things could be that bad.
It was in that moment that Shann became focused. They needed to abandon the ship and find safety. They needed to find a boat or some kind of flotation device that could get them to the island. They needed to...
Shann kept thinking in terms of 'they', Zain, himself and that mangy dog. Zain wasn't standing right beside him. The boy wasn't within his eyesight either. Shann had told him to stay out of the way and now he didn't know where the boy was.
Without thinking, he passed off the cat to the first person he had passed. It wasn't that the animal had been much of a burden carrying it around, but as he made a quick dash for the last place he had seen his nephew he didn't want anything to slow him down or get in his way.
"Zain," he yelled. "Zain, where are you?"
People were screaming, trying to run for safety, some were even trying to take up what weapons they could against whatever it was that was scaring them so, but all Shann could think of was trying to find the only family he had left and protecting it from harm.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
~*~ Selena ~*~
Selena continued to stay crouched as the sailor ran around in a frenzy of panic and fear. Emerald eyes flashed with a small amount of power, as she did not react. Hearing the words "Abandon Ship" didn't seem to sit well with Selena. There was a creature trying to destroy them and the captain wanted them to jump into the water? The gods wouldn't have been so cruel to send men into a pit that this creature was probably coming from. This thought process did not help the situation. These tentacles could not be destroyed by steel weapons. Maybe with magic, but Selena was not sure she wanted to use her magic and waste it.
Selena had to do something. Her eyes spotted Shann, and then she lost him. The poor man disappeared so fast, Selena was unable to know where he had gone. She, of course, saw the barbarian, who had mustered some men to his side. It is always like that brute of a man to call men to his aid to battle a creature he cannot touch. Selena then moved across the outside deck, her form gracefully reaching the area where the barbarian stood with his men. She felt the boat move, which caused Selena to tumble, but as she fell, Selena tucked her legs inward and rolled forward. Regaining her momentum as she flipped, she landed on her feet awkwardly. Upon reaching the barbarian Selena looked back, keeping her back to a wooden section of the ship. "How can we fight what we cannot hit? I can use magic, but I do not believe it will bear any harm to the creature!" Her voice was calm, but her eyes showed something different.
"How are we to abandon ship?" Selena said looking at the sailors wondering how they were going to get out. Jumping out of the boat seemed insane, but if that meant to save their lives, what choice did anyone have?
Selena continued to stay crouched as the sailor ran around in a frenzy of panic and fear. Emerald eyes flashed with a small amount of power, as she did not react. Hearing the words "Abandon Ship" didn't seem to sit well with Selena. There was a creature trying to destroy them and the captain wanted them to jump into the water? The gods wouldn't have been so cruel to send men into a pit that this creature was probably coming from. This thought process did not help the situation. These tentacles could not be destroyed by steel weapons. Maybe with magic, but Selena was not sure she wanted to use her magic and waste it.
Selena had to do something. Her eyes spotted Shann, and then she lost him. The poor man disappeared so fast, Selena was unable to know where he had gone. She, of course, saw the barbarian, who had mustered some men to his side. It is always like that brute of a man to call men to his aid to battle a creature he cannot touch. Selena then moved across the outside deck, her form gracefully reaching the area where the barbarian stood with his men. She felt the boat move, which caused Selena to tumble, but as she fell, Selena tucked her legs inward and rolled forward. Regaining her momentum as she flipped, she landed on her feet awkwardly. Upon reaching the barbarian Selena looked back, keeping her back to a wooden section of the ship. "How can we fight what we cannot hit? I can use magic, but I do not believe it will bear any harm to the creature!" Her voice was calm, but her eyes showed something different.
"How are we to abandon ship?" Selena said looking at the sailors wondering how they were going to get out. Jumping out of the boat seemed insane, but if that meant to save their lives, what choice did anyone have?
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
Ceallach glanced at the girl for only the briefest of seconds, but that was enough to see that she was on the verge of panic.
He locked eyes with her. He growled, "We will be fine."
Another of the white shapes began to materialize over the side of the ship.
The warrior looked up the main mast and performed a bit of mental math.
He shoved his shield into Selena's hands. It clanged on the deck for a second, the weight obviously surprising her.
He wrapped both of his meaty hands around his falcatta, sucked in a deep breath, and hacked at the mast.
The lines were severed and sail fluttered free, hanging limply.
Again, he struck, cutting deep into the wood with a splintering crunch. It began to teeter and sway drunkenly.
Ceallach shoved the confused sailors out of his way as he circled to the opposite side of the pillar.
He braced himself against it and, straining with all of his considerable might, pushed at the mast.
"GANGWAY!" He screamed as the beam toppled.
People scattered as the shadow fell across its path, finally impacting on the deck, bouncing a bit, and then sliding over the edge of the ship, and corkscrewing into the center of the white mass that had appeared not long before. Whatever the thing was, it grunted, almost squealed, and receded into the enveloping fog.
The other shapes, seemingly as shocked as the first by this attack, halted their advance for a moment as well. The ghostly tentacles did not move, hesitant to continue.
The men that had gathered around Ceallach also stood in silence.
The mercenary wasted no time, however. He snatched his shield from Selena and screamed, “ONWARD!”
His words spurring the men from their stillness, they followed the charging soldier as he bounded across the deck and leapt over the side of the ship.
He locked eyes with her. He growled, "We will be fine."
Another of the white shapes began to materialize over the side of the ship.
The warrior looked up the main mast and performed a bit of mental math.
He shoved his shield into Selena's hands. It clanged on the deck for a second, the weight obviously surprising her.
He wrapped both of his meaty hands around his falcatta, sucked in a deep breath, and hacked at the mast.
The lines were severed and sail fluttered free, hanging limply.
Again, he struck, cutting deep into the wood with a splintering crunch. It began to teeter and sway drunkenly.
Ceallach shoved the confused sailors out of his way as he circled to the opposite side of the pillar.
He braced himself against it and, straining with all of his considerable might, pushed at the mast.
"GANGWAY!" He screamed as the beam toppled.
People scattered as the shadow fell across its path, finally impacting on the deck, bouncing a bit, and then sliding over the edge of the ship, and corkscrewing into the center of the white mass that had appeared not long before. Whatever the thing was, it grunted, almost squealed, and receded into the enveloping fog.
The other shapes, seemingly as shocked as the first by this attack, halted their advance for a moment as well. The ghostly tentacles did not move, hesitant to continue.
The men that had gathered around Ceallach also stood in silence.
The mercenary wasted no time, however. He snatched his shield from Selena and screamed, “ONWARD!”
His words spurring the men from their stillness, they followed the charging soldier as he bounded across the deck and leapt over the side of the ship.
Re: Seemingly Pointless Meandering
It had been a long time since he'd been involved in such a situation of panic and unknowns. Generally he tended to avoid those sorts of events as much as he could, but when you were on a large wooden thing in the center of a very large sea, there really wasn't much you could do except pray to the Changers that everything was going to be okay. He might have had his wits about him if not for the water surging onto the ship. Even below deck the grindylows were bringing the sea water, apparently trying in vain to drown the entire ship. Their awful long claws were scraping against the wood of the floor and the sound of cloth tearing and men yelling sent rushes through his heart. Like jolts of electricity every moment of panic seemed to cause him to run faster, jump higher, all through the desperation of survival.
Cat climbed several wooden stairwells, avoiding the strange white tendrils on his way up to deck. Everything in him told him to be as high up as possible so that he could see and thus avoid danger, not to mention the idea of the ship sinking terrified him to no end. He could hear people yelling, "Abandon ship!" and he saw the large barbarian throw himself off the side of the ship. Meanwhile a couple of men were trying to ready a small rowboat, but the creature, whatever it was, broke their ropes and pushed one of them off the side. The mast had broken somehow, the one hope Cat had been holding onto as far as getting some place high.
Now he was standing there in the chaos, shaking, petrified.
He could not bring himself to simply jump off the edge of the ship into the swirling waters below. He didn't know what they had run aground on and to be honest he didn't really want to know. The idea of drowning in the ocean scared him too much, more than death by weird tentacle things did anyway.
He didn't realize until now that he was standing on the railing of the ship, gripping the wood with his claws.
Cat climbed several wooden stairwells, avoiding the strange white tendrils on his way up to deck. Everything in him told him to be as high up as possible so that he could see and thus avoid danger, not to mention the idea of the ship sinking terrified him to no end. He could hear people yelling, "Abandon ship!" and he saw the large barbarian throw himself off the side of the ship. Meanwhile a couple of men were trying to ready a small rowboat, but the creature, whatever it was, broke their ropes and pushed one of them off the side. The mast had broken somehow, the one hope Cat had been holding onto as far as getting some place high.
Now he was standing there in the chaos, shaking, petrified.
He could not bring himself to simply jump off the edge of the ship into the swirling waters below. He didn't know what they had run aground on and to be honest he didn't really want to know. The idea of drowning in the ocean scared him too much, more than death by weird tentacle things did anyway.
He didn't realize until now that he was standing on the railing of the ship, gripping the wood with his claws.