Forums » General Roleplay » Trick or Treat: Murdoch (closed)

In a lively, nameless port town, there sat a ship--a brig, to be most precise! It was painted turquoise as the sea, with great copper and cream sails rolled up tight amongst the rigging. A red and silver banner waved upon its tallest mast, alongside a green flag so dark that it may as well have been black.

But on this evening in particular, The Emerald Wavesplitter wore additional decorations: small pumpkins carved out, lit by tiny candles, hung all about the railing, and the brig bore more skulls of various races than usual around the deck. Despite the macbre and simplistic look, the ship's gangplank was attached to the docks, alongside a bell and a sign:

'Ahoy there!

If it's candy you seek, give her a ring! No tricks--unless it's magic you fancy!

-Cpt. Forest'

Aries never really did a lot for these events, not for a while. The Zephyr had been docked for the time being as he and his crew did what they could to both relax and resupply while they were here. However, when Aries walked past decorated ships that were perchance there for longer than he to celebrate such festivities, he chuckled with a soft laugh to himself.

There was one ship docked that caught his eye above the others... and that was because it was painted almost as blue as a cloudless tropical sky. That was the most interesting thing to him. The fact that it was so eye catching was interesting to him as he turned to walk toward it for a better view.

The jack-o-lanterns incited another chuckle from Aries before he looked to the name of the ship and read it under his breath, "The Emerald Wavesplitter... hm...."

It was when he was about to leave that Aries saw the open gangplank. Cautiously walking for it and looking about, he then read the sign that was set up close to the bell and read that as well. Quirking a brow in curiosity, he reached his hand out and rang the bell.

It took a moment, but sure enough someone responded to the crisp sound of the bell.

It wasn't the scout in the crows nest (even if he took a peek), but it was the sound of double doors striking the walls of the masters' quarters. The sharp click of boots sounded, drawing closer, until a figure revealed itself at the railing.

Captain Forest was tall and willowy, like a scarecrow. Olive skin, further darkened by sun, was marred by lighter scarring, and his brown hair was long and wild, barely contained. He wore a fine suit and coat of navy blue--who knew what ill gotten means purchased it--and he sported golden eyes of a supermatural manner.

If it weren't for the amused look upon his face, the captain could've easily posed as a demonic entity. He peered downat Aries, appraising him with keen eyes.

"Yeh rang? Lookin' a might bit old t' b' huntin' candy, lad!" On the matter of age, Captain Forest was at least middle aged. Barely in his forties.

At the sound of the doors that opened with a crack from where he was, Aries looked up to the deck and watched for a while as what he could assume was the captain made his way out. There was a quirked brow of curiosity and intrigue as Aries tilted his head.

When the man called out, Aries could only shrug and offer a chuckle in response before truly replying with: "One's never old enough t'bandon a sweet reward. Whether it be'a gold doubloon, or of the sweet kiss of cacao."

The captain was equally amused at Aries' answer. True to the sign's word, he reached down into a bucket of wrapped sweets. The aforementioned bucket was clean. Thankfully.

He tossed the random candy down to the fellow seafarer. Its silvery covering glinted in the candlelight.

"What ship d'yeh sail with, lad?" the willowy man questioned as he watched to ensure the candy met its mark.

Reaching a hand out, Aries caught the candy with a half grin before pocketing it with a thanks.

Glancing down the docked ships after the captain of The Emerald Wavesplitter asked his question, Aries pointed toward the red-stained ship with the cream wood trim and beige, canvas sails. It had been hard to see from where they were, but with a squint or a spyglass, one could read the elegantly lettered and embossed name: "Zephyr".

The name was short and sweet, just the way Aries typically liked things.

Next to the name, however, was a more recently painted image of a white lion that seemed reminiscent of clouds.

"She's a study ship, Zephyr. Been with'er for several years now!" Aries said.

The captain peers down the docks, eyeing each ship until Aries' is pointed out to him. Murdoch mimics a spyglass with his hands and smiles broadly.

"Seems like a fine vessel! Does that maker yeh her captain then?"

"Sure does!" Aries replied, standing only a little straighter with swelled pride in that moment.

"Speaking of which..." Aries then started, taking a small nod toward The Emerald Wavesplitter. "Can't say I've ever seen a vessel such as yours, there! 'S an interesting colour f'sure. No criticism here -- jus' sayin' I've never come across such a unique ship like this'un."

Just for that string of compliments, Murdoch tossed another candy down to Aries.

"Why thank yeh, lad! She's a fine vessel, th Wavesplitter. Named for a dragon in m'own homelands," the man explained with pride. There was a lot of that sin to go around coming from him. "Colored for it too. If you're goin' t' b' spotted by enemy ships, yeh might as well d' it fancily!"

That probably explained the hat and coat Captain Peacock wore.

Not expecting it, Aries had reached out only last second to catch the candy that had been tossed his way. He fumbled only momentarily before holding it up with a rather pleased, yet sheepish smile. Again, he pocketed the candy with yet another thanks.

"Fair'nough, fair'nough!" Aries replied. "Always nice t'have a certain flourish for sure!"

Aries was about to make another comment before a larger male, dark-skinned with rather neatly braided rows of hair and a somewhat jovial expression appeared next to him. There was a cask nestled between his arm and torso, and he used his free hand to place upon Aries' shoulder.

The new man made a comment about having to get going, his accent thick with the Jamaican twang.

"I'll be seein' ya real soon up on de Zephyr, mon..." the man finished, breaking away from Aries and leaving to his own devices. Aries watched after him before turning his attention back up to the captain of The Emerald Wavesplitter.

"I s'pose it's time I take my leave, then!" Aries chuckled, giving a nonchalant half-wave. "Th' name's Aries, by th' way. I look forward t'our paths crossin' 'gain at some point."

Aries would only stick around long enough for the captain of The Emerald Wavesplitter to give his name in turn before leaving to dock the Zephyr in preparation to take to the seas once more.

The pirate tipped his grand hat to Aries.

"A pleasure, lad! Captain Murdoch Forest, and next time we meet, hopefully it'll still b' as good acquaintances. May th' seas b' fair in your sailin'."

Now what in the world could he have meant by that? Regardless the captain saw Aries off with a friendly wave and a grin full of teeth.

As Aries left, another approached. He was a diminutive little lizard with oversized wings and rear legs, his obsidian sheen streaked with poisonously stark teals and purples, and his large eyes as luminous and orange as the pumpkins that the Wavesplitter's host had placed around the area as decor.

But this little dragon, barely out of the egg if his size and demeanor were any indication, was on a mission - he wore an eye-patch and an oversized sailor's hat, and in his mouth he carried the twisted ends of a burlap bag, half-full already, with a pumpkin painted haphazardly upon it, paint still slightly wet. Rudimentary, but it appeared quite beyond the artistic capabilities of such a little fellow; he'd probably mugged a child to get it.

The little dragon scuttled about the docks, slight silver claws rendering the sound barely more than a little flutter across the wood. He only finally, reluctantly set his prize down to poke curiously at the bell that marked the start of the gangplank's walk. He cocked his head, snuffled at it, his goal and his festive haul of sweets momentarily forgotten as he'd busied himself with this new contraption. He snuffled, he'd grabbed at it, and he squeaked into it, tail flicking excitedly.

And finally, rather abruptly, he tired of it as quickly as a cat tired of a new toy, and so, all business once more, the little one grabbed the bell pull between eager jaws and shook it, greedily!

The bell's crazy jingling brought the captain back in a big damn hurry. He leaned over the edge, squinting down the gangplank at the bizarre creature.

The stare turned blank. And then it was broken by laughter. Murdoch couldn't believe his golden eyes!

"A-ahoy there! Yeh speak th' Emperor's Common? Want a candy piece??"

The creature dropped the bell pull and sat up politely when Murdoch reappeared. Brightened considerably, eyes twinkling and fins at attention.

"Yes. Yes, we do." His voice was tiny, breathily musical. "These words, yes? A little amount, please. Else the red one says we never go to bed..."

But at that "we," there was a squeak from further up the gangplank - a nearly-identical culprit to the patient one at the bell, wild vivid markings a mirror of those of his brother for those curious enough to examine closely, and looking for all the world like a guilty child with his hand caught in the cookie jar.

Mostly because he was.

The second had silently balled up his own bag and haul to stand upon it (in vain), ready to climb into the ship, evidently unwilling to wait politely for anything. A plan that was stifled immediately with an awkward squawk when his brother spoke.

Not that he would have gotten very far at his size - and with the captain right THERE, anyway!

"Two? Treats for two?" It was entirely apologetic now that he'd drawn attention to himself, and the little fins that framed his face drooped as low as he were able.

Red one? The captain's brain misfires a little in surprise at that comment. The sound of a squawk further grabs his attention, and he turns to be hold the scarlet brother.

"Well, ain't yeh a sight!" the tall man remarks with a wry grin. It's devilish, wrongfully so. "A sneak after m'own heart... sure, sweets for two."

He relents easily, reaches into his pockets, and tosses out a piece of candy for them each.

The young lady moved towards the docked boat, dressed in a pirate costume, standing beside her was her ginger haired employer Roman Torchwick, whom was dressed as a vampire

Neo and Roman stood a small distance away from the boat, Roman complimented Neo, whom grinned in return