Ugh.
Everything was sore. Everything felt funny. When she opened her eyes she winced at the bright daylight, trying to shake away her blurry vision so she could see properly.
Daylight...? Wasn't she in her cabin? It shouldn't be so bright in here.
With a start, Kathleen remembered the attack. She'd been riding as a passenger on the Silvered Wave cargo ship, and they were attacked by storm pirates. She'd been sent below deck while the crew jumped to their positions. There was a tabaxi with a sword shouting orders alongside the captain, and on her way to her cabin she passed a smaller gnome woman who looked like she was in a hurry.
Then her stomach dropped along with a shudder that ran through the skyship, and she knew they were falling.
It wasn't long before the crash.
Memories now in hand, and her head still buzzing in a disjointed haze, Kathleen worked herself to her feet, stumbling forward a pace before catching herself on the collapsed wardrobe. She was so woozy, and everything hurt.
The daylight was coming from above; the left-hand side of her cabin's roof was sheared off from the crash. She could see big, thick trees encircling a portion of the canopy that had been broken apart from their fall, letting the sun's rays shine through.
She could smell smoke.
She could hear voices outside.
Who was left alive?
Everything was sore. Everything felt funny. When she opened her eyes she winced at the bright daylight, trying to shake away her blurry vision so she could see properly.
Daylight...? Wasn't she in her cabin? It shouldn't be so bright in here.
With a start, Kathleen remembered the attack. She'd been riding as a passenger on the Silvered Wave cargo ship, and they were attacked by storm pirates. She'd been sent below deck while the crew jumped to their positions. There was a tabaxi with a sword shouting orders alongside the captain, and on her way to her cabin she passed a smaller gnome woman who looked like she was in a hurry.
Then her stomach dropped along with a shudder that ran through the skyship, and she knew they were falling.
It wasn't long before the crash.
Memories now in hand, and her head still buzzing in a disjointed haze, Kathleen worked herself to her feet, stumbling forward a pace before catching herself on the collapsed wardrobe. She was so woozy, and everything hurt.
The daylight was coming from above; the left-hand side of her cabin's roof was sheared off from the crash. She could see big, thick trees encircling a portion of the canopy that had been broken apart from their fall, letting the sun's rays shine through.
She could smell smoke.
She could hear voices outside.
Who was left alive?
A cold wet nose in her face brought Brink's mind back to life with a jolt, and she sat bolt upright. A stab of pain in her right arm made her wish she'd been more careful, and she glanced down at it, seeing a telltale crimson stain drenching her dark grey undershirt just above her elbow. The soft cotton cloth was torn and she could see a deep gash there, with a splinter of wood sticking out. Fighting the queasy feeling that threatened to rise in her throat, Brink carefully pulled the splinter free, groaning at the pain, then tore a strip of her sash off and bound the wound to try and stop the bleeding.
Finally, releasing a pent up breath, Brink's pale blue eyes darted down to see Miko quivering with fear in her lap, eyes staring up at her. Don't you worry... she told it via their mind link, soothing him with peaceful thoughts. The white ferret like creature seemed to respond, acknowledging her with a flick of its own mind as it crawled up to drape over her shoulder.
Standing slowly, Brink took stock of her surroundings. Burning debri lay scattered, wood, canvas, and metal alike, the sad ending of yet another Skyship. It appeared she was bad luck for the beautiful creations that soared the skies. This was the second one that had been destroyed under her watch. Damn pirates... Brink thought morosely, causing Miko to meep inquisitively. Brink then took stock of her equipment, making sure her bow was still in one piece, as well as the arrows that now lay scattered on the ground. One of them, despite its sturdy nature, had been split in two. Gathering the rest, she replaced them in their holder which was still strapped to her back, and resettled her bow in its holstered form at her hip.
First things first, Brink knew she had to check to see if anyone else had surved the crash. Striding through the rubble, avoiding any flames still burning, she headed first toward the passenger cabin, knowing that the ship had had only one passenger, a woman. As she drew near, Brink wondered what she'd find, seeing part of the cabin's roof completely missing. The door was pinned and wouldn't have worked, so Brink climbed up to peek down through the now open hole in the roof, her messy blond braid hanging over one shoulder, soot and dirt now staining her face. She would no doubt look a mess, but then, who wouldn't after a crash?
Finally, releasing a pent up breath, Brink's pale blue eyes darted down to see Miko quivering with fear in her lap, eyes staring up at her. Don't you worry... she told it via their mind link, soothing him with peaceful thoughts. The white ferret like creature seemed to respond, acknowledging her with a flick of its own mind as it crawled up to drape over her shoulder.
Standing slowly, Brink took stock of her surroundings. Burning debri lay scattered, wood, canvas, and metal alike, the sad ending of yet another Skyship. It appeared she was bad luck for the beautiful creations that soared the skies. This was the second one that had been destroyed under her watch. Damn pirates... Brink thought morosely, causing Miko to meep inquisitively. Brink then took stock of her equipment, making sure her bow was still in one piece, as well as the arrows that now lay scattered on the ground. One of them, despite its sturdy nature, had been split in two. Gathering the rest, she replaced them in their holder which was still strapped to her back, and resettled her bow in its holstered form at her hip.
First things first, Brink knew she had to check to see if anyone else had surved the crash. Striding through the rubble, avoiding any flames still burning, she headed first toward the passenger cabin, knowing that the ship had had only one passenger, a woman. As she drew near, Brink wondered what she'd find, seeing part of the cabin's roof completely missing. The door was pinned and wouldn't have worked, so Brink climbed up to peek down through the now open hole in the roof, her messy blond braid hanging over one shoulder, soot and dirt now staining her face. She would no doubt look a mess, but then, who wouldn't after a crash?
"Kore-De shimaida." (This will be the end.)
That was the first phrase the Tabaxi said after what seemed like minutes of hanging from a rope that was snagged on a tree. Currently, the knot was tied around his leg, and he couldn't quite reach it. Now, this posed an issue for Tenkojima, as he already didn't like heights. It also posed an issue because he was going to pass out soon, since hanging upside down wasn't too healthy if done for an excessive amount of time.
Swaying back and forth, the Tabaxi looked through the rubble in an attempt to find anything of note. After a few seconds, his eyes lit up. He didn't find a person, but he did spot a sword. His sword. And it was spiked into the wood atop the passengers cabin.
At least he found his sword.
Sighing, the feline quickly realized what he would have to do, looking down at ten feet of distance between him and the ground. Slowly, the Kensei began to swing himself back and forth, gaining momentum with each swing.
Eventually, the feline felt the rope loosen from the tree as it was pulled out of place. Right before it came loose, the tabaxi could be heard speaking loudly to himself.
"I hate heights, so I'm gonna go join a flying merchant ship! I despise pirates, so I am gonna go fight some! I want to avoid fighting, so I am gonna join the one that has the highest chance of getting fu-."
The Kensei never got to finish his sentence, because his words were replaced by a loud, deep yell of someone falling ten feet and landing in a pile of rubble with a sharp crash.
Tenkojima had a feeling it wasn't gonna be a good day.
He also had the same feeling someone would have after falling out of a tree.
Well, at least he knew where his sword was, now he just had to go get it. And find the rest of the crew, that was important also.
That was the first phrase the Tabaxi said after what seemed like minutes of hanging from a rope that was snagged on a tree. Currently, the knot was tied around his leg, and he couldn't quite reach it. Now, this posed an issue for Tenkojima, as he already didn't like heights. It also posed an issue because he was going to pass out soon, since hanging upside down wasn't too healthy if done for an excessive amount of time.
Swaying back and forth, the Tabaxi looked through the rubble in an attempt to find anything of note. After a few seconds, his eyes lit up. He didn't find a person, but he did spot a sword. His sword. And it was spiked into the wood atop the passengers cabin.
At least he found his sword.
Sighing, the feline quickly realized what he would have to do, looking down at ten feet of distance between him and the ground. Slowly, the Kensei began to swing himself back and forth, gaining momentum with each swing.
Eventually, the feline felt the rope loosen from the tree as it was pulled out of place. Right before it came loose, the tabaxi could be heard speaking loudly to himself.
"I hate heights, so I'm gonna go join a flying merchant ship! I despise pirates, so I am gonna go fight some! I want to avoid fighting, so I am gonna join the one that has the highest chance of getting fu-."
The Kensei never got to finish his sentence, because his words were replaced by a loud, deep yell of someone falling ten feet and landing in a pile of rubble with a sharp crash.
Tenkojima had a feeling it wasn't gonna be a good day.
He also had the same feeling someone would have after falling out of a tree.
Well, at least he knew where his sword was, now he just had to go get it. And find the rest of the crew, that was important also.
She was alive.
Huh. She hadn't really expected that. By all means, she should have died when the cannonball ripped through the wall and smashed into the engines, right at her terminal. It just so happened that a previous shot had knocked her down. Instead of being vaporized, she had just been deafened and covered in debris. When she made it back to her feet and looked at the engine's remains, she knew the ship was done. Through the intercom she shouted, "Captain, the engine's a goner. We've taken too much hull damage to land in water, so you need to find land. I can keep us from falling too fast, but I can't stop us from falling. You've got /maybe/ an hour."
That was a while ago. Fixer wasn't too sure how long ago it was. The last thing she remembered, she could see water approaching the hole in the hull at an uncomfortable speed, so she'd hopped into her hammock. Nice thing about being in charge of the engine room is she could hang a hammock, festooned with pillows, and justify it as she never knew when she'd be needed.
The crash had been terrifying and dizzying, with her hammock flipping this way and that, wrapping her up like a pillow and Halfling burrito.
She survived. Huh. She really hadn't expected that. One by one, the cords of the Halfling burrito began to get cut by a small knife until Fixer and her pillows were disgorged like a gutted fish. "Unf!" Staggering back to her bare feet, she put a hand to her head while taking stock. "Well, this ship is broke." She nodded assertively, then added, "Not my fault. Okay." She clapped her hands together and got to work.
A bit later, Fixer began climbing out of the rubble of the ship, scrambling over debris with a large (for her size) backpack across her back. "Captain! Captain! I have good news and bad news. Oh! There you are, are you okay?!?!" Rushing over to a fallen bit of mast, she grabbed the Captain's hand and tried to pull him out, but gave a startled "Meep!" as it was just his arm, severed at the shoulder. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to pull your arm off! Wait... I'm not that strong. Oooo...." She chunked the arm to the side, "Well, sorry captain. You were pretty okay."
After taking a moment to bow her head respectively, she continued out of the wrecked ship, calling out, "Hey, is anyone still alive? I really hope so. I go stir crazy if I don't have anyone to talk to. I mean, I could probably carve a face into a coconut or something. I'd call him Beauregard and he'd speak with a Dwarven accent. We'd disagree on a lot of topics, but arguments would only get heated if one or the other of us was like, really stressed. Beau's cool that way."
Huh. She hadn't really expected that. By all means, she should have died when the cannonball ripped through the wall and smashed into the engines, right at her terminal. It just so happened that a previous shot had knocked her down. Instead of being vaporized, she had just been deafened and covered in debris. When she made it back to her feet and looked at the engine's remains, she knew the ship was done. Through the intercom she shouted, "Captain, the engine's a goner. We've taken too much hull damage to land in water, so you need to find land. I can keep us from falling too fast, but I can't stop us from falling. You've got /maybe/ an hour."
That was a while ago. Fixer wasn't too sure how long ago it was. The last thing she remembered, she could see water approaching the hole in the hull at an uncomfortable speed, so she'd hopped into her hammock. Nice thing about being in charge of the engine room is she could hang a hammock, festooned with pillows, and justify it as she never knew when she'd be needed.
The crash had been terrifying and dizzying, with her hammock flipping this way and that, wrapping her up like a pillow and Halfling burrito.
She survived. Huh. She really hadn't expected that. One by one, the cords of the Halfling burrito began to get cut by a small knife until Fixer and her pillows were disgorged like a gutted fish. "Unf!" Staggering back to her bare feet, she put a hand to her head while taking stock. "Well, this ship is broke." She nodded assertively, then added, "Not my fault. Okay." She clapped her hands together and got to work.
A bit later, Fixer began climbing out of the rubble of the ship, scrambling over debris with a large (for her size) backpack across her back. "Captain! Captain! I have good news and bad news. Oh! There you are, are you okay?!?!" Rushing over to a fallen bit of mast, she grabbed the Captain's hand and tried to pull him out, but gave a startled "Meep!" as it was just his arm, severed at the shoulder. "Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to pull your arm off! Wait... I'm not that strong. Oooo...." She chunked the arm to the side, "Well, sorry captain. You were pretty okay."
After taking a moment to bow her head respectively, she continued out of the wrecked ship, calling out, "Hey, is anyone still alive? I really hope so. I go stir crazy if I don't have anyone to talk to. I mean, I could probably carve a face into a coconut or something. I'd call him Beauregard and he'd speak with a Dwarven accent. We'd disagree on a lot of topics, but arguments would only get heated if one or the other of us was like, really stressed. Beau's cool that way."
Kathleen patted herself down, still grimacing under the weight of her shaky state of mind. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply in through her nose.
Nothing... felt broken. That was good. She supposed that her contingency shield charm had absorbed most of the impact. She'd have to remember to recast it soon, in case something else awful and unexpected happened.
No sign of her hat, unfortunately - must've flown out the window or something. Her satchel was laying nearby, books and her long-nosed pistol scattered across the floor next to it. A new wave of lightheadedness gripped her as she bent down to scoop the messy contents back into their parcel and close the bag once more. While still crouched on the ground, waiting for the room to stop spinning - this was why she was an academic, not a damn adventurer - she began to hear faintly a woman's hollering from somewhere outside of her room. A survivor.
Kathleen crossed the room in two strides, anxious to get out of what was surely now a structural death trap, but the door groaned as she turned the knob and refused her egress. Wouldn't budge an inch. Typical.
Though even as Kathleen turned with a hand to her temples, rubbing away the ache, she caught sight of a semi-familiar face looking down at her from above. Messy blonde hair, sharp-looking eyes, a peculiar ferret-like familiar crouched upon her shoulder... one of the crew, right? Another survivor of the crash? Not a pirate?
Well, obviously. She'd have already been shot if it was a pirate.
Kathleen moved towards the woman, extending a hand in a silent request to be pulled out of the cabin, when she caught sight of a dark red stain on her right arm. Blood. The woman was injured.
The telepath swallowed, wondering if her healing magic was up to snuff enough to offer her aid. Quickly she came to the conclusion that at the very least, she wouldn't make it worse.
"I can fix that for you." she said quietly to the woman, reaching out for a helping hand as she did so.
Nothing... felt broken. That was good. She supposed that her contingency shield charm had absorbed most of the impact. She'd have to remember to recast it soon, in case something else awful and unexpected happened.
No sign of her hat, unfortunately - must've flown out the window or something. Her satchel was laying nearby, books and her long-nosed pistol scattered across the floor next to it. A new wave of lightheadedness gripped her as she bent down to scoop the messy contents back into their parcel and close the bag once more. While still crouched on the ground, waiting for the room to stop spinning - this was why she was an academic, not a damn adventurer - she began to hear faintly a woman's hollering from somewhere outside of her room. A survivor.
Kathleen crossed the room in two strides, anxious to get out of what was surely now a structural death trap, but the door groaned as she turned the knob and refused her egress. Wouldn't budge an inch. Typical.
Though even as Kathleen turned with a hand to her temples, rubbing away the ache, she caught sight of a semi-familiar face looking down at her from above. Messy blonde hair, sharp-looking eyes, a peculiar ferret-like familiar crouched upon her shoulder... one of the crew, right? Another survivor of the crash? Not a pirate?
Well, obviously. She'd have already been shot if it was a pirate.
Kathleen moved towards the woman, extending a hand in a silent request to be pulled out of the cabin, when she caught sight of a dark red stain on her right arm. Blood. The woman was injured.
The telepath swallowed, wondering if her healing magic was up to snuff enough to offer her aid. Quickly she came to the conclusion that at the very least, she wouldn't make it worse.
"I can fix that for you." she said quietly to the woman, reaching out for a helping hand as she did so.
Reaching down with her left hand, Brink just barely was able to reach the woman, and she helped pull her from the cabin. "Glad you're alright. I'm Brink by the way, this is Miko." She said as she jerked a thumb toward the flustered animal before considering the woman's request. "You should probably save your strength, we might need it more later. This is only a flesh wound, I'll be okay." She hadn't batted an eye at learning the other could heal, and yet she seemed a bit hesitant to allow another's magic access to her body, despite the seemingly good intentions. She hadn't found reason yet to to trust, so for now she'd wait and heal on her own.
"Damn pirates got the airship good." She said with a sigh, glancing sidelong at Kathleen. "I'm beginning to think I'm bad luck. My last ship was destroyed by those bastards too."
At this point Brink would become aware of the sword nearby, embedded in the roof of the cabin, as well as hear the thump and screech in the distance from the falling Tabaxi. Reaching over she grabbed up the sword, then flashed a smile toward Kathleen. "Shall we go gather the others and make a plan? This jungle doesn't look so friendly."
With that, not waiting for an answer, Brink would hop off the ledge created by the slanting roof, and begin stalking towards Tenk, his sword in hand. As she walked, the now somewhat tattered wide sash around her waist swished and swayed around her hips and legs, and her her pale blue eyes held a determined purpose within them .
"Damn pirates got the airship good." She said with a sigh, glancing sidelong at Kathleen. "I'm beginning to think I'm bad luck. My last ship was destroyed by those bastards too."
At this point Brink would become aware of the sword nearby, embedded in the roof of the cabin, as well as hear the thump and screech in the distance from the falling Tabaxi. Reaching over she grabbed up the sword, then flashed a smile toward Kathleen. "Shall we go gather the others and make a plan? This jungle doesn't look so friendly."
With that, not waiting for an answer, Brink would hop off the ledge created by the slanting roof, and begin stalking towards Tenk, his sword in hand. As she walked, the now somewhat tattered wide sash around her waist swished and swayed around her hips and legs, and her her pale blue eyes held a determined purpose within them .
The Kensei was recovering from his second, slightly less lethal fall. Groaning, the large tabaxi rolled from side to side on his back for a few moments before slowly hoisting himself up onto his knees. Indeed, he saw what he expected. Fire, lots of debris, and no crew.
The last part changed with haste, thankfully, as Tenkojima heard a very strange voice yelling about some kind of nut and carving faces. It was at this point in time that the Kensei was sure he landed on his head at some point while falling down. Reaching up to his helmet, the tabaxi checked to ensure it wasn’t cracked or damaged. His mask was also in good condition, which allowed him some relief. Turning his head, a very unusual sight was awaiting him. A short distance away, he saw a very tiny person. At first, he just looked at her from within his mask, unsure of how to address her. After listening to her for a few moments longer, the feline reluctantly called out;
“Hey, chīsana. Stay silent for a moment.” (Tiny] After saying this, the feline held out a hand towards her, slowly looking around. He felt as though there was someone approaching or watching him from the shadows. Tenkojima was mentally preparing himself for the ambush, as his ancestors had taught him.
Oh wait, he never met his ancestors.
Upon turning, the Kensei saw a woman stalking towards him deftly, her eyes catching his attention immediately. The tabaxi also saw his sword in her hands, which startled him even more. Tenkojima tried to turn quickly and face this person, but instead ended up slipping atop the rubble while he made his move. This resulted in him somewhat standing, then immediately falling backwards and tumbling down the rubble with yet another deep pitched yell.
After what seemed like a solid few seconds of rolling down the pile of wood, foliage, and metal, the Kensei finally hit the ground with a dull thud. His helmet ended up coming loose upon impact and disembarking from his head. It bounced a few feet before landing beside the very small person who was yelling earlier, still spinning on the ground.
Initially, the Kensei remained still for a few seconds before propping himself up on his elbows, coughing and wincing. Well, he was right about one thing at least.
It really was not going to be a good day.
Looking up towards the debris, he awaited the woman to peek over the top of it and attack or insult him. Most likely both. The halflings presence seemed to of escaped his mind, as he appeared to forget the fact that she was just a few meters away.
The last part changed with haste, thankfully, as Tenkojima heard a very strange voice yelling about some kind of nut and carving faces. It was at this point in time that the Kensei was sure he landed on his head at some point while falling down. Reaching up to his helmet, the tabaxi checked to ensure it wasn’t cracked or damaged. His mask was also in good condition, which allowed him some relief. Turning his head, a very unusual sight was awaiting him. A short distance away, he saw a very tiny person. At first, he just looked at her from within his mask, unsure of how to address her. After listening to her for a few moments longer, the feline reluctantly called out;
“Hey, chīsana. Stay silent for a moment.” (Tiny] After saying this, the feline held out a hand towards her, slowly looking around. He felt as though there was someone approaching or watching him from the shadows. Tenkojima was mentally preparing himself for the ambush, as his ancestors had taught him.
Oh wait, he never met his ancestors.
Upon turning, the Kensei saw a woman stalking towards him deftly, her eyes catching his attention immediately. The tabaxi also saw his sword in her hands, which startled him even more. Tenkojima tried to turn quickly and face this person, but instead ended up slipping atop the rubble while he made his move. This resulted in him somewhat standing, then immediately falling backwards and tumbling down the rubble with yet another deep pitched yell.
After what seemed like a solid few seconds of rolling down the pile of wood, foliage, and metal, the Kensei finally hit the ground with a dull thud. His helmet ended up coming loose upon impact and disembarking from his head. It bounced a few feet before landing beside the very small person who was yelling earlier, still spinning on the ground.
Initially, the Kensei remained still for a few seconds before propping himself up on his elbows, coughing and wincing. Well, he was right about one thing at least.
It really was not going to be a good day.
Looking up towards the debris, he awaited the woman to peek over the top of it and attack or insult him. Most likely both. The halflings presence seemed to of escaped his mind, as he appeared to forget the fact that she was just a few meters away.
“Ooo! There is someone still alive! Awesome! Hello there!” Fixer waved furiously at the furry figure, who waved a hand and asked for Chisana to stay quiet. He’s probably right. That Chisana never shuts up. Always talk, talk, talk.
Wait...
Who the hell is Chisana?
Fixer looked around, trying to figure out just who the fella was shushing, so she missed whatever caused the other survivor to fall. His yell startled her and she watched with wide eyes and sympathetic winces as he bounced down the rubble. “Eek, ooo, oh wow, oof, yeah, that’s gonna smart.”
After he finally came to rest not too far away from her, she looked down to the spinning helmet. “I really hope you didn’t just kill yourself, Mr. FuzzWuzz.” Fixer picked up the gentleman’s helmet and looked it over, then was pleased to see he wasn’t dead. “Good thing you had a helmet, Mister. Whew. I was worried that I’d have to go back to my coconut plan for a minute there.”
Walking over, she carefully placed the helmet back on his head. “There you go. Good as new! I’m Fixer, by the way. They call me that because I fix things. I can’t fix that though.” She cocked a thumb at the ship. “It’s like, really, really broke, but good. Like your head woulda been without the skull armor!”
Wait...
Who the hell is Chisana?
Fixer looked around, trying to figure out just who the fella was shushing, so she missed whatever caused the other survivor to fall. His yell startled her and she watched with wide eyes and sympathetic winces as he bounced down the rubble. “Eek, ooo, oh wow, oof, yeah, that’s gonna smart.”
After he finally came to rest not too far away from her, she looked down to the spinning helmet. “I really hope you didn’t just kill yourself, Mr. FuzzWuzz.” Fixer picked up the gentleman’s helmet and looked it over, then was pleased to see he wasn’t dead. “Good thing you had a helmet, Mister. Whew. I was worried that I’d have to go back to my coconut plan for a minute there.”
Walking over, she carefully placed the helmet back on his head. “There you go. Good as new! I’m Fixer, by the way. They call me that because I fix things. I can’t fix that though.” She cocked a thumb at the ship. “It’s like, really, really broke, but good. Like your head woulda been without the skull armor!”
Kathleen followed closely behind Brink as she made her way to the armored tabaxi, doing her best to appear unassuming while clutching her satchel to her chest. She gave a grimace at the sheer volume of the yowling catfolk's voice, tumbling backwards at their approach, as well as the higher-than-necessary volume of the halfling mechanic's voice. Deciding that Brink would be better suited for dealing with those two - by virtue of being the only other person around who wasn't yelling - Kathleen instead took in the surroundings.
The skyship was totaled, wrecked almost beyond recognition. Masts in splinters, magitech crowns busted, the wheel was currently sitting neatly in three pieces about a hundred feet away. Here and there she could see bloodstains, and what looked like an arm? Kathleen quickly disregarded that.
And other than the dead ship, dense jungle. No immediately visible clearings or paths in any direction. Kathleen wasn't even entirely sure what landmass they were on. Might be worth checking the navigational charts, especially since the navigation room might have some supplies that would help with a rescue.
With that in mind, Kathleen looked back to her new companions, sizing them up. Fixer didn't look like much, even if she sounded like seven halflings, but Brink and the tabaxi were both armed and armored. Hopefully trained as well. If they had any survival knowledge then they'd be invaluable if worst came to worst and the jungle was their only option.
Kathleen sighed, then inhaled deeply.
"We need supplies." she remarked. "Navigation room, maybe. See where we are, too."
There. Hopefully that would get the message across. Kathleen attempted to lock eyes with Brink and motion to the wreckage, at the same time giving an exasperated look towards Fixer and the tabaxi, who was only now climbing to his feet.
Then, figuring that her teammates should know what name to call when there was trouble, she gave an awkward Ashenglade curtsy towards them.
"Aikaterine Altissima." Kathleen offered. "But call me Kathleen."
The skyship was totaled, wrecked almost beyond recognition. Masts in splinters, magitech crowns busted, the wheel was currently sitting neatly in three pieces about a hundred feet away. Here and there she could see bloodstains, and what looked like an arm? Kathleen quickly disregarded that.
And other than the dead ship, dense jungle. No immediately visible clearings or paths in any direction. Kathleen wasn't even entirely sure what landmass they were on. Might be worth checking the navigational charts, especially since the navigation room might have some supplies that would help with a rescue.
With that in mind, Kathleen looked back to her new companions, sizing them up. Fixer didn't look like much, even if she sounded like seven halflings, but Brink and the tabaxi were both armed and armored. Hopefully trained as well. If they had any survival knowledge then they'd be invaluable if worst came to worst and the jungle was their only option.
Kathleen sighed, then inhaled deeply.
"We need supplies." she remarked. "Navigation room, maybe. See where we are, too."
There. Hopefully that would get the message across. Kathleen attempted to lock eyes with Brink and motion to the wreckage, at the same time giving an exasperated look towards Fixer and the tabaxi, who was only now climbing to his feet.
Then, figuring that her teammates should know what name to call when there was trouble, she gave an awkward Ashenglade curtsy towards them.
"Aikaterine Altissima." Kathleen offered. "But call me Kathleen."
Brink felt a smile reluctantly quirk her lips as she watched the Tabaxi guard - she couldn't remember his name - fall down the pile of rubble. She moved a few paces forward so she could peer over, catching sight of the halfling scampering down to the guards side and chattering all the way. She reminded Brink of a squirrel, though, a useful squirrel if she'd been the one to keep the ship running.
Turning her gaze back to the woman who'd apparently followed, she gave a shrug that communicated something like, "I'll try," then leaned her head over and lifted the sword. Tobthe Tabaxi it may have momentarily looked as if she were about to strike, but she wasn't playing around... of course not...
"I've got your sword." She finally called down, an eyebrow raised. "It was uselessly impaling the cabin roof, instead of a pirate like any good sword would. But I suppose you want it back anyway. Do you need help to get up here?" She tried to give what she hoped was a friendlier type of smile, reaching up to stroke the small noggin of Miko as she did so.
Then, turning as her current companion spoke again, she glanced toward the rubble, nodding in agreement. "Sounds good to me. Finding the food stores would definitely be a plus too, since we have no idea what's... out there." She added with a flick of her gaze to the foribidding looking tangle of vegetation. As if just looking at it caused a tingle to run up her spine, Brink shifted her arrow holster a bit more snugly on her back. Turning she offered another, slightly better, attempt at a smile as Kathleen introduced herself.
Turning her gaze back to the woman who'd apparently followed, she gave a shrug that communicated something like, "I'll try," then leaned her head over and lifted the sword. Tobthe Tabaxi it may have momentarily looked as if she were about to strike, but she wasn't playing around... of course not...
"I've got your sword." She finally called down, an eyebrow raised. "It was uselessly impaling the cabin roof, instead of a pirate like any good sword would. But I suppose you want it back anyway. Do you need help to get up here?" She tried to give what she hoped was a friendlier type of smile, reaching up to stroke the small noggin of Miko as she did so.
Then, turning as her current companion spoke again, she glanced toward the rubble, nodding in agreement. "Sounds good to me. Finding the food stores would definitely be a plus too, since we have no idea what's... out there." She added with a flick of her gaze to the foribidding looking tangle of vegetation. As if just looking at it caused a tingle to run up her spine, Brink shifted her arrow holster a bit more snugly on her back. Turning she offered another, slightly better, attempt at a smile as Kathleen introduced herself.
After the woman revealed herself once more, the Tabaxi got a good look at her. Squinting his eyes, he half heartedly chuckled as he realized who it was. Bowing his head, the feline heard the tiny woman behind him, turning just in time to see her plunk the helmet back onto his head. He couldn’t help but smile at her constant chatter, wincing a bit as he pushed himself up to his knees again, then successfully up to his feet.
“Arigatai, tiny one.” (I am thankful.) The feline spoke clearly in his deep voice again, regaining his composure as he fastened his helmet and looked up the rubble once again at the woman whom worked with the crew. There was also another woman who he didn’t recognize, and he was unsure of her motives just yet. The feline almost jumped back again when he saw his sword being raised in such a manner, however his nerves had began to harden, and skiddishness faded from him. The Kensei listened as she spoke, then nodded once more.
“I would appreciate my blade back, but do not worry. I can get up there.” It wouldn’t be as easy getting down, but he was sure he could move up the rubble pretty well. Before he started climbing, the tabaxi looked over at Kathleen as she introduced herself. She was being friendly enough, so the Kensei followed suit.
“Very well. I am Tenkojima Okunai, Kensei of The Chosen Military, and defender of the Dawn Empire. Well, not anymore really.” Tenkojima was proud of his title, and never missed an opportunity to reveal it, even if the last bits were no longer true. Turning, the samurai used a hand to beckon the halfling, as well as point up to the rubble.
“Come, small one, let us regroup with our party, then we shall review our plans.” Oddly, the samurai seemed to of been in better spirits now. He was most likely like this because he figured it couldn’t get much worse, right? And all they had to do was stroll out of the jungle.
Right?
“Arigatai, tiny one.” (I am thankful.) The feline spoke clearly in his deep voice again, regaining his composure as he fastened his helmet and looked up the rubble once again at the woman whom worked with the crew. There was also another woman who he didn’t recognize, and he was unsure of her motives just yet. The feline almost jumped back again when he saw his sword being raised in such a manner, however his nerves had began to harden, and skiddishness faded from him. The Kensei listened as she spoke, then nodded once more.
“I would appreciate my blade back, but do not worry. I can get up there.” It wouldn’t be as easy getting down, but he was sure he could move up the rubble pretty well. Before he started climbing, the tabaxi looked over at Kathleen as she introduced herself. She was being friendly enough, so the Kensei followed suit.
“Very well. I am Tenkojima Okunai, Kensei of The Chosen Military, and defender of the Dawn Empire. Well, not anymore really.” Tenkojima was proud of his title, and never missed an opportunity to reveal it, even if the last bits were no longer true. Turning, the samurai used a hand to beckon the halfling, as well as point up to the rubble.
“Come, small one, let us regroup with our party, then we shall review our plans.” Oddly, the samurai seemed to of been in better spirits now. He was most likely like this because he figured it couldn’t get much worse, right? And all they had to do was stroll out of the jungle.
Right?
Turning, Fixer surveyed the wreckage, rubbing her chin with one hand while adjusting the backpack's strap with another. "If it's food you want, it's be over.... there." She pointed out some rubble toward the aft end of the ship. "There's what's left of the galley. We're probably not salvaging water. The impact combined with the hydrodynamics of a water barrel would probably had smashed then to bits. Plus, water's super heavy."
She moved up the wreckage pretty easily, nimbleness, low center of gravity, and iron tough feet soles seemed to work together for the Halfling mechanic. "I've got cordage, tools, some personal odds and ends, and about 4 and 2/3rds pounds of quintessence. I'm not sure if it'll come in handy or not, but better to take it than leave it for the pirates, am I right?" She grinned at everyone, "I mean, I know I'm right. I just like to hear it."
"Oh!" She snapped her fingers, "I'm Fixer. Don't think we've met. Well, I've seen you, the boat isn't that big, but you know. Didn't chit chat. I'm normally way too busy to just chitter chatter away like some sort of lunatic." Pointing toward the fore area of the rubble, "They did the navigating in the room under the forecastle, so if there are any intact maps, they'd be up there."
She moved up the wreckage pretty easily, nimbleness, low center of gravity, and iron tough feet soles seemed to work together for the Halfling mechanic. "I've got cordage, tools, some personal odds and ends, and about 4 and 2/3rds pounds of quintessence. I'm not sure if it'll come in handy or not, but better to take it than leave it for the pirates, am I right?" She grinned at everyone, "I mean, I know I'm right. I just like to hear it."
"Oh!" She snapped her fingers, "I'm Fixer. Don't think we've met. Well, I've seen you, the boat isn't that big, but you know. Didn't chit chat. I'm normally way too busy to just chitter chatter away like some sort of lunatic." Pointing toward the fore area of the rubble, "They did the navigating in the room under the forecastle, so if there are any intact maps, they'd be up there."
She heard the word "quintessence," and Kathleen's pace towards the wreckage slowed considerably. She threw a glance over her shoulder to scrutinize the mechanic, who was looking quite pleased with herself as she considered to prattle away.
In fact, the more Kathleen bothered to listen to what Fixer was saying, the more she realized it was actually valuable - if somewhat buried under an awkward lexicon and an apparent love of her own voice. She definitely sounded like she knew her way around the ship, and she knew the value of quintessence. It was a subject that Kathleen was more vague on than she'd care to admit out loud, or even telepathically. Fixer could likely explain some of the more technical information to her, given that she was considered good enough to be head mechanic on a ship like the Silvered Wave.
It was premature to think she was stupid just because she was noisy, Kathleen decided.
The telepath took another look at the dead ship, specifically towards the area Fixer had indicated they'd find the maps. It was unstable-looking, but maybe less so than the rest of the ship. If they wanted to get this done quickly and efficiently, it would probably be better to split up for the moment, salvage what they could, then decide on a plan.
Kathleen decided she'd rather chance the navigation room than the crumbling-as-she-looked-at-it galley, and for that matter she and Fixer would probably be better suited to assess the equipment and records there than the two martial members of the group. She'd leave digging out food to the sturdier pair.
"Let's split up." the woman suggested, attempting to be heard over the din without raising her voice. "Fixer and I to navigation, Brink and Tenkojima to the galley?"
At the very least, she was going to navigation - the others could decide their own paths. Gingerly, Kathleen began scaling the shattered wooden planks towards what remained of the forecastle.
In fact, the more Kathleen bothered to listen to what Fixer was saying, the more she realized it was actually valuable - if somewhat buried under an awkward lexicon and an apparent love of her own voice. She definitely sounded like she knew her way around the ship, and she knew the value of quintessence. It was a subject that Kathleen was more vague on than she'd care to admit out loud, or even telepathically. Fixer could likely explain some of the more technical information to her, given that she was considered good enough to be head mechanic on a ship like the Silvered Wave.
It was premature to think she was stupid just because she was noisy, Kathleen decided.
The telepath took another look at the dead ship, specifically towards the area Fixer had indicated they'd find the maps. It was unstable-looking, but maybe less so than the rest of the ship. If they wanted to get this done quickly and efficiently, it would probably be better to split up for the moment, salvage what they could, then decide on a plan.
Kathleen decided she'd rather chance the navigation room than the crumbling-as-she-looked-at-it galley, and for that matter she and Fixer would probably be better suited to assess the equipment and records there than the two martial members of the group. She'd leave digging out food to the sturdier pair.
"Let's split up." the woman suggested, attempting to be heard over the din without raising her voice. "Fixer and I to navigation, Brink and Tenkojima to the galley?"
At the very least, she was going to navigation - the others could decide their own paths. Gingerly, Kathleen began scaling the shattered wooden planks towards what remained of the forecastle.
Once Tenkojima would reach the top, Brink handed the blade to him, and looked between the Tabaxi and the halfling. "I'm Brink." She said simply, then gave a nod to Fixer. Miko chirruped and ran down her leg to inspect the smallest member of the group, sniffing and staring at Fixer with small beady black eyes as if intrigued by the halflings size. Brink laughed softly, the small creature being one of the only things that could make her do so.
After Kathleen suggested splitting uo, Brink shrugged and turned to Tenk. "Shall we?" She asked before turning to stride toward the part of the wreckage that had been indicated. Despite her petite frame, she seemed wiry and her muscles honed from plenty of practice. But practice doing what? With a confident stride she didn't look back to see if the feline man was planning on joining her. Smiles and fluff weren't her strong suit, something to work on perhaps?
Miko, for his part, gave Fixer a few more long minutes under his scrutiny, circling her if she stood still and even going so far as to climb to her shoulder to peer into her face if she allowed it. Then, the animal gave a distinctly human nod, courtesy of his bond with Brink, and meeped, nuzzling the halfling before racing off to join the departing Brink.
As she moved toward the galley, Brink's gaze swept the jungle and her hand briefly touched the cylindrical object clipped to her waist, feeling that the dense undergrowth was an unfriendly place. With a sigh, and a grumble about those damn pirates, Brink reached the galley and gingerly began poking through the wreckage, taking care with her aching injured right arm, and quickly realizing that most of the supplies had been ruined by the crash.
Why did things have to be so horridly difficult all the time? She wondered, in a slightly black mood. She missed the rigging already, the feel of the rough ropes under hand, her feet planted firmly on a mast, and the feeling of flying when she leapt off to swoop gracefully downward toward the ships deck, slowing her fall only when absolutely necessary to land lightly on the wooden floor below. More than that, she missed the feel of her own ship's helm in her hands, her beloved Argonaut sleek and fast, as they adventured together.
After Kathleen suggested splitting uo, Brink shrugged and turned to Tenk. "Shall we?" She asked before turning to stride toward the part of the wreckage that had been indicated. Despite her petite frame, she seemed wiry and her muscles honed from plenty of practice. But practice doing what? With a confident stride she didn't look back to see if the feline man was planning on joining her. Smiles and fluff weren't her strong suit, something to work on perhaps?
Miko, for his part, gave Fixer a few more long minutes under his scrutiny, circling her if she stood still and even going so far as to climb to her shoulder to peer into her face if she allowed it. Then, the animal gave a distinctly human nod, courtesy of his bond with Brink, and meeped, nuzzling the halfling before racing off to join the departing Brink.
As she moved toward the galley, Brink's gaze swept the jungle and her hand briefly touched the cylindrical object clipped to her waist, feeling that the dense undergrowth was an unfriendly place. With a sigh, and a grumble about those damn pirates, Brink reached the galley and gingerly began poking through the wreckage, taking care with her aching injured right arm, and quickly realizing that most of the supplies had been ruined by the crash.
Why did things have to be so horridly difficult all the time? She wondered, in a slightly black mood. She missed the rigging already, the feel of the rough ropes under hand, her feet planted firmly on a mast, and the feeling of flying when she leapt off to swoop gracefully downward toward the ships deck, slowing her fall only when absolutely necessary to land lightly on the wooden floor below. More than that, she missed the feel of her own ship's helm in her hands, her beloved Argonaut sleek and fast, as they adventured together.
Tenkojima quirked an eyebrow when the halfling ran up the wreckage with no effort, but made no remarks. Following suit, the Kensei climbed up in a few more deliberate and long strides, finally reaching the top and pulling himself up.
Immediately upon being offered his blade, the tabaxi nearly snatched it from the woman and began inspecting it, checking every inch to ensure that there were no marking or serious issues with the sword. After a few minutes, the feline offered a thumbs up at Brink, signaling his thanks as he hoisted the sword over and onto his shoulder. As she departed, the Kensei nodded and headed towards the direction they were directed.
Rearmed and somewhat back in control of what was happening, Tenkojima felt much more confident. As he strode over to the wreckage, he got a better view of his surroundings and the jungle. He had seen jungles before, and knew what dangers they could hold. But he also knew that the biggest issue in an environment like this would be an ambush, and judging from the ship, the party wouldn’t be able to stand too many more of them.
When the feline reached the wreckage, the steady click of his armor and his heavy footsteps ceased, his eyes narrowing as he looked out from within his oddly shaped mask. The samurai lowered his Nodachi and flipped over some burnt and destroyed piece of wood with its tip. Tilting his head as he grunted in confirmation, the Kensei turned to Brink, who was only a short distance away and called out.
“There uh, isn’t any food left from what I can see.” The feline sounded disappointed, and he definitely was. He hasn’t eaten for a good while, and it was kinda getting to him. Carefully, the samurai balanced the sword with one hand and removed his helmet with the other, leaning on the handle of his blade as he looked up and asked the woman;
“What now? Few supplies means a short life out here.” Sighing with exasperation, Tenkojima didn’t happen to notice her mood, as he wasn’t too perceptive in reading people. Instead, the feline tucked his helmet underneath his arm and proceeded through the wreckage, half-dragging the Nodachi as he called for any more survivors to reveal themselves. Luckily, the samurai spotted something of extreme importance, and he could be seen quickly reaching down and shifting through the rubble to carefully lift something up. Turning to face Brink again, the samurai held up a bottle with a clear liquid and strange, ornate markings around it. It could only be deduced that it was a type of beverage. Indeed, it was a small bit of Sake the feline had brought with him, and it miraculously survived.
The feline looked truly happy, and he lifted the bottle again a little too enthusiastically as he gave a small warcry. The feline was still clumsy however, and ended up flinging the small bottle a short distance away. With his eyes following it, he watched as it tumblel into a small fire and break, immediately igniting and echoing a short lived burst of flame.
Looking back at Brink, the felines face resembled that of a very upset cat. The kind of face a cat would have after he ended up stranded in the middle of a jungle, fell to the earth twice, lost all of the food, and destroyed his bottle of Sake.
“This place is cursed.” He finally mumbled, shaking his head before plunking the helmet on once again, grunting as he lifted the Nodachi in a nearly battle ready stance and proceeded through more of the wreckage.
Immediately upon being offered his blade, the tabaxi nearly snatched it from the woman and began inspecting it, checking every inch to ensure that there were no marking or serious issues with the sword. After a few minutes, the feline offered a thumbs up at Brink, signaling his thanks as he hoisted the sword over and onto his shoulder. As she departed, the Kensei nodded and headed towards the direction they were directed.
Rearmed and somewhat back in control of what was happening, Tenkojima felt much more confident. As he strode over to the wreckage, he got a better view of his surroundings and the jungle. He had seen jungles before, and knew what dangers they could hold. But he also knew that the biggest issue in an environment like this would be an ambush, and judging from the ship, the party wouldn’t be able to stand too many more of them.
When the feline reached the wreckage, the steady click of his armor and his heavy footsteps ceased, his eyes narrowing as he looked out from within his oddly shaped mask. The samurai lowered his Nodachi and flipped over some burnt and destroyed piece of wood with its tip. Tilting his head as he grunted in confirmation, the Kensei turned to Brink, who was only a short distance away and called out.
“There uh, isn’t any food left from what I can see.” The feline sounded disappointed, and he definitely was. He hasn’t eaten for a good while, and it was kinda getting to him. Carefully, the samurai balanced the sword with one hand and removed his helmet with the other, leaning on the handle of his blade as he looked up and asked the woman;
“What now? Few supplies means a short life out here.” Sighing with exasperation, Tenkojima didn’t happen to notice her mood, as he wasn’t too perceptive in reading people. Instead, the feline tucked his helmet underneath his arm and proceeded through the wreckage, half-dragging the Nodachi as he called for any more survivors to reveal themselves. Luckily, the samurai spotted something of extreme importance, and he could be seen quickly reaching down and shifting through the rubble to carefully lift something up. Turning to face Brink again, the samurai held up a bottle with a clear liquid and strange, ornate markings around it. It could only be deduced that it was a type of beverage. Indeed, it was a small bit of Sake the feline had brought with him, and it miraculously survived.
The feline looked truly happy, and he lifted the bottle again a little too enthusiastically as he gave a small warcry. The feline was still clumsy however, and ended up flinging the small bottle a short distance away. With his eyes following it, he watched as it tumblel into a small fire and break, immediately igniting and echoing a short lived burst of flame.
Looking back at Brink, the felines face resembled that of a very upset cat. The kind of face a cat would have after he ended up stranded in the middle of a jungle, fell to the earth twice, lost all of the food, and destroyed his bottle of Sake.
“This place is cursed.” He finally mumbled, shaking his head before plunking the helmet on once again, grunting as he lifted the Nodachi in a nearly battle ready stance and proceeded through more of the wreckage.
The Halfling mechanic's eyes went wide at the little critter. "Oh. My. Gods... You are so adorable! I hope you're not a biter. You don't seem like a biter. You seem like just the cutest little fuzzy wuzzles." Despite her clear appreciation of the little guy, Fixer didn't reach out for him. Animals, like people, don't like to be touched before their ready to be touched. So, she watched with hopeful eyes as Miko inspected her, then giggled as it climbed her, even if it's little claws weren't /super/ awesome across her bare skin.
Once it was securely perched on her shoulder, she reached up and ran her fingertips lightly across it's flank. "Hey. You're such a sweetheart. If your momma is ever being stingy with treats, you come see me. I'll sneak you a little something and she'll never know. I mean, unless she's listening right now. She might know then, but you'll still have a treat and I think that's what really matters." Miko seemed to approve, what with the conspiratorial little nod and nuzzle before leaping off to chase after Brink.
Speaking of chasing after, Fixer put both hands on her backpack straps, put her head down and ran after the lady with the really complicated name. So complicated that she preemptively told people to shorten it to Kathleen. Not Kathy, not Aika, but Kathleen. Curious choice. Maybe she was on the run from someone or something. Not many people are going to make the leap from Kathleen to Aikaterine, but there's enough similarity there for someone to get used to listen for people using it as their name. That was the problem with fake names. People train their entire life to listen for and react to their names, so when you suddenly decide to change what people call you, it's actually easier for them to remember it than you.
Fixer saw that a lot growing up in the thieves guild. Folks trying to be clever, only to get busted when they say 'Huh?' to their old name.
She was puffing a bit when she caught up to Kathleen at the forecastle. The entire front of the ship was sitting on it's side. "That's... that's gonna be a mess." She shrugged off her backpack and sat it beside Kathleen. "If you want, it might be easier for me to climb in there and start tossing things out to you. I can just grab anything that might be useful and you can sort through for what you think we can use."
If Kathleen was amenable to that plan, Fixer would scurry up the wall, drop through the door into the darkness beyond, and after a few moments, papers, navigation tools, candlesticks, a cool hat, and all other sorts of miscellaneous stuff would start sailing out of the door.
Once it was securely perched on her shoulder, she reached up and ran her fingertips lightly across it's flank. "Hey. You're such a sweetheart. If your momma is ever being stingy with treats, you come see me. I'll sneak you a little something and she'll never know. I mean, unless she's listening right now. She might know then, but you'll still have a treat and I think that's what really matters." Miko seemed to approve, what with the conspiratorial little nod and nuzzle before leaping off to chase after Brink.
Speaking of chasing after, Fixer put both hands on her backpack straps, put her head down and ran after the lady with the really complicated name. So complicated that she preemptively told people to shorten it to Kathleen. Not Kathy, not Aika, but Kathleen. Curious choice. Maybe she was on the run from someone or something. Not many people are going to make the leap from Kathleen to Aikaterine, but there's enough similarity there for someone to get used to listen for people using it as their name. That was the problem with fake names. People train their entire life to listen for and react to their names, so when you suddenly decide to change what people call you, it's actually easier for them to remember it than you.
Fixer saw that a lot growing up in the thieves guild. Folks trying to be clever, only to get busted when they say 'Huh?' to their old name.
She was puffing a bit when she caught up to Kathleen at the forecastle. The entire front of the ship was sitting on it's side. "That's... that's gonna be a mess." She shrugged off her backpack and sat it beside Kathleen. "If you want, it might be easier for me to climb in there and start tossing things out to you. I can just grab anything that might be useful and you can sort through for what you think we can use."
If Kathleen was amenable to that plan, Fixer would scurry up the wall, drop through the door into the darkness beyond, and after a few moments, papers, navigation tools, candlesticks, a cool hat, and all other sorts of miscellaneous stuff would start sailing out of the door.
Kathleen had no problems letting Fixer do the tedious work; climbing into that structural hazard wasn't something she relished the idea of doing. She gave a quick nod and watched the halfling mechanic clamber her way up to the jagged opening, disappearing into the dark.
She then found herself having to dash this way and that to catch the items which were being unceremoniously tossed from the navigation room. A steady stream of utensils and paper bundles flying through the air, some so high that Kathleen had to make a standing leap to grab them before they sailed neatly into one of the nearby fires. After only a few sustained seconds, Kathleen was the one who was puffing.
She was an academic!
Catching sight of a particularly valuable piece of equipment, Kathleen extended her fingers to snatch the hat out of the air. A slight, somewhat disbelieving smile crossed her face as she dusted the article off and placed it back where it belonged on her head. How the blazes had it gotten over here...? She was wearing it when the ship crashed, for crying out loud!
The storm of trinkets hadn't abated during her reunion, and it was only twenty seconds later when Kathleen, wheezing on all fours, could finally begin to examine the items she had been thrown.
The papers were first - some ship logs and maps. The Silvered Wave's journey had been without a hitch before the attack, so they were still relatively on course when they went down. Unfortunately, that course had taken them over five hundred miles of ocean. Furrowing her brow and reaching for the navigational tools, Kathleen quickly took to the map.
Let's see... given the ship's speed, the time of day... compensating for the change of course for combat, and the failing engines after taking the hit... average flying height of a commercial skyship...
The telepath frowned. Wayland Nor, an island in the middle of the ocean sometimes used for hunting but without any declared locals. No cities, towns, or even a guard post.
That was troubling. Stranded on an island. They were less than twenty miles from the nearest national border, but given how her impromptu exercise had just gone there was no way she could swim that distance. No settlements meant that they couldn't go to anyone for help, either. Their best bet may just be to hope a hunting party came along and would let them barter passage back to civilization.
Kathleen sat back with a hard exhale through her nose, nodding and passing the notes to Fixer if they were requested. "We may have a problem." she remarked to her companion.
She hoped the other two had found some food.
She then found herself having to dash this way and that to catch the items which were being unceremoniously tossed from the navigation room. A steady stream of utensils and paper bundles flying through the air, some so high that Kathleen had to make a standing leap to grab them before they sailed neatly into one of the nearby fires. After only a few sustained seconds, Kathleen was the one who was puffing.
She was an academic!
Catching sight of a particularly valuable piece of equipment, Kathleen extended her fingers to snatch the hat out of the air. A slight, somewhat disbelieving smile crossed her face as she dusted the article off and placed it back where it belonged on her head. How the blazes had it gotten over here...? She was wearing it when the ship crashed, for crying out loud!
The storm of trinkets hadn't abated during her reunion, and it was only twenty seconds later when Kathleen, wheezing on all fours, could finally begin to examine the items she had been thrown.
The papers were first - some ship logs and maps. The Silvered Wave's journey had been without a hitch before the attack, so they were still relatively on course when they went down. Unfortunately, that course had taken them over five hundred miles of ocean. Furrowing her brow and reaching for the navigational tools, Kathleen quickly took to the map.
Let's see... given the ship's speed, the time of day... compensating for the change of course for combat, and the failing engines after taking the hit... average flying height of a commercial skyship...
The telepath frowned. Wayland Nor, an island in the middle of the ocean sometimes used for hunting but without any declared locals. No cities, towns, or even a guard post.
That was troubling. Stranded on an island. They were less than twenty miles from the nearest national border, but given how her impromptu exercise had just gone there was no way she could swim that distance. No settlements meant that they couldn't go to anyone for help, either. Their best bet may just be to hope a hunting party came along and would let them barter passage back to civilization.
Kathleen sat back with a hard exhale through her nose, nodding and passing the notes to Fixer if they were requested. "We may have a problem." she remarked to her companion.
She hoped the other two had found some food.
It seemed, from the explosive char littering the galley area that most if not all of the food supply had been destroyed. She sighed, kicking over what looked to have once been a sack of grain, yet now was mostly black, and disintegrated a bit at her touch. She found nothing edible except for a few random potatoes that she stumbled across as she rumaged around. These she picked up and wiped off, about 12 smallish ones in total and placed them in the satchel she'd found. Her own extra change of clothes and splicing, carving knife had been with her hammock before the crash, and so far she'd seen no signs of them. At least she had her bow and nearly all her arrows.
Turning at the sound of Tenk's voice she made her way back to join him, stopping when she stood at his side. She held up the sack, a bit of a frown on her face. "I found a few potatoes... yay. We won't starve for a day or so. Once the potatoes are gone I'd give us another three or four days before we start making irrational choices from lack of hunger. From then on our chances are slim. All of that is assuming we can find water somewhere." She paused, then realized she perhaps should offer some hopeful words too, conversation and relationships were so taxing. Still, she wouldn't want to be alone out here, no sir.
Perking her lips in a smile which was a bit too bright, she shrugged, gesturing at the foot long cylinder at her waist which was etched with beautiful design. "I have my bow, and trust me when I say I'm a decent shot, so if there's game to be had out there in the jungle, maybe I can bring something down. We'd have to figure out a way to cook it though." She reached up to run a hand through her messy and rather wild blond hair as she finished her thought, "I wouldn't wanna chance eating anything raw."
Turning she scanned the area, "I guess we should go find the others.." she paused, glancing back at the Tabaxi. "Oh and... sorry about your bottle. Would've been nice to have a stiff drink after a day like today. "
As she began to wander off in search of the others, pausing so the Tabaxi could walk beside her, she mentally instructed Miko to run about and search for anythinf useful, hopefully ber knife at the very least. She could monitor what he was seeing and help him decide if something was worthwhile. The caused her to be a bit distracted, since she was splitting her attention between both pairs of eyes.
Turning at the sound of Tenk's voice she made her way back to join him, stopping when she stood at his side. She held up the sack, a bit of a frown on her face. "I found a few potatoes... yay. We won't starve for a day or so. Once the potatoes are gone I'd give us another three or four days before we start making irrational choices from lack of hunger. From then on our chances are slim. All of that is assuming we can find water somewhere." She paused, then realized she perhaps should offer some hopeful words too, conversation and relationships were so taxing. Still, she wouldn't want to be alone out here, no sir.
Perking her lips in a smile which was a bit too bright, she shrugged, gesturing at the foot long cylinder at her waist which was etched with beautiful design. "I have my bow, and trust me when I say I'm a decent shot, so if there's game to be had out there in the jungle, maybe I can bring something down. We'd have to figure out a way to cook it though." She reached up to run a hand through her messy and rather wild blond hair as she finished her thought, "I wouldn't wanna chance eating anything raw."
Turning she scanned the area, "I guess we should go find the others.." she paused, glancing back at the Tabaxi. "Oh and... sorry about your bottle. Would've been nice to have a stiff drink after a day like today. "
As she began to wander off in search of the others, pausing so the Tabaxi could walk beside her, she mentally instructed Miko to run about and search for anythinf useful, hopefully ber knife at the very least. She could monitor what he was seeing and help him decide if something was worthwhile. The caused her to be a bit distracted, since she was splitting her attention between both pairs of eyes.
Nodded in agreement as Brink suggested regrouping, his worries alleviated slightly when she inclined that she could hunt well. The tabaxi noticed that she was a bit distracted as they began to walk, but he wasn’t sure why. Watching his step, the Kensei hoisted the Nodachi over his shoulder and proceeded forth with long, determined strides.
The Kensei knew a bit about cooking, and could most likely make a mean from whatever game the woman caught. Granted, it wouldn’t be that great, most likely just borderline edible. As he pondered this, the tabaxi also realized that the party should leave the area of the crash sooner rather then later. If they were to stay too long, they would attract attention they should do best to avoid. Granted, the tabaxi wasn’t worried about a few pirates who got within reaching distance, although it wasn’t in his nature to do harm to others.
Hopefully it would stay that way.
The samurai adjusted the bindings along his armor and wiped off his mask briefly, slumping over slightly as the felines tail swayed slowly behind him. How were they going to get out of this? In past experiences, he was often facing man or beast as his opponent, and what an intimidating figure wouldn’t solve, his combat prowess did. The tabaxi was pretty sure he couldn’t just swing at the jungle around them and simply vanquish it. Well, maybe he could. The feline glanced over from behind his mask, ensuring that the woman wasn’t watching him. After falling back an inconspicuous pace, he lifted his Nodachi and pointed it at the dense foliage.
“Shi-Ne.” (Die] He whispered, watching the jungle for a moment as he anticipated something special. After a few seconds he realized that wouldn’t quite work. Shaking his head, the feline placed the sword on his shoulder again, sighing as he proceed forward with the woman.
The feline figured that he could draw, or, carve in this case, out some writing to lift his spirits and clear his mind. Some meditation would do well also, but that was for later. Focusing on now, the samurai turned and continued surveying the area. Maybe the rest of the party found a way to get out of here.
The Kensei knew a bit about cooking, and could most likely make a mean from whatever game the woman caught. Granted, it wouldn’t be that great, most likely just borderline edible. As he pondered this, the tabaxi also realized that the party should leave the area of the crash sooner rather then later. If they were to stay too long, they would attract attention they should do best to avoid. Granted, the tabaxi wasn’t worried about a few pirates who got within reaching distance, although it wasn’t in his nature to do harm to others.
Hopefully it would stay that way.
The samurai adjusted the bindings along his armor and wiped off his mask briefly, slumping over slightly as the felines tail swayed slowly behind him. How were they going to get out of this? In past experiences, he was often facing man or beast as his opponent, and what an intimidating figure wouldn’t solve, his combat prowess did. The tabaxi was pretty sure he couldn’t just swing at the jungle around them and simply vanquish it. Well, maybe he could. The feline glanced over from behind his mask, ensuring that the woman wasn’t watching him. After falling back an inconspicuous pace, he lifted his Nodachi and pointed it at the dense foliage.
“Shi-Ne.” (Die] He whispered, watching the jungle for a moment as he anticipated something special. After a few seconds he realized that wouldn’t quite work. Shaking his head, the feline placed the sword on his shoulder again, sighing as he proceed forward with the woman.
The feline figured that he could draw, or, carve in this case, out some writing to lift his spirits and clear his mind. Some meditation would do well also, but that was for later. Focusing on now, the samurai turned and continued surveying the area. Maybe the rest of the party found a way to get out of here.
Having run out of interesting things to loot, Fixer came clambering back out of the ship's remains, demonstrating the monkey like agility that had made her such a popular partner for burglaries back in her old life. She was small, could get into places humans couldn't, and wasn't actually a child, so she thought better on her feet. Of course, she had been a child when she started, but that's neither here nor there. "So, the sextant is busted and not worth salvaging. I think I got everything worth getting though."
Pointing at the hat, Fixer grinned, "I thought that was your hat. What are the odds, eh? I'm just glad it didn't land in all the blood. Lucky break, that." Fixer was a glass half full sorta girl. "Oh!" She pointed at her sleeve, which was considerably more dangerous that when she'd climbed in there. "Found a buncha fishing hooks," which she'd pierced through her sleeve with the barbs pointing away from her arm. "Worse comes to worse, I like fish."
"So, what's the problem?" She toddled over to where Kathleen was knealing and stood with her hands on her ample hips, looking over the map. She could do a great many things well, but read maps? Not her thing. She was a city girl, then a mechanic on an airship. Learning map... stuff was just never something she had a reason to look into.
"Oh, I see the problem." She pointed at the approaching Brink and Cat-Sword Guy, "Doesn't look like they found much food. I guess that makes sense. Most of the bulk food woulda been in the hold, and the hold is scattered all over creation and mostly in the water. That's a bit of a bummer, but I've been meaning to lose a bit of belly. That's the trick with being a stout Halfling. It is hard to keep a svelte figure. Not like those Lightfoots. They can eat anything they like and still look like elves, all slim and pointy. Still, who wants to cuddle a stick, am I right?" She knew she was right. She just liked to hear it.
Pointing at the hat, Fixer grinned, "I thought that was your hat. What are the odds, eh? I'm just glad it didn't land in all the blood. Lucky break, that." Fixer was a glass half full sorta girl. "Oh!" She pointed at her sleeve, which was considerably more dangerous that when she'd climbed in there. "Found a buncha fishing hooks," which she'd pierced through her sleeve with the barbs pointing away from her arm. "Worse comes to worse, I like fish."
"So, what's the problem?" She toddled over to where Kathleen was knealing and stood with her hands on her ample hips, looking over the map. She could do a great many things well, but read maps? Not her thing. She was a city girl, then a mechanic on an airship. Learning map... stuff was just never something she had a reason to look into.
"Oh, I see the problem." She pointed at the approaching Brink and Cat-Sword Guy, "Doesn't look like they found much food. I guess that makes sense. Most of the bulk food woulda been in the hold, and the hold is scattered all over creation and mostly in the water. That's a bit of a bummer, but I've been meaning to lose a bit of belly. That's the trick with being a stout Halfling. It is hard to keep a svelte figure. Not like those Lightfoots. They can eat anything they like and still look like elves, all slim and pointy. Still, who wants to cuddle a stick, am I right?" She knew she was right. She just liked to hear it.
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