[The Gryphon is finally off towards the realms of the dark wa...err mist. And it certainly is foggy. The ship travels the outskirts of the obscuring fog at the moment, bordered by another ship. A pinnace to be exact.] [But aha! What seems to be this aboard the ship? An accusation? A mystery? Hidden pirates? It's hard to tell, but the woman seems certain of herself. The nation of Zaxon, or at least this particular inhabitant of it seems to have not taken a liking to your boat. How will they get out of this one?] [Session Start] * Captain points towards the ship, grinning wildly and calling out in a loud voice. "I've got you now, Drake Finning!" She turns to her men. "Men! Prepare to board!" * Shan isn't there! Drake Finning? * Nasira looks over to the captain... er, her captain. "You wouldn't know a Drake Finning, would ya?" * Priest looks at the ship and turns towards the woman, whispering something to her. * Naiya glances sharply at the Zaxon flag, then at Drake. "What did you do to..." The quesiton trails off, like she's suddenly unsure of what she's saying. She then bites her lip and shuts up, catching onto Nasira's ploy. * Jake looks up at Nasira and hmms. "The name seems familiar. On the tip of my tongue. But...I don't know what he'd be doing out here.. * Nasira grins. "Whatever. Hey, Naiya! You wouldn't mind wakin' Shan up, wouldja? I think she'd want to know we're gonna be boarded by pirates lookin' for a guy who isn't here." [Both Naiya and Nasira manages to notice that the other ship is loading the harpoons into the cannons.] * Naiya frowns, then nods. She dosen't take her gaze off the incoming ship. * Naiya goes to do that. "Shan, on deck. There's trouble, and we may need your diplomacy skills." * Nasira proceeds to run up and wave at the crazy pirate lady. She's grinning every bit as wildly as her. "Hey!" [Naiya tries to do that, only to find that the door is firmly locked.] * Captain looks at the priest oddly, then looks at the ship. She mutters something back then lets out a growl. "I've had enough of this. You obviously don't know true greatness when you see it!" She whips around and points to the boat. "Fire!" There's a dull explosion as the harpoons are launched towards the ship. * Naiya raps on the door with her nice metal shield, clanging it as loud as she can manage. "You sure picked a great time to be hung over..." She gives up after a short bit, and turns her attentions back to the other ship. * Jake grits his teeth. "By the bearded devil himself..." He calls up to the masts. "Turn about! Hard! Now!" Oh, yeah! Ignore me! You've even got the wrong- shit! * Nasira moves to brace herself. Yay! * Naiya grabs onto the door she was so recently banging on. "By Fiona... what's gotten into her?" [The ship turns, rocking and creaking through the waters. The sails, and the foreyard with it, swing hard. A figure falls from the rigging overboard. Looks like it might have been Enzo.] * Nasira spots that. "Enzo!" Forget hanging onto the ship, she's running down on uncertain footing to check on him. * Naiya catches that, too. "Enzo-" She reaches one hand out, before remembering there's still a hostile ship about. [Nasira goes running to check on Enzo but slides off her feet. She falls on the deck with a smack, but fortunately not on her head.] * Jake curses. "Dammit." He calls out at the top of his lungs. "Man overboard! Alar! Take care of him would ya?" * Nasira scowls, scrambles to her feet, and keeps going to see if the guy's at least afloat. [Meanwhile, there's a thunk as the first harpoon hits the side of the boat. A few more harpoons follow attached to long ropes. There's already some of the crew from the other ship sliding down.] * Shan is doing big secret important things (maybe) and can't be bothered with a silly thing like a pirate attack. [Nasira does manage to see Enzo pop out of the water, treading water (quite well actually). Alar dives over the side after him, dragging a rope behind in his teeth. * Naiya mutters to herself, and assumes a defensive stance, running at the harpoon that's imbedded itself in the ship. [The rest of the crew goes to hold a few of the other lines. Meanwhile, a couple pirates land near Naiya.] * Nasira watches that, nods to herself, and walks over to the incoming pirates with a gleam in her eye. Not runs. Walks. [Three pirates currently land on the boat. Order: Nasira, Pirates, Naiya.] [The pirates, for their part, don't seem ready for a fight. Rather they're just trying to hold the ship peacefully.] * Nasira takes a few more steps at a quick pace, then springs into the air, drawing her sword with her right hand and landing the glinting, curved edge just inches before one of the pirate's faces - the one taking point, in fact. Before he has any time to react, her left hand unsheathes her knife and places it against his neck, though she doesn't draw any blood. * Nasira grins nastily and comments, "I hear it's not nice to put holes in other people's ships. Better apologize and go home." * Naiya winces at Nasira's blow, expecting the bloodletting coming from such a strike. And blinks when it's pulled. [The pirate eyes the others nervously. It definitely looks like he wants to be anywhere but in the position he's in, but also has the look of "It's not within my authority" to him. The other two back off a little, swords pointed at Nasira, though quivering a little. * Captain slaps her forehead. "Oh for the love of..." She turns to her other two and speaks more calmly than she has been since before, but still loud enough to be heard. "Inago. Valen. We're going aboard." * Both of the men nod in unison. The priest seems less certain but they reply, "Yes, Lady De Lancey." [Naiya's turn] * Nasira flicks her one eye up to glance at that. * Naiya steps forward, slowly extending one hand and lowering one of the other swords. She says softly, "Relax. Walk away, lower your swords, and we will have no reason to use ours." [The pirate growls and turns his sword to point at Naiya. Even if Nasira's got one of them, doesn't seem like they're backing down.] * Nasira grins even more widely, if that's possible, and her left arm tenses ever so slightly. The pirate she's containing feels it. "Bad idea, ugly. Unless you really don't care about your friend." [The pirates there seem to care. However more pirates are starting to board and they might not be as impressed. The rest of the crew is ready to fight but neither seem to want to deal the first blow.] * Captain yells. "Don't just stand there. Search the cabins. He's got to be here somewhere. I'm sure of it." * Valen looks nervously at the captain. He doesn't seem sure of all this, especially with Nasira. "Are you really sure this is such a good idea, Lady de Lancey?" * Nasira gleams. She looks around and seems about ready to take them all on, if she has to. This'll be good. * Inago nods for his part and doesn't say a word. He leaps to the rope and slides across. A lot faster than the rest of them, but what do you expect? He actually has a name. * Captain snorts and eyes the priest (and it doesn't look like you want to be caught in that look). "Are you questioning my authority?" * Nasira raises her sword, this time, pointing it at Inago. "Hey, you! What the hell do you want?" * Inago just smiles as he crosses the rope, not saying a thing. * Valen sighs and hangs his head, not wanting to look at her. "No, Lady de Lancey. I simply--" * Captain cuts him off and grins. "Good!" She slides herself. * Valen sighs and sticks his fingers in his mouth, letting out a shrill whistle. Moments later, a rather large hawk flies overhead. He holds his arm up and the hawk picks him up in it's talons, carrying him over the sea towards the Gryphon. [Naiya's turn.] * Naiya sticks by Nasira, for the moment. "The one you seek isn't here! I don't know why you're after him, but you're looking in the wrong place!" (full defense) [Nasira's turn. The pirates are now mostly rushing onboard now.] * Naiya is now known as Jexless * Nasira frowns, suddenly, and kicks the pirate firmly in the stomach while drawing her knife back. She turns and dashes for the cabins. "Damnit, Shan. What a great time to be hiding." [Nasira runs back towards the cabins. There's a rush of pirates in her direction. A few dash past her at the yells of the captain. "10,000 drachs to the first person who finds him!" [The rest turn to engage Nasira warily. There's 3 moving to surround her.] * Nasira laughs. "Sorry, boys! Not today!" She weaves through them as she continues to the cabins. [Nasira runs through the cabins only to trip on something. As she looks down, a pair of bolas has latched themselves around her feet. In the distance is Inago, who's lept onto the deck and is still calmly smiling, twirling another set in his hand by the string.] * Captain climbs onto the deck and laughs as she lands next to Inago. "Nice shot." She slaps him on the back and then looks over the deck. [One of the pirates who broke through takes his sword and smashes it into the door near where the knob is. He busts his way into the room.] * Nasira lets out a sharp curse in her native tongue at that. * Shan screams and konks the guy over the head with a frying pan. She steps out of the room, holding it with both hands. She's shaking and her face is white, but she looks like she's beginning to calm down a bit as she takes in the situation (Yes, she's calm because there's pirates!) [The other pirates step back, keeping their swords on Shan, but definitely look like they weren't expecting that.] [Naiya's turn.] * Nasira sees that, and the first thing out of her mouth would happen to be: "What were you doing with one of those? Cooking?" Something of that order y... nevermind that! What in blazes is going on here? * Naiya makes a break for Nasira, hovering around her defensively until Nasira gets her footing back. Pirates. Think you figured that out already. They're lookin' for someone who isn't there, and I have this problem with people invading my personal space. Get back on your feet, quickly. Oh. * Shan exhales. "Is that all?" Electricity crackles along her arms. * Naiya glowers at the various pirates. "The one you are looking for is not on this ship." * Valen lands on the ship deck, dropping from the hawk, and letting out a long sigh as he picks himself up. He seems suddenly confused. "They think we're pirates?" Unfortunately, he doesn't say it loud enough for most of his crewmates to hear. If you'll merely listen before attacking... [Alright, to recap...] [New order: Nasira, Inago, Captain, Shan, Pirates, Naiya, Valen] [Nasira's turn.] [And for the record, the pirate Shan konked on the head is on the floor unconscious.] * Nasira 's eye gleams, and she grits her teeth. But, amazingly, she doesn't say anything. In one smooth motion, she sits up and runs her knife through the string, snapping them before jumping to her feet with weapons in hand. [Naiya hasn't quite closed the gap just yet.] * Nasira draws her sword up and to one side as she does so, almost as an afterthought, slicing a thin, red line through the pirate to her right. "Back off." [The pirate screams as he staggers back. He's got a pretty deep gash through his gut and looks about ready to fall over. It's just by sheer luck that he's still standing.] * Nasira glares at the other two. [The other pirates take a step back.] * Naiya whispers to herself, "First blood." * Inago draws a small ornate dagger from his belt and looks around. He notes Nasira and the others, then finally speaks. He's got an oddly high-pitched accent to him. "I'll take the new girl. I assume you want her, Lady Lilith?" ( Part 1! ) ... I feel insulted by that. ... you claim to be seeking one, then lay claim to another upon sight? * Captain nods. "Do what you can." Inago smiles and rushes forward, throwing a bola at Shan. The bola manages to miss though and colide against the wall behind her. * Captain walks, or more strides forward towards Naiya, drawing her rapier as she 's going. "Silence, you you..." She fails to find the words and throws her hands in the air. "I don't listen to the likes of pirates like you!" ... it is you who are the pirates. Explain yourself. You would not board a ship seeking someone without good reason, if you fly the Zaxon flag. * Nasira doesn't comment, again. She's not smiling or frowning; her expression is a neutral sort of anger, and she's currently eyeing Inago like something to be taken apart. * Captain then settles her hand in a position and hmmphs. "Once again, you profess to lie your way through this confrontation. No matter. I shall end this quickly." * Captain swishes the sword through the air a few times before settling in a slightly downward cocked position with the sword, pointing in the general direction of Naiya. "My name is Lilith De Lancey. And you would do best to watch your tongue before you lose it, pirate." * Captain is now known as Lilith * Naiya switches to Zaxon, and says more forcefully, "I tell you nothing but truth when I say that the one you claim to seek is not here, and that we are not pirates!" Nevermind, Naiya, their intent is quite clear. Zaxon obviously seeks to start a war with Chu-Lin. [Shan's turn.] * Lilith blinks and almost squeaks out. "We *what*?" Quite obviously. You refuse to listen to reason, so I can only assume your intent is to kidnap me. That's...that's not... You must of course know that the council of Chu-Lin will not take an attack on one of its members lightly? * Lilith smirks. "Oh. I see. I'm not falling for your ruse!" Want me to kick their collective asses for ya, boss? Please say yes. * Valen manages to slap his forehead. While still in midair. * Shan tilts her head up and looks down at Lilith. "Indeed? Will you take that risk, then, starting a war with your country? I give you a chance to reconcile now, but if you persist, I can assure you Chu-Lin will not back down. We have no tolerance for warmongers. [The pirates are looking around. They seem to be watching the odd confrontation with interest.] But...b-but... * Lilith points her rapier at Nasira. "Her! She seriously wounded one of my men!" [Naiya's turn.] In self-defense. After all, it was you who boarded our vessel, was it not? * Nasira flicks blood off her blade. Bothered by the accusation? Nah. * Shan points at the bola in the wall behind her. "I'll also note that one of your men attacked me, as well. That's an attempt on my life, which is quite honestly already grounds for war. * Naiya is still tense, keeping her gaurd up. Paranoidly so. She's backing up slowly, making her way to Nasira and Shan. (full defense! again!) * Lilith falters a little then regains her composure. "Nevertheless, I cannot back down just now! The honor of Zaxon demands it!" She gets down on her knees and lets out a light prayer. "Oh Fiona, forgive me for what I must do..." Fiona would tell you to attempt to listen before being a fool! * Shan looks down. "It's a pity. I had hoped that the Zaxonites were more amiciable than the Vithril I hear about. * Valen lands on the deck from the bird and sighs. "Lady Lilith, perhaps your instruction was in error after all..." But it seems you are no different. Do not judge us all by one erronous example... she's made a mistake, no more. * Lilith looks up from her position on the ground, eyes widened. "That...that is not true at all!" She turns to Valen. "Valen, tell them it's not true." She then turns to Inago. "Inago?" * Inago shrugs, still twirling his bola. * Shan folds her arms into the sleeves of her robe. "Chu-Lin has no desire to go to war. Does Zaxon?" Hopefully *she stresses the word, looking pointedly at Lilith* she will seek to make amends before this situation gets out of hand. I...I cannot. Father wouldn't... * Lilith looks at Valen. * Nasira keeps her mouth shut and eye on Inago. * Valen shakes his head and then up to the rest of them. "Then we must apologize for our intrusion. We meant no harm. It was simply a ship matching this description was told to be heading this way." * Shan bows politely to him. "Then I am glad we were able to settle this without further bloodshed." * Naiya softens her voice, and fixes her gaze on Lilith. "Please... state your original purpose for being here. Calmly, so that it may be discussed, and your man can get aid." * Lilith pouts. "And here I'd thought I'd actually found a pirate vessel to board...least of all Drake Finning's ship..." She sighs dreamily. * Valen sighs and walks forward, hands fluffing out his vestments as he heads towards Naiya. "I will speak on Lady de Lancey's behalf, if you do not mind." * Nasira flicks the rest of the blood off her saif and sheathes it, along with her knife. * Inago smiles and finds somewhere convenient to lean on. He puts his weapons away but puts on the air of "just another guy here." By all means. [The rest of the "pirates" sheath their weapons as well.] * Naiya nods in acknowledgement. "I do not mind." If you would like, I can also tend to your wounded man. As to your question, our original intent was to ambush a dreaded pirate called "Drake Finning" of the Torey Junket. He has been wanted by the state of Zaxon for quite some time.. * Lilith sighs dreamily and clasps her hands together. "Oh, Drake..." * Valen clears his throat and continues. "Err...yes." * Nasira reaches down and picks up the bola which was tossed at Shan. She throws it back to Inago with a slight grin. "You dropped this." Miss de Lancey was charged by her parents to capture said pirates. Unfortunately, when we encountered the mists, we were lost... Thus, when we encountered your ship, bearing most of the same markings, we concluded that he must be hiding aboard your ship. Unfortunately, he seems to not be travelling back to his presumed hideout just yet. * Naiya frowns. "... his presumed hideout is in here?" * Inago looks down at his bola and smiles pleasantly, giving Nasira a nod as he goes to pick it up. * Nasira folds her arms. She's still tense and not smiling quite as much as normal, but hey, she doesn't look like she's about to skewer anybody! * Lilith nods and Valen starts to object but she holds out a hand to silence him as she pulls herself up to her feet. "That is correct. And we shall be the ones to capture him and bring him to justice. Though I do not know why he would choose to keep himself in such an out of the way and creepy place." She sighs and grins at Nasira, holding her hand out. "You fight well." ... given all the superstition and fear I've heard about the Veil, it would make an excellent pirate cove. And if our ship... ...were seen entering the cove, logically one would assume it were a pirate ship. * Nasira eyes Lilith's hand for a moment, then lets the grin show, reaching out to give it a healthy shake. "Thanks. Afraid I can't say the same for you, since I haven't seen ya in action." Oh I assure you I am well trained in the blade, Miss...? * Lilith seems to be reaching. Perhaps I should clarify our situation. We're on assignment to the Trade Council, tracking down a ship that went missing. We've followed our leads to ... here. *she gestures with one arm, indicating the thick fog* * Nasira keeps grinning. "Nasira Zehil." She pauses. "That's Zaxon custom, right? Just the name." If I may ask, how long have you been lost in here? * Lilith chuckles and puts her hands on her belt buckle. "If you wish. My name is Lilith De Lancey, heir to Garibald de Lancey and all the de Lanceys before." * Naiya salutes to Lilith, all Zaxon-like. "Naiya." * Valen looks at the sky and thinks. "A good while. To be honest, I've lost all track of time..." * Nasira lets her eye gleam. "That's better." She performs her people's half- bow, with the words, "I am Nasira Zehil, daughter of Kamil and Hala Zehil, student of Mirza Saleh, and I'm afraid I'm not heir to anything." She straightens. "My brother got it." * Lilith eyes Naiya. "*Just* Naiya?" * Naiya nods. "... until I redeem myself in the eyes of Fiona." * Lilith then chuckles at Nasira. "Still a long heritage." She looks over at Shan. "And you?" I am Shan Dian Biao, Imperial Minister and Councilwoman of Chu-Lin. And my boss. * Valen looks at Naiya oddly. "The Goddess Fiona is nothing if not forgiving. What makes you think you h ave sinned?" And Nasira's boss. * Nasira snickers. * Lilith hmms. "I see. Pity. I had hoped you were a free spirit, Nasira Zehil." That... is between Fiona and me, I'm afraid. *her eyes seem especially sad, as if recalling something.* * Nasira laughs. "Nah. One day, I got into a little too much trouble for that." * Valen raises an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well it must be serious if the clergy cannot help. But I respect your decision." If you've been in here this long, perchance you've seen the ship we're tracking? *starts to describe the Iron Maiden* * Lilith blinks. Valen looks at her. "Wasn't that the first boat we--" Lilith looks at him strangely. "Yes! But it went too far in. I fear it may be at the bottom of the ocean now." ... You didn't... try to board it, did you? We didn't sink it if that is what you're implying. * Valen nods. "Indeed. We couldn't keep up before it parted too far into the mists. We had to turn back or we would be lost further." * Nasira grins. "Not sunk, but not for lack of trying. Got it." * Lilith eyes Nasira. "We don't sink ships. If we did, we would have used full cannon balls first off and not harpoons." But that's what you were implying. * Lilith coughs. * Valen looks at Lilith. "What I think she is implying is that you chased down that ship t--" Lilith barks back. "Shut up." Valen blinks. "But I--" Lilith repeats. "Shut up!" * Shan sez nothing. * Nasira laughs and changes the subject. "Too bad about the peaceful resolution. I was itching for a fight." She glances around. "Where the hell's our illustrious captain?" * Lilith turns back towards the rest of them. "Well, all told, I wish you luck on your journeys. If you seek the pirates as well, we may meet again." She walks off. * Inago shrugs and walks off too. * Shan bows. "And to you as well." * Nasira starts then calls, "Hey, wait! Wait one second!" * Jake finally comes up to them from holding the wheel. He watches the two of them go. "Well that was...weird." Overzealousness averted... * Nasira storms after. Maybe it's not so averted after all. * Valen looks over from Naiya to Shan. "If there's any other way I can help..?" He watches Nasira, oh dear." * Lilith turns around. Inago keeps walking. "Hmm?" Who's gonna pay for the damage you did to the ship? ... she will, after we guide her out of the Veil, on our exit trip. * Lilith looks at Nasira, and then waves it off. "Oh that." She turns around. "That's of no concern. Valen! Pay the poor crew." * Valen looks at Lilith surprised. "Me? Why me?" * Shan stays silent. Because you obviously wish to stay behind. You know the de Lancey coffers pay your salary anyway." * Valen sighs and grumbles, reaching into his robes. "So long as you agree to a hefty donation this year..." He tosses a small pouch in front of Nasira. There's a heavy jingle as it lands on-deck. * Nasira scoops the pouch up and weighs it with her hand. She grins at the result. "Have a nice day!" [The rest of the crew leaves with her. They seem awfully confused by the whole experience. Valen sighs and lets out the whistle again.] * Shan bows to Valen. "Good luck to you in your journey." She doesn't add "You'll need it with that $#%#^ of a captain." * Nasira turns, heading over to the others and, incidentally, Jake. She dangles it in front of him. ... interesting experience. * Jake takes the pouch after eying it and stuffing it in his belt, still watching Lilith. "I always thought nobles were eccentric. Now I'm worried that ain't a strong enough word..." Frankly, I'm more than satisfied that the whole ordeal is done with. * Naiya heads over the the edge of the ship, walking it's perimeter, looking for anyone who might be treading water. Especially Enzo. Done with. Yeah. [Funny that. Alar seems to pull him to the deck just as she thinks that. Enzo seems to be too tired to talk and collapses from exhaustion.] * Naiya notes that, and keeps looking anyways. Someone else might have fallen, too. * Nasira doesn't sound entirely convinced, but she shrugs to herself and pushes her way past. "Gotta clean the blood off," she says by way of explanation, before disappearing into the cabins. He'll be okay. Just took him a little by surprise. * Shan stares at Enzo when he's brought on board, but relaxes at that. "Good." * Jake shrugs and goes back to the wheel. "Let's head in then, shall we?" The men go about cutting the lines. Lilith's ship cuts them from the other end as well. * Naiya smiles a little. Afraid of ghosts anymore, Councilwoman? It's merely a pirates cove we have to worry about. * Naiya grins at Shan, an undercurrent of mirth in her statement. * Shan clears her throat. There's no such thing as ghosts. That's all I have to say about that. [Session End.]