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In Search of Father (( Open Intro ))
#597468 - Sat Apr 22 2006 04:33 PM
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What better place to emerge and confuse the were-equine than a rolling grassy plain not unlike where she just was. She doesn't know she has been led astray in her quest. With hooves pawing at the ground, she looked around and up at the sky. Something was wrong, definitely wrong. There was a giant cat face up there.
At least she's not unprepared, the Auric has seen to that. The glistening configuration of the six differently colored tailsmans were ingrained into her underbelly. For now she had limited control and still unstable at best. She could change at any given time.
It seems for the moment that the presently centaur unaware of where she was transported to. She still finds that the cat is a bit weird but she thinks its part of the shaman's magic. A guide to the her father's herd and to her new life of trying to be accepted into her kin.
She needs a clue now more than ever. The shaman didn't give her any other instructions as to what she should be doing right now. Not like she could use her sense of smell to locate her father's scent if he was there. Or how much farther she has to go before she finds the herd.
No hoove marks are present nor does it seem like they have grazed here recently. Why would the shaman give her a shortcut like this? She listens in case she can hear the herd somewhere close but all she hears is the plains fauna. There's no going back and only going forward.
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Part of the sky is blotted out by the passing of a large, black, blimp like pirate ship floating overhead. It slowly comes to a stop, hovering some 200 feet off the ground. A moment later, the strangely dressed captain levitates down to the grass near the centaur, who he smiles at in a friendly way.
"Ahoy there!" Julian says in his booming voice. "I caught sight of ya from up there." He points up to his ship, which is marked with a huge skull and crossbones on either side. "Ya look kinda lost, lassie. Not that I have much clue where I am, either!" He laughs boisterously, making his breastplate clank against his shoulder armor.
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Unamed rears when the mysterious man appears out of nowhere with the ship. Then it dawns on her that maybe this is how she's going to get to her father's herd. She waits a moment to calm down before addressing this odd red haired man.
"I guess you're here to pick me up. I hope you have enough room on that thing for me."
She wasn't sure she could trust this guy but if the shaman sent him things would be alright. If things went bad she could always fight her way out. Although if she got trapped in the sky with that thing, she'd have to go pegasus if she could.
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The pirate captain blinks his one eye in surprise. He sure hadn't been expecting that response. But he's even more taken aback by the centaur's second comment.
"Enough room?! Lass, look at it, it's nearly 100 feet long!" He grins and chuckles as he says this. "Well if it's a ride ya need, let's shove off! Hope you're not afraid of heights! Levitate!"
Julian and Unamed slowly rise into the air toward The Flying Pirate to land on a balcony halfway up the blimp's aft (rear). From there, the mage leads the way inside, to his decadently decorated master cabin, through the main deck, which is closed off by the "roof" of the blimp, to the fore where the navigation room is. A large panoramic window looks out over the plain, under that is a narrow panel of navigational instruments, and the in the middle of the room stands a pedestal with a basketball sized gray orb on a post about 3 1/2 feet high. Julian stands behind this device and looks to Unamed. "So, which direction should I go?" he asks cheerfully.
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Captain Julian
Pirate sorcerer supreme
Watch out for his sword.
(By Keijya Cherok)
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Unamed looks around while she is taking up to the ship. She'd seen her share of flying craft back at the stables but she'd never been on one. Her employee did all the machine part forging if a customer needed it. She looks out at the sky on the deck.
" I don't really know where I'm headed. I'm looking for my father's herd. A centuar shaman led me through a portal which took me here. I assume you knew where to go but I guess I'll have to ask around. Where's the nearest settlement? I might be able to find out something from there."
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Julian looks thoughtful, which also means he looks like he's making a great effort. "Well there's that huge sprawling city everybody always seems to end up in...there's so many people there you're bound to find somebody to help ya. But I forget which way it is from here."
He raises his right hand near his mouth and bellows at a silver ring on his finger: "Oy Monkeyman! How do we get to that Somecity?!"
A lanky, tanned man with no shirt and lots of tattoos enters the forecastle, wincing and holding his hands near his prominent ears. "Yeh don't have ta yell, I'm right here!" he claims grumpily. "It's Anycity and it's southwest from here. Better let me set the course." He fiddles with some controls on the panel while Julian places his hands just above the orb, which glows with a dull gray color. The Flying Pirate begins to move, making a shallow turn to the left and rising as it does so.
"We should be there smartly!" says the captain. "As soon as I lock us on course, I can leave here and get ya something to eat or drink, if ya want."
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"Nah, I'm stocked for the next few weeks. I could pick up some supplies in this Anycity place. I don't think I've heard of it. Which nation are we presently in?"
Sure she could trust this guy like you can trust any other stranger. The food and drink could wait. It's not likely they can strip her supplies and leave her stranded for that matter. But ill intentions aside, she can totally trust this guy.
She's lucky that nobody is chasing her or her transporters would be in trouble. They seemed decent enough in their own right but she'd seen what happens when deals go bad. She might even take control of the ship if need be but she'd prefer passenger to piratess.
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"Uhhh...." Julian seems at a loss for an answer to Unamed's question. Luckily Omar steps in.
"Somethin' like a Sleepin' Cat's Dream," the first mate mumbles, sounding extremely skeptical about it. "Least that's what ever'body round here says." He snorts and leaves the forecastle.
Jones chuckles. "I don't give a rip what it's called, long as there's good food and great rum! In fact, once we get to Whatsitcity, I'm gonna have me some of both! So lassie, would ya like a tour of my pride and joy, the Flying Pirate?" he asks with a grand sweeping gesture of his large arms.
In the corner, a barely discernable figure can be seen hovering. The outline vaguely suggests a skeleton, and a very faint, small orange glow can just be seen around the head area if you look hard.
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"Oh great, some shaman has sent me on a vision quest. It seems I have to earn my way to my father's herd. In that case I better make the best of it. Sure I'll go on a tour."
Though she doubts she actually is physically here. An open mind might be prudent in this case. Even in he can trust her, he could be some sort of trickster spirit. A tour would be good in case she needs to make an easy exit.
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"Vision quest?" Julian wonders aloud, then shrugs and motions for Unamed to follow him out of the forecastle, onto the main deck and down an open hatch, which leads to smaller, but still expensively decorated, cabins.
"This is where my crew and any guests sleep. I've put trophies of my, eh, conquests in each room." Indeed, if Unamed looks into any of the open rooms, save the one door on the end that is closed, she can see very valuable looking paintings, statues, furnishings and trinkets in each one. And the captain will go into excruciating detail about how and where he acquired every one unless she stops him. Also on this deck is the galley, or crew's mess, which also boasts glamorous items, such as a large hutch filled with fine china. Just beyond the galley, at the very fore of the ship, is the kitchen.
When at last the tour reaches the final and lowest deck, the hull that is used for storage, the centaur will see another big hatch that leads to the outside, along with many crates and barrels used to store provisions. You can rest assured that Julian has been talking garrulously about everything onboard, but fortunately both PGs are spared his rambling. XD
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She's sufficiently surprised that these pirates have so much valuables. Not that she would want any of these riches but working for this guy sure must be exciting. No doubt he won't start much trouble to a single traveller. There might be a bounty on their heads but that too she doesn't desire. She could steal all his bounty without him or his crew knowing about it.
Nah, you don't want to be on the bad side of a pirate even if you think you are safe. At least she's not scuffing up his floor too much with her horse-shoes. For a pirate crew she hasn't had much heckling, they must not be attracted to a women who can kick in their teeth. For now it seems she's more interested in information.
"You must have travelled far and wide to gather all that bounty. Can I see maps of this world to study or accquire? It's not good to go into strange lands and constantly ask for directions."
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For someone who's obsessed with amassing treasure and other material goods, Julian doesn't ever seem very concerned about someone else taking it. He just loves to show off his possessions too much, and he's infinitely confident that he can stop anyone and everyone from taking anything that "rightfully" belongs to him. Besides, for a pirate, he's quite generous and has been known to bestow gifts on those who've befriended him.
"Oh I've been just about everywhere and back!" the mage claims proudly. "I'm here because this seems to be a brand new area to explore, so the only map I have right now is a treasure map. But I think near this Whattycity is a huge information center of sorts. You might have more luck there."
The captain turns and makes his way back toward the navigation cabin. "We're probably close enough now that I should start steering us in."
((OOC: I'll let you decide when they arrive at Anycity. There's a thread that goes into some detail about the place here. There used to be a map of the Dream, but it's not up anymore.))
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The nearest landing area is in view. Anycity is going about its usual business and some people pay little mind to the incoming ship. They've just about seen everything by now. Unamed has heard of great technological cities but has never seen one before.
He's been freindly enough to give her a ride, a suprisingly short one. But now she's got to make a choice. Stay with the pirate or go to the city. If she goes to the city she may be able to find out alot more about this realm. If she goes with the pirate, who knows what might happen.
"If you need to restock now would be a good time. I'll stay on your ship. Not as crew nor as passenger but as a tourist. I don't intend to stay in this realm then I have to."
"I have to learn something here in order to meet my father. I believe that path lies with you. All I ask is that you take me wherever you go. I'll provide for myself and I don't require room or board."
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Julian finds an empty space large enough for the Flying Pirate and docks without incident, surprisingly enough. "That's a good idea lassie, I intend to start looking for this treasure very soon. I just hope I can locate the rest of my crew. My first mate will take care of the supplies while I restock here!" He slaps a hand over his toned abs which are partially exposed through his ripped shirt.
They disembark via the bottom hatch. Having exited, the pirate wizard turns back toward the ship, raises both hands into the air, and shouts "Conceal!" From the center outward, a rippling effect occurs which cloaks the ship with an invisibility spell. The skeletal ghost from earlier appears in front of the hatch as an additional deterrant to would-be thieves. So it seems he's not entirely clueless about guarding his treasures.
"If ya ask me, I think the best place to get info about your pop is at a tavern! It's certainly the best place to get what I'm craving right now!" He sets off in what he thinks is the direction of the nearest bar. "I don't mind taking ya along, but I gotta warn ya, the only things I'm any good at finding are treasure and trouble!" The captain laughs loudly, his booming voice bouncing off the buildings.
Edit: As they walk, a newspaper sales booth can be seen boasting the newest edition of the Dream's publication, The Enlightenment.
"Hey coooool!" Julian shouts, grabbing a copy. "That was me and my crewmates!" he beams as proudly as if they were his own children. "Reward?! Heh, I already got my reward from those nogood bums!"
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Unamed follows Julian as he joyfully goes for some spirits. She's had to meet up with employers in bars before so that's nothing new. Although she doubts in the bar would even know who her father is. There is something she's got to learn to get back to her world, where ever that may be.
She's not at all uncomfortable standing next to Julian as they get into the crowd. A centuaress her height and who wouldn't be slightly intimidated. There may be a few things she may want to buy here but money isn't really wearing thing and all she really needs is to stay fed. Picks up her own copy and tries to read.
"This isn't in any language I know of. Do you mind if you read it to me?"
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Julian tosses the newspaper vendor a coin and reads the page to Unamed as they continue on their way, laughing and adding commentary.
"Mystery heroes, who would've thought? Oh yeah, we're real savages! Those weasels weren't good for anything except leading me to treasure! Plucky lads, that was us alright! And our next step is to get that treasure from the map I got, after I'm done with this little vacation, of course!" The pirate captain beams widely, still keeping his eye out for a bar.
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"Sounds a bit altruistic. I don't think I'd be up for any heroinism. I should probably learn the written language to while I'm here. It'd save me from constantly asking people what things say."
Walks along, it seems like all of her worries and cares are non-exsistant. She was out in the open but now she's in the largest city she's ever been in. It does in fact feel like a dream. She's been scooped up from the ground and dropped into a urban landscape.
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By now they've reached a tavern, so it seems that food and drink are two other things Julian has a knack for coming across.
"I hope they have some might fine steak in here," he hopes, stepping into the bar. "By the way, what's your dad like? We could always put a lost and found ad in this here paper." So the captain prefers simple solutions to complex problems, what can you do? XD
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"I'd like to say just like me but I didn't get a good look at him. It was the middle of the night and it was dark so I'm assuming I look like him."
She walks into the tavern, although this hasn't been her first time in such an establishment. There are some who look at up that the newcomers and some other who just don't care. A pair of bartenders are behind the countertop, one for the cheap stuff, the other for the more intoxicating and expensive.
A few tables are playing cards, some people are playing darts, and a row of pool tables are being played on. All of which have bets as to who would win. The cheap bartender sends out a beer mug to the other end of the table, the buyer catching it and starting to slam it down. Smoke hangs ominously above everyone's head, but there are worse places to drink.
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"Hmmn, sounds like ya know more about your dad than I do about my own, so that's a good start!" Julian smirks and sits down heavily on a barstool, tossing another coin out. "Rum and some meat, if ya got it!"
He pays no mind to anyone looking at him, as he honestly doesn't care anything about what others think of him. In fact, he's of the opinion that no matter where he goes, he belongs there. However, he's not too fond of the current atmosphere. "Glum place," the captain mutters, shaking out the newspaper and flipping through the pages.
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The cheap bartender got the meat and rum, and shoved it in front of Julian, " Thirty bronze coins."
Unamed instead just stands there, looking around. The hospitality of the tavern is positively glowing. Of couse things weren't going to stay safe for very long. I firm slap to her rear flank was enough to break up the uneasy atmosphere. Whirling around to see a black haired human, she fumed and reared up and tried to make the guy back away or get trampled.
"You had best not do that again if you wish to have you internal organs crushed."
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Julian pays the bartender without comment and tears into the meat, washing it down with huge gulps of rum. At the rate he's going, he'll need at least one refill before he's done.
As the captain eats, he takes note of Unamed's plight, but doesn't interfere as long as it seems she has it well in hand. However, the prospect of a good old fashioned bar brawl has him itching with excitement, but he'd rather it wait until after he's done with his food, if possible. Besides, it wouldn't do to fight everybody's battles for them.
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The bartender stabs downward into Julian's meat with a large knife. "Do I have to repeat myself?"
"You gotta be kiddn' me hun, hanging around that filthy guy over there. I tell you what, why don't I ride you instead of him?"
"Bid your organs goodbye." She whirls around and gets the guy straight in the chest breaking a few ribs and knocking him out cold. That would be an very unwise mood since he was the propieter of the bar. Everybody knew who he was and stopped what they were doing.
The bouncers don't do weapons checks at the door. Which is bad for the duo as everybody seems to be armed with a weapon. Three bouncers walk over to them them. They haven't been in there for more than five minutes and already they are in trouble.
"Okay, horsie, time for the two of you to take a trip out back."
"Uh, Julian, you may want to call your ship."
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Julian breaks into a giant grin. At last, something truly interesting is happening. And he thought this was turning out to be a rather dull day.
"Repeat yourself? If ya wanna tip, here's one: Don't mess with a pirate, 'specially one that does black magic. And I wouldn't keep eating this crap if ya paid me!" The captain stands and draws his huge cutlass, goading the bouncers with the cocky expression on his face. He's quite used to getting into trouble in bars; in fact he's a bit surprised it didn't happen a little sooner. As far as he's concerned, he's been given the green light to have a field day in here.
"Sorry, bilgerats, you're the ones who'll be going on a trip. Lightening!" Given the spell is successful, a bright bolt will flare down from the ceiling, blasting the bouncers right off their feet and singeing them some in the process. Brandishing his sword, he yells, "Anyone else want to rue the day they dared cross Captain Julian Jones, pirate sorcerer supreme?"
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The bouncers are blasted back along with being singed. The rest of the tavern aren't too pleased about it. A few of them have blasters. Seeing as how they're outnumbered 60 to 2 now would be a great idea to take out as many of them as possible. Instead the best Unamed can do is jump over the bar, knock out the two bartenders and hold down behind the bar while those with projectile weapons unload at them.
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