A Bevy of Booty Deserves A Drink (Davy Jones)

[Lani de la Mer]

Raucous laughter roared throughout the walls of the Salty Seaman, spilling out into the streets of another port leading into Hollow Bastion.  The mood was high, the haul they came in with higher, and the profit highest of all.  With the rest of the world going down or falling apart, things were ripe for the taking while time was on their side, and tonight, drinks flowed as steadily as dreams from a young maiden's heart.

Among them was Lani, the sea witch grinning and sharing a toast with the crew as she leaned against the bar next to an open barstool.  Not as far into her cups as the others, for sure, but that wasn't unusual, either.  She shared stories and victory with the others, but she liked staying at least partially sober.  One never knew when the tide would call - or the Captain for that matter.

"To the next victory," one of the crewman bellowed, "and the fight to go with it!"  She grinned and raised her glass to the toast, her voice joining the others.  One could never have one without the other.

_______________________

Name: Squad Training
Requirements: Assigned a Squad
Job: It's time to get the squad together and hash out our problems. Be they in the field or with each other personally.
Bonus: Fight each other, discuss problems, and grow together or apart.
Payout: +5 exp, +$250

[Davy Jones]

Davy had not joined the crew immediately, opting instead to stay behind with the ship and see that everything was in order. The work of a Captain was never truly done. But even he could not resist the siren song of port forever, and it was because of that simple fact that ran through his veins like salt water that he'd make his own way for the bar. Braving the rain and the thunder, counting silently in his head the average time between thunderclaps. As it was he'd open the door of the bar suddenly just as thunder roared and lightning flashed outside. His cape billowing in the wind as he entered causing a chill to run through many of the scoundrels in the bar as he made his way to the table with his crew with slow deliberate steps.

[Lani de la Mer]

Thunder rorared like a might wave crashing against teh coast, rattling the building walls as the door slammed inward, a shadowy figure making stark contrast with the lightning that split the sky behind it. The face mostly covered in shadow, save the flicker of the flames from the fireplace illuminating part of hm. The chil that ran through the room was like a whisper from a dead man's lips, cold and soft and full of danger. Her own skin had a slight trace of goosebumps; it was hard to ever really get tem to go away around the captain.

She straightened, a tiny glimmer in her eye at the display and teh reactions of those around her before she bowed at the waist in greeting, glass always upright and not a drop spilled.

"Good evening, Captain." SO he'd come to join them, at least for a bit. This could be interesting.

[Davy Jones]

Slow deliberate steps as he made his way to the table with his crew. His eye never leaving them as he pointed to the bartender.

"Rum, leave the bottle."

He'd stand over those still seated, nodding to his witch and her bow but otherwise letting his gaze sweep over the rest of his lot.

"You lot out here drinking while that storm rages outside. You know what I have to say 'bout that?"

His voice growled into a low whisper as he leaned in closer.

"You bloody well earned it! Not every crew could keep her together like you did, and tonight you did well. The drinks are on me boys. But if any of you fails to perform your duties tomorrow crying about a hangover. Well, you'll be wishing to visit my locker."

He said with a smirk.

[Lani de la Mer]

She went back to her former position against the bar as Davy leaned in, capturing his crew's attention with the flickering dramatic lights and the promise of free drinks. Especially free drinks. She chuckled and drained her own glass as a few groaned at the idea of having to face the morning sober-ish, but it was all in good humor. If they actually had an issue with it, it would have been before now. They wouldn't have survived.

Ignoring the scoundrel that eyed her as a few of the men shuddered, her gaze went to the world outside the window. She had a mighty itch to go ride out the storm herself, but that was best saved for later. Then again, if they were leaving come the dawn, there wasn't much time to do aught but have a fierce and fleeting celebraton for most.

The bartender arrived with the rum s requested, some of the crew toasting the Devil of the Sea with what drink they already had. She could name so many of them without even looking at them; theose with a raucous laugh like Gabe, or the hulking form of their near silent crewman, Zeke. She knew who would be drinking what, coudl guess who would hit the floor firrst in their games.

"And what glory awaits us this time, Captain?" one of them crewmen asked. One of the younger ones, barely any stubble to his chin for a beard, and the light of wonder of youth in his eyse.

[Davy Jones]

"Riches and glory. Word has come to me of a merchant vessel that thinks it can slink through our waters. We do what we do best. Plunder it and take what is rightfully ours!"

[Lani de la Mer]

The young man grinned from ear to ear as they were encouraged, the promise of treasure in their hands and the sea as he raised his glass.

"Riches and glory!"

Lani chuckled at Davy's words, not at the man himself or what he said, but the thoughts that came to mind. Slinking through our waters. They were no one's waters - which meant they were open game. No rights, no rules, and the promise of so much more.

"To what's ours," she added aloud. Whatever that may bring them.

Pleased enough with the drink on hand, and also a little bored, she made a tiny gesture with her fingers behind her back, a soft light emanating from the captain, growing more prominent the more his men cheered him on.

[Davy Jones]

He smirked and reached to his belt to produce a pouch of coins that he'd toss over to the bar. The silver and gold spilling out over the counter near where the bag landed.

"Make sure my men are fed and treated properly."

He'd not mention Lani's little trick. The witch knew where to draw the limits with her magic, but he'd not complain about a bit of flare.

[Lani de la Mer]

Lani knew where the line was. She knew how most reacted to her abilities, not caring as long as it wasn't used on them directly, though she'd seen more than one flinch at the sight of what she could do. Even now, she could sense it. She was part of the crew, albeit a newer one compared to some, and not by choice. They preferred knowing the tide was on their side, literally and figuratively, and that the wrath of the sea came from the sea alone.

Downing the rest of her drink, the witch set it down on the table and stepped away from the crowd. Having a chance to get some air and space sounded nice, and with the storm outside, that idea went from nice to perfect. The boys would be taken care of just fine, thanks to the coin their Captain provided.

The light around Davy faded as the coins hit the table and she stepped away, a playful farewell on her lips to the crew as she headed to the door.

[Davy Jones]

He'd wait a few more moments, letting his crew eat and drink under his watchful eye before departing himself.

"With me Witch. I'd discuss the tide."

He'd let her open the door for him and follow her out to the storm. Pausing to take in the sea breeze and turn his gaze to the sky as lightning continued to streak across it.

"How long is this storm going to rage?"

[Lani de la Mer]

"Of course, Captain." She nodded and opened the door for him, stepping out into the rain with a sound that was almost a sigh of content. The wind whipped at her hair and stinging her eyes. Her heart thumped in her chest with the joy and the life that she felt surging around her.

The lightning flashing as the door opened wasn't lost on her, either.

"Mmmm." She looked to the sky, taking in the energy in around her as she marked the storm that felt like its own living entity to her. She ran her fingers through her hair to keep it from her face, the din from the bar now well behind them thanks to the winds and roars of thunder.


"I mark three hours." She looked out to the water, contemplating, then nodded. "We should be able to leave port without too much trouble, though the outer waters will be choppy.  Any delicate cargo still on board shouldn't suffer."

[Davy Jones]

He'd start off toward the ship, his boots plodding through the puddles on the ground while the wind whipped and tugged at his cape. His hair slick and pushed back with the wind while they walked. Three hours was too soon to take off, the men would need more time. But assuming the waters remained calm they'd have little to worry about.

"Aye. We'll be heading west, where we will cut off our target. My sources say that there is a group from South America that thinks they can ship cargo up north unharassed by Central America's factions by going further out to sea. They seek to escape Scilla, we will show them the danger of Charybdis."

[Lani de la Mer]

She followed after, mindful of just how much water he splashed up with each step and avoiding it as they were pushed and pulled along like the wind's playthings.

"Aye, Captain." She chuckled at the mention of another ship coming through. If they thought to escape their land for another, then they would see just exactly why the waters were so dangerous for many. The ocean would be more than happy to take what was left after they were done, a fitting tribute.

"That we shall." She knew her part already with the mention of Charybdis. A whirlpool to drag them in and keep them in the rage of the waters and the target of their eye.

"This gale seems more keen to go north than west, as it is."

[Davy Jones]

"That is something we can make work."

They would be able to come at them head-on when they wanted this way.

"I want you well rested, I expect to see you in top form."

[Lani de la Mer]

"It's not against us, for certain." She contemplated in silence for a moment how best to make it work. Coming in at the side would be one way, for certain. Turning the wind against them was another.

She couldn't wait to go back out there. To be on open water, with nothing but the endless blue, maybe a small island to break up the horizon. The smell of salt and the rock of the waves rolling along the hull of the ship. The heart-racing adrenaline as they boarded the ship, pulling it in. The crew learning they were well and truly trapped, their own taking what was theirs.

"I'll be ready," she promised with a nod.

"They're getting braver, then, coming this far north."