Lacey stood with hands on hips, looking around for the rest of her crew. She was standing on a barrel, scanning the area, hat tipped rakishly over one eye.

This was the make or break, if those clocking kensers didn't show, she was going to have their guts for garders. Looking around, she wondered if the ship in dock was The Cutlass. It seemed like an alright vessel, from this side. Maybe it could benefit with a visit to Numbrey if Hawke felt it was fitting.

"Come on ye scurvy banders!" She growled under her breath. She needed rum.

"I'm here, ye half-blind bilgerat," said Iale gruffly, glaring up at Lacey.

Her first mate's hat was amusingly large, making up for her short stature somewhat, but not enough to catch the eye. The emblem of a hatcher skull and crossed bones was recognizable as the symbol of the Precipice. She took a swig from her flask, a lovely Mugrobi vessel made of intricately carved ivory, and wiped her mouth on her sleeve. It was good to be in uniform again.

"Fair wind today," she remarked casually. The familiar thrill of being about to set off on a voyage coursed through her veins. "A boyo from the Islands reckoned that the Aulus is fine an' strong this year. 'Twould be a blessing on this particular voyage to have a good sou'easter at our backs."

An old man shuffled up the gang plank, a sign under one arm and a cane in the other. A small, blue fur adorned his head.

"Morning, ladies, morning." He said as he slowly ambled past them. "Lovely day, might storm in two days and three hours though."

He started walking down into the hull of the ship, muttering to himself under his breath.

"Oh, I do love to be beside the seaside." He mumbled, "Oh I do love to be beside the Steve."

Iale knew the ocean well enough to trust the wind, and she raised a skeptical eyebrow at the old man.

"May'aps 'e's one of the Brothers," she guessed. "Only can't see why they'd send a jowly gran'father of a marlin like that..."

Her eyes flicked up as she heard more bootsteps on the dock. Another man in his mid-twenties was headed towards the Cutlass with a purposeful look in his eyes.

"Figures," said Iale, grimly. She did not trust the Brothers farther than she could throw them, and if history was any evidence, that wasn't far at all. They'd equipped the crew with muscle, not brains; brains only did you so much good out on the wide ocean. Escape with the full bounty wasn't looking like much of an option.

Vik strolled up the dock towards the woman he'd met at the Dove, she did look quite the part of Captain. Part of him could still scarcely believe he was joining a pirate crew, it was strange how circumstances could put a person so far from where they believed they'd be.

"Vik Mirko reporting for duty Cap'n." Viktor said as professionally as he could, he'd never spoken to a ship's captain before. "I expect the weapons were to your liking?" he continued.

He'd sent the bundles of swords earlier in the day to the dock. He hadn't wanted a repeat of the shovel fiasco he'd experienced earlier in the week.

"You're from the Brothers, then?" Iale demanded of Viktor in a paranoid fashion, wagging a finger at the blacksmith. "Sure as me mother's rotten in the ground, ye don't look like ye are..."

"He's not," came a bored voice, seemingly from far away.

Iale flipped around like she'd been shot, looking everywhere for the source of the noise. Her eyes were wide and alert, showing a tiny bit of fear; their last run-in with the Bad Brothers had not gone well, and she was not eager to run into any old acquaintances.

"But I am," the voice said again, and Iale pinpointed it this time, stretching her neck back to stare up at the crow's nest.

A young man was grinning at them from on high. He looked incredibly ordinary; brown hair and a casual beard, with brown eyes, brown clothes and a mess of brown freckles. Iale would have guessed his age at about twenty-five, but she was a poor judge from that many yards away.

He clambered down the mainmast like some kind of monkey, not looking for a moment like the height bothered him. His brown boots thudded on the deck, and he landed in a kind of wobbly bow, possibly respectful but possibly mocking.

"At your service," he said grandly. "My fellows should be along soon. They're to serve as your crew, captain."

Lacey startled and looked down at the diminutive red head, before jumping down on the dock beside her.

"Du-Pont, ye gave me a start! Good t' see one o' ye 'ere."



Lacey's head followed the strange old man as he walked off and into the ship, turning back to Iale, she raised an eyebrow.

"What the clock?"



The blonde bit her lip. She wasn't against the Bad Brothers as such, but then again, surely they wouldn't send too many to watch over her.



Grinning, the green-eyed woman flounced over to Viktor and squeezed his bicep.

"Aye, I'll ne'er get tired o doin' that! Weapons! Yar, they are fine swords smithy! Ye do yer Cap'n proud!"



Lacey raised her hand, about to introduce Viktor to Iale.



"Ah Clock!" She exclaimed, looking around. Where had that voice come from?



Craning her neck, Lacey reached up to hold her hat on and pointed at the man.

"Oi, yer scurvy bander! Get off my ship!" She watched him clamber down and walk across the ship deck.



The blonde turned to Iale, a small scowl on her face.

"So, the Brothers can't trust us? Best keep an eye on them Du-Pont."

Noe was ready for the voyage. Everything she owned was packed tightly in her haver-sack, folded and crammed into oblivion. Her friends had been said goodbye to, and she had left the note with Hyram. So she should have been happy.

Biting her lip, she rocketed past passerby in great strides, little form bursting through crowds and groups without as much as a by-your-leave or apology. She was... well, late. But only by a bit. Nonetheless, it stressed her a great deal and she was caught up in a mental invective of admonitions.

Stupid foolish girl you are, should have left Vik's earlier, but oh nooo, you wanted to chit chat and make him breakfast. Gah, were you even born with a brain? She tried to silence the voice, but it just kept nattering on. Should have stayed at the Black Dove, woulda done you better. And what about that Lacey, huh? What would mother say if she saw you with a woman? Bad enough you were willing to whore- that was the final straw. Noe capped the voice, and glared ahead. She really did like Lacey, old homeland customs be damned.

Finally catching sight of the dock, she spurred herself even faster, hoping that she wouldn't be too chastised. Slowing as she got within hearing distance, Noe turned the sprint into a lady-like trip, and delicately gathered herself together by Lacey, managing not only to keep her feet, but also keep her hat on.

"I am sorry I'm late! I had some things to deal with and I rose rather later than I had planned." She smiled at the assembled people, her eyes merry and her smile inviting. Good crew, handsome folk. Smoothing some folds, she wished that she had been a little less practical in her dress; the corset, trousers and wrap were quite useful, but they lacked the utter seduction she grown fond of. Dze, oh well. No need of that right now I guess. "But I'm here, ready for anything!" She swept an elaborate bow.

A rough, yet feminine hand clasped Viktor's shoulder and laughter rang in his ear. "This pansy? In the brothers?" If he had any trouble recognizing Angel, she'd be apt to slap him. Not only because it was bad for business to forget good customers, but also for the reason that Angel believed she was the type of personality not easily forgotten--especially, considering that she had saved his place of business from being abused or burned to the ground along with the small child that had been held within it.

"Well, Captain Lacey"--she'd never stop getting a kick out of that--"we'll just have to outsmart the blighters won't we?" She said in hushed tones and gave the blonde woman a wink. Though she had tried to become one of them, she shared no special love for the Bad Brothers and would probably enjoy the antics involved in making their life a living hell. This man only confirmed her earlier suspicions anyways.

Leaning against Vik, she spoke somewhat louder than before and looking around at those gathered. "Well then, is this the whole crew?"

"Lady Firehair, didn't wager on seeing you here." Vik growled at the jab. He measured his breathing and held his temper in check. She knew better then most how to shorten his already minute fuse. It was going to be a long trip...for both of them.

"And I'm not IN the brothers since you ask, just a temporary alignment of goals."

"A fair mornin' to ye, Angel," greeted Iale sullenly, still staring at the newcomer, who was leaning against a taut rope and watching the scene with interest. "Couldn't be agreein' with ye more. Didn't know they was lettin' kids in the Brothers now."

The dock made several clumping noises, and the crew could see a ragtag assortment of men coming towards the boat. There were ten men, with less than twenty legs to share among them, and far fewer eyes.

"You the capn'?" one of them snarled at Lacey; she looked the part, to be sure.

"Can't you see the hat?" said the strange man on the boat, still grinning. He pointed at Lacey's captain's hat with a gloved hand.

Lacey turned her gaze to Noe briefly, and nodded. Now was not the time for flirting, as much as she wanted to. This morning was all business.



The pink dressed piratess smirked and raised an eyebrow.

"Aye Red, indeed we will."



Lacey turned to the sound, hands on hips, casually thumbing her pistol. This looked appropriate. Never any nice women on board when you didn't get to choose the majority of your crew.



The blonde winked at the man on the boat and turned to the snarling man and his companions.

"Aye! I be Cap'n Lacey Lovell, this 'ere is my Firs' Mate Iale DuPont. That thare be me Navigator, Angel Firehair. Ye got any problems with that, I suggest ye bring them forth now, coz any bilge rat that fights with me on me own ship will meet the Prayer Fish sooner than ye can blink." She looked each of them carefully in the eye...or eyes, she meant every word she said, and her confidence in her two colleagues was infallible.

He was carrying practically everything he owned but it felt hardly an encumbrance at all. Hyram reflected on the weight of his suitcase. Still far from destitute, but now homeless until he won himself a place aboard the Cutlass. He readjusted his own blade again, all morning the hilt had insisted on inching across his stomach to push at the butterflies within. Once he had spied the congregation he folded away Noe’s Letter and moved to join them. His approach slowed as he registered the alarming lack natural limbs attached to his potential shipmates, prompting a reconsideration of just how dangerous the venture would be. During the calculation Hyram found he had unconsciously placed himself a respectful distance before the most elaborately dressed of the bunch.



Unsure of the procedure Hyram awaited consideration, a curious anomaly against a backdrop of 10 haggard seadogs.

Lacey spotted him and stood, hands on hips, an eyebrow raised.

"What do we 'ave 'ere? Brother or other?"

Noe smiled lightly, and waved him over. So, he decided to make it after all. Took 'im long enough. Straightening her cap, she flounced forward and stood next to him. She was near... but there was no affectionate touching or fluttering of eyelashes. Noe had found other prospects for romance, and saw Hyram as a friend now. She wouldn't have offered a potential lover the chance on this adventure.

"This is Hyram Channing, an engraver, but I'm sure he'd fit just about anywhere." She elbowed him playfully in the side before moving back to where she had been. It ditdn''t matter if Lacey wasn't flirting back; Noe just... well... wanted to make much of both piratess and blacksmith.

"He's seemed a good enough fellow, and has been on hard times as well. He bought me food when I was hungry." Her tone made it seem as if that was the only important thing to the entire friendship, however it was said with a smile.

Hitching her bag a little higher, she waved at Vik and the redheaded woman, who didn't seem to get along. She was giddy with excitement and prone to acting a little childish.

How Noe had the ear of a pirate was lost on Hyram, she was however fighting his corner. Hyram followed her a step on her return journey toward the captain, safely beyond the brother’s reach.



I doubt tales of my charity will win any favours here

Hyram’s mouth tweaked up at the corners into an unapologetically superficial smile as he wrestled down his uncertainties and ire at his introduction. It took a second to find a posture that delicately emphasised his armaments. Another moment to calibrate his speech: usual spiel plus two parts nautical one part weaponry.

“Engraver yes, but any work with spoiled block and tackle, rollocks, watches, chronometers, compasses or the like is fit for me. Your pistol there would be safe in my healing hands and should you neglect to hurt her in the first place I’ll tell you that what ain’t been broke *can* be fixed up better or at the very least more pleasing to the eye.”

It was delivered along with a level gaze. He often found himself acting the pirate, he wondered if he could keep it up the voyage entire.

"Arr, sounds like he wouldn't be a disaster o' an assistant, there, Angel me love," said Iale cheerfully. Though she was wary of so many Bad Brothers on board, with the thought of being out on the open sea occupying her mind, it was impossible for her to feel down. "Don't you have all sorts o' equipment what needs polishin'?"

Though she didn't mention it, Lacey had spent enough time with Iale that she could tell when the pirate was trying to even the odds. With so many Brothers on the ship, it couldn't hurt to have another on their side, should it come down to that.

Viktor set his bag of belongings on the deck and maneuvered over to the young man, extending his calloused hand in greeting.

"Mr. Channing, good to make your acquaintance. Name's Viktor, I'm the blacksmith on this little expedition, I'll be greatly interested in talkin shop with ya." Vik said loudly.

Then continued quietly in the young man's ear. "I'm no brother lad, it would be best if we stuck together on this, dangerous place for two working stiffs like us. I expect young Noe there could use some looking after as well, eh?"

Polishing is it? Well worse things happen at sea.



Hyram was glad for the friendly words, especially coming from such a large source. He was also relieved at the chance to turn from the captain’s scrutiny.

“A Pleasure Viktor, I’m sure we will have plenty to discuss”

The blonde pirate thumbed her pistol, smiling. Iale knew her almost as well as the back of her hand. Enemies though they be...were...they had also spent a long time together. Different times, different circumstances...they changed things.

"Aye Iale, can't deny that. Welcome to th' crew Hyram." Taking a deep breath, the piratess jumped onto her prior barrel and spoke in a loud commanding voice.

"Right ye lot! I want all these 'ere crates and barrels on Th' Cutlass by sunset! Anythin' goin' on needs t' be checked off by Noe, who I be given a manifest! Ye personal belongin's are ye own business!"

Turning to Iale and Angel, she gestured.

"Shall we go look at our new ship?" Jumping off the barrel, she winked at Noe.

"Ye come meet me in the Cap'ns quarters. I'll give ye that list."

Walking up to Viktor and Hyram, she traced a finger over the smiths bicep.

"I wonder if yer this..big..all over." She said, grinning wolfishly. Squeezing his arm with a girlish giggle, she sighed.

"Perhaps ye can show me later. Right now, I need ye and Hyram 'ere t' help load. An' keep an eye on these sons o' banders. I want all me stock t' get onboard, not in thair pockets. Saavy?" She raised an eyebrow, still holding his bicep. The girl did love a man with muscle.

Noe looked at Lacey, her eyes wide but her smile huge. What, me? She suddenly got a rush of happiness. Yes, of course me! She flounced a quick bow to all those assembled, in her exuberance losing her hat. She picked it up with a blushing grin crammed it back down on her hair.

"Haha! Happy to serve!"


Noe winked delightfully, pirouetting lightly. Although she blushed more around Vik, she knew already that Lacey would be fun. She giggled, unable to help the flood of excitement that coursed through her. Lacey was her kind of girl! Tossing her head, she bolted up the gang plank and looked over the ship, watching everyone still on the ground.

Vik and Lacey are getting cozy, she smiled to herself, watching the piratess and the blacksmith. Envy didn't even cross her mind; All it made her feel was amused... and slightly hungry. Her hands gripped the rail, already imagining...

Grinning wickedly, she bounced over to the captain's berth, waiting by the door. She wasn't about to go in without permission, she knew better than that. But her mind was quite interesting enough to keep her occupied.

"Captain!"

The young man, who had been watching the scene with an infuriatingly amused look for some time now, strode across the deck to catch Lacey before she entered the hold.

"I want to assure you, though you seem to have no doubts yourself, that this is your operation," he said, bowing respectfully, "and Hawke has no desire to hinder you. My men are here to assist you, and are at your disposal. I myself am gifted with a great deal of well-hidden money, and am not overly picky regarding to whom it goes, so if I am still alive when we return you and your crew may be on the receiving end of an entirely new ship. You may call me Emerson."

Iale raised a doubtful eyebrow. What an odd little speech to give; then again, she had been imagining slitting his throat this whole time, perhaps using his pretty face for target practice. Now she was just wondering where this son of a bander hid his copper.

The other men busied themselves preparing the ship, hoisting the sail and loading the hold with mountains of supplies: digging equipment, food and ale, navigational charts and the like.

Lacey walked up the gangplank and turned her head sharply towards the approaching man. She was still unsure about him, he'd jumped on the ship before she'd even had a chance to check it out. Still, it wasn't exactly her ship. She was just the Captain.



The green eyed pirate raised an eyebrow and grinned slowly, she liked the sound of that. Where would a man like this hide a great deal of money. She pondered the possibilities. Glancing at Iale, she knew the other pirate was thinking roughly the same thing. Looking back at Emerson, she nodded. He was a rather attractive young fellow, even for a Bad Brother.

"I appreciate yer words Emerson, an' I believe ye will most assuredly be alive by the end o' all this." She said with a wink. Walking past him, she approached Noe and put a hand on the door of the hold.

"Come inside lassie." She said, opening it and stepping in. The room was huge! It was composed of an open area with a table and chairs, with a side room for a bed. An upper level of sorts was built at the back with a desk and drawers, and windows showed the rear view of the ship, currently being Old Rose. Leaning on the table she waited for Noe to enter.

The captian's cabin was... luxury at it's finest. Everything looked of money; the light fell on the carpet like tallies, shills showed in the hang of the lamps and the furniture looked like the finest spread of concords that ever Noe laid eyes upon. Sobered by the finery, she stepped into the room, her wide eyes awed. Everything was neat and beautiful... even Lacey seemed to suit the area. With a slight sigh, she smoothed her wrap slightly. I hope this wealth does not show me cheap.

While she had been ogling the lavishness of the room, Lacey had enthroned herself on the table, green eyes flashing. Noe stepped forward, most of her fey mood returning, and she bobbed a polite bow for the piratess.

"Aye, cap'n?" She'd heard the sailors speak when she had made her crossing from Mugroba, and had been amused by their sound, the liquid vowels and crashing consonants, much like the waves they traversed. However, she said it now with mischief, her grin flashing.

Lacey took in the mischevious grin with amusement, admiring the young woman's curves as she did. Pushing herself off the table, she approached Noe with almost a swagger and put a finger on the brunettes chest.

"Ye surely know how t' make a girl frisky, Noe me lass. Talk like that an' I can't be held responsible fer me actions." She said quietly, pushing gently with her finger so Noe was forced slowly back against the closed door. Looking down at her finger, Lacey traced a figure eight across Noe's shirt, daringly skimming over the bump of her cleavage. Raising an eyebrow, her green eye's met Noe's own greenish blue ones. The girl was such a mugrobi woman, and it fascinated Lacey. She didn't get to see many, and the rich dark colour of the girls skin was interesting. The pink dressed woman wondered what it looked like all over. Sliding her hand over the girls side to rest on her waist, Lacey leaned forward and kissed her deeply, sliding her hand up again to Noe's hair, the other resting on the door behind Noe. Gripping her hair firmly, the blonde pulled her head back almost roughly and kissed her throat. Suddenly making a growl, she let go and turned away.

"Out girl, this is not the time. If ye stay any longer, I won't be able to stop. An' th' whole crew is waitin' on ye." Opening her purse, she pulled out a scrolled piece of paper.

"Manifest, be sure t' check it thoroughly." She handed it over, looking at the girl again.

"You an' that smithy are gonna make this trip more fun than a barrel full of hatchers!" Her red lips grinned again and the almost angry tone in her voice was gone. Something about Noe stirred her more than usual. It wasn't just her body. It was...just...different. But Lacey didn't want that yet. She was free, and she wanted to stay that way for a bit longer.