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Post by Dina Doo on Sept 7, 2016 14:48:27 GMT -8
Claus never expected himself to feel so much like the cabin boy again, the way he stalked the halls of the ship at night and deflecting every scowl with one of his own. Not that he even was a member. If anything, he was technically a stow away. Or an unwelcome rat. He didn't care what they thought, especially didn't care what Marco thought. Marco could have gotten rid of him any time be wanted to and yet Claus remained.
As night fell across the sea, he stalked across the quiet deck, ignoring any lingering presence that remained until he found himself at the bow of the pathetic vessel he wouldn't even bother calling a pirate ship. A smuggler vessel, perhaps. With a grin, the captain found himself remembering Marco's first ship. That had certainly been a beautiful ship. Too bad it sank to the bottom of the ocean.
Now, who could have done that?
"YoU sHoUlDn't pOuT," came the soft chime of the small stuffed animal that nestled in his pocket. "NoT oUt HeRe."
"'M not pouting," he muttered back, his accent thick.
"YoU'vE bEen PoUtInG eVeR sInCe GoDdArD aRrIvEd," she countered.
"I'm a grown man who's allowed to pout."
And there was nothing more said between the two after that. But soon, the lonely night on deck grew rather dull for the turbulent captain and he stalked back inside. Well, the night was young. Perhaps he could snoop around in the cargo hold.
Elsewhere on the ship, a small owl found himself unable to sleep. Cyril tossed and turned in his bed as much as his daughter and his wings would allow, but little helped, not when he wondered how Edmund was. Like the child he often forgot he was, Cyril hadn't spoken with the gunman ever since he saw Albrecht sitting in the place of the malaki. But that had been wrong. He had been wrong. Edmund had gone entirely out of his way to help Cyril and Xan and that had been how Cyril repaid the man.
The caedde sat up in his bunk before climbing down. It wasn't too late to make things right, was it?
And then, perhaps too soon, Cyril had found himself standing in front of the door that likely held Edmund and his son (because Dina is assuming that maybe Elli is somewhere else if there's only four bunks in their room). Much much too soon, Cyril found himself knocking his knuckles against the smooth wooden surface, found himself cursing quietly because surely this could wait. But it couldn't.. So, he waited.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Sept 8, 2016 0:39:16 GMT -8
Irritation rumbled through Nikida, sparking his insides. He carefully padded down the hallway, pads pressing into unfamiliar wood floors. Goddard didn't understand. Of course he didn't. He just assumed. He assumed Claus would want Nikida back. He assumed Nikida was ready for the inevitable: for abandoning Claus.
He assumed everything would fall back into place like everything would be okay.
But it wasn't. Nikida was terrified. Of everything. The door to the inside of the ship creaked open, which wasn't abnormal. Nikida glanced up and breathed in. Then his heart spilled to the floor. Without a second's thought, he ran.
It was Claus.
(Optional)
He dashed down a flight of stairs, paws barely catching the floor, until he made his way into the cargo hold.
A small black cub, maybe, curled up against his arm. Knocked out by either medicated help, or perhaps just knocked out from fatigue. It's Dina's character, Ashlea has no freaking clue.
Edmund gently ran a hand over the cub's fur, eyes warm and heart tender. There were few things he ever expected out of life. This was never one of them. His thumb gently ran over the cub's fat cheek and he felt his eyes prickle. He had thought he gave this up the moment he raised that bottle to his mouth and here they were.
It didn't mean Elijah could ever love his father again, much less trust him. But this moment right here was more than Edmund ever even thought to ask for.
A knock drummed at the door to the infirmary, startling Edmund. It wasn't like any of the pirates to really knock. He unwillingly pulled away from Elijah, not without delivering a quick kiss to the top of his head, and headed towards the door. Silently, he pulled it open.
Surprise waved through him. "Cyril?" The boy stood before him, looking as if he just rolled out of bed. Without second thought, Edmund stepped aside to let Cyril in. "Did something happen? If you… don't feel safe I am sure you can take up one of the beds in here." He glanced around the room. "You could straighten your wings, too."
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Post by Dina Doo on Sept 10, 2016 12:23:11 GMT -8
At first, Claus wasn't sure he saw... whatever it was he saw. No, he knew what it is. It was just a matter of whether he believed he actually saw what he saw. It absolutely did not make sense but neither was the sight of a ghost running through the halls of the ship. Claus had heard tale after tale of ghosts haunting the late night corridors of rickety old ships. But this ship was not rickety nor was it old and yet.. And yet what had he seen? Without much thought, Claus found himself chasing after the ghost of the ship. And he found himself hurrying along as if the apparition- Claus dare not refer to it as anything else- could disappear at any time. Even sooner, he found himself standing in the wide expanse of the cargo hold, silent and glancing around. All the while, Marina sat quiet and idle in his pocket. Gods, it couldn't be, could it?
A spotted cat roaming the halls of a ship.. Just like him.
"Where are you?" The pirate muttered under his breath, his sharp eyes glancing passed one crate after another.
Just so we all know, the black cub was certainly alright with Edmund getting up and leaving him. As one can't really complain too much when they're asleep.
Part of Cyril wished that Edmund hadn't answered the door, that the man had been sleeping so he could give up on his foolish late night endeavor. But there the man stood and Cyril found himself struggling to breath. "I-it's not that," the teen stammered helplessly. "S-sorry to b-bother you, I j-just.." Cyril's face heating with everything from shame to embarrassment as he turned his gaze up at the gunman that had done so much for him. "I-I just wanted to.. to say t-that I'm sorry." He could no longer hold Edmund's gaze. "F-for saying all that stuff a-about you." By the time he finishes his apology, Cyril's face had turned an entirely new shade of red. Hard to imagine that such a modest boy had been a prostitute until fairly recently. "Y-you're a good man, Edmund. Y-you've done so much for me without even being asked a-and it wasn't fair for me to treat you like that."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Sept 10, 2016 17:39:53 GMT -8
Nikida's heart stuttered in his chest. He crouched behind one of the crates and felt his muscles tense. Except, Claus spoke. And it broke Nikida's heart. Pain and loneliness flooded through him. He ached, down to his bones. Flashes of memory rushed through him: brushing fingers under the security of darkness, soft kisses, frightened eyes. Nikida jerked the crate reflexively, causing it to screech against the floor. He dashed away from it, only to have his paws slide out form underneath him.
Like a car spinning out of control, he slid right into view with his paws sprawled out.
Shock took over all simple functions of Edmund's brain for a moment. The back of his mind whispered: He's so cute. That used to be me. Except I wasn't cute. Just creepy. Blinking, Edmund felt a blush rush into his cheeks and he reached out only to pull his hands back to his side. "U-Uh... uh no." He glanced away from Cyril and lightly shook his head. "You had every right... I..." His eyes fell towards Elijah and his face saddened. "You don't need to apologize, Cyril. I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable." He sighed. "I'm not a good man. But... I am trying." With a shy smile Edmund opened up his arms. "Um... everything forgiven hug?"
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Post by Dina Doo on Sept 10, 2016 20:17:49 GMT -8
The captain whirled upon hearing the crate screech against the floor, turned again when a small shape appeared in the corner of his vision. And he froze. If anything, the great pirate Claus did not freeze. It was always do or die, but this.. What was he supposed to do? His brows furrowed in both thought and frustration. No, he couldn't be him.. Not this beat up creature. "Get out of here," he hissed. "There's no mice down here for you, too many dogs on this bloody ship." And he turned away when he couldn't stand the sight of the creature anymore. He headed towards the stairs when he couldn't stand the ache in his chest anymore.
Some ghost.
A frown deepened Cyril's features. "B-but you are a good man," he said quietly. But Cyril knew he wouldn't be able to convince Edmund. Just like no one could convince himself that he was a good person either. In a way, he understood Edmund. Unable to resist the idea of a warm embrace, the young teen tried to wrap his arms around the gunman, tried unfolding his wings so he could encase them both in warmth and feathers. "I-I really am sorry, Edmund," the boy croaked pitifully. "T-thank you for doing everything you've done for me.." He bit back the urge to comment that Edmund's generosity was more than Cyril ever deserved.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Sept 11, 2016 12:48:48 GMT -8
Something inside Nikida broke. His body decided before he did, extending his limps and ripping and changing bone. He sat crouched on the floor as a human. Fear filled his chest and his limbs itched with it. He couldn't remember the last time he found himself as human. He opened his mouth to speak but what only came out was a creak of a voice. He drew a shaky hand up to his long hair, greasy and in bad need of a haircut. He drew it over his missing eye self-consciously, every single ounce of his limbs shaking.
Brokenly, he croaked, "Cl...Claus?" The name felt heavy on his tongue. Tears blurred his eye and he blinked quickly to clear it. "Claus? Is... is that you?" He knew it was him. Of course he knew it was him. He knew the moment he stepped foot on this ship. He knew the way Claus moved, the way he spoke, the subtle shifts in the way he stood. Everything.
The wings startled Edmund for a moment. He glanced around before a soft smile curved his lips. Adjusting his arms because of the wings, he couldn't help but snuggle Cyril. His heart soared with happiness because cuddles were honestly one of the few things that Edmund lived for. "You deserve as much, Cyril. You shouldn't have had to go through what you did. I'm here for you, alright?" He pressed a quick quick kiss to the top of Cyril's head before he let out an embarrassed laugh. "Sorry, I... I suppose I'm in 'dad-mode', or so... my wife used to call it." He breathed in and then chuckled. "I like the shampoo you're using. Which hotel offers that one?" He teased, before he added, "Even if you couldn't fly, these wings would be great for warmth. How come I don't catch you huddled up like this more often?"
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Post by Dina Doo on Sept 11, 2016 15:50:26 GMT -8
The moment Claus heard that voice, heard that broken voice speak his name, well... He wasn't sure what to feel. There was the faintest trace of longing, the faintest need to go over there, to see if it was Nikida. But then there was anger, hurt. Claus had thought Nikida had died that day when the pirates hadn't returned him to his cell next to Claus'. Felt hurt because, even with no body, he and Goddard had buried Nikida. And though he struggled to, Claus had managed to forge an uneasy peace with his husband's death. And-and he couldn't do this. Not now. "You know it's me," the pirate finally managed, his voice wavering only slightly. "That's the only reason Goddard turned up." Claus couldn't turn to meet Nikida's gaze in fear that doing so would undo him. "Isn't it? 'S grand and all, but I can't really do this right now. Maybe later."
And then Claus was gone, teleported out of the cargo bay when he found his strength waning. He reappeared in one of the many narrow hallways of the quiet ship.
(If Cloudy wanted, since I totally ruined this, I was thinking Claus could go see Goddard now and attempt to chew him out. And if Nikida shows up after, he can throw them both in the closet right after that? I'm sorry..)
Cyril couldn't stop the small smile that curled his lips at the little kiss. And he absolutely didn't mind Edmund's 'dad-mode'. It was certainly more than he had ever received. "O-only the best hotels offer it," he said softly as he tried lulling his head against Edmund's chest. But then his cheeks filled with heat. And.. one more piece of his life to put out there, right? "A-actually I only use them for this," Cyril muttered timidly, quietly so no one outside of their little cocoon could hear them. "I-I can't fly. I-I was never given the chance to learn s-so they're only g-good for extra warmth."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Sept 11, 2016 17:45:41 GMT -8
Nikida's tongue died in his mouth. He wasn't one to cry. Not entirely. He could probably count on his hand how many times he has cried in his life. Claus as a cause probably made up a good bit. Cried when he though Claus was gone, cried when he learned he was alive. Now Nikida cried because he lost him. In a way. Gently, Nikida tucked himself out of few and allowed himself one second. No, five seconds, of tears. He clamped his hand over his mouth and squeezed his eyes should. A noiseless sob left him.
He deserved it. All of it. Every single ounce of everything.
But he couldn't help but feel a part of himself feel happy: Claus was alright.
Now, Goddard would count himself as a pretty charismatic chap. He generally could get people on his side and warming up to him moderately quickly. Except for this crew. They were too loyal to their captain to even want to give him the time of day. Which was too bad, Goddard would have loved the gossip. Spinning his puppets on his finger, he whistled thoughtfully. He had a light buzz from a few beers and enjoyed the light feeling. "Don't suppose any of the kids are awake?"
"i WoUlDn'T bOtHeR cLaUs, AnD gOlDy Is No FuN," Kip, or Pax, said.
"AyE, aYe!" Pax, or Kip, agreed. "LeT's SlEeP!"
Goddars hummed, amused, and spotted a figure out of the corner of his eye. He turned and saw Claus, and perhaps he could read the look on his face and felt a whisper of dream.
"….gOnNa TaKe ThAt As 'sLeEpInG sOuNdS gOoD'." Kip, or Pax, muttered.
Shock littered through Edmund and he took a half step back to look into Cyril's face, to look for a lie. "It's… not…" No, of course it wasn't just innate. Birds learn to fly. Edmund studied Cyril while running a hand over one of his wings. "I wish… I knew another flyer. I don't. Is it… something you can learn if I just-" He chuckled, "Threw you off the ship?" He wrapped his arms around Cyril's head and pulled him close. "Poor, poor Stutters… damn." He pet Cyril's hair. "A flightless little owl."
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Post by Dina Doo on Sept 11, 2016 19:56:39 GMT -8
Unfortunately for Goddard, Claus had spotted the older man and began heading the man's way like a charging rhinoceros. If Cloudy dearest is okay with it, maybe Claus was able to latch onto Goddard's collar, his eyes blazing with the anger he was no longer able to conceal. "Why didn't you tell me he was alive, you bloody prick?" Claus growled as loud as the quiet night would let him. It would counterproductive to wake anyone, an annoyance if Marco suddenly charged onto the scene. If Claus was able to, he tried jostling Goddard. "You knew this whole fucking time, didn't you? Then you come waltzing up like everything's jolly good fun!"
"ClAuS, iF yOu RaIsE youR vOiCe AnY lOuDeR, yOu'lL wAkE tHe EnTiRe ShIp," Marina chimed in hesitantly. Though she knew best that her charge was certainly in no mood to take her advice.
As she thought, the ex-captain only tightened his hold at the mention of Marco. "Fuck that flea bitten mongrel and the lot."
Edmund's comforting touch, for a moment, makes the young boy go rigid in his arms. Not out of fear, but because Cyril was still getting used to comforting or even innocent touches. He took a step back before he could process the command to do so and soon he finds his eyes watering. Gods, if the Cyril from three years ago could see him now, if all of his 'friends' could see him. "T-that doesn't work," he finally said as he lifted his arm to wipe away the tears. "I-I tried once, j-jumped from the window in my room." He lifted his other hand and soon his face his hidden away and his wings fold against his back. "M-my dad just made me w-wear a harness from then on.." Cyril wondered for a moment if he cried more than Xan did. He probably did.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Sept 11, 2016 23:22:45 GMT -8
Everything is all in good humor with Goddard. His head slammed back into the wall and his lips curled reflexively in annoyance. He kept a smile on his lips, waiting for the boy to give him a chance to explain himself. That's the good thing about Claus, he supposed. The lad likes answers. "Good evening, Marina," Goddard said slowly to her, if only to irritate Claus. Not a good plan, but Claus was ruining his good mood.
"mArInA! hElLo!" Kip, or Pax, said, while the other said, "I bEt FiVe GoLd On ClAuS."
Eyes sliding open Goddard studdied the boy's face and perked a brow. "If you're wondering how long, and think it's been a while. You're wrong. Curious thing. I came across him by chance. Little goldy wouldn't shift for me, but it's 'im. Because of the scar you gave him. And he ran--like I was going to skin 'im."
Swallowing his annoyance, Goddard reached up to tightly clasp the back of Claus' hair. "Now listen. I forced him here, because you needed to know. I acted jolly because that bloody bloke's afraid an' I'm not sure of what, exactly. But it's not like you'd fancy me telling you in front of some strange crew. You can be mad. That's fine. But you're miserable without him, an' he's here. So, now it's just being miserable is just stupid."
From an outsider's point of view, Edmund probably looked hilarious. His hands outsretched as if to comfort Cyril, pulled back, out stretched, paused halfway through the air.
Finally, he figures if Cyril stepped away, he didn't want none. So he shoved his hands into his pockets and studied the miserable teen. "Glad there's someone who is more of an asshole than me out there. Not glad you were stuck with it." Edmund's brows collapsed. Being stuck inside a room, no means of escape.
His mind flickered back to when he was young. The gunshots keeping him locked in a house, the dread of wondering if his partner got killed. The pain of hoping he did.
Blinking out of it, Edmund lightly shook his head. "Well… you have it off now, Cyril." He ran a hand over his hair and pressed his lips together. "If you want to try to learn how to fly, I'll help. Maybe by not throwing you off of ships. But… I'll catch you, if you fall." Edmund offered a very small, shy smile. "Sometime we can bring you to some open space for you to try flapping your wings."
Eyes saddening Edmund frowned. "Cyril. I am sorry if I upset you. I…" He blushed. "I'm… touchy. I grew up with a brother, then had a cuddly wife, then several hundred children that would pile on top of me. And… well, anyways. Tell me, if I am being too… comfortable around you."
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