#no cannon shall sink this ship

[p7agu3]

transfem neviro fic

some ppl on discord liked this, so i'm posting it here now. it's a draft with some unfinished bits lopped off. enjoy!

btw, maxwell is player but more insane: a cannon fist wind warlock assassin

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The Sun shines brightly over the blue waters of the Bronze Sea. Aboard an unassuming ketch, a group of distinctive idiots sit: a curse thief, dressed in dark thick clothing entirely inappropriate to the moderate climate, a fiery mage, the only woman in the group, a… regular man, dressed in a suit of chain-mail armor, and the somehow captain, wearing the frankly quite lame uniform of an Assassin acolyte. Beside them stand an old alchemist and a Navy deserter, watching their conversation with a sort of silent, exasperated intrigue.

“I’m telling you, this will be great!” Maxwell insists, grinning brightly with a touch of madness. He thinks ‘funny’ and ‘great’ are synonyms. “Team bonding! We’ll all get to know each other so much better!!”

Neviro raises a skeptical eyebrow. “How will exchanging our clothes make us ‘know each other’ better? I don’t see how that makes any sense-” Maxwell slaps a hand over the prince’s mouth with the force of a man who casually wields cannonballs. It knocks Neviro clean over, but I assure you that he is completely fine.

“Team bonding!!!!!” The madness has totally taken over the warlock’s grin. Everyone in the vicinity shivers slightly, and acquiesces to his atypical but acceptable demands.

Skipping over to Enizor, he gently borrows the alchemist’s overlarge hat. “Everyone will be participating!” The no-name acolytes he picked up in Whitesummit perk up excitedly. “..oh, I’m so sorry, guys. Not you, it might get kinda boring if there’s like ten of the same outfit…” They droop down again, saddened. “Look, I promise I’ll steal a seafood buffet from my lawful good shadow self later, okay? They’ll never see it coming and we’ll become even better criminals for it!” Cheers and brief applause can be heard before the crew goes back to manning the ketch. They kind of have to do everything. Maxwell doesn’t know jack about sailing and Edward is always being dragged into his shenanigans. At least it’s not a totally thankless job.

An empty notebook’s page is reduced to shreds of paper for the activity, and the names are dropped into Enizor’s hat, which is shaken around. “Who wants to pick first?” Maxwell asks, excitedly.

For a long moment, no one volunteers. Finally, Edward, loyal to a fault, decides to take the blow. “I’ll bite, Captain.” He sinks his hand into the hat, rummaging around through the scraps. One of them gets pinched between his weathered fingers.

“‘Maxwell..’” Edward reads. 

“Huh? What’s wrong?” The said warlock looks at him, confused.

“That’s the name I picked up. Seems we’re going to-” His calm words are cut off by Maxwell suddenly squealing excitedly and dragging him below deck. Edward’s expression is one of resigned horror as he disappears into the darkness.

“Should we run before it’s too late?” Iris asks, feeling somewhat unsettled at the thought of Enizor potentially wearing her clothes.

Morden shakes his head sadly. “He’d catch us. You can’t stop Max when he gets like this, it’s like trying to stop a ship mid-ram. Sometimes you can dodge it, but if it’s determined enough you won’t be free until one or both of you is at the bottom of the ocean.”

“Shall we determine the next pair?” Enizor asks with his crusty old man voice.

With a deep sigh, Morden steps forward and picks a name out of the hat. “‘Enizor’... Oh, for fuck’s sake…”

“Language!” The boomer chides him. “But I don’t believe this will be too terrible. I did have a, oh, what is it called? A ‘goth phase’? The style is not unfamiliar to me, I’m certain we’ll be fine.”

Morden groans horribly again. He looks at Iris and Neviro. “I guess you two will be swapping clothes too, huh? Let’s just. Do this.”

The other two reluctantly nod and begin to descend.

Below deck, Edward and Maxwell are staring at each other’s top surgery scars.

“OMG, you’re trans of gender!!!” Max shouts excitedly. He’s absolutely thrilled.

“When the hell did you get top surgery??!?” Edward asks, confused and baffled. Based on what he knows about Maxwell’s life, there’s literally no fucking way.

“I don’t know!” He’s so happy that Edward doesn’t dare to bring down the mood. The quartermaster tries to shrug casually and accepts the acolyte uniform from his half-dressed captain, (they’re both wearing a towel around the waist and that’s it) handing him the battered Navy uniform that they reclaimed from Silverhold so long ago.

Maxwell skips off into a side room to change, leaving Edward to make heads or tails of the red scarf. The rest of the uniform is simple enough, just a sleeveless buttoned shirt and black pants. Unfortunately, it seems to be a little too small. His chest seems to be straining against the buttons of the shirt, but the stitching holds strong, even as Edward takes a deep breath in. Perhaps he should give the Assassins a little more credit for their clothing quality..

It feels odd to just have his arms out like this. He’s not particularly built, and he’s admittedly gotten a bit soft around the edges since his desertion. Somewhat nervously, he adjusts the scarf so it sits less awkwardly around his neck. 

He looks in the mirror. Oh, this is quite alright, actually. It’s not a bad outfit. A bit plain, definitely, and it certainly is a bit tight, but he can live with this for a day or so. That.. that is how long Maxwell is going to make this go on, right?

Stepping back out onto the deck of the ship, Edward blinks in the sudden brightness of the day. To his astonishment, Maxwell wolf-whistles at him, pointing and laughing excitedly at Edward’s arms. It’d be kind of flattering if this wasn’t the same teenager who keeled over and fainted when Morden took his shirt off last week. The Death Curse user barely has any decent chest hair, Maxwell’s standards are far too low.

The Navy uniform looks pretty natural on the warlock. Perhaps it’s because Edward got used to seeing him in Navy blue before he joined the Syndicate. For some reason Maxwell had made a habit of constantly wearing the color. He twirls a gun, clearly not knowing how to use it, and shoots a hole in one of the sails before fumbling with reloading it. Edward sighs and takes both holsters from him, clipping them onto the Assassin uniform. Best not to trust him with weapons, that rarely ends well.

Behind him, Enizor emerges, wearing Morden’s outfit. “This is a bit thick for the weather, isn’t it?” He remarks. The dark clothing and bandanna really accentuate his baldness.

“Oh, says the guy who wears THREE layers of robes?” Morden argues, almost tripping over the hem of Enizor’s robes as he stumbles out onto the deck. “How can you even see out of this thing?” He gestures angrily towards the hat’s brim.

“It takes decades of experience, boy.” Enizor chides. “Perhaps if you trained in the arts of alchemy you would understand. Also, you need to eat more, it’s clearly stunting your growth.”

Morden looks extremely irritated and bares his teeth at Enizor. He looks like he’s about to growl at him, honestly. Edward wonders if biting is on the table.

“Aw, I think the hat looks cute on you!” Maxwell tries to placate Morden. “The rest of the outfit is kinda a lost cause, though.” Edward nods in agreement, and Enizor looks crestfallen.

“None of you are old enough to appreciate the intricacies of classical alchemist dress.” Enizor crosses his arms, looking snooty. “You’ll come around in a few decades.”

Collapsing into a mopey, overheated pile of robes, Morden leans back against the ship’s railing. “What’s taking the last two so long?”

“Beats me. Should I go check on them?” Maxwell seems unenthusiastic about the idea.

Before he can say another word, though, Iris appears, donning Neviro’s chainmail and the set of iron armor they bought for him recently. “This is really heavy..” she puffs, leaning on the railing beside Morden to catch her breath.

“Wow! You look great!” Maxwell skips over to her and helps her get her hair out of the back of the armor. “Like, you actually pull off the look! Unlike Neviro. Um, don’t tell him I said that. Where is he, anyway?”

Back in the temporary changing room, Neviro is just. Staring. 

Staring at his reflection.

He’s wearing Iris’ jacket, skirt, and pants. It’s a pretty normal outfit, as far as outfits go. While he’s not in the habit of wearing skirts, he thought it would be something he could just laugh off later, since everyone else was very nonchalant about the whole clothes swapping thing.

But this is.. Weird. He feels weird. He can’t stop looking at himself.

Why does this look so.. right?

He knows he looks good. But this is something deeper. This.. this is making something resonate deep inside of himself, and he’s not sure what to make of it. 

Someone knocks on the door and he pulls himself away from the mirror. He needs to stop being weird about this. It’s just a skirt. Just a piece of fabric. He can be normal about it.

“Hey, are you okay in there?” Edward asks through the door, his voice muffled but slightly worried. “Is this making you uncomfortable? We can call it off, it’s fine, I can handle Maxwell."

Neviro steals another glance at the mirror.

He doesn't feel uncomfortable. He feels like something he's been missing for his whole life has just been handed to him. 

"I'm fine.." he says, trying to push down the emotions swirling in his stomach. He opens the door and smiles at Edward. His heart is pounding in his chest.

"Well." Edward says, sounding a bit concerned still. "You look very pretty. If you're alright with me calling you that." He looks away and scratches his neck. "The red really brings out your eyes."

Oh. Neviro feels his face turning red as well, and he covers it with his hands, trying to compose himself before going back above deck. Edward laughs softly. "C'mon, princess. The others are waiting for you."

It's just affectionate teasing. He knows this. But it doesn't stop his heart from pounding, or his body from suddenly feeling lighter. Once again, that feeling of strange happiness makes itself known, and he wonders what's wrong with him, that just a single word could elicit such a reaction.

When the sunlight shines down upon him once more, he expects them to tease him, maybe comment on how silly it looks for him to be wearing a little skirt. Instead, they all have similar reactions to Edward.

"Oh damn, you should really get out of that chainmail more! You're so cute!" Maxwell is bouncing around exuberantly, seemingly ecstatic that his activity was a success. He twirls Edward's cutlass around like a baton, prompting the quartermaster to chase him down and confiscate it.

"The red suits you." Enizor comments, pulling the bandanna down to speak in a move that might have been badass if his head wasn't bald and shiny with sweat.

"It really does," Iris agrees, to Neviro's surprise. "Maybe we should get you a jacket like that in the next town?"

"Oh, there's no need," he insists, feeling very flustered. Even if he might want one, he has enough clothes already. Plain, boring, mostly tasteless clothes, but enough to wear. 

The skirt rustles around his legs in the sea breeze. He doesn't think about what it might be like to wear one regularly.

"Well," Morden says, getting up from his sitting position. "Does this mean we're finally done 'bonding'?" He looks somewhat relieved at the prospect.

Neviro feels a pang of disappointment. No. Stop that. These are Iris' clothes, he knew he'd have to return them eventually.

Thankfully, Maxwell has other ideas. "No, of course not! Now that I am dressed appropriately, we must make haste for Silverhold! I will visit my father!"

"Oh no," Edward mutters, slapping his hand to his forehead. "Not this again.."

"Max, we've been over this!" Morden protests. "The Commodore is not your father! You're an orphan, that's how the Order got you in the first place!"

"Family is who you choose!" Maxwell argues back. "And mine includes them and not you!" His voice softens into something more playful. "Mostly 'cause it'd make kissing you weird if you were part of it."

"Gah!" Morden throws his hands up exasperatedly and heads below deck, cheeks burning almost as red as Neviro's. There seems to be a whole lot of blushing today. As he descends, he calls back at Maxwell. "You won't be seeing a speck of Death magic during your raid, I assure you of that!"

"Good!" retorts Maxwell. "It's too early for you to meet my parents anyway!"

Silence hangs over the ship for a moment.

"Wow." says Iris. "That was certainly something." Her borrowed armor clanks as she scratches her neck. "So.. off to Silverhold, now?"

"Yeah, let's go." Maxwell huffs, signaling the crew to open sail towards the naval base.

Neviro stands by the ship's railing, feeling the wind rustle his– not his, Iris', why does he have to remind himself of that?-- skirt. He feels a bit lightheaded from all the compliments. The occasional spray of seawater doesn't do much to distract him from his boiling thoughts.

"You really do look nice." Iris tells him, clanking over to stand by his side. "It seriously looks a lot better than most of your 'outfits', if they can even be called that." She laughs lightheartedly. "Maybe you should let me do your clothes shopping?"

His heart flutters at the offer, and he has to bite back the 'yes' on his lips. It's just a joke. Just a joke. Stop being weird, Neviro. "Haha," Gods, that sounded so forced. "I'm alright. Thanks."

She seems slightly concerned about his stiffness, but seemingly brushes it off as him being a bit embarrassed. He's not sure how to describe how he feels about the offer anyway.

On the other side of the ship, Maxwell has pulled Edward aside, using his magic to make a very obnoxious whooshing noise that obscures their conversation. The warlock grips his quartermaster severely. "Edwar," he insists, so intensely focused that he forgets the last consonant. "My egg detector is off the chart."

Edward nods solemnly. "Yes, I do believe I am feeling a slight sense of 'egg' as well, Captain. What shall we do about it?"

Maxwell thumps his fist into his hand aggressively. "I'm going to talk to them about it."

"...respectfully, Captain, I think you should let Iris handle this one."

"Damn." Maxwell considers this. "You're probably right," He concedes, after a minute of thought. "I am Not Good at the whole delicate emotions thing."

"Neviro," Iris asks, after a minute of silence (and loud wind noises, wtf Maxwell?). "What are you thinking about? You seem stiff. More stiff than usual, I mean."

The lost prince jolts in surprise at the question. She's right, he has been feeling rather tense, lost in conflicting thoughts brought on by the stupid outfit he's wearing. He groans and rubs his forehead. He's a terrible liar, but he doesn't want to worry her over something so trivial. Even if it's kind of weird.

"Thinking about this, I guess." He gestures at the skirt and jacket. "The whole 'wearing a skirt' thing."

She frowns worriedly. "Is it bothering you? This whole thing was meant to be harmless fun, you can take it off now if you-"

"No!" The denial spills from his lips before he can stop it. He covers his mouth for a second, mortified. "I- I mean, it's really not bothering me. I promise." His face is turning red again, he can feel it. 

"Oh, so you like it?" She sounds slightly amused, but not mocking. Not cruel. Just curious. He's not sure how to feel about that.

"Y-yeah. I guess." He can barely look at her. It feels shameful to admit. He's a prince, he's not supposed to like flouncing about in dresses and skirts and things.

Iris looks off into the distance, where Silverhold is slowly approaching. "Can I ask you a question? It might be kind of.. invasive, I guess. So you don't have to answer it."

"..." He's not sure what she's about to ask. But he doesn't feel too worried. She's one of the closest friends he's had in his life. "Go ahead?"

"Are you… not a boy, Neviro?" The question throws him for a loop. His first instinct is to respond with a resounding 'no', since of course he's male, he's the prince of Winterveil for gods' sake, everyone knows that. But.. he thinks. And suddenly he's not so sure.

"I.. I…" For once he's lost for words. His fingers clench in the fabric of his skirt. Has he ever really felt like a man? He feels suddenly confused and a bit scared. Is.. is he crying? He can't– shouldn't be crying right now.

"Hey, it's okay, calm down.." Iris' hands rub his back, warm even through the chainmail. "I get it, this gender stuff is confusing. But you're not alone, you've got me and Morden and Edward and Maxwell. We get it. We'll always have your back."

He sniffles. "Thanks.." A part of himself that he'd taken for granted has just been.. ripped away. No, not that, it was just.. always wrong. Chafing on the edge of his consciousness. Now it's hanging loose, and he…

She's not a 'he'. It feels oddly freeing to think that, to place something new in that empty void. A bubble of happiness rises up through her body. This.. this feels better. Feels right. She's a girl. Maybe she's always been one.

Iris lets her go and takes a step back. "Are you feeling better?"

She nods. "Yeah. A lot better."

The anomaly smiles. "Glad to hear it. So, what are your preferred pronouns?"

"...she/her." It feels a little odd to say it, but also extremely freeing. Iris smiles. 

"I'm guessing this is the first time you really realized this, huh?" She nods again. "Alright, yeah. So what should we call you? I'm guessing you probably don't wanna still be called 'Neviro'?"

Maybe. But that's really the only name she's ever known, and she doesn't have any new names ready. She shrugs, feeling a little too emotionally drained to talk.

"Ah, right, you probably haven't thought about it. Hm," Iris scratches her chin in thought. "Can we call you 'Nevi'? I get you might wanna pick a different name later, but it's a little less–"

She tackles Iris into a hug, making a racket when the metal armor crashes into the railing. "Yes," she whispers. "Yes, yes, thank you so much, Iris.."

"No problem." Iris ruffles her hair with a knowing grin. "Just girls helping girls, right?"

"Stop the boat!" yells Maxwell, already making for the edge of the ship. The sound of cannons firing can be heard from Silverhold, but Edward has calculated the distance properly– the ship is just out of range. Before long the girls can hear his deranged yelling, and the terrified screams of Navy marines.

Edward follows Maxwell off the ship, perhaps hoping to spare the lives of some relatively innocent marines. And drag him away from the Commodore before Maxwell's bizarrely trusting side can make a reappearance and get him recruited into the Navy.

[kanchankhatanaa]

Dealing with Employee Grievances per Indian Law

Gripes at work are unavoidable. In fact, it's been stated that having a complaint gives one's life meaning. Unresolved complaints are similar to loose cannon balls in a ship; if not handled properly, they can sink the vessel.

In India, the employer is required to implement particular grievance redressal systems at the workplace under several central and state-specific labour regulations. Here is a brief overview of numerous legal processes that HR managers should be aware of and can include in their HR policies and practises:

According to section 9C of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 of India (IDA), each employer who employs at least 20 workers must establish a Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) to settle disputes resulting from worker grievances. The GRC should have a maximum of six members, with equal representation from both the managerial class and the working class.

In order to handle disputes arising out of individual worker grievances relating to non-employment, terms of employment, or conditions of service, the industrial establishment shall have one or more GRCs, according to the draught Industrial Relations Code, 2019 that has been tabled in Lok Sabha. It also suggests expanding the GRC to include ten members in total.

According to Section 3 of the IDA, the labour authorities may direct the creation of a Works Committee (WC) in a workplace with at least 100 employees. The WC must advocate for actions that ensure and uphold amity and goodwill between the employer and its employees, and to that degree, it must offer commentary on issues of shared interest or concern. Additionally, it ought to make an effort to resolve any significant disagreements within the business.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Company (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 of India (POSH Act) mandates the creation of an internal complaints committee (IC) at every company with at least 10 employees. The IC must look into allegations of workplace sexual harassment of women and make suggestions to the employer. According to the Code of Civil Procedure from 1908, the IC is granted the same authority as a civil court and has a three-year term limit. The statute gives the IC 90 days to finish its investigation and an additional 10 days to publish its report.

[justthreeraccoons]

Sea Goddess x Pirate Captain

(Kinda a Sea goddess x Pirate Captain one shot although she is not in this kinda just implied. This is my first time really writing something out and actually posting it so constructive criticism would be very very helpful.)

The King and his men stole the Queen from her bed and bound her in her bones~

Footsteps slapping hard against the damp wood of a ship could be just barely heard over the roaring waves and the cannon fire that threatened to sink it.

The seas be ours and by the powers~

The Captain and his men tried in vain to evade the quickly enclosing ships in hopes they would be able to escape the imminent danger of death.

Where we will we'll roam~

Yo ho, all hands~

With the last way out of the harbor no longer big enough to fit the giant ship the Captain gives the order to raise the black and blue colored fabric.

Hoist the colors high~

The Captain blows into a seashell horn as the needed flags are quickly lifted into the air and a ship comes closer, it's cannons narrowly missing them.

Heave ho, thieves and beggars~

The waves shift harshly and the attacking ships are quickly pulled into the sea one by one, leaving just the Pirate Captain's boat afloat before the waves go calm and the harbor silent again.

Never shall we die~

[faolonfiendrender]

The Aardvarks, a mostly Ratty mercenary company:

the Aardvarks, short for "Aardvark I Just Realized That the Squad Directory Is Listed by First Word Alphabetical and Then Length So We Shall Continue With The Longest Name Until We Run Out of Spac" are a company of mostly rats formed at the behest of Colin Mallory by Hrathold. I will use this to write down lore on them. One notable thing is these are the only Rat mercenaries to have a zubmarine in their assets, and they frequently serve as a hired crew and ship for piracy under Colin.

Colin Mallory: elsewhere, essential the owner of this venture, runs the company as an even split of profits, the only exception is that those injured get more compensation.

Hrathold:

He/him, the commander and founder of the mercenary company, formerly the chief of a clan of Rattus Faber bandits, lost the battle of Colin's food cupboard to Colin Mallory and chose to join Colin as an ally and room mate as opposed to face the price of failing his bandit clan. Nearly died facing the Big Rat, but managed to escape to the poorly charted streets of London before returning to his post as commander.

Wields a stiletto-sized rapier and a full sized derringer and is unusually large for a Rattus Faber, coming to many people's knees when he stands up, which is often. Generally found wearing his black coat and trousers, as well as a bandana with eyeholes over his head. Fur is brown.

Minerva:

she/her, Engineer in support of the company, specializes in engines, but can absolutely work as an artillery officer, unionized the mercenary company's support staff, oldest member of the Aardvarks by over a decade.

She ultimately comes from the Salt Steppe, and moved to London soon after the fall. There, she befriended an urchin, Tommy, who taught her english (she previously only spoke mongolian) and helped her find the rat market, where she could meet the rats of london and get hired as an engineer. That was 24 years ago, and she still doesn't know why she's lived so long and been affected by aging so little. Known in a few revolutionary circles.

She can often be found either at a bar or in some engine room that she isn't supposed to be in on her free time, in either case, her chosen attire is simply a pair of brown overalls. Her fur is black, and she's about 6 inches tall.

Tommy:

He/Him, Only human that is technically part of the Aardvarks, often serves as extra muscle for tricky for rats tasks like operating portholes or breaking down doors. Decent with a sling or a knife after growing up an urchin and participating in the wars between urchin gangs. He is 29 years old and frankly never thought he'd live this long.

Minerva is his closest friend, and got him the job, he is typically not deployed with them and spends his unemployed time as a petty thief and smuggler, he considered going after rumours of a huge gemstone, but was dissuaded by the look in Colin's eye when he talked about it, dissuaded further by Colin mentioning that they lost their eye going after a diamond the size of a cow.

Wade:

Fullname: Winston

He/Him. Deserves special mention among the company for being the one volunteered as a distraction every time. Very much a liability on the field, hasn't been issued a weapon in six months because the last several times he was, this little rat found a way to misuse it on accident. This includes accidentally hitting the flint of a flintlock against a barrel rib in a powder store and blowing it up, managing to hit his own cannon with its cannon ball due to gross miscalcuation, throwing a boarding axe so hard it bounces off a wall and cuts a hole in Tommy's boots. Not any better without weapons having managed to accidentally order the company into retreat while jokingly imitating Hrathold, only part of the company because he won't leave. Seems to be basically impossible to kill for whatever reason, as he keeps making it out of sinking ships and exploding munitions stores and such.

Ostensibly chestnut fur, but so often soot covered and so seldom bathed that you can't tell. about 8 inches tall.

Gretchin:

One of the newest members of the support crew, Minerva's apprentice. Actually a Cavy, escaped Pigmote isle on a piece of driftwood and stowed away on a ship. Left because she thought that the war on Pigmote was a waste and cavies and rats should work together. Can be a bit hubristic in regards to the zea because she survived the plan of casting herself adrift on a piece of wood in hopes of reaching a destination that was against the current. Her fur is white with some big brown spots, and she tends to wear a long duster jacket, well long relative to her.

[thelastifntdragonrider]

No Cannon Shall Sink This Ship: Shell Shock

Summary: A collection of alternate episodes/endings and headcanons, because no can(n)on shall sink this ship!

Newest oneshot: The strongest can break. But he has his friends. 

Warning: This oneshot deals with depression and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) 

Link: on Fanfiction.net 

Shell Shock

Astrid rushed through Dragon's Edge, calling for Hiccup. This had been one of the worst battles they had had. The Dragon Hunters attacked during the night and before anything, Hiccup and Toothless were shot down. Hiccup wasn't hurt, but Toothless' wing was torn with an arrow rendering him unable to fly. Hiccup did his best to fight and direct the counter attacks, but dragon-less, Hiccup couldn't do much.

She hadn't seen him for a couple of hours and since the end of the battle, she had been helping Stoick organize the rest of Berk's fleet as the Dragon Hunters retreated.

"Hiccup!" she called out, running up and down the gangplanks. "Hiccup! Hiccup! Where are you?"

She turned the corner to the clubhouse and gasped what she saw. Toothless was hidden away in the corner where they had left him. His wing was bandaged up in a slight haphazard way. At the moment, Toothless wasn't the one holding her concern.

Hiccup was crumpled on the floor next to his dragon. Astrid could see that his hands were stained with blood – probably Toothless' as there were used bandages littered around the floor – and there was a short dagger lying beside him.

"Hiccup!" Astrid rushed to his side.

She placed a hand on his shoulder and suddenly he shrieked and started moving away. He kept on scrambling away until his back hit the wall. Astrid blinked in surprise and reached out towards Hiccup. "Hiccup?"

Suddenly Hiccup's head jerked up and his hand flashed out. Astrid jumped back in surprise as she saw the knife gripped tightly in his hand. "Whoa, Hiccup, stop," she said calmly.

Even her calm words, Hiccup's eyes didn't seem to see her as he lashed out with his knife again. Astrid jumped back and studied him out of reach from his knife. He was shaking slightly and his eyes were not looking at Astrid, instead staring at some kind of unknown demon in front of him.

"Hiccup? What happened?" she asked.

Hiccup whimpered and squeezed his eyes shut. "Korgan was here." His voice barely above a whisper. "They tried to take my best bud, they tried to take Toothless."

"They're gone," Astrid reassured, moving forward slightly.

Again, Hiccup made a whimpering sound in response. Astrid made a hushing sound and gently covered his hand with hers. "It's okay, the battle's over. You can let go of this now. We're safe."

"But what if they return?" Hiccup's voice was small as if he was a child, scared of the dragons attacking the village.

"They won't. We showed them that the Dragon Riders are a force not to be messed with," Astrid said, putting her hand gently on his shoulder.

Hiccup's hand was shaking. "I need to protect you and the other riders. They hurt Toothless... I can't have them hurt you," he said, raising the knife slightly again.

"They won't," Astrid promised, gently removing the knife from his hand. For only a moment his grip tightened, but he let the knife go. "I will protect you."

Hiccup's laugh was slightly hysterical, but he leaned into Astrid, holding her tightly. "You... you'll stay and protect me?"

Astrid smiled and hugged him tightly. "I'll protect you."

-x-x-

It was a usual recon flight, just Hiccup and Snotlout with Toothless and Hookfang.

"It looks quite easy," Snotlout said, looking over a convoy of Dragon Hunter ships. "Half dozen ships, not many dragon proof catapults. In and out, no problem, what do you think, Hiccup?"

He looked over at Hiccup and frowned as he saw Hiccup hunched over Toothless' head, shaking hard.

"Hiccup? Are you okay?"

Hiccup jerked and looked over at Snotlout, his eyes glazed with panic. "I-I-I think that we should just keep on trailing it for another day," he said quickly, his voice shaking with uncertainty.

"Okay, fine," Snotlout said with a shrug, pretending not to notice that Hiccup's grip on Toothless' saddle was vice-like and that Hiccup's face was paler than it had ever been.

He didn't care because Jorgensons don't have... whatever Hiccstrid called it... feelings? Of course not. Jorgensons and feelings. Nope. Nope. Nope.

... right?

They tailed the convoy for another before it was nighttime and they set down for the night. Hiccup relaxed against Toothless' side, curling up under the blankets.

But sleep brought nightmares.

He was flying on Toothless through the sky at stomach turning heights, but Hiccup didn't care about the height as they flew towards his hut.

"Do it, bud. Now!"

Hiccup woke up with a scream, choking on his own breath.

"Oh my THOR! Would you shut up?" Snotlout yelled, glaring at Hiccup.

"I'm sorry," Hiccup said softly, looking down at the ground. "Really sorry."

Snotlout snorted and turned over, settling back down. Hiccup tried to do the same. He wrapped himself under his thin blanket unable to stop himself from shivering.

A little sob escaped him as he remembered the nightmare, the vivid screams, the smell of smoke, the pain, the feeling of helplessness, the—

Suddenly a second blanket settled over his shoulders, cutting off his thoughts. Looking up in surprise, he saw Snotlout settling down against Hookfang once again, but without his blanket.

"Snotlout—"

"Shut it, I'm trying to sleep." Snotlout leaned back against Hookfang's flank and tipped his helmet down over his face.

Hiccup smiled shakily and settled down under the blankets.

The cold didn't seem to bad now.

-x-x-

Panic attacks happened at the worst times. Everything shattered and drowned him in misery for hours, if not for the rest of the day.

Hiccup gasped for air, his whole body was shaking. He tried to find a grip on reality, gripping at his hair and tugging at the roots.

"Hiccup! You—"

Hiccup wasn't sure if he could hear a voice, but the feet running across the floor towards him. Hands were pushing him to lay down on his side and gently pulling his hands out from his hair.

"Just breathe, Hiccup, breathe. In, out."

Opening his eyes was a struggle. When he did, Ruffnut's face swarmed into focus. She was brushing his hair back with one hand and rubbing his back gently with the other.

"It's okay, Hiccup, just breathe."

Hiccup shook his head, trying to tell her that he couldn't.

"Just breathe, Hiccup, just breathe. I'll go get Astrid."

Suddenly, the idea of being alone became a swirling vortex of despair. Before Ruffnut could leave, Hiccup gripped the edge of her tunic.

"Huh? Are you okay?"

Hiccup was shivering as he gripped onto the only thing grounding him to reality: Ruffnut's tunic. He only let go of her tunic when she put her hand on his cheek. He curled up on himself, but Ruffnut stopped him, pushing his head back to keep eye contact. Later when Hiccup calmed down, he would realize that Ruffnut was looking panicked, but she managed to keep a calm face on for that moment.

"Okay, Hiccup, just... ummmm... tell me about your new project. What about the Dragon Sword? Need more Monstrous Nightmare gel? I can get it in bulk from Snotlout."

Hiccup tried to smile, but it was cut off with a small sob. "N-n-no. It's ok-okay."

"How about Zippleback gas?"

"I-i-infern-no d-d-doesn't-t-t use Zippleba-ba-back gas."

"Not yet, but imagine if it did. One end has a blade that lights on fire on command, then the other end lets out Zippleback gas and then BOOM! Everything explodes. You know Tuffnut and I are experts in pyrotechnics if you need some consulting."

This time, Hiccup laughed, relaxing his tense muscles. "It's okay, Ruff, I'm okay. What did you need?"

"Never mind about that, I'm sure that Tuffnut and I can find something to blow up while you get working on that Out-ferno. Maybe Astrid could help you. Should I go get her?"

Sitting up, Hiccup took a deep breath, finally calming his racing heart. "No, that's okay, I think I can work by myself for now."

Ruffnut nodded, though there was a little hesitation in her eyes. "Sure. Tuff and I will be playing in our boar pit if you need some in house pyrotechnic experts."

Hiccup smiled and watched as she left his hut. As he stood beside his desk, he looked back to the patch of sky beyond his door.

Suddenly, the sound of the boar pit with the twins sounded like a good idea.

-x-x-

Fishlegs came into the clubhouse and was surprised to find Hiccup already there.

"Hey Hiccup."

Hiccup jumped a foot into the air and he whipped around so fast that he knocked down the stack of sheets that he was looking at.

Fishlegs raised his hands to show that he wasn't trying to threaten him. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I don't know, I just... got up," Hiccup said as he quickly brushed the papers back into a stack.

"Well, if you're up, want to come to my garden? I want your opinion on some of the arrangements," Fishlegs said, picking up some breakfast that Hiccup must have made since he was the only one up at the moment.

Hiccup froze for a moment, his hands stilling on his project. "Ummmm... maybe later, Fishlegs. I'm... I'm kind of bu-usy..."

"Okay, what are you doing later in the day?" Fishlegs asked.

Hiccup mumbled something, turning to leave. Fishlegs made a small motion towards him, but Hiccup jumped and his legs gave out from underneath him.

"Hiccup!"

Fishlegs dropped to his knees beside Hiccup lying on the floor. Hiccup's eyes were wide and glazed, unseeing what's in front of him.

"Hiccup! Are you okay?"

At Fishlegs' voice, Hiccup jerked and came back to the present. Hiccup nodded, pushing himself up to his feet and not looking at Fishlegs.

"When was the last time you got some sleep?" Fishlegs asked, standing up with him.

"I'm okay," Hiccup said, his hands gripping his upper arms. "I'm okay..."

Fishlegs looked at him concerned as Hiccup tried to shield away. "Hiccup..."

Fishleg's soft tone triggered something in Hiccup. His hands tore at his upper arms until his fingers tore holes into his tunic and his finger nails scratched long his upper arms. Hot tears dripped down his cheeks. "I-I-I can't sleep," he admitted. "I-I-I can't go back to my hut. I don't know... I j-j-just want to sleep, but I can't. I'm so tired... so, so tired..."

Fishlegs took Hiccup's hands, gently prying away his vice like grip from his arms. Carefully as if Hiccup was a scared dragon, Fishlegs held his hands in one of his as he massaged Hiccup's tense shoulder. Hiccup's grip was tight at first, but as Fishlegs massaged his shoulders, his grip loosened.

Unfortunately, the massage worked a bit too well and Hiccup's whole body relaxed, collapsing against Fishlegs.

"Whoa, let's get you into a bed before this happens," Fishlegs said, holding up Hiccup.

Hiccup mumbled, but didn't make an attempt to get up. Fishlegs smiled and lifted him up, bringing him to his hut. "I can make some lavender tea for you," Fishlegs said as he laid Hiccup on his bed.

Hiccup mumbled and shook his head. "Wa... wait... I ne-ne-need to... ch-check... defenses... patrol... Edge..."

Hiccup struggled to sit up, but as soon as Fishlegs placed Hiccup's forehead, Hiccup calmed down and settled down on the bed. "Don't worry, Meatlug and I will take care of it. Just sleep for a little while."

Hiccup mumbled a couple of syllables incoherently, but closed his eyes, his breath steadying out. Fishlegs smiled and tucked the blanket around Hiccup's shoulders before turning to leave the hut.

"Fishlegs?" Hiccup spoke up before Fishlegs left the hut. "Thanks."

"Any time, Hiccup."

He hurried out of the hut towards his garden to make Hiccup some tea.

-x-x-

"Roar!"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Maybe in retrospect, trying to sneak up on Hiccup wasn't the smartest prank now that Tuffnut found himself on his back and Inferno swinging down towards his skull. "Wait! Hiccup!"

Hiccup stopped Inferno, just a centimeter from Tuffnut's head. He blinked a couple of times as if to re-orientate himself before he suddenly jerked back and scrambled off of Tuffnut. "I'm so sorry, Tuff, sorry, sorry, sorry..."

Before Tuffnut could say anything, Hiccup was already running off, but before he got far, his shaking leg tripped over his prosthetic and he went sprawling over the platform.

"Hiccup, are you okay?" Tuffnut asked as he rushed over to Hiccup who was slowly collecting himself.

As Tuffnut placed a hand on his shoulder, Hiccup jerked back and yelled, "I'm fine, Tuffnut!"

Tuffnut frowned and shoved him into the nearest hut, which was the twins', slamming the door shut behind them.

"What are you doing?" asked Hiccup, looking anywhere but Tuffnut. "Please let me leave."

"Not until you tell me what's wrong," Tuffnut said, crossing his arms.

"Tuffnut," Hiccup said warningly.

"No."

"As your future chief, I command you to let me leave," Hiccup spat.

"No," Tuffnut repeated.

"Get out of my way!"

Hiccup drew out Inferno again, swiping at Tuffnut. Tuffnut quickly jumped out the way, grabbing the closest thing to defend himself with, which happened to be one of Ruffnut's spears. He didn't attack, just blocked the swipes that came a bit too close for comfort. Hiccup was usually a great sword fighter, but his emotions were making his swipes clumsy and uncoordinated.

"You know, Hiccup, I always like how you never command anyone," Tuffnut said, jumping out of the way again. "You ask us to do things, you're not our chief, you're our friend."

Hiccup wavered, his swing just swiping through the air as if he was fighting a ghost in front of him, but that moment passed and he swung again. Tuffnut managed to grab both of Hiccup's wrists, holding him still as he struggled.

"Hiccup, what's wrong with you?" Tuffnut asked again, pushing Hiccup back to a safe distance.

His grip around the hilt tightened and he took a step back. "I... I don't know. I just... I can't. I always have nightmares, I have flashbacks all the time, I can't stop feeling like someone is going to attack us at any moment... I don't... I... I can't figure out what to do."

"It'll be fine, Hiccup," Tuffnut said soothingly. "Hiccups always have a plan."

Hiccup's sword dropped and he looked away. "I-I-I... but... but I don't. This time, I don't have a plan. What do I do?"

Tuffnut jumped forward and hugged Hiccup tightly. "My man, you'll be okay."

Hiccup only wordlessly held onto Tuffnut, unable to say what he was thinking: No, it won't be okay.

-x-x-

The rest of the Dragon Riders were sitting in the clubhouse, chatting to each other as Hiccup shuffled into the room, his eyes downcast, his whole body screaming to run away, but Toothless behind him kept him moving forward.

"Hey, gang, can I talk to... can I talk to you about something?" Hiccup asked, rubbing a hand against Toothless' head as he tried to force himself to look at the others, but failed to.

"Yeah, whatever you need to talk about," Tuffnut said.

"Is everything okay?" Astrid asked, putting her hand on his shoulder.

Hiccup gave her a weak smile and took Astrid's hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Guys... I think... I'm... Something's wrong with me," Hiccup mumbled, looking down at the floor. "I.. I can barely... think... I can't sleep, and I don't... I just can't anymore.

"I feel lost and... I know it's un-Viking-like to do this... but I really need..." He took a deep breath, and looked up to each of them, his green eyes filled with tears. "Guys, I need help."

Astrid smiled sympathetically and took his other hand hand. "It's okay to ask for help," she said. "You don't need to be ashamed that you're asking for help."

"Yeah, it's okay," Ruffnut added. "Most nineteen year olds haven't killed dragons the size of mountains—"

"Or been chased by treacherous villains—" added Tuffnut.

"Or had revenge sworn on by deranged chiefs—"

"Or have psychopathic Maces and Talons partners."

"Yeah, most of the time you have to wait until you're forty or so until you have a list like that," Ruffnut said.

Astrid shook her head fondly, and turned back to Hiccup. "I think if I can translate for the twins, they're saying, 'you're only 19, you shouldn't have to have this kind of weight on your shoulders.'"

"But... you guys are also 19 and you aren't breaking under the pressure like I am," Hiccup mumbled.

"Just because we aren't, doesn't make your pain any less valid."

"But..."

"No but's, we're going back to Berk," Fishlegs said firmly. "You need to spend some time back at home, with your dad and Gobber. I think we all need some time back at home."

Hiccup looked shyly at the rest of the gang and started smiling as he found the rest of them agreeing, speaking as they all missed their family on Berk.

"I guess that's what's happening," Hiccup said. "I'm really sorry that I'm cutting our adventures short—"

"Cutting short our adventure? Ha, as if," Snotlout said with a shrug. "Trouble seems to follow you wherever you go, Hiccup, so as long as we stick together as the Dragon Riders, we're going to see some more adventures before we know it."

Hiccup smiled. "To the great unknown?"

"To the great unknown!" the rest of the Riders chorused back.

[pianocat939]

I’m sorry for requesting so close right after the last one but I had an idea and you can do this later if you want to

Captain ice cookie x dragon reader

the reader is specifically a aquatic Dragon Who made their home underwater in the freezing seas later on captain ice and her crew accidentally disturb the dragon so they attack her crew only to get captured

-midnight Anon!

Since most requests are Yandere, I’m going to assume this one is the same as well.

I’m gonna rewrite the Titantic 🤡

(Just in case people come attacking, this is for entertainment purposes only. The being blind part isn't supposed to ridicule or degrade blind people. Literally my own mother is blind.)

Tw: Blood, MC becomes half blind, Angst, isn't necessarily implying death but please be cautious

Will to Live

• On the tips of Earthbread is the sea of coldness and ice. So cold the water froze on some occasions.

• Cookies rarely roam this biome; the harsh environments making it arduous to eat and sleep comfortably.

• Yet despite the complications, one cookie and her crew withstands it all.

• Captain Ice Cookie.

• It was like any other day in the sea: penguins roaming the ice, seals soaking up what sunlight there was in the cold climate.

• And of course, Captain Ice Cookie was sailing amongst the water. She stands at her usual spot, on the deck near the figure head.

• “The sea will never tire me, and I shall die with it as my last sight.”

• She slightly smiles, enjoying the harsh air invading her dough body.

• She then spots an iceberg, noticing there isn't enough space for the ship to evade it.

• "Anchor the ship! We need to crack the ice before moving on any further!"

• The crew anchors the ship then grab a few pickaxes and cannons to break the ice.

• A group loads the cannon while some others go and start to break the ice surrounding the iceberg.

• "Whenever you're done get back on the ship! We're done loading the cannon!"

• After a few minutes, the ones splitting the ice below climb onto the ship, readying themselves for a big blast.

• "Align it a little more lower, that'll give it a bigger range of accuracy. A little more...Now, Fire!"

• The cannon fires, destroying the iceberg. The bits and pieces of ice fall in the water, causing small splashes.

• Until an angered roar shakes the ship.

• "Who has the audacity to disturb my rest?!"

• A dragon's neck rises up from the water, pieces of ice clinging to its scales. Its eyes glare at the ship before them, bloodlust seeping out.

• Captain Ice Cookie pays it no mind and orders the anchor to be lifted. "Dragon, you simply are nothing to me. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to move past you."

• The crew cautiously hold weapons, aiming it at the dragon.

• "Don't dare to ignore me!"

• The dragon lunges onto the ship, it's body weight almost toppling it over. In response, the cookies attack the dragon; arrows, cannonballs, and swords pierce the dragon's hard scales.

• "You will pay for your actions!"

• The dragon claws at the construction, stripping off the outer material. Their movements becoming more frantic.

• As the two fight, Captain Ice Cookie escapes to a storage area, where the nets and supplies are stored.

• She grabs the largest net and brings it out on the battle area.

• "Prepare to aim a cannon at its head!"

• The dragon flies above and takes place at the deck of the ship. Their body weight sinks the ship halfway as the cookies start to panic.

• "Fire!"

• Right then and there a cannonball fires at the dragon's eyeball. Which makes the dragon scream in agony.

• The dragon turns into their cookie form from the pain. Captain Ice Cookie makes quick work of capturing them in a net.

• "Get me some chains! We don't know how powerful this dragon is!"

• The dragon holds their eye in anguish, feeling strawberry jam bleeding out from the wound.

• "My eye! What have you done?! Now I cannot see in my left eye!"

• Captain Ice Cookie's expression softens, but turns stern once more.

• "You brought this upon yourself. We may have disturbed you, but we are not the ones who attacked first."

• The dragon doesn't answer, instead curling their tail around their body.

• "How am I to survive in those waters while being half blind?"

• "You aren't. You are a threat to the ones who inhabit here and as a navy commander I cannot let that pass."

• The dragon is chained up and sent to Captain Ice Cookie's private chambers. Their healthy eye darkens, leaving them in sorrow.

• Their past will to live was now gone.

———————————————————

One thing.

Wow.

- Celina

[versey21]

16th September

Old Ironsides by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr

On this day in 1830, Holmes composed his paen to the USS Constitution, a frigate of the US Navy built in 1797. She saw highly successful action against the Royal Navy in the War of 1812, capturing five British vessels, and served as a US training ship during the American Civil War. She remains in Boston to this day, the oldest commissioned ship afloat in the world.

Source: America’s Navy website

Old Ironsides

Ay, tear her tattered ensign down!

Long has it waved on high,

And many an eye has danced to see

That banner in the sky;

Beneath it rung the battle shout,

And burst the cannon’s roar; -

The meteor of the ocean air

Shall sweep the clouds no more!

Her deck, once red with heroes’ blood,

Where knelt the vanquished foe,

When winds were hurrying o’er the flood

And waves were white below,

No more shall feel the victor’s tread,

Or know the conquered knee; -

The harpies of the shore shall pluck

The eagle of the sea!

O, better that her shattered hulk

Should sink beneath the wave;

Her thunders shook the mighty deep,

And there should be her grave;

Nail to the mast her holy flag,

Set every thread-bare sail,

And give her to the god of storms,

The lightning and the gale!

Despite Holmes’ urging that the Constitution be allowed to sink beneath the waves, she remained in active Navy service until 1880, after which she became a museum ship. Still owned by the USN, her stated continued mission is to educate her visitors on the role of navies in war. She still awaits her retirement…

[chaseatinydream]

pirate king (5) || atz

“You need to eat.”

Seonghwa nudges a bowl of fish stew towards you. It's piping hot and steaming, you cradle it gratefully with your fingers.

Since you’ve woken up in San’s cabin a few days ago, you’ve taken a few days under the Treasure’s healer’s care to recover from the fever brought on by your infection. San has been nothing but kind to you, even allowing you to sit in the sickbay and watch him while he tends to patients.

Many of the pirates come in and out for check ups on previous wounds, a healing sword gash, an amputated finger. You watch the healer bustle about at work, speaking in a soft, quiet tone when tending to them and making silly jokes to distract them from the pain. His dimpled smile and silly behaviour is somewhat familiar to you now, you can even recognise his whistling from the cabin. Maybe it’s because he is the only person you have on this ship, so you stick to San’s side as much as possible.

The Treasure has already left the cove, sailing out into the open sea once more. San tells you that they are sailing along the coast of Hispaniola to reach Tortuga, but these waters are close to the pirate town Tortuga and the Royal Navy fleets patrol the area to sink any unsuspecting pirates. Their captain has chosen to stay further from land, where the Navy’s fleets can conceal themselves from sight and carry out an ambush on them.

When San brought you onto the main deck the last few days so you could stretch your limbs and breathe some fresh air, all you’ve seen for miles is blue, unending ocean. Being able to walk freely on deck with San’s conversation instead of Mingi’s watchful eye is one of your few joys on this ship.

Today, however, San wants Seonghwa to bring you onto deck.

Your chest is bound, of course, and San swears that no one else on board besides him knows that you are a woman. Women are considered bad luck on ships, and even though San has reassured you that Hongjoong doesn’t believe in silly superstitions, you’d rather not give him another reason to toss you to the sharks. San has agreed to keep your secret, but still, with Seonghwa supporting you, he might notice something.

“Seonghwa’s smart, but when it comes to stuff like this, he can be pretty blind. Don’t worry about it too much.” San had told you in the morning. You decide to trust him on this.

So you take the fish stew in your hands and drink it. You were surprised at first, you thought pirates would have terrible cooking skills, but Seonghwa’s food has always been rich, hearty and filling. With his intense stare on you as you eat, however, you find it difficult to swallow the food.

“Is there something you need?” You ask after narrowly avoiding choking for the third time. Seonghwa’s expression is unreadable, unnerving. You don’t expect anything good to leave his mouth.

“I’m sorry.”

At that, you do choke and Seonghwa immediately panics, grabbing a cloth from his pocket and offering it to you. You wave it away, hacking and thumping your chest, careful to avoid where the tiny crystal rests underneath the oversized tunic San lent you.

“What for?” You cough as you set down the bowl, reaching for a mug of green tea on the table. As much as you disliked the drink at first, after being force fed it by San so many times, you’ve come to enjoy its mild, earthy flavour. Seonghwa inhales deeply, as if preparing to say something life altering.

“I’d like to apologize for not noticing your wound sooner.” He bows his head in genuine apology, much to your shock. “I should have realised that you were injured and reported it to Hongjoong earlier. If I did, you wouldn't have fallen ill-”

You're so dumbstruck that you simply stare at him with your mouth hanging wide open. Yeah, he didn't notice, but it wasn't his fault at all. Even if he had noticed, and hadn't done anything to help you, you couldn't blame him. He wasn't obligated to help you in any way.

“It's alright.” You try to cover up your confusion by taking another spoonful of fish stew. “It wasn't your fault. I don't blame you.”

“I wanted to make it up to you, so will you allow me to walk you around deck today? I saw San helping you and thought I might be able to assist in the same way.”

What on earth is wrong with this man? He owes you nothing. How can anyone be so… kind? You were literally nothing more than a stowaway he found on ship, not someone he needed to repay a debt to. But from the determined glint in his eye, he wasn't about to take no for an answer.

“Thank you, then.” You manage to reply hesitantly. It's probably the fastest way to get this done and over with.

Draining the stew, you rise to your feet, and you see Seonghwa move to support your side. He gives you a kind smile. “Are you ready to go?”

Holy shit, this man…

“Yeah…” You clear your throat uncomfortably as he slings one of your arms around his shoulders. They're a little broader than San's, more muscled under his black shirt, and one of his hands come to rest on your side.

Step by step, he carefully moves you towards the door, nudging it open with his foot. The sunlight hits you in the face, and you blink rapidly to clear your sight.

“Clean the cannons properly! I don't want to see a single speck of gunpowder on them, understood?”

“Trim the sails, wind from starboard!”

You're bombarded with activity the moment you step onto the main deck. Pirates rush about, some cleaning out the long barrels of the cannons, some scrubbing down the deck and some mending torn sails. It's strangely domestic, and you can't help but snort at the image of these so called bloodthirsty pirates. Then you remember their captain and you shiver.

“Are you feeling cold?” Seonghwa's concern unnerves you. You shake your head desperately.

“No! I just uhhh…. felt some wind!” You're tempted to smack yourself in the face for your blatant stupidity. “Let's continue moving, shall we?”

He brings you to the front of the ship, where you can see sea waves crashing against the ship's wooden plants in sprays of white. For a moment, you look up and forget that you’re on a ship, all you see is the sun hovering over the horizon and blue sea rolling onwards. You close your eyes and breathe in the warm, salty air, it brings you peace.

“The Treasure is a beautiful ship, isn’t it?”

Your eyes snap open to look at him. Seonghwa has turned around to watch the crew at work on the deck, the smile on his face soft and fond. You know next to nothing about ships, but you do admit she’s very graceful with her pale blue sails and the sheer size of the ship is undoubtedly impressive. You nod.

“I think it is.”

Seonghwa smiles warmly at you then, leaning against the rails of the bulwarks with a happy, content gaze. “She’s a three masted frigate ship, a hundred and three feet long and thirty feet wide. It was one of the Royal Navy’s prides, until Hongjoong single handedly stole it from them without force and repurposed it into a pirate ship of his own.” He gestures at the other end of the ship.

“That’s called the stern. We’re at the bow. When you’re facing the bow of the ship, the right is called the starboard and the left is called port.” The cook tells you. That clears things up from you. Every time you hear someone (especially Mingi) call out ‘wind coming from port’, you think that you’re finally approaching land, but no.

“Thanks for telling me.” You tell him and he nods. You’re not sure why he’s telling you all this, but you suppose that’s his way of trying to make up for something he didn’t do.

“We’re currently on the forecastle deck, and that’s the main deck.” He points a finger at where the main activity is happening. “Above the captain’s cabin is the quarterdeck.”

“Where the captain is.” You mutter under your breath. “I’ll be sure to steer clear of it.”

You didn’t intend for Seonghwa to hear it, but he does anyway. He pauses for a moment, chewing at his bottom lip, eyes flicking between you and the quarterdeck. You start to worry if Seonghwa is unhappy that you’re almost insulting his captain, but then he speaks.

“Don’t take captain personally.” He tries to reassure you, putting a hand on your shoulder. “He does believe that you’re one of the Royal Navy, so you can’t blame him for being cautious. A few years ago, we bargained for one of the most accurate nautical charts in the navy’s possessions and the Navy has been after us ever since. Hongjoong’s worried about it, so he’s cautious of any new stranger on board. Deep down, he really is a kind person at heart.”

Seonghwa’s eyes are so pleading, as if he’s genuinely upset by the thought that you could dislike his captain. You can’t find it in yourself to outright tell him you think his captain is a menace who wouldn’t so much as bat an eyelash if you were tossed overboard this moment and got eaten by sharks. In fact, he might even find it in him to dance a little jig.

“Umm...” Is all you manage in reply. You’re such a smooth talker, you could cry. Seonghwa looks a little disappointed that you don’t believe him, but he gives you a small, understanding smile.

“It’s alright if you don’t see it now.” He says gently, turning to look at the waves with you. “I’m sure you will, eventually. That’s what happened to me too.”

You raise an eyebrow. From what you can see, Seonghwa is nothing like his captain. Even as a pirate, he’s kind hearted, gentle and compassionate. His captain, on the other hand, is exactly like the scourge of the seas.

Then you hesitate for a moment, eyes flickering over to the man beside you. He notices it before you can drop your gaze.

“Is there anything you want to ask? I don’t mind.”

You ask away.

“Do you know who brought me to the sickbay?”

Seonghwa frowns, racking his memory. “It wasn't San? If that's the case, I don't have any idea either. I'm sorry I don't have the answer to your question.”

“It's alright.” You rush to reassure him. “Actually, I have another question. Why did you become a pirate?”

The man suddenly tenses at your question, fingertips digging into the wood of the bulwark railings until his knuckles turn white. You can see his eyes darken ever so slightly and in a single breath he looks like he’s aged a decade, barely restrained pain dancing across his face like the result of a reopened wound.

“You don’t need to answer if you feel uncomfortable.” You rush to amend. The air feels like it’s turned to ice, goosebumps racing over your skin. Seonghwa shakes his head, his tightly wound muscles slowly relaxing under his dark shirt as he eases his grip on the railing.

“No… It’s just a bad memory.” He exhales, but you can hear the lump in his throat. “I didn’t join out of choice.”

Your eyes go wide. “The captain kidnapped you?”

“No!” Seonghwa rushes to stop you, biting his lower lip. “When I was young, my family was killed on suspicion of hiding pirates by the Royal Navy.”

Ahh, the Royal Navy which you’ve heard so much about. The bane of the pirates… who you’re supposed to be.

“That’s sad.” Is all you say.

Seonghwa gives you a weak smile that doesn’t seem quite real, but continues his story anyway. “I managed to escape onto a ship in the harbour… which happened to be the Treasure.”

So it’s somewhat similar to what you’ve experienced so far. Maybe that’s why he’s been treating you more kindly than what you’d expect.

“I’ve been with Captain and the crew ever since.” Seonghwa adds seriously, but there’s a happier, content spark to his eyes. You can hear the little bounce in his voice when he speaks of the crew and the ship. They must be close.

The feeling in your chest that has been there ever since you’ve stepped aboard this ship only grows. It’s alien, unnerving. You don’t recognize it.

You turn away from Seonghwa to stare at the horizon in the distance. For some reason, every time you look at the sea, you’re immediately calmed, the storms of your heart ceasing to nothing but white noise at the back of your mind.

But this time, a small niggling feeling encroaches on your usual sense of calm.

Something cold creeps over your lungs and heart, an unexplainable anticipation and fear. It only grows bigger, more real, and for some reason, you feel like the reason of your distress is only growing closer.

Your head jerks to the left. Your eyes furiously scan the sea you are travelling upon, the dark blue that rushes underneath the ship, but you can’t see anything. Then your breath catches in your throat.

There’s a low groan. It starts off soft at first, but grows in volume gradually until the sound is ringing in your ears. It’s soul wrenching, full of anguish and so desperate like a crying child calling out for his mother that your chest throbs painfully in response to the sound.

Then you hear it.

Come back…

You almost jump in terror. The words aren’t in any language you speak, but you know their meaning clear as glass. The one behind the groan is searching for something, no… someone.

Where did you go?

Your breath suddenly shorten into pants. For another second, you’re heart wrenchingly terrified, almost as much as the time you were running for your life from the Royal Navy. Seonghwa must notice something, because he taps you on the shoulder, his face worried.

“Is something wrong?”

You stare at him in shock. “Do you not hear that noise?”

At your words, his brows furrow. “What noise?”

Why did you leave?

You almost squeak with fright, your hands clapping over your ears. “That noise!”

Seonghwa frowns in concern, reaching out to support you once again. “You must be hearing things because of your head injury.” He tries to reason with you gently, pulling you towards the sickbay. “Come on, let’s get you back to San so he can give you a check up-”

Where are you, Sǣr?

The last word is a scream, a cry of fury and distress. What is Sǣr? Then all of a sudden, you see it.

“There!” You drag Seonghwa with you by the wrist to the bow of the ship, as far as you can go, all blood draining from your face. “Look!”

He strains his eyes, peering out into the horizon and shielding his eyes from the sun. The glare reflecting off the ocean waves make it difficult to see and he doesn’t notice anything different than usual. No ship sails on the horizon, no cause for danger. When he wants to turn around and ask you what you see, you point into the water, right into the distance.

“It’s in the sea!” You shout at him, almost hysterical with fear. Why can’t he see it? “It’s coming!”

Thank the heavens for their grace because Seonghwa doesn’t call you crazy and toss you into the sickbay. He stares in the direction you direct him for a few long, agonizing seconds, before you see his eyes going almost unnaturally wide with horror and his mouth falling open.

The sight might have been comical if you hadn’t been on the verge of wetting your pants in terror.

It’s a massive, dark shape moving underwater, right beneath the surface. It’s still a considerable distance from the Treasure, but at the speed it’s moving, it’ll be upon you in mere minutes. You have no idea what kind of monstrous beast it could be, but you definitely don’t want to find out. Neither does Seonghwa, apparently, because he turns around and sprints across the main deck for the captain’s cabin.

You watch, adrenaline pumping through your veins, as he snatches up an iron bar and hammer, wasting no time in striking it with all the force he has.

The sound rings across the ship and immediately the whole ship ceases activity, waiting in anticipation for a command. Mingi leaps down from the quarter deck in one smooth movement, not even bothering with the stairs. Seonghwa shouts something at him that you can’t quite hear over the distance and the quartermaster dashes up to the forecastle deck to you, boots pounding on the wooden planks.

“Where is it?” Is all he rasps out, eyes scouring the horizon for a glimpse of it. This time, you have no problem locating it, your eyes almost instinctively drawn to its shape. You point at it, and it must be a lot closer and bigger than before, because Mingi sees it almost immediately and his face goes ashen.

“All hands on deck!” Mingi bellows at the crew, who leap into action at once. “Raise the mizzen sail and ready the cannons! We’re going to sail a port beam reach to the wind!”

In front of you, a flurry of activity breaks out over the ship. Along the bulwarks, you see men rushing to untie the cannons which had been previously secured to the main deck, powder monkeys running out from below deck with small white bags of what you assume to be gunpowder. There’s a snapping sound as the massive square sail of the third sail comes down, and you grab for the railing as the Treasure almost flies forward at a speed that seems impossible for such a massive ship.

“Yunho, trim the sails!”

The tall man slides down from the crow’s nest on one of the sheet ropes, landing as nimbly as a cat on the deck. He leads a team of men in hauling on the sheets, tightening them as them prepare to sail perpendicular to the wind.

San joins you at the bow. “It’s big.” He comments about the growing shape dryly. “Probably about two or three times bigger than the ship.”

He’s understating. The monster looks like it could eat the Treasure for breakfast.

“We're travelling at six knots!” You hear someone call from the other side of the ship. Mingi shakes his head furiously.

“Tighten the sheets! We need to move faster than twenty knots!”

“What's a knot?” You ask San.

“A nautical mile per hour.” The healer answers, never taking his eyes off the sea monster. “We measure the ship's speed with  a device called the common log.The speed of the ship is said to be the number of knots counted.”

“And do you know what's chasing us?”

San eyes you with a disgruntled stare. Even the ever calm healer seems a little unnerved. “You could always go overboard and find out.”

“We're gaining in speed!” A man at the starboard shouts, leaning over the rail. “Nine knots now!”

There's a groaning of rope as the sails pivot on their masts to catch the wind, Yunho shouting commands to the sail trimming crew. The ship angles to the left, diverging from its original course.

“Where are we headed?” You swallow uneasily. San shrugs, no more knowledgeable than you.

“Yeosang is trying to find somewhere along the coast we can go ashore or hide from the monster.” He squints at the dark shadow as the ship continues to sail away from the monster. “It may not even be chasing us specifically.”

The dark shape changes course as well, moving right for the ship.

“Well that's a reassuring thought.” You gulp. There's a intent to the massive creature, in the way it moves. No doubt, it's heading for the ship and from how it looks even bigger than before, it's gaining on them.

“Thirteen knots!” The same man bellows, his voice almost breaking in fear. Mingi curses under his breath.

“We're losing ground.” He swears rather colourfully. “Hongjoong-hyung needs to sail a beam reach or we have no chance of outrunning that thing. I predict it's moving at about twenty five knots and that's nearly impossible for us even with a strong wind.”

“What happens if the wind gives out on us?” You mutter to yourself, but Mingi hears you.

“It won't.” The quartermaster replies with a sort of assured confidence, as if he is stating fact. “Not with Captain around.”

You want to argue that the captain can't control the skies, but it seems insistent on proving you wrong. The ship suddenly surges forward with a burst of speed, the bow slicing the sea before them. You're thrown off balance for a moment but manage to hang onto San for dear life. He barely notices your added weight on his arm.

“Hongjoong-hyung has the blessing of a sea god on him.” Mingi tells you bluntly as his eyes continue following the movements of the sea monster. “Usually we rarely encounter any threats of nature on the ocean, but I suppose there's a first time for everything.”

“A sea god?” You repeat skeptically. San nods seriously.

“Even Hongjoong-hyung himself didn't believe it. But there's a pulse around him, a positive, protective energy that reflects the sea and keeps him safe from most storms. Someone drew power from it to place a blessing upon him.”

“Let's hope it's enough to save us.” You mutter nervously as the dark shape draws even closer. The ship is almost skimming the waves now, flying with the wind as it angles towards the left.

“Twenty six knots!”

There's a massive cheer from the ship, but their happiness is cut short when the dark shape puts on a burst of speed, moving towards them with some kind of sinister intent.

Mingi lets out a growl.

“Wooyoung, fire the cannons!”

A young man with striking purple hair leaps to a cannon, as do the rest of the gun crews. He adjusts the cannon, moving it about a swiveling platform before locking it in place with a lever.

“Fire!” His voice rings out and one of the crew hands him a piece of burning slip. He touches it to the cannon.

“Fire in the hole!”

“Cover your ears.” San advises you serenely, his own hands clasped over his ears. You follow suit just before you hear a sound like a massive thunderclap that threatens to split the sky in half.

Jumping into the air, you yelp as you feel your ears ringing at the noise. Your eyes, however, trace the almost too fast flight of the cannonball as it streaks across the sky and smashes into the ocean with incredible force.

There's a moment of silence.

Then a pained roar, so loud and so enraged  that every pirate on the deck almost quakes in fear. Then you hear Yunho call from the rigging.

“Land sighted!”

Your eyes follow his, and you spot a cove with narrow opening, likely too small for the sea monster to enter. So that was their plan.

“This is a dangerous plan.” San murmurs to himself. You look at him worriedly.

“Why? From what I see, it's our best option.”

The healer exhales, frowning. “Yes it is, but we're in Navy infested waters and now we're heading for land, where it'll be difficult for us to catch wind and leave. After that cannon shot, every ship in a ten mile radius would have heard us.”

“But we don't have a choice.” You try to reason. San nods reluctantly.

“That's the problem.”

The ship nears the tiny cove, a narrow passage surrounded on all sides by rocky cliffs. The captain, once again, steers his ship through without the slightest bit of fear, as if he's one with the ship. The sides of the ship barely scrape the walls of cove opening, and once you're through, the crew let out a ateezmassive cheer of relief.

The dark shape presses against the mouth of the cove for a moment, as if trying to squeeze it's way in. You watch with bated breath as the monster hovers there, before letting out an immense roar that shakes the very masts of the ship and causes the treasure to rock back and forth unsteadily, a quivering shadow in the deep.

For a brief second, you suddenly see it and your breathing cuts off in a gasp of realization.

It's staring at you, just like before. A colossal shape that glows a brilliant crimson, the colour of blood.

There's another seething roar that causes the sails to shake in the wind and the crew to rush to cover their ears before the shadow vanishes into the depths, as abruptly as it has come.

The crew aboard the ship break out in cheers and hollers of excitement, but you merely slump against the rails of the bulwark, hands trembling as you try to come to terms with what you have just realised.

It was the eye from your dream.

[thecandywrites]

Burn Without You- Chapter 1

So- if you haven’t already, listen to Without You by Ursine Vulpine featuring Annaca. That song single handedly inspired this fic. And yes, I am borrowing the idea of the “Mother Bear” super cannon from Rise of the Ottoman’s on Netflix and Yekmeni is my Constantinople/Istanbul. Also, look at those precious wittle griffin/gryphons. So cute! And I am imagining a griffin’s personality and temperment would be that if you took a parrot (hello eagle head with wings), a cat (more or less body of a lion) and a horse (something big enough to ride with a saddle) and married them togther. 

So, you know those spinny wind catchers that twist so hynotically in the wind? Those were what gave me the inspiration for my “rose bud missiles” imagine a warhead missile, only instead of rocket thrusters on the back, it has the same “mechanics” of a regular cannon but with a fantasy twist. Now instead of a round ball, put a cone on the front, then overlay petal like “wings” over each other, so that it resembles a rosebud about to bloom and then just spot/tac weld the petal wings down and overlay each other to get them to “lay flatter” but then, like modern guns that have that twisting rifling on the inside of the barrels? And it’s that rifling that spins the bullets and steadies the bullet’s tragectory? Same thing here. Only in that, the shearing force that that rifling has on bullets? That shearing shears off the outer spot welds of the petals and the moment that rosebud missile leaves the barrel, the flower blooms so to speak and those petal like wings “fly” that exploding missile right to it’s target as beautifully elegant as a blooming rose is but with deliciously disastorous results. 

Let’s start this Orctober story with a punch in the chest shall we? 

Burn Without You

Chapter 1

“Fire!” Warlord Kingu ordered before all the cannons were fired at the githyanki battleships that were out to sea on the Fortress’ Yekmeni’s seafront cliffside before the cannon’s shot the exploding cannonballs at the ships and only moments after impact, would explode as half of the fleet were already in the process of slowly sinking as the cannons were already being reloaded with more cannonballs. 

The githyanki were firing at the bottom of the fortress from their battleships, where the cliffside met the foundations of the fortress, trying to break the mighty stone fortress after it had stood for hundreds of years since before the convergence of the spheres over twelve hundred years before now, it had been built by the now long since dead Taunston, which according to legend had been something of a dwarven like race the size of large orcs, but who had mysteriously died out only a couple of hundred years after the convergence.  

This particular fortress- named Yekmeni- in this land called Nirari, built by the Taunstons, in their own ancient and now long since forgotten language- was coveted by all the races for its location and other remarkable and desirable qualities and amenities, complete with impenetrable walls and the only reason the Aki-Aya Clan got to claim it was by befriending and partially taming the once wild griffins who had nested on the cliffsides long before the fortress was even built there. The orcs had partially tamed them for only the last 15 generations, but in that time had created a remarkably strong bond with them since the wild griffins were originally ordinary sized, but now, thanks to the orcs supplementing their diet, were now some of the largest griffins in the world, and plenty large and robust enough to rival War Birds of old, and definitely strong enough to carry an orc rider, if not two or three of them and their loads, the descendants of those once wild griffins who nested on the cliff sides of the fortress where the cliff sides met the sea where the Norgar Ocean met the eastern coast of the continent of Vuvaric. 

The Aki-Aya clan had built Yekmeni up and improved upon it even more than it already was, since it had been built by the most advanced beings on the planet before the convergence so it was now even more of a mighty mountain among hills, with towers so tall that it was built around a water sprouting skyland so that the fortress had a guaranteed fresh water supply which thus guaranteed the sustainability of life in the fort. Even the other moura colonies in the surrounding mountains were only built a fraction as strong, tall or as stout in the mountain range along this edge of the coast. But thankfully several mountains were between Yekmeni and the closest moura colonies to the North and the South, the mouras in the colonies giving the place and it's griffins a wide berth. 

Kingu smiled proudly when the largest of the canons, the “Mother Bear” and her “cubs” which were smaller by comparison but still much larger than the canons they had previously been able to produce had been attached to the tallest parts of the newly refortified and improved battlements- fired their special missiles and hit their targets, hitting the middle ship and the flanking ships, so that the ships had to huddle together and chance running into each other, The Mother Bear was a new super cannon that had been commissioned and created just for this battle- fired her extra large cannonball at the largest ship in the fleet and hit the base of the largest mast and the mast practically exploded at the base and then fell over, it’s many cables, pulling the other masts over and rendering the ship immobilized and no better than a listing rowboat in the ocean. 

The Mother Bear’s cannonballs along with her cubs, were actually missiles with a cone- like end on one end and they were twisted into special grooves on the inside of the barrel of the cannon so that the missiles would twist in the barrel and in the air once fired out. And the missiles had special metal “wings” welded on one end to the cone and then folded over and layered and slightly overlapping each other on the outside that the force of the explosion would force the petal like wings that were only spot welded together on top of each other on the outside over each other like petals of a rose when the rose was as a bud, about to bloom and the force of the cannon missile leaving and twisting out of the cannon would shear off the spot weld and the moment the cannonball missile left the barrel, the petal like wings sprung free, the deadly flower blooming fully and the wings helped fly the cone shaped exploding cannonball to it’s target with deadly accuracy and devastating results since the wings then became deadly razor sharp shrapnel once the missile exploded. It was the greatest achievement in warfare that they had ever invented and could have ever imagined. The new winged missile cannon balls were as devastating as they were hypnotizing to watch. 

The main battleship took the hit and suddenly the ship seemed to break in half and begin to sink as the other githyanki fled the ship and tried to swim to the other surrounding ships in the fleet as the Mother Bear Cannon was redirected to aim towards the second largest ship in the fleet as more githyanki tried scaling the large cliffside, with explosives strapped to them hoping to explode the griffin nests on the cliffside to make Yekemeni crumble from underneath as Kingu’s troops, on the backs of griffins picked them off, the griffins yanking the bombs off the githyanki and then arming them only seconds before diving and dropping them on the fleet as the griffins themselves that nested in the caves in the cliffside were particularly vicious in defending their nesting sites as even the griffin younglings were defecating all they could out of their little nests on the edges of the caves so that the githyanki who were trying to climb up the faces of the cliffsides got a face full of griffinling feces which the nitrogen in the feces itself was so potent it instantly blinded many as even the griffins who didn’t have a rider were helping to pick off the githyanki when they were not taking their chicks to the highest and safest nest on the cliffside.

Once the chicks had defecated all they could as the oldest and largest griffin mother- Bluequill who was Warlord Kingu’s favorite warbird of a griffin- who nested in the highest and largest nest in the griffin colony that had been passed down to her for nearly countless generations, had her wings out to cover as much of the cave entrance as she could to keep the chicks safely behind her wings as she protected all the chicks together, easily taking the new chicks and putting them behind her as the others would pick off githyanki, pull them apart after disarming them and dismember them in the air and then dump their dismembered bodies at Bluequill’s feet so she could use her feet to move the dismembered pieces of the enemy to the hungry chicks behind her so all the chicks together could feast on them and no sooner had all the flesh been taken from the bones before the chicks would then use a shrill call to signal all the flesh had been eaten and all that was left was bones, so then Bluequill would  reach back with her feet and grab the now cleaned bones and then kick them off the ledge or throw the bones out with her beak and down, towards the other attackers as more dismembered bodies were replaced in quick succession until the chicks could eat no more and instead huddled in piles in the back of the cave to rest and digest their meals as new chicks were dropped off and then fed.  

Lukher, Kingu’s half brother was riding Bluequill’s mate- Redtail, Lukher was in charge of making sure all the griffenlings from all the other nests were safely inside Bluequill’s nest. 

There were thousands of nests and he and his men were working from the bottom of the cliffsides up and they were all wearing special jackets to hold the newly hatched griffenlings in modified pockets and would often have go to the nests where the chicks were too scared to move from the nest in the back of the caves and would have to quickly get off their griffins, run to the back of the cave where the nest was, pick up the chicks from the nest with thick leather gloves just in case the chicks decided to claw or bite them in the chick’s own fearful self defense and put the chicks in their jackets and then run back to their griffins and fly them up and drop them off to Bluequill, who had the second and third largest female griffins, also coincidentally her daughters- Starbill and Moontail, on Bluequill’s own extra large nest as they both sat on the other eggs, each egg a different color and pattern since each pair of griffins had their own hue of color to their eggs and each griffin, a slight variance of their parents in the patterns and colors of their plumage. 

Each nest itself was numbered and Lukher and his men had methodically tried to make sure they got all of them since all the griffins were semi domesticated and the griffins provided flight to the orc clan, the orc clan provided safe nesting sites, food and water. Some of the griffinlings were barely fledgling sized and those Lukher and his men had to carry in their arms and all the eggs they put into special pockets on their saddles while others in his squadron stayed at the bottom of the cliffs for the sole purpose of trying to catch fledglings who were trying to use this attack to learn how to fly and help their parents defend the nesting caves while sharks and sirens and merfolk alike circled the waters to feed on the fallen githyanki both from the boats and falling from the cliffside and Lukher didn’t want any of their clan’s griffins to be prey to the sharks or merpeople and some had been responsible for catching the fledglings and then flying them back to Bluequill’s nest so that they wouldn’t try again and possibly drown and die.

Lukher rechecked every single nest himself making sure every griffin, both in and out of the egg got saved and once he was done, he double checked on his men hovering over the waters to make sure no other fledglings had tried to fly and fail and fall and once there were no more, he ordered his men to refocus on the githyanki trying to scale the cliffside before he checked on Bluequill again, Redtail, taking up the rest of the entrance to the nest, putting his own wings out so that his mate could rest her own wings and did a quick count of all the eggs and all the griffinlings, making sure none of them were injured or had died or that none of them were being overcrowded but were keeping warm, their soft down making it easy for them to keep their body temperature up. As Starbill and Moontail lifted themselves up off their mother’s nest so he could get a quick count of all the eggs again while Thundertalon, Starbill’s mate- kept the fledgelings in a special area to keep them from escaping and trying to fly again before they were fully adult feathered and ready as the fledglings practically pouted as they played with the bones of the dismembered grithyanki and thier bits of armor to keep from being too bored and keep their own anxiety from rising uncomfortably, even as pinned as their pupils were. 

Lukher did his best to pet and reassure all of them that it was going to be ok and made sure that even the adults had gotten a chance to eat too as he triple checked his saddle to make sure all the eggs were safely under Starbill and Moontail before he heard an explosion above his head as a quake traveled down the cliffside and between the quake and the sound- it made him fall and stumble to the ground as a shrill ringing was in his ears as he looked up to see his men flying up past the nest’s entrance as debris that he recognized as his own clan’s battlement fell as his squadron flew around the falling debris and looked at the cave around him and noticed small, hairline cracks in the ceiling as some little pieces of rubble fell on the chicks but didn’t injure them as other griffins without riders flew into the cave and immediately sat over the groups of chicks and spread their wings out over them, to protect the chicks further as Lukher rolled away to keep from being trampled by the worried parents. 

“Redtail!” Lukher tried to yell but couldn’t hardly hear his own voice in his own ears as he found his feet and got into Redtail’s saddle and flew out of the cave and turned to see one of the “cubs” of cannons, had a failed and it’s failure caused the whole corner of the battlement to crumble and fall as he flew Redtail over to it as Kingu was sending his men in to retrieve the wounded and fallen as Lukher flew Redtail over to where Kingu was between Mother Bear and her one of her other cubs as Redtail took up his perch on the battlement. 

“What happened?” Lukher asked his brother. 

“A cub died. How are all the griffins?” Kingu returned. 

“They’re all safe and accounted for.” Lukher answered as she showed his brother the final sheet where the final count was numbered as Kingu looked over the numbers and blew out a breath of relief.

“Did the cave sustain any damage when the cub died?” Kingu asked. 

“Yes, there’s hairline fractures in the roof, some little pieces fell on the chicks but didn’t kill any, some of the parents returned and are standing over the chicks and are guarding them but if another cub dies or the heavens forbid Mother Bear does, the cave will be finished, we will need to refortify the cave after the battle.” Lukher reported. 

“Take beams and boards of wood, refortify it now, if any of those griffins die, our future sons and daughters will be flightless without them.” Kingu ordered before signalled for the canons to fire again before the closest “cub” died and exploded as Redtail had noticed something was wrong and tried to fly to save his rider and managed to grab Lukher by the back of his jacket and yank him backwards, where special loops were where the rider could be picked up from the jacket to get Lukher out of there as Lukher had tried to drag his half brother with him but the explosion was too much and a piece of shrapnel crashed into his special riding helmet face and clipped his jaw and broke off the edge of it and landed in the muscles of the side of his neck but thankfully missed any major veins or arteries. 

Kingu, was not as fortunate, his top half was separated from his bottom half and he laid in two big pieces. 

“Kingu!” Lukher cried for his brother as he took off the jacket and let Redtail fly away with the jacket to go over to his brother. 

“Lukher!” Kingu gurgled as blood was leaving his body and the muscles trying help his lungs expand were starting to fail from lack of blood supply. 

“My dreams, are now your dreams.” Kingu managed to say as Lukher could barely hear him beyond the ringing in his ears from the second explosion which was now, much worse.

“No, no, they are your dreams, you have to...you have to...make them come...true.” Lukher cried, his words having a hard time leaving his mouth with his broken jaw as he watched his half brother die in his arms as his half brother’s blood soon pooled around them before Lukher looked up to see the remaining fleet of githyanki retreating before he called a cease fire since it was a clear victory as Redtail’s screams were barely heard by him before he climbed back into Redtail’s saddle and flew down to the cave to see the griffins all standing with their wings outstretched with all their strength to protect the chicks under them from being crushed by the crumbling cave.  

Lukher and his men quickly grabbed all the rubble and did all they could to free the griffins but all the adults bit at them for trying to remove the rubble from over them, but instead looked at the chicks then pleadingly at the orcs who immediately understood what they meant and immediately switched to saving all the chicks from under the griffins, making sure they were all safely delivered out of there, forming a line, passing the chicks off as many as their hands could hold as Bluequill was doing all she could to keep up the mouth of the cave open, her strong legs though were beginning to shake as Redtail took up next to her to help her keep the mouth of the cave from collapsing and only when half the chicks were saved did Bluequill’s strength give out completely as Redtail moved and shifted, his own mighty wings now the only things keeping the mouth of the cave open as he cried out in pain and anguish but locked his legs into place as the others who had already been trying to move as quickly as they could, moved as fast as they could to get all of the chicks and then all of the eggs, all the adults knowing that if one of them failed, all of it would fall and crush all of them as each one’s mate was with them, their wings underneath their mates, trying to help share the load until all the others were safe. 

Then Lukher tried to coax the ones in the back forward but they refused to move instead they nuzzled his face before screaming at him to go before their legs buckled and Lukher understood what they meant and no sooner had began running, that the griffin’s strength began to wane and pair by pair, they fell, together, getting crushed by the rubble above them, the rubble between the bottom of the fortress and on Lukher’s heels as he was running out as Redtail didn’t move, but instead grabbed Lukher by the arm and flung him to the side where he was caught by his men on the side entrance to the cave before Redtail finally collapsed next to his mate, his eldest children, crushed and dead behind him but his grandchildren safely above him as Lukher felt just as crushed and devastated by Redtail’s death as his half brother. 

Yekmeni was safe, but at great personal cost. He got taken to the healers and his jaw mended as best it could be. But his hearing was damaged beyond repair. 

Kingu’s mother and Lukher’s father were both grieving Kingu whose remains were being prepared for cremation. 

“What were Kingu’s last words?” His father, warchief Wardeen asked him. 

“What?!” Lukher yelled, not hardly being able to hear his father’s words before his father used gestures as Daon, Lukher and Kingu’s cousin- told his uncle and warchief the news that Lukher lost his hearing and so they had to use their language’s sign language, that was usually used for hunting or flying in formation- to ask what Kingu’s last words were before Lukher answered. 

“His last words were...that his dreams, were now my dreams.” Lukher answered, albeit a lot louder than normal because he couldn’t hardly hear his own voice in his ears that were still ringing and giving him as much pain as his broken jaw did.  

‘Then they are, when you are healed. We will fulfill your brother’s wishes and dreams, and they will be your wishes and dreams.’ Wardeen signed to Lukher who nodded his agreement and started crying again before his father embraced him as they cried into each other’s shoulders. 

‘What about the griffins?’ Wardeen asked in sign language. 

“We saved as many as we could, Bluequill, Redtail…” Lukher began to list off all the pairs that gave their lives to protect the others in the highest and “safest” cave as others came to report that nearly all of the caves sustained damage when the two “cubs” died, but that had “Mother Bear” died, the whole cliff face and the side of the fortress over the cliff would have fallen and all the caves would have been wiped out, and that whether they had all moved all the griffins to one or had them stay where they were, there would have been casualties either way, but at least all the eggs, chicks, fledglings and younger adults were now safe and in the emergency griffin nest in the fort as Wardeen gave the order that as soon as they were recovered, that repairs to all the caves would be made and that the largest cave would be excavated and that the fortress would need to be refortified again and how he wanted each cave to have an entrance in the back so that if need be, a door could be installed and the nests of griffins could be pulled into the fortress that was dug down behind the caves on the cliff face just in case that worse case scenario would play out, that this tragedy wouldn’t repeat and that at least the griffins and their nests and young would be safe, even if the cliff face wasn’t. 

Then Wardeen gave the order to begin the preparations and negotiations with Dorierra, and that no matter the cost, that Lukher would now have a moura bride and that once an alliance was struck no one, not even the most desperate githyanki would dare attack them again and would enter into peace and alliance with all other nations who had a moura queen and charged his sister and mightiest general with the task of going to Dorierra to get Lukher a moura wife, one who would be more than any warchieftess, but a proper queen, because they were going to be a proper nation, because that had been Kingu’s dream, since “King” was in his name and he needed a “queen” to make his dream of turning his clan, into a nation- complete.  

“I will have to learn the common tongue.” Wardeen’s sister- Sunco, warned him. 

“Then learn it as quickly as you can and once you are proficient enough to negotiate, then go.” Wardeen commanded as Sunco nodded in agreement and obedience. 

Within the week, Kingu’s ashes as well as the ashes of all the other fallen warriors were cast out into the wind as their names were carved into the stone history of their people on the many slabs of stone on the inside of the fortress, where once the Taunstons had done. Lukher tracing his brother’s carved name in reverence and sorrowfull sadness along with Redtail’s name on the side of the wall where they kept track of all the griffins who died in battle as the ringing in his ears had barely abated and gave him horrible headaches and now he lived in agony and resigned himself that he would have to endure this, for now. A moura bride who could heal him, could not come soon enough. 

[gureishi]

Welcome to Thirsty Thursday my friend 😉 I figured I’d start out with a pretty standard question: what’s your and Saeyoung’s favorite sexual positions and why?

Heheheheheh well it’s Monday but I am HERE.

Ok so like, rather than just listing all my favorite sex positions in a tumblr post (lol help), I shall make this Saeyoung-specific. Here are some sex positions I think he would particularly enjoy!

(Below the cut for obvious reasons <3)

These are all geared toward a female/AFAB/vagina-having partner (cause it’s a self-ship ask, after all):

So, we know Saeyoung loves legs. This is cannon. I extrapolate from this that he likes butts, too. I think he’d get really excited about any position where he can see—and touch—and hold—your thighs and your ass. Doggy is an obvious one, if you’re into it—but also, he’d really like to have you on your back on the bed while he’s standing next to it, your legs kicked up on his shoulders. He’ll squeeze your thighs so tight.

He’s a strong boy, too. He can hold you. He’d like to stand with you wrapped all around him—legs around his waist, arms around his neck. Maybe he’ll back you up into a wall—or maybe you’re in the shower, and you’re holding onto the shower bar for dear life. But he can do it standing freely, too—he can hold you for a long time. He’d like it if you bury your fingers in his hair—dig your nails into his skin.

He’d like to have you in his lap, too—maybe he’s sitting on a chair, or the couch, and you’re straddling him. Hold onto his shoulders, or lean waaaay back. He’ll support you with his hands on your waist—he won’t let you fall. He likes it if you go slow—but eventually he might wanna scoop you up and toss you on your back (on the bed or the couch or really anywhere you want him to). Wrap your legs around him and pull him really close.

And if you’re somewhere less convenient—a restaurant bathroom, maybe, or a closet somewhere (just sayin’): he’ll pick you up and put you someplace comfy (a sink! an overturned bucket! the hood of his car!). He likes that it’s easy to finger you while he’s inside you, like this—he’s standing, one hand on your hip, using the other to stimulate you. Wrap your legs around his waist, or tuck them up to his chest. His eyes are so dark. He can’t stop staring at you—because he adores you; because you are crying out his name; because you are beautiful in your pleasure. Run your fingers through his messy hair and tell him you need him. He wants you to.

[libraryofvenus]

The Waste Land - T.S. Eliot

I. The Burial of the Dead

 April is the cruellest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain. Winter kept us warm, covering Earth in forgetful snow, feeding A little life with dried tubers. Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade, And went on in sunlight, into the Hofgarten, And drank coffee, and talked for an hour. Bin gar keine Russin, stamm’ aus Litauen, echt deutsch. And when we were children, staying at the arch-duke’s, My cousin’s, he took me out on a sled, And I was frightened. He said, Marie, Marie, hold on tight. And down we went. In the mountains, there you feel free. I read, much of the night, and go south in the winter.

 What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow Out of this stony rubbish? Son of man, You cannot say, or guess, for you know only A heap of broken images, where the sun beats, And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief, And the dry stone no sound of water. Only There is shadow under this red rock, (Come in under the shadow of this red rock), And I will show you something different from either Your shadow at morning striding behind you Or your shadow at evening rising to meet you; I will show you fear in a handful of dust.                      Frisch weht der Wind                      Der Heimat zu                      Mein Irisch Kind,                      Wo weilest du? “You gave me hyacinths first a year ago; “They called me the hyacinth girl.” —Yet when we came back, late, from the Hyacinth garden, Your arms full, and your hair wet, I could not Speak, and my eyes failed, I was neither Living nor dead, and I knew nothing, Looking into the heart of light, the silence. Oed’ und leer das Meer.

 Madame Sosostris, famous clairvoyante, Had a bad cold, nevertheless Is known to be the wisest woman in Europe, With a wicked pack of cards. Here, said she, Is your card, the drowned Phoenician Sailor, (Those are pearls that were his eyes. Look!) Here is Belladonna, the Lady of the Rocks, The lady of situations. Here is the man with three staves, and here the Wheel, And here is the one-eyed merchant, and this card, Which is blank, is something he carries on his back, Which I am forbidden to see. I do not find The Hanged Man. Fear death by water. I see crowds of people, walking round in a ring. Thank you. If you see dear Mrs. Equitone, Tell her I bring the horoscope myself: One must be so careful these days.

 Unreal City, Under the brown fog of a winter dawn, A crowd flowed over London Bridge, so many, I had not thought death had undone so many. Sighs, short and infrequent, were exhaled, And each man fixed his eyes before his feet. Flowed up the hill and down King William Street, To where Saint Mary Woolnoth kept the hours With a dead sound on the final stroke of nine. There I saw one I knew, and stopped him, crying: “Stetson! “You who were with me in the ships at Mylae! “That corpse you planted last year in your garden, “Has it begun to sprout? Will it bloom this year? “Or has the sudden frost disturbed its bed? “Oh keep the Dog far hence, that’s friend to men, “Or with his nails he’ll dig it up again! “You! hypocrite lecteur!—mon semblable,—mon frère!”

             II. A Game of Chess

The Chair she sat in, like a burnished throne, Glowed on the marble, where the glass Held up by standards wrought with fruited vines From which a golden Cupidon peeped out (Another hid his eyes behind his wing) Doubled the flames of sevenbranched candelabra Reflecting light upon the table as The glitter of her jewels rose to meet it, From satin cases poured in rich profusion; In vials of ivory and coloured glass Unstoppered, lurked her strange synthetic perfumes, Unguent, powdered, or liquid—troubled, confused And drowned the sense in odours; stirred by the air That freshened from the window, these ascended In fattening the prolonged candle-flames, Flung their smoke into the laquearia, Stirring the pattern on the coffered ceiling. Huge sea-wood fed with copper Burned green and orange, framed by the coloured stone, In which sad light a carvéd dolphin swam. Above the antique mantel was displayed As though a window gave upon the sylvan scene The change of Philomel, by the barbarous king So rudely forced; yet there the nightingale Filled all the desert with inviolable voice And still she cried, and still the world pursues, “Jug Jug” to dirty ears. And other withered stumps of time Were told upon the walls; staring forms Leaned out, leaning, hushing the room enclosed. Footsteps shuffled on the stair. Under the firelight, under the brush, her hair Spread out in fiery points Glowed into words, then would be savagely still.

 “My nerves are bad tonight. Yes, bad. Stay with me. “Speak to me. Why do you never speak. Speak.  “What are you thinking of? What thinking? What? “I never know what you are thinking. Think.”

 I think we are in rats’ alley Where the dead men lost their bones.

 “What is that noise?”                          The wind under the door. “What is that noise now? What is the wind doing?”                           Nothing again nothing.                                                        “Do “You know nothing? Do you see nothing? Do you remember “Nothing?”

      I remember Those are pearls that were his eyes. “Are you alive, or not? Is there nothing in your head?”  

                                                                          But O O O O that Shakespeherian Rag— It’s so elegant So intelligent “What shall I do now? What shall I do?” “I shall rush out as I am, and walk the street “With my hair down, so. What shall we do tomorrow? “What shall we ever do?”                                               The hot water at ten. And if it rains, a closed car at four. And we shall play a game of chess, Pressing lidless eyes and waiting for a knock upon the door.

 When Lil’s husband got demobbed, I said— I didn’t mince my words, I said to her myself, HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME Now Albert’s coming back, make yourself a bit smart. He’ll want to know what you done with that money he gave you To get yourself some teeth. He did, I was there. You have them all out, Lil, and get a nice set, He said, I swear, I can’t bear to look at you. And no more can’t I, I said, and think of poor Albert, He’s been in the army four years, he wants a good time, And if you don’t give it him, there’s others will, I said. Oh is there, she said. Something o’ that, I said. Then I’ll know who to thank, she said, and give me a straight look. HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME If you don’t like it you can get on with it, I said. Others can pick and choose if you can’t. But if Albert makes off, it won’t be for lack of telling. You ought to be ashamed, I said, to look so antique. (And her only thirty-one.) I can’t help it, she said, pulling a long face, It’s them pills I took, to bring it off, she said. (She’s had five already, and nearly died of young George.) The chemist said it would be all right, but I’ve never been the same. You are a proper fool, I said. Well, if Albert won’t leave you alone, there it is, I said, What you get married for if you don’t want children? HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME Well, that Sunday Albert was home, they had a hot gammon, And they asked me in to dinner, to get the beauty of it hot— HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME Goonight Bill. Goonight Lou. Goonight May. Goonight. Ta ta. Goonight. Goonight. Good night, ladies, good night, sweet ladies, good night, good night.

             III. The Fire Sermon

 The river’s tent is broken: the last fingers of leaf Clutch and sink into the wet bank. The wind Crosses the brown land, unheard. The nymphs are departed. Sweet Thames, run softly, till I end my song. The river bears no empty bottles, sandwich papers, Silk handkerchiefs, cardboard boxes, cigarette ends Or other testimony of summer nights. The nymphs are departed. And their friends, the loitering heirs of city directors; Departed, have left no addresses. By the waters of Leman I sat down and wept . . . Sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song, Sweet Thames, run softly, for I speak not loud or long. But at my back in a cold blast I hear The rattle of the bones, and chuckle spread from ear to ear.

A rat crept softly through the vegetation Dragging its slimy belly on the bank While I was fishing in the dull canal On a winter evening round behind the gashouse Musing upon the king my brother’s wreck And on the king my father’s death before him. White bodies naked on the low damp ground And bones cast in a little low dry garret, Rattled by the rat’s foot only, year to year. But at my back from time to time I hear The sound of horns and motors, which shall bring Sweeney to Mrs. Porter in the spring. O the moon shone bright on Mrs. Porter And on her daughter They wash their feet in soda water Et O ces voix d’enfants, chantant dans la coupole!

Twit twit twit Jug jug jug jug jug jug So rudely forc’d. Tereu

Unreal City Under the brown fog of a winter noon Mr. Eugenides, the Smyrna merchant Unshaven, with a pocket full of currants C.i.f. London: documents at sight, Asked me in demotic French To luncheon at the Cannon Street Hotel Followed by a weekend at the Metropole.

At the violet hour, when the eyes and back Turn upward from the desk, when the human engine waits Like a taxi throbbing waiting, I Tiresias, though blind, throbbing between two lives, Old man with wrinkled female breasts, can see At the violet hour, the evening hour that strives Homeward, and brings the sailor home from sea, The typist home at teatime, clears her breakfast, lights Her stove, and lays out food in tins. Out of the window perilously spread Her drying combinations touched by the sun’s last rays, On the divan are piled (at night her bed) Stockings, slippers, camisoles, and stays. I Tiresias, old man with wrinkled dugs Perceived the scene, and foretold the rest— I too awaited the expected guest. He, the young man carbuncular, arrives, A small house agent’s clerk, with one bold stare, One of the low on whom assurance sits As a silk hat on a Bradford millionaire. The time is now propitious, as he guesses, The meal is ended, she is bored and tired, Endeavours to engage her in caresses Which still are unreproved, if undesired. Flushed and decided, he assaults at once; Exploring hands encounter no defence; His vanity requires no response, And makes a welcome of indifference. (And I Tiresias have foresuffered all Enacted on this same divan or bed; I who have sat by Thebes below the wall And walked among the lowest of the dead.) Bestows one final patronising kiss, And gropes his way, finding the stairs unlit . . .

She turns and looks a moment in the glass, Hardly aware of her departed lover; Her brain allows one half-formed thought to pass: “Well now that’s done: and I’m glad it’s over.” When lovely woman stoops to folly and Paces about her room again, alone, She smoothes her hair with automatic hand, And puts a record on the gramophone.

“This music crept by me upon the waters” And along the Strand, up Queen Victoria Street. O City city, I can sometimes hear Beside a public bar in Lower Thames Street, The pleasant whining of a mandoline And a clatter and a chatter from within Where fishmen lounge at noon: where the walls Of Magnus Martyr hold Inexplicable splendour of Ionian white and gold.

              The river sweats               Oil and tar               The barges drift               With the turning tide               Red sails               Wide               To leeward, swing on the heavy spar.               The barges wash               Drifting logs               Down Greenwich reach               Past the Isle of Dogs.                                 Weialala leia                                 Wallala leialala

              Elizabeth and Leicester               Beating oars               The stern was formed               A gilded shell               Red and gold               The brisk swell               Rippled both shores               Southwest wind               Carried down stream               The peal of bells               White towers                                Weialala leia                                Wallala leialala

“Trams and dusty trees. Highbury bore me. Richmond and Kew Undid me. By Richmond I raised my knees Supine on the floor of a narrow canoe.”

“My feet are at Moorgate, and my heart Under my feet. After the event He wept. He promised a ‘new start.’ I made no comment. What should I resent?”

“On Margate Sands. I can connect Nothing with nothing. The broken fingernails of dirty hands. My people humble people who expect Nothing.”                       la la

To Carthage then I came

Burning burning burning burning O Lord Thou pluckest me out O Lord Thou pluckest

burning

             IV. Death by Water

Phlebas the Phoenician, a fortnight dead, Forgot the cry of gulls, and the deep sea swell And the profit and loss.                                   A current under sea Picked his bones in whispers. As he rose and fell He passed the stages of his age and youth Entering the whirlpool.                                   Gentile or Jew O you who turn the wheel and look to windward, Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you.

             V. What the Thunder Said

 After the torchlight red on sweaty faces After the frosty silence in the gardens After the agony in stony places The shouting and the crying Prison and palace and reverberation Of thunder of spring over distant mountains He who was living is now dead We who were living are now dying With a little patience

Here is no water but only rock Rock and no water and the sandy road The road winding above among the mountains Which are mountains of rock without water If there were water we should stop and drink Amongst the rock one cannot stop or think Sweat is dry and feet are in the sand If there were only water amongst the rock Dead mountain mouth of carious teeth that cannot spit Here one can neither stand nor lie nor sit There is not even silence in the mountains But dry sterile thunder without rain There is not even solitude in the mountains But red sullen faces sneer and snarl From doors of mudcracked houses                                      If there were water   And no rock   If there were rock   And also water   And water   A spring   A pool among the rock   If there were the sound of water only   Not the cicada   And dry grass singing   But sound of water over a rock   Where the hermit-thrush sings in the pine trees   Drip drop drip drop drop drop drop   But there is no water

Who is the third who walks always beside you? When I count, there are only you and I together But when I look ahead up the white road There is always another one walking beside you Gliding wrapt in a brown mantle, hooded I do not know whether a man or a woman —But who is that on the other side of you?

What is that sound high in the air Murmur of maternal lamentation Who are those hooded hordes swarming Over endless plains, stumbling in cracked earth Ringed by the flat horizon only What is the city over the mountains Cracks and reforms and bursts in the violet air Falling towers Jerusalem Athens Alexandria Vienna London Unreal

A woman drew her long black hair out tight And fiddled whisper music on those strings And bats with baby faces in the violet light Whistled, and beat their wings And crawled head downward down a blackened wall And upside down in air were towers Tolling reminiscent bells, that kept the hours And voices singing out of empty cisterns and exhausted wells.

In this decayed hole among the mountains In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing Over the tumbled graves, about the chapel There is the empty chapel, only the wind’s home. It has no windows, and the door swings, Dry bones can harm no one. Only a cock stood on the rooftree Co co rico co co rico In a flash of lightning. Then a damp gust Bringing rain

Ganga was sunken, and the limp leaves Waited for rain, while the black clouds Gathered far distant, over Himavant. The jungle crouched, humped in silence. Then spoke the thunder DA Datta: what have we given? My friend, blood shaking my heart The awful daring of a moment’s surrender Which an age of prudence can never retract By this, and this only, we have existed Which is not to be found in our obituaries Or in memories draped by the beneficent spider Or under seals broken by the lean solicitor In our empty rooms DA Dayadhvam: I have heard the key Turn in the door once and turn once only We think of the key, each in his prison Thinking of the key, each confirms a prison Only at nightfall, aethereal rumours Revive for a moment a broken Coriolanus DA Damyata: The boat responded Gaily, to the hand expert with sail and oar The sea was calm, your heart would have responded Gaily, when invited, beating obedient To controlling hands

                                   I sat upon the shore Fishing, with the arid plain behind me Shall I at least set my lands in order? London Bridge is falling down falling down falling down Poi s’ascose nel foco che gli affina Quando fiam uti chelidon—O swallow swallow Le Prince d’Aquitaine à la tour abolie These fragments I have shored against my ruins Why then Ile fit you. Hieronymo’s mad againe. Datta. Dayadhvam. Damyata.                  Shantih     shantih     shantih

[that-house]

Cowboy Pirate Prologue

The port town was small, not much more than a weathered dock and a smoky inn. The crew of The Last Ghost, formerly the HMS Glorious, were anxious to return to the sea. They’d sold the spoils of their last raiding mission, and were just waiting for their captain, Raleigh Morden, Scourge of Ascua, to finish his drink.

Cade, the cabin boy, approached Morden as he downed the last dregs of rum. He’d been asking about for news, and his face was grim as he relayed it to the captain.

“Them new ships are unbeatable. Apparently one of ‘em sunk the High Priestess last week off the coast of Oblos.”

Morden’s one eye widened. “The Priestess was the finest ship on all the seas. What of Captain Grail?”

“As I heard it, not a man survived, Huxley included. Them Ascuan Ironsides hit too hard, move too fast, and there ain’t a cannon that can break those hulls.”

Morden shook his head sadly. “Aye. There be no way to capture such a ship, nor sink it, nor outrun it. Looks to me like the end o’ piracy. Ascua’s Navy’s gonna rule the seas ‘til their Empire falls.”

“What comes next?”

“The seas may be closed, but I hear there’s gold to be had in Eprya. I meself plan to die at sea, my blood be to too salty to wind up in the dirt. But if me bones don’t deceive me,  the next round o’ pirates’ll be sailing the sands rather than the waves.”

Cade stared off into space, imagining the endless waves replaced by equally endless dunes. “I don’t wanna die at sea, not in the face of those Ironclads. I want to put up a good fight. And I can’t do that on the ocean.”

hey @themeaninglessjumble, @justanotherhumanstuff, @smol-boi-owo, @imaverysadgirl, @alexanderthealright, I posted it! It’s a rough first draft of a prologue, nothing more than some swanky world building and a little quirky characterization. True cowboy pirate-ing shall be put off until the next installment (or forever if I forget about this).

REBLOGS VERY APPRECIATED!!!

[thelastifntdragonrider]

No Cannon Shall Sink This Ship

Summary: A collection of one shots of alternate ending, alternate episodes, and headcannons. 

Newest oneshot: Defenders of the Wing, Part 2, alternate episode. Mala says she’ll kill Hiccup and the dragon riders, Hiccup falls into the volcano, and everything goes downhill from there.

Link: on Fanfiction.net 

Defenders of the Wing, Part 2, Alternate episode

"Your people are going to die for what you've done, but first, Hiccup, I'm going to kill you myself."

Hiccup pressed his back against Astrid's, his heart beating hard in his chest. "Wait," he said quickly. "Yes, this is my fault-"

"Hiccup, it's not your fault, it's Viggo's-" Astrid tried to say, but Hiccup held up a hand to stop her.

"-But it's not my friends' fault. They are good people. They follow me just as your people follow you," Hiccup said, taking a tentative step forward, ignoring the extra spears pointing straight at his heart. "You can't punish them for doing something that I asked them to do."

"Hiccup, don't!"

"Enough!" Mala commanded, grabbing Hiccup by his shoulder and shoving him to his knees. "You have done your last evil, Hiccup."

The volcano rumbled and lava exploded from the heart of the volcano, showering down around them. "Mala, look out!" Hiccup yelled, pushing Mala out of the way and let out a scream as the lava landed on him. He took a step back in surprise and shock only to find his foot meeting thin air. For a moment, he met Astrid's eyes and she could plainly see the pain and terror written in Hiccup's gaze before he fell into the roaring lava.

"No, Hiccup!"

There was a terrified yell from Hiccup and a large shadow zoomed past everyone as Toothless shot into the volcano after his best friend. Astrid threw off the soldier beside her and rushed towards the edge, not caring who got in her way, just fighting to get to Hiccup. The hot rock burnt her hands as she looked over the edge into the heart of the volcano. She looked just in time to see the insignia of the Night Fury sink into the fires of the volcano.

"Hiccup! Hiccup!"

Hiccup Haddock III - son of Stoick the Vast, the pride and heir of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe of Berk, the Dragon Conqueror, the Rider of the Night Fury - was gone.

--/-/--

Hiccup had fallen plenty of times. Countless of times: falling off of Toothless when they were first learning how to fly together, the terrifying plummet when the Red Death's tail hit him, tripping plenty of times when he lost his foot after the battle with the Red Death, crashing when he started to design Dragon Fly and failing plenty of times in the war against the Dragon Hunters.

But every time that he fell, he knew that he could trust Toothless to come and catch him as he fell.

This time, there was only air between him and the fire. No Toothless, no Dragon Fly, nothing.

Hitting the ground was an unpleasant surprise. All the air was driven out of his lungs and Hiccup thought that he couldn't find it in him to scream, but a loud scream ripped out from his throat as the pain from the lava burns registered. The leather of his armour was on fire, slowly burning into his skin. With a desperate yelp, Hiccup yanked off all of his amor and threw it as far as possible from him, still swatting at the fire remaining on his tunic. He wasn't sure if it was the heat or the pain that caused tears to roll down his cheeks as he watched the rest of his armour sink into the lava.

Darkness was crowding at the edges of his vision as he heard the telltale roar of the Night Fury. A second later, Toothless landed beside him, nosing him worriedly, but Toothless's actions just caused pain to erupt all over his body and the world turned dark.

--/-/--

Astrid opened her eyes to darkness, finding her and the other riders back in the same prison they were in earlier that day. Everything came back to her in little snippets: going up to the volcano, Mala accusing them of treason (again), and getting knocked unconscious with the darts again. Groaning, she sat up, looking around in the shadows, mentally checking off the riders.

Heather. Snotlout. Fishlegs. Ruff. Tuff...

"Hiccup!" Astrid yelled out desperately. "Hiccup!"

Her shouting roused the other riders, but still didn't bring the one person that mattered to her.

A hand landed on her shoulder and for a moment, she thought that it could've been Hiccup's hand, but instead of HIccup's warm hand, calloused from many years working in the forge, it was Heather's slender hand that gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "Astrid," Heather said, her voice void of her usual hard edge, "I'm so sorry."

"I never told him," Astrid whispered, her eyes searching the stars, wishing that she could see the familiar silhouette of the Night Fury somewhere up there.

"Told him what?"

"How much he meant to me. How much I... how much I thought he was more than just a hiccup. I didn't tell him how much I trusted him I didn't tell him... how much I love him."

"You said 'love' present tense not 'loved' past tense," Heather said, her green eyes searching through Astrid's blue ones.

Looking away, Astrid sank down to the ground. "'I can't imagine a world without you,'" she whispered. "That's what Hiccup said to me. I never thought that I would have to live in a world without him. There was never a scenario that he wouldn't be able to get out of. Even if his first stupid plan didn't work, he always had a next crazy plan. Every time he was in a life-or-death situation, I could do something to save him. I could threaten every Outcast, Berserker or Dragon Hunter, I could search through every island in the Archipelago, I could do SOMETHING to save him, but this time... he's just gone."

The riders fell into silence, Astrid's words echoing through the prison. Nobody said anything until a shadow fell across the prison and in unison, they looked up to find Mala looking down at them.

"What do you want?" Astrid snarled, her hands fisted by her sides.

For a moment, she didn't say anything as she threw a couple rations of food down to them. "We have contacted Viggo and we are trading you for the Great Protector tomorrow at first light."

"Do you think that it's going to be that easy?" Fishlegs asked from beside Astrid. "If Viggo was able to trick Hiccup on more than one occasion, this is going to be no simple hostage exchange. There's no way that Viggo and the Dragon Hunters are just going to hand over the Eruptodon."

"Silence! This is the only way I am going to save my people. you WILL co-operate!"

Mala turned to leave, but before she could, Heather called out, "Wait, Queen Mala."

"I thought I bid you silence."

Heather took a step forward. "Hiccup was our leader. He saved your life. Please allow us to send him to Valhalla in the ceremony that he deserves."

Mala surveyed them with her cold glare, her expression unreadable.

"Please," Heather said again, "If you let us do this one thing, we will not protest any more. We just want this one thing. Let us honour Hiccup once more."

At long length, Mala said, "What do you need?"

--/-/--

Hiccup woke up to a cool breeze against his cheeks.

That and the sticky spit of one Night Fury.

Cracking open his eyes, he smiled as Toothless warbled happily at the sight of Hiccup's eyes. "Hey, bud," Hiccup said weakly. "How long was I out?"

Toothless bounded over to the edge of the trees where they were hidden and pointed down the hill with his nose, making excited noises. Shakily, Hiccup stood up and joined Toothless over looking the beach below them where he could see Mala leading the other six Dragon Riders towards a boat.

"Come on, bud. Let's go save them."

--/-/--

A little while later, the six dragon riders stood on the shore, holding arrows as a boat drifted out to sea.

"The greatest dragons and gods cry for the boy who has fallen today. We ask for the safe passage of your newest einherjar, that he may fly into Valhalla and live for eternity in peace that he has brought to his people. May he hear the songs that we sing, the songs of him, our great Chief."

Astrid pulled back the string of her bow and let the arrow fly through the sky. Beside her, the rest of the riders lifted their own bows and shot a flaming arrow to the boat as well. The sparks from the fire floated up to the sky as if they could join the stars too. Through the smoke and fire, she thought she saw a Night Fury carrying a rider out into the wind.

--/-/--

It was still dark as Mala's ship, carrying her tribe, the Dragon Riders and herself, sailed into the sea for the rendezvous with Viggo. The two proud ships met in the waters, their leaders waiting for the other.

"Return the Defender of the Wing," Mala commanded. "We have your people."

"They are far from my people," Viggo said, "and I have to extend my deepest gratitude for taking care of one Hiccup Haddock."

Mala gave no reaction, only extending her hand again. "Give us back the Defender of the Wing."

Viggo curled his lip. "No."

She snarled back at him, "Give us back our dragon, You foul monster!

The dragon riders saw before anyone else did. Up in the masts, a Dragon Hunter raised a crossbow. On the deck, Viggo raised his hand and immediately, Astrid leapt forward.

"No! Astrid, don't!" Fishlegs yelled, but she was already leaping forward.

She knocked Mala onto the deck of the Dragon Hunters, the arrows flying over their heads and immediately, there were axes at their throats. Astrid looked up to find Viggo there, his sword pointing straight at her.

"Surrender."

They had no choice, but to raise their hands.

--/-/--

The Defenders of the Wing and the dragon riders were tied up on the deck, while Astrid and Mala were on the upper deck, a little way away from Viggo who was talking to one of the other dragon hunters.

"Why did you try to save me?" Mala asked, quietly as not to allow the dragon hunters to hear them speaking.

"I didn't want to, trust me," Astrid growled. "I would've let you rot in Viggo's hands."

"But yet, you saved me."

Astrid looked away, hating the tears that were welling in her eyes. "You never knew Hiccup, but Hiccup is the kind of leader that would do anything for his family, friends... and allies. Hiccup would've saved you. So I did too."

Mala studied her for a second, before slowly speaking, "That's..."

"Noble of me? Kind of me?"

"No, that's very... Hiccup of you," Mala said, her voice soft. "He must have loved you very much."

Lifting her eyes up to the horizon, Astrid sighed, catching the sight of the last star in the sky fade away as she whispered, "Yeah. I did too."

The sun's first rays bled over the horizon, just as the Night Fury whistled through the air, carrying his best friend into battle and everyone heard the loud cry of, "Viggo! This ends now!"

"Hiccup!" Astrid yelled in happiness. Hiccup's upper arm was wrapped in bandages, the ends of his hair (most noticeably his braids) were singed, and he wasn't wearing his armour, but despite all of that, Hiccup never looked better to Astrid. Behind him, the other riders' dragons followed him.

"Hookfang! Meatlug! Get the riders! Stormfly and Windshear, get Mala's tribe! Barf and Belch, light up the catapults!" Hiccup yelled to the dragons and immediately all of the dragons burst into action. "Toothless, let's go get Mala and Astrid."

The two landed on the ship, directly across from Viggo, Mala and Astrid.

"Hiccup Haddock the Third."

Toothless growled, but backed down as Hiccup gently patted his nose, turning around and bounding to somewhere else on the ship, followed by Stormfly. Turning his attention back to Viggo, Hiccup held up Inferno again, holding the flaming sword between him and Viggo. "Viggo. Let go of Astrid and Mala"

"Before I even consider that, let's talk about the treaty," Viggo said, his voice light.

"You know what Viggo, I have thought about the treaty," Hiccup said, setting down Inferno.

"Good. Good. Then are we going to sign?" Viggo asked, holding up the map.

Hiccup smirked. "There is one thing that makes us different, Viggo. To you, everyone can be expendable, but to me, all of the dragons on this side of the line matters. I will not sacrifice the lives of the dragons on this side of the line for the peace for the people and dragons on this side of the line. I will not sign this treaty."

In one move, Hiccup sliced the map in two with Inferno, sending it up into flame. Viggo stared at burning pieces of paper and Hiccup felt a bit smug that he managed to stun Viggo for a bit.

"Hiccup. You know this means war."

"I do."

"I thought you were smarter than this."

"Oh, I am. I am smart enough to realize that the lives of my riders are worth so much more than whatever you are offering," Hiccup said, stepping away from Viggo. "Oh, and by the way. If you ever touch my Astrid ever again, I will kill you."

Before Viggo had a chance to reply, Hiccup retracted Inferno's blade and Zippleback gas billowed out from the other end. The gas exploded into flames, knocking Viggo off his feet. Hiccup rushed towards Mala and Astrid, cutting through their bonds with a quick slice with Inferno.

"Hiccup!" Astrid leapt into his arms as soon as he freed her. "You're alive!"

"Not now, Astrid, I'll tell you everything later," Hiccup promised. "For now, Stormfly!"

Stormfly swooped out of the sky, squawking happily at the sight of her friend. "Stormfly! Let's go!"

Hiccup turned to Mala and said, "Come on, Mala, let's go."

"I can not fly on your dragon, it's against the law," Mala said quietly.

"It's not on my dragon," Hiccup said, turning around, "It's on yours."

The deck of the ship exploded and a dark shadow zipped out of the explosion, followed by a large Boulder Class dragon.

Astrid gasped in amazement. "That's..."

"Defender of the Wing. The dragon that protects Mala's tribe," Hiccup said as he helped Mala onto the dragon before jumping onto Toothless. "Now, let's go."

The three dragons took off into the sky. "Dragon riders, retreat!" Hiccup called. "Back to the island!"

--/-/--

"Maybe I judged you wrong, Hiccup Haddock," Mala said as the dragon riders got ready to leave her village. "Your dragons did tell the truth in the trial. I apologize for not trusting you and the dragons."

"I would've not trusted me either," Hiccup said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm just glad that everything worked out okay in the end."

Mala nodded and finally gave Hiccup and the riders a smile. "Good luck on your travels, Dragon Riders. If you need our help, we will come and fight for you."

"Thank you," Hiccup said with a smile in reply.

"No, thank you, Hiccup, you saved my life, my village, my dragon. Thank you," Mala said. She gave Hiccup and the riders a deep bow and the rest of her tribe followed her suit.

Hiccup smiled and looked around at the other riders. "Come on, let's get back to the Edge."

--/-/--

The sight of the Edge was a welcome sight. All of the Dragon Riders celebrated that night. Hiccup was so distracted by the celebrations that he didn't notice that Astrid had slipped away.

"Come on, Bud, let's go find her," he whispered to Toothless as he managed to slip out of the party as well. It didn't take long for them to find her, standing on the beach, looking up at the sky. Hiccup gestured for Toothless to stay back as he approached Astrid as quietly as he could with his uneven legs.

"I can hear you coming, Hiccup," Astrid said with a sigh. "You don't have to pretend that you're actually sneaking up on me."

Hiccup laughed and came to stand beside Astrid. "I guess I should know better than to sneak up on you too."

Astrid smiled, but the smile faded off her face a moment later as he gaze returned to the ocean in front of her.

"Astrid, what's the matter?" Hiccup asked, placing a hand on her shoulder and turning her to face him. It surprised him to see her blue eye filled with tears. "Astrid..."

"I thought you were dead."

Astrid's voice was so soft it took a moment for Hiccup to understand what Astrid said. "Oh, Astrid... it's okay. I'm still here."

Suddenly Astrid surprised Hiccup by throwing her arms around his neck, nearly knocking him off balance. "You were dead!" Astrid said, her voice raising into a sob. "I thought you were dead! I thought that I would never be able to tell you all of the things that I've wanted to. I thought that I wouldn't be able to tell you how much I love you. I thought that I wouldn't be able to because I thought you were dead!"

"It's okay, I'm not. I'm here and I'm never going to leave you behind again," Hiccup promised. "I'm right here." Hiccup gently lead Astrid over to a fallen log and helped her sit down, kneeling down in front of her. "Astrid. You know how much I hate these braids, right?"

Astrid raised her hand to tangle in his hair, stroking the singed ends. "What happened?"

"The lava burnt off my braids," Hiccup explained. "I was running back to the Edge when I realized they were gone. Even though I hated them, I needed them back, because wearing them was carrying a part of you. Astrid, I'll fight Thor before we're separated again."

Astrid laughed shakily and leaned back far enough to look Hiccup in the eyes. "Really?"

Hiccup smiled back, holding up his finger, and Astrid raise her finger to mirror his. "Promise."

Tears were still running down Astrid's cheeks, but she smiled, leaning her head against Hiccup's chest. "Thanks, Hiccup."

"For what?"

"For everything else."

Hiccup laughed, wrapping his arms around Astrid tightly. "Anything for you, milady."

[teatitty]

List of fun lil facts about Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts

His birth name was John Roberts

He was born in Little Newcastle, Pembrokeshire, Wales

In 1718, he served aboard the slave ship Princess

In 1719, the Princess was captured by the pirate crew of Howell Davis, and Barty was encouraged to join them (he was 37)

Three weeks after this, Howell was killed by the crew and Barty was, through a vote, elected the new Captain

He died during a fight due to cannon fire, Feb 10, 1722

He captured over 470 ships over his career. At the height of his power, he commanded a fleet of 4 ships with a crew of 500 men

Though not the most famous pirate from this time period (like Blackbeard is), he was one of the wealthiest

Roberts was a very contradictory person. He was highly organized and charismatic, but also pious. Daring yet ruthless, and led his men in both positive and negative activities through his own example

After being betrayed by one of his men (Walter Kennedy), he created the most famous set of pirate rules which determined how his vessels operated and how his crew were meant to behave

His death was a shock to the world. Most sea merchants thought him to be invincible

In 1720 he looted 22 ships in the Newfoundland harbor, sinking and destroying all but one of them

After becoming a pirate he supposedly remarked: “In an honest service there is thin commons, low wages, and hard labour. In this, plenty and satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty and power; and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the hazard that is run for it, at worst is only a sour look or two at choking? No, a merry life and a short one shall be my motto.”

He had advanced navigational skills, which is one of the reasons the crew elected him to be their captain

His alias “Black Bart” was because of his dark hair and complexion

He successfully managed to take on vessels much larger than his own on numerous occasions

Even among feared buccaneers, Bartholomew was a source of terror

His escapades led to a decline in the shipping trade and some historians even claim that, for a time, he almost managed to halt it completely

Most officials refused to tackle him, even when the law was strongly enforced

Even in battle he dressed well, including a crimson waistcoat, breeches and matching plumed hat

He wore lots of jewellery and the most notable was a gold cross that was designed for the King of Portugal

He neither drank nor smoked and encouraged the same from his crew

He loved classical music, and kept musicians on board for entertainment

He refused to attack on Sundays and even had a clergyman on his ship

Gambling and stealing were banned aboard the ship

He was most known for his cruelty, and held no qualms about torturing an entire crew after capturing their vessel

[woossexyponytail]

Chapter three, The troublemakers

Ateez x reader

Ateez pirate au

■█■█■█■█■█■█■█■█■█■█■

The door slammed open revealing a young man with purple hair, his red dirty shirt open and only two of the last buttons closed showing off his bare chest, a large scar across his stomach.

"Oh! A female.. GUY'S THEIRS A FEMALE ON BOARD. And she is pretty" he said eyeing me, I blushed at him looking down at his boldness.

"Wooyoung shut your trap" Yeosang told him rolling his eyes at him, the guy, Wooyoung smiled at him then laughed loudly.

"Show respect to the lady" Seonghwa said walking in to the cabin smacking Wooyoung on the head. Wooyoung groaned rubbing where he was hit.

"Ok sorry" Wooyoung whined as he slumped his posture and started to pout some others walked in one was amost as tall as Yunho while the other two were taller then Wooyoung but shorter then Yunho.

"Yn, this is Wooyoung, that's San next to him is Jongho and the tall guy is Mingi. Guys this is Yn our new crew member" Yeosang introduced us all.

"Nice to meet you Yn" San said he had black hair that was slicked back with a white strip, he smiled kindly at me as he gently kissed my hand, making me blush a little.

The next up as Mingi as he gave me a crooked Smile and a small wave, he had red hair that pushed to the side, his clothing was like all the others a dirty white shirt and brown trousers and boots.

"Pleasure to meet you gorgeous" Wooyoung said walking up to me and placing his lips to my hand for another gentle kiss like San just did. He looked up with a smirk and winked at me after that but then Yeosang pushed him away.

The last was Jongho but just like Mingi he just smiled and waved at me, maybe the two are shy?. Well either way I'll get to know them soon enough.

"I can't believe you four, you actually did it" Hongjoong said as he was the last to walk through the door, closing behind him as he chuckled shaking his head.

"What you didn't believe in us? I'm hurt captain! You gave us a job and we completed it. Where's the gratitude?" Wooyoung asked faking being hurt as he pouted again.

"Shut it you idiot" Hongjoong said as he sat down on to the desk taking out what looks like a ruby, opening the draw on his desk and getting out the sapphire as he placed them together.

"Now we need to get one more right? Where is it?" Mingi asked his voice was very deep I wasn't really expecting that. Looking over at Hongjoong he placed the two gemstones on the desk and looked up.

"Tortuga, is our last stop until we get to Utopia. It will take about a week to get there" he said as he looked around at all of us they nodded as I just stood there with my arms crossed.

"All hands on deck" Hongjoong said as the crew all ran out, I stayed behind wanting to ask Hongjoong something and not infront of the crew.

"You alright love?" He asked walking up to me as I thought about how to say it, I looked up at him as he smiled down settling my ease.

"How did you know about my father?" I asked, thinking about what Yeosang said earlier, Hongjoong sighed then bit his lip.

"I might of done a bit of research with Yeosang help, but don't worry about it to much love" he said as he walked out of the doors leaving me in the room on my own.

✥---------------†------------------✥

The sea, perfectly calm, was like a peaceful lake, and its soft murmurs were scarcely audible, the waves seemed to sleep, as I saw a line of dark blue marked the curve of the horizon. The flat sea stretched in all directions, the afternoon sun scattering diamonds across it's surface as Seagulls wheeled overhead, carried by the cool ocean breeze.

We have been at sea for about a day now, I sat atop of one of the mast as the calm wind blew through my hair. I heard someone climbing up towards me, looking down I saw San as he sat beside me giving me a smile.

"You okay?" He asked his smile still bright as the sun, I hummed at him as I closed my eyes letting the warm sun gracefully moved around my skin.

"I'm just wondering what would of happened if I didn't follow Hongjoong, And how my father is" I whispered softly to him, San kept quiet for a little while before talking.

"You know my father would describe sailing as flying over water, dancing over the white crested waves, cleaving a path through the wind whipped water.

He would say it was freedom to him, to set sail into the wide blue and leave the duties of the land behind him. He said that the water called to him like a lover and whispered sweet nothings in his ears. He longed to feel the breaking of the waves on his prow as the boat headed out into the drink for a long voyage.

I never understood him, why he would waste away at sea when he had a family that needed him on shore, that is until he died there was nothing on land to keep me there after my mother passed away. So I sailed on any ship that wanted me. And I finally understood what he meant back then"

"What I'm trying to say is, Your father is probably worried about you, but if he leaves you for his own adventure, why can't you?" He said after that he started climbing down but stopped quickly looking up at me.

"It will be night soon, come down in a bit to have dinner with us ok?" He said that bright smile on his face as he climbed back down, leaving me to the peace of the afternoon ocean.

✥---------------†------------------✥

I saw Mingi as he was sat bellow deck a box next to him with a lot if different things placed in the box.

"Mingi, what are you doing?" I asked walking up to him, the young man flinched at the sound of my voice and quickly looked behind him to smile at me.

"Yn! I'm just cleaning the weapons don't want them breaking on us if we get in trouble now can we" he said laughing, I giggled along with him as he patted the chair next to him.

"Come take a seat I'll show you a few things" he said as I sat down next to him and watched what he was doing.

"We fill pots of metal or glass with gunpowder and attached a fuse" he said showing a metal ball it looked like what Hongjoong used in the cell.

"Chain shot they do little damage but slow down enemy ships." He said hold up some chains that are placed in the canons.

"You see, seeing a pirate flag cause lots of fear. This is one of the best examples of the effect that we have on our victims. Our reputation as villains makes our jobs easier as most would rather surrender than fight." I nodded with interest.

We walked back up on deck together as he finished off his talk, Hongjoong then called out to the crew, we all looked over at him.

"We're looking out for Merchants, Boys. Them that's fat with cargo!" Hongjoong yelled to the crew as we got ready to fight, well the crew San grabbed my hand keeping me with him.

"Find us a Schooner with that Spyglass, Wooyoung." Seonghwa yelled up to him as Wooyoung nodded and searched for a ship.

After a few minutes, Wooyoung yelled pointing in the direction of a ship in the distance, Hongjoong sailed the ship over the the merchant boat.

"Fire what Cannons you will, and land a few Strikes if you must. BUT FOR GOD'S SAKE DON'T SINK HER." Hongjoong yelled the last part, I stood watching the crew run in different directions.

"It's no fun fishing Cargo out of the sea. Although it can be done." Hongjoong whispered under his breath but loud enough that San and I could hear.

The merchant ship blew up, I jumped at the sound, San rubbed my back telling me that the crew would all be fine.

The ship got closer to the now stopped merchant ship, San dragged me away so I wouldn't see, but I still heard the whole thing.

"Good day to you sir! I am Captain Kim and this is my Crew. We're sailors like yourselves, but quite unalike in our Purpose. For we intend to take all that you own. Yet no Harm shall befall any Man, so long as they remains at Ease. Is that clear?" I heard Hongjoong say to the other crew.

"Don't kill me, Sir! I have a Family. Please!" A man's voice was heard I looked over at San and he smiled sheepishly at me.

"Tell your friends we're stealing your goods. And we won't hurt nobody if everyone stays as still as a sandbar. You got that?" Hongjoong said, I sighing knowing that they won't hurt anyone.

"Lock 'em in the hold, and take everything that isn't nailed down." Seonghwa said, the sound of footsteps rushing around was heard as the boys came back with stuff in their hands.

✥----------------------------------✥

As night fell the blue haze of day lifted to reveal the stars. The stars shone as sugar spilt over black marble, glistening in the sun. The night sky was such a welcome sight, appearing like magic at each sunset, promising to return as it faded in dawn's first light. 

I sat on the fore mast in the calm, this has become one of my favourite things to do, to just watch the calming sea.

"What are you doing up here on you're own?" Wooyoung asked sitting next to me, I have become use to one of the crew sitting with me in silence, maybe to get to know me or to enjoy the silence.

"It's peacefully beautiful" I said looking up at the night sky, the stars hung above us, as if strung in the air by invisible strings. Wooyoung hummed, I felt his eyes on me as I looked over smiling shyly at him.

"So Wooyoung tell me about yourself" I said watching him, Wooyoung's eyes widened then he giggled at me a light blush appearing on his cheeks.

"There's nothing really to say about me. I grew up as an orphan, when I was old enough I ran away and got on a ship" he said shrugging as he looked out to the horizon.

"How did you get in this ship?" I asked still watching him, he was more interesting then the night sky.

"The ship I was on sunk it's how I got this scare, Then the Aurora sailed passed saw me and dragged me on board, been here ever since" he said, his hand rubbing his stomach, I nodded, my focus going back to the sky.

"Come on it's getting late" Wooyoung said as he stood up holding out his hand, I looked at his hand then to his face, he smiled brightly at me as I grabbed his hand as he helped me get up, walking down to the cabins.

Opening the doors Yeosang, Yunho, San, Mingi and Jongho sat in their hammocks, looking up they smiled at us as Wooyoung and I went to our own hammocks.

"One more day at sea then will be in Tortuga, are you excited about it, Yn?" Yeosang asked as he looked over at me.

"How is Tortuga different from the rest of the islands?" I asked laying back watching the guys laugh.

"Tortuga is the city of piracy home to all pirates, a safe haven one might say" San told me, I nodded in understanding.

"Who are we supposed to meet?" I asked, the guys looked at one another with a confused look on their faces, finally looking back at me.

"We don't know" Yunho said as the rest layed down and started drifting off to sleep, I layed there thinking about the person we are supposed to meet.

✥--------------†-------------------✥

I was in the kitchen helping Yunho when he asked me to go and grab some apples for lunch, I nodded making my way to the cargo hold at the bottom of the ship.

As I made my way down the stairs I heard singing, peeking around I saw Jongho stand his back towards me as he sang, there was somthing in his hands that I couldn't see.

I watch him for a while liking how soothing his voice is, he is a very good singer that's for sure. The younger boy turned around and froze seeing me standing there.

"Please don't tell my hyungs that I was breaking apples again" he asked me a sheepish smile on his face as he scratched his head, I smiled walking closer to him.

"I won't tell a soul" I said the boy smiled at me happy to hear that, I grabbed a basket that was to the side and placed some apples in there.

"Our we having apple's for lunch again?" He asked, I nodded my head as he smiled brightly at me.

"Here let me help" he said grabbing the basket from me as we walked to the kitchen, on the way I got to curious and asked about his life.

"Hmm, not much to say. My mother looked after me taught me how to pick pocket, showed me how to live on the streets. She passed away shortly afterwards, one day I pick pocket Hongjoong hyung. Instead of cutting my hands off he asked if I wanted to come aboard his ship as a crew member" he said I nodded as we got to the kitchen.

Opening the door for him Jongho walked in first seeing Yunho busying himself with cooking as Jongho placed the basket down on the table.

"I could teach you, you know. How to pick pocket, if you want" he said smiling, I thought about it for a few moments, it could be useful.

"Sure why not, sounds fun!" I said laughing we both laughed together as Yunho shook his head at us, Hongjoong then came in to the room a smirk on his face.

"What happened to 'I don't steal'?" He asked me, I blushed looking down as Hongjoong laughed patting me on my shoulder.

"We've corrupted you already have we?" Seonghwa asked chuckling to himself as he walked in with Yeosang, who smiled at me.

"Well she is a part of the crew now, she needs to learn somethings about being a pirate" Yeosang said shrugging, the others nodded agreeing.

✥----------------†-----------------✥

I was standing on deck with Jongho as he taught me how to pick pocket, I had successfully pick pocket a ring from Wooyoung who still hasn't noticed.

"Yn, here" Hongjoong said walking up to us as he passed me a sword, I grabbed it looking at it then at Hongjoong wondering why he gave it to me.

"You need to learn how to protect yourself if we get in to a fight" he said Jongho who stood next to me walked off to the side as he watched us.

"Uh can't I carry on hiding with San?" I asked noticing San behind Hongjoong who smiled when I asked that, Mingi shortly join us as well.

"You will but you need to learn, Mingi will teach you, San will watch to make sure you don't die in the process" Hongjoong said as he nodded to Mingi then San as he walked off.

"Die?" I asked looking over at Mingi then to San, I was terrified, they both started to laugh as Yeosang walked up to me.

"Don't worry Mingi won't hurt you" Yeosang said as he rubbed my shoulder, I nodded taking breath as Mingi showed me how to hold a sword probably.

After a few hours I was able to get the basic down, the boy's all cheered me on, wanting to see Mingi fail, after a few more rounds I was finally able to pin Mingi with the sword.

"See I knew you could do it" Yeosang said as the guy's clapped Mingi pouted once he lost but then laughed as he patted me on the back telling me well done.

"Land head!" Wooyoung yelled as we all turned around seeing the huge island that was getting bigger the closer we got, tuns of ship docked, as the island was crowded.

"Yn, Welcome to Tortuga" San said walking up behind me, Mingi next to me as he smiled with excitement, Jongho watched rubbing his hands together, probably thinking about stealing. The whole island looked colourful as I watched in amazement.

[inosaku-ask]

Yo Ho! On the Beach I Spot a Siren

This was the life for her! The salty water spraying all over her, the churning of her great vessel against the thick and hard waves, the shouting her men giving out orders, and all of it complete with a swing of a hearty ale. Ino Yamanaka loved this life and she wished it would never end.

…well, that would change if she didn’t get away from the navy pursuing her for the successful robbery of the nearby port. She felt pretty calm about the whole thing, given that she decided to grab a pint of ale before giving her men the orders to make head towards their secret island once they escape or disable their pursuers. No need to kill, the entire crew already had gained a terribly high bounty as it is.

Captain Ino tossed her mug overboard, not really caring about pollution. It was the 17th century after all, nobody cared if you threw diseased hacked-off limbs or a entire corpse overboard. She rather drunkenly wandered over to a cannon and watched as her crew loaded it up. Ino reached into her coat’s pocket and pulled out a book of matches. She struck one alit and then threw it down onto the cannon’s wick. Her man ran off before the cannon jumped back from the recoil of the shot. The cannon flew into the portside of a navy ship, causing a minor explosion. Not enough to sink it right away, but enough for it to run off back home.

The men laughed the entire way to their private island, reflecting on their successful raid of the port and their easy victory over an navy vessel. Their beloved Captain downed some more whiskey before they landed, and took a entire bottom of the best stuff with her as she strolled alone on the beach. She swung the bottle back and forth as tried to sing a familiar shanty the best she could in her drunken stupor. Her voice was wobbly as was her movements and her alcohol-laded mind constantly made her forget the next verse in the song.

Something caught her eye. She paid no mind to it, Ino just thought it was one of those pink India Elephants she saw she really got hung over. But she couldn’t help but to stare at it. Well, a part of it was pink, but not entirely. Just the hair. The rest of the body appeared to be human…but the bottom…

…ye gods, a actual beautiful siren of the sea. On the beach, sun-bathing. Ino licked her lips, wondering if perhaps she was seeing a mirage. But no, mirages don’t reflect on the water’s surface. The thing looked real…so maybe it was real. The over-worldly voice did sound real to her…

Ino reached into her coat and felt some rope she placed in there some time ago. Matches and rope, the very things any great pirate should have on her at all times. One of the few things her mentor told her before she ran the traitor through with a enflamed sword. Ino dived over into a nearby bush and spied on the pink-haired mermaid for a bit to watch her movements. No way she wasn’t going to let this beauty escape.

With the mermaid’s back turned towards the land to gaze out to the sea, Ino left her hiding spot and approached slowly, making sure to not spook the creature. Right behind her back, Ino sprung upon the siren. The mermaid gasped and tried to swim away to the sea, but Ino dragged her in to dry land. Ino applied her weight down upon the beached siren and bought her arms together to bind them in thick rope. As much as the lady of the sea tried to struggle, the mighty pirate captain was able to bound her arms and keep away from the water’s edge.

“Oh my…” Ino exasperated as she watched her new siren pet growl at her. “Shall I call this my lucky day?”

“Perhaps it’s better if you call this your last day.” The siren grunted.

“I dunno why you didn’t recognize this place as a pirate’s fortress, mistress of Davy Jones.” Ino hiccupped. “We don’t fly flags up high to call attention to us, but I’m pretty sure someone like you would check to make sure you didn’t land on any civilized place…”

The mermaid’s response was to raise her tail up and smack Ino in the face. Being a strong swimmer to go against the intense weather of the region, the kick was enough to send Ino flying into a tree a few feet away. But unfortunately for the siren, Ino’s drunken state didn’t make her feel much pain, so the pirate captain was able to get up and quickly capture her prey again before the mermaid could return to the office.

“Now then!” Ino clapped her hands together after propping the mermaid against a far away tree and placing herself away from the range of the tail. “I believe we should get to know each other a bit better. My name is the…”

“Boar of the Sea?” The mermaid asked with a nasty smirk.

“No!” Ino shrilled with a rage-full expression. She calmed down and started again: “I’m the Feared Captain Ino Yamanaka. Feared because I can raid at any time and take whatever I want without remorse or without much trouble. And you are?” The siren went quiet but kept her gritting expression solid on her face. “Come on. This will be easier if you explained who you are.”

“…Sakura.” The mermaid admitted with a growl.

“Good!” Ino sat down and went quiet for a good long minute. Sakura stared at her captor in confusion. Ino finally spoke up: “…I’m not to sure how to go on from here.”

“Maybe?” Sakura grunted. “Let me go, you kidnapper?”

“Pirate.” Ino reminded.

“Pirates.” Sakura sighed and got comfortable on the tree. “You pirates pollute the ocean with your waste and gunpowder…”

“So does the navy.”

“Yeah, because they’re hunting your kind first!”

“I think we got off on the wrong foot.” Ino finally admitted.

“Oh.” Sakura groaned, lifting up her tail to firmly remind Ino. Ino’s response was to start laughing like crazy at the stupid pun she inadvertently made. Being drunk, her laughter wouldn’t stop and just got wilder and wilder the more she rolled around in the sand. Sakura wanted to remain tight-lipped, but the endless guffaw caused her to start giggling. So, the two girls started to bawl their eyes out from pure and stupid joviality.

“Yeah, I shouldn’t hold ya captive.” Ino burped out. “Even as a greedy pirate, I know if you love something, you should let it go.”

“Love?” Sakura questioned.

“Yeah.” Ino shrugged as she dug out her dagger…the one she stole off her dead mentor’s burning body. “I mean, have you seen the standards of male pirates? Stinky, hairy, and to act as unappealing as possible. Good men, my men, but there’s a good reason why I don’t share a bed with them.”

“And you want to pursue a relationship with a creature known to drag men to their deaths?” Sakura pointed out, holding up her bound hands.

“Why not?” Ino giggled. “It’s something different! Besides, it’s not like the navy is going to send men out to hunt you down and hold you hostage. You could follow us around and we could…” Ino’s path of thought got cancelled by her brain asking to be shut down. Ino managed to undo the rope bonds before she collapsed onto the soft sand.

“Cap’n!” Called out a gruff voice followed by a very firm shake. Ino awoke with a great splitting headache and blurred vision. “Oh, she’s awake. Back to ye posts!”

“Oh.” Ino moaned. “I drank too much of that ale. Remind me to not get that bottle again…’tis too powerful to have around.”

The crewmate nodded in understanding and lifted his captain back onto her feet. Ino’s head reeled back in such a way she nearly barfed but managed to keep it in. As she was lead back to the ship, she couldn’t but think about Sakura…if she even existed in the first place. Ino was so drunk, she had lost track of time. So it’s possible she just imagined the whole thing…

…but then she noticed something sticking out of her coat pocket. She yanked out some bits of cut rope and a note written on soggy paper. And written on the paper: “I’ll be following you.”

Plastered on the note was a lock of pink hair.