all aboard!

[shipper_on_deck]

Who: The crew of the Oargy aaaand new peeps!
What: Crew joining thing
When: ...sometime after they can round up both Surana and Leliana
Where: Docks at Isla Empieza
Format: Brackets because it's faster and I'm really really lazy
Rating: I for Isabela


[so. Back in good ole' Isla Empieza. Engaging in free (tax-free) trade, hanging out in bars and brothels, and pickpocketing the hell out of everybody here.

But really, it's all fun and games until they're finally fully resupplied and the open ocean is beckoning again. Also it's great that Anders has stopped scrutinizing every purchase and her shopping lists. Ten barrels of rum is not overkill, you landlubber. And how many bandages could you possibly need anyway? Don't you just wave your hands and do that magic thing?

And wow, what a coincidence. They're picking up both the other-Warden and Leliana. All in one trip! How fortuitous and not at all telling of somebody's inability to remember to post a log.

Anyway, she's hanging out on the deck, actually doing work related to keeping the ship running when the Mabari starts barking.

Oh, and Champion the Mabari is first mate, by the way.]

Comments

[blue_satin_shoes]

[Sometime after the ship sets sail, and Leliana discovers that Champion is the second in command for the ship, one may find her speaking to the mabari.]

You have an important role, you know. First mate has many responsibilities. Yes, nearly as much as the captain! And you should definitely feel special. Not many canines can find themselves with such a role. But you are smarter than them, aren't you? I've met only one who could match you. Have you become friends with Cuddles yet? No doubt you would have many exciting tales to tell each other.

[hawkethat]

[Champion is sitting at attention, muzzle lifted toward Leliana's face, ears pricked forward as she speaks. His mouth opens in a wide, slightly drooly smile when she tells him that he should definitely feel special, tongue lolling in doggie delight. Yes, good, he approves of this human and of what she has to say to him.

When she mentions becoming friends with Cuddles, he barks once, and his tail nubbin starts wagging, thumping against the deck. He's pretty sure he likes Cuddles a lot, thank you! It's nice to have someone sensible around, since his master, captain, and Anders are pretty much all the opposite of sensible.]

[blue_satin_shoes]

Ah, so you have. This is good, though we may need to get more provisions on our next resupply trip. You are a handsome mabari and I have no doubt that you have your own way of getting scraps. Paired with Cuddles, I can only imagine the amount the two of you will receive. Why, Cuddles even managed to get some from the grumpiest mage.

[Her voice lowered into a whisper and she leaned closer to the mabari, as if sharing some big secret.]

She was also very... unsocial, and wild like the woods she grew up in. We both know how the feral feel about their prey, yes?

[But she really shouldn't show her jealousy about the nearly there relationship between Morrigan and their Warden... after all, he left her. And she wasn't even here, in this new place that they found themselves in.]

It's very telling of his abilities if he's able to get food from someone like her, yes?

[hawkethat]

[Champion cocks his head to one side, ears quirked curiously. At first he thinks the grumpy mage must be Anders, because there's no way there's any mage anywhere who's grumpier than Anders, but then it sounds like Leliana isn't talking about Anders after all. How could this be? How could there be two such incredibly grumpy mages? Is there enough room in the world for that much bad humor?

But then Leliana reveals that the grumpy mage she knows isn't grumpy enough to withhold food from Cuddles, which means that mage is not as grumpy as Anders. Either that, or Cuddles is even better at begging for scraps than Champion. Either way, Champion is suddenly aware that there is something new he needs to learn, and that Cuddles will be the one to teach him.

Perhaps together, the two dogs can conquer the Master Boss of the Grumpy Mages, and successfully beg treats from him!

Here is a dog with stars in his eyes, Leliana. You've given him hope.]

[onetrackminds]

[Anders is not paying attention to Champion, or the newcomers. He is instead sitting in a corner of the deck, his attention entirely focused on something in his lap. His expression is, for once, one of almost pure joy.

If anyone walks closer, they'll find that curled up in his lap is a tiny, sleeping kitten, which he seems to have snuck aboard. It was a gift from Hawke.

He'll also hush anyone being too loud. Don't wake her!!]

[shipper_on_deck]

[have your favorite pirate sneaking up on Anders and peering over his shoulder]

You know, I'm going to start charging a fee for pets.

[onetrackminds]

Shh! She's sleeping.

[Look at how happy he is, holding his kitty. Are you really going to ruin this, Isabela?]

[shipper_on_deck]

It's a cat. They can sleep through anything.

[onetrackminds]

Isn't she adorable?

[shipper_on_deck]

I've seen worse cats, I suppose. [ships are adorable. Merrill is adorable. Animals? Meh.]

[onetrackminds]

And she'll be useful. She'll catch mice! Won't you? Yes you will, won't you?

[Whoops, babytalk, and never mind that this is still a kitten that won't be catching much of anything.]

[hawkethat]

[Best idea he's ever had or best idea he's ever had?]

How's she doing?

[Hawke is peeking over Anders' shoulder to look at the little cat]

[onetrackminds]

She's sleeping.

[Definitely the best idea! Anders is so happy right now.]

She's a little underfed. I'm glad you saved her.

[hawkethat]

I'm glad I did too. I don't think I've ever seen you smile like that before. It's a good look for you.

[onetrackminds]

[His smile widens a bit more at that. He's still not quite used to Hawke actually caring.]

I've never had a kitten before.

[hawkethat]

Never? Well it's a good thing we've just changed that, isn't it?

[scoooooore, he's the first person ever to give Anders a kitten, that's got to count for something, right?]

[bloodandbattle]

[Sydni was not particularly silent in his approach, but he did try to be quiet so he didn't disturb Anders when he looked so intent. He wanted to see what was getting all the attention of the purported mage. The cat was a surprise.

A small smile curved his lips as he sat down next to Anders. When he spoke, he kept his voice low.]

Well, it's certainly quieter than a Mabari. I'll give it that.

[onetrackminds]

[Anders glances over at the newcomer, although it's a little bit difficult to distract him from his new cat.

He loves his new cat. So much.]

She's much better than a mabari. Aren't you? Yes, you are.

[That was to the cat, whoops.]

And you don't even slobber at all.

[bloodandbattle]

[Sydni snorted in amusement at that.]

I will have to disagree on principle. I adore Cuddles as much as you do this little bit of fluff and fur. Did she come with you from Thedas?

[onetrackminds]

[Sigh. Fereldans and their dogs. He'll never understand it. He shakes his head at the question, though.]

Hawke gave her to me. He found her on Isla Empieza.

[then:] He'll be horrified that you named your mabari Cuddles.

[bloodandbattle]

So are my enemies when they see what beast heeds that call.

[Sydni chuckled with good humor.]

I'm sure she'll be a lovely friend as she grows up. But I did not come over to speak with you about her. I'd like to discuss some other... issues. They can wait until you are not otherwise busy, of course.

[None of it was pressing, after all. No need to disturb the cat.]

[blue_satin_shoes]

[She wasn't even being loud. She had the grace of a rogue, thank you. She looked over to the shushing mage to ask him what he wanted everything silent for when she saw the tiny ball of fluff in his lap. A pointed ear told exactly what kind of small animal it was. Leliana was instantly there, knees pulled up to her chest as she took a closer look at it. Her voice was quiet, but cooing all the same.]

Oh, how precious! What's its name?

[Without even asking permission, she reached forward and used a single finger to gently pet its little head.]

[bloodandbattle]

[Sydni, after the formalities of arrival, a quick introduction, and ensuring Leliana was accounted for, spent the first day thoroughly inspecting the ship he was signing onto. It's name and flag were less than ideal, but Zevran had once endorsed Isabela as the best captain he knew and Zevran's endorsement went a long way. Even if she did seem to have terrible taste in bed partners. Leliana? Really?

He didn't know a lot about sailing, but he was interested in learning and had even shrugged off most of his robes - he wore only his sleeveless black under-robe, gloves, leggings, and boots. The under-robe still had a front and back panel that fell to his ankles, but it a lot less cloth overall to chance getting tangled in any ropes. Which was of some concern with how interested in the various bits of rigging there was.

After the first day, he tried to stay within earshot of Isabela and be available for needed work. He was otherwise just trying to get used to his new situation and the idea that he wasn't exactly in charge of a massive armed force anymore.]

[shipper_on_deck]

[Just wait till she wins your trousers off of you, mister. They'll go right up the mast to join Hawke's.

Otherwise, she's actually capable of looking like a serious captain who knows what she's doing - when she needs to. And you guys are hardly anything like the idiot sailors she usually has on her crew, so her need to wrest respect and obedience from the newer idiots is on the backburner, for the most part. Hence the laxer atmosphere.

At the moment, the calm waters and easy sailing afford her the opportunity to take the time to see if she can't take you landlubbers and make sailors out of you.

She squints up at one of the sails, turns to her new shadow, and crooks a finger at Sydni.] We have to trim that sail. See how it's too loose?

[bloodandbattle]

[He craned his neck to take a look at what she was talking about. He was still in learning what 'too loose' was, but the calmer weather helped with distinguishing that. He nodded slowly.]

Yes. I believe so. I do that by... winding in... this rope?

[He moved across the boat as he spoke, laying a hand on one he thought controlled how much a particular sail was let out.]