Triton's Mistress and the Isle of Eternal Blis....Hostility

[givemelee]

Who: The Triton's Mistress Crew
Where: The Isle of Eternal Bliss
When: 7/6-7/12
What: With the race underway it's time to face their first challenge.
Warnings: PG-13
Style: Your choice

By some strange twist, the Triton's Mistress's first token lay on the shores of the Isle of Eternal Bliss. Given recent events, it was either ill-timed or fitting for this to have been their lot. On the one hand going to this island might provide them with a chance to help the indigenous people, on the other hand.. the navy had arranged for a blockade here and the locals would not be keen on receiving strangers just now. Then of course some members of the crew were more focused on the race and might insist on securing the token before any other recourse could be taken.

The island would be looking less idyllic than it was rumored to be, the scorched gardens and a few toasted businesses were the scars remaining on the landscape. Aside from that there were still the rolling hills, dozens of untouched churches and temples, and of course the villages that were more or less off limits to tourists.

In order to slip close enough to the island to begin the search for the token, the crew had taken great pains to keep from alerting the navy to their presence. In the dead of night, there were plenty of anxious moments as the Mistress avoided the main ports and settled near the less traveled section of the island. The navy's main forces of the blockade were quite literally only the width of the island away...

EDIT:

Circle Islands

The next island loomed before the intrepid crew. Although this island seemed remarkably more inviting in terms of the lack of naval ships the terrain could pose a problem. The earth shot up high into the air and formed a spearhead on top. This formation was duplicated in other spires of steeply graded formations. Rope bridges were strewn about  some more treacherous to traverse than others. A curious feature to the island came in the form of it's lopsided goats. Adapted for their environment these beasts had shorter legs on one side than the other. It was a wonder that they were able to climb both up and down the slopes without losing their footing all the same.

When the Triton's Mistress neared, they were told by a man that was eager to leave the island just where they should seek the next token. It was said to rest on the tallest point.

One token richer and two crew members down, it was time to see what would await them on this island.

Comments

Slipping into Town

[orderispeace]

The small long boat cut through the water silently gliding to shore. Haytham stepped from the wooden lip on the boat and with his feet sinking slightly into the wet sand climbed the steep back to the firmer ground just above the waterline. His words were whispered when he spoke them.

"The town should be on high alert. They may even see fit to alert the Navy if they discover we are among them. Keep low and watch for those in uniform."

His approach to town was done with that warning in mind, ducking from bush to corner of building to avoid being spotted by anyone walking through the streets. A fortunate thing too as no sooner had he taken to another bush than had a troop of Naval Officers rounded a turn in the street and continued their march down the road entirely unaware hos close to a potential enemy they were.

[bloodheels]

Lenalee was not at all use to getting to places in a stealthy manner, especially considering her usual kind of enemy were not exactly stealthy themselves for the most part, but when time came for it, Lenalee made sure her innocence wasn't activated just in case her thoughts caused it to do something that might reveal their location.

Crouching down in a bush, she peeked out at the officers. That was quite a number and she could understand why some would choose to move past them secretly instead of simply attacking first like she knew some crews would probably think to do. She watched as they soon passed and all she had to do was simply move, but first she would wait to see what she was suppose to do next.

[oneofthelost]

For her part, Alex stopped at the sound of approaching movement and shifted back against the wall she'd been near. She edged away from the street, away from any lanterns or such that might have disrupted the shadows she blended into. She crouched low and stayed very still, barely breathing.

This was her world, slinking along at night. During the day, she was a teenager who still had plenty to learn about stealth (and even now she wasn't able to get in and out of buildings and the like without being noticed), but in an area such as this, her movements were animalistic. A mountain lion, perhaps, stalking its prey.

She looked around, checking where the others were, and she checked herself, too. These men would live. Would be allowed to pass by. Unless they saw something and tried to raise an alarm.

[orderispeace]

Haytham moved before the Officers were even fully out of view, but they didn't look back behind them. There was no reason to. The group of pirates moved so quietly that those of the Navy never even knew they were there despite how close to their chosen hiding places the troop had marched.

The large hill appeared in front of them before too much more traveling with it's massive temple glittering like a jewel on the very top, much like a topper might adorn the highest tier of a cake. This area was guarded too but not by the navy. Groups of citizens took their turns walking the perimeter and chasing off any intruders who might dare to approach by angrily throwing rice at them. Of course these were people they knew and not strangers, would they run to the Navy if a bunch of non-islanders walked up?

He paused at the last building right near the base of the hill for the others to catch up to him, hiding from the citizen's watch behind it's thick walls.

"It is said the token is in the cave under that Temple."

Then smiled as he looked back at the group.

"Seems we could use a distraction to get inside."

[bloodheels]

Lenalee had soon managed to keep up and close, watching the residence for the moment. In her mind she was thinking of possible ways to distract people and she had an idea or two herself, but she wondered what could be beyond it.

"I could always put up a distraction, but after this what do you suppose could be beyond here? I mean except the token? Do you think there could be something else."

[orderispeace]

The glowing forms of the people guarding the hill in front of them lit up detailing their movements and just how many there were as the Templar's sixth sense was activated. Unfortunately 'eagle vision' could not see through the walls of the church nor was there anyway to tell if there might have been some one in the caves below.

"There are six different groups of citizens outside, I hate to suggest setting a fire in a hay cart given what they have already been through, but something simple like that should be enough to draw them away from the building."

While it would not be impossible to dodge from bush to bush getting the patrols out of the way entirely would make it far easier for his group to enter the building.

He looked back at Lenalee as his vision returned to normal, "We'll have to discover what may lay beyond once we make it inside."

[questionablewit]

Stealth was no problem for Hawke, and even her dog, large as he was, was able to move quietly. "There must be something else, yes. It can't be as simple as walking into a cave and finding a pedestal with the token on it, and a sign saying 'Congrats, claim your prize!' Never is."

The frustrating thing was that if it hadn't been for Kodachi's charming pyromaniac temper tantrum, they might have been able to accomplish this with little trouble. True, a group of citizens throwing rice wasn't exactly high up on the list of things Hawke feared, and even if they did call for the Navy a bit of straightforward fighting would almost be welcome to her after days and days of confused adjusting to this new place. But the locals here had been through enough already.

She grimaced. "I hate to use fire, but it does tend to get the job done. Everyone goes to gawk at a fire. I'd love to hear a better idea if someone has one, though. The only alternative I can think of is putting my dog in a dress and sending him out there to be chased in circles."

Teo let out a low whuff that could have been annoyance or amusement.

[elissacousland]

Elissa ghosted her way forward until she reached Haytham and, grinning to herself, reached out to him as she made herself known. "No fire," she chided with a sidelong smirk. "I can handle the distraction."

She cast him and the others a wink, attempted to goose the poor Templar, and then slipped back into stealth to make her way into the midst of all of those gathered. The Grey Warden rogue walked right up to one of the citizens and tapped him on the back of his shoulder as she reappeared. "Excuse me," she asked with a confused expression, "But can one still get married here?"

[givemelee]

There was another of their number that was safely steeled away from the others vision. Considering the number of their search party and the fact that he was not sure how many were used to stealth missions, Ratonhnhaké:ton was planning on utilizing the element of surprise should anything go awry along the way. In the navy caught wind of this operation it would be only too easy to get himself into a position to put them down. The spirit of the wolf had always served him well, and this invisibility had often allowed him to get much closer to his targets without being detected than he'd been able to without it.

Even this early on in their quest he found himself being impressed by both Alex's instincts and Elissa's skills. Apparently Elissa could sneak about much as he could.... though perhaps she could try keeping her mind more on the token and less on Haytham Kenway. Lenalee seemed the most unsure of herself, but she was still not drawing attention to the party. So far, so good...

.. But was this distraction going to pan out for them?

[orderispeace]

Elissa caught Haytham as off guard with her 'distraction' as she intended to do to the group of men on the hill, though she received a sidewise glance from him and a face full of rice from the others.

"Now cut that out, Hank! You're supposed to do that after the weddings not before!" The one large man, clearly in charge because he spoke first and gave Hank an exasperated look. "I swear I don't know what's wrong with you. Pardon us Ma'am."

His hat was taken off as he bowed to the polite lady.

"Normally I am the pastor of the church here and not the one in charge of the neighborhood watch but... things being as they are."

It was Hank who spoke up, though more softly than the first man had, "She's a pirate..."

"Course she's a pirate! But if she wants a wedding..." The Pastor frowned at Hank before once more looking back at Elissa apologetically, "Sadly we are not in the best of shape for any weddings. Everyone is on-guard and nervous after what happened, most of our wedding gear burnt up, and the Navy is everywhere... as helpful as they ever are. Wouldn't be the best time for a wedding I'm afraid."

Hank sneered, more at the bowl of rice he was holding than at the lady standing behind him. He did miss having some one to throw rice at. "Besides you'd need some one what to be married to."

[elissacousland]

"I did not come here alone," Elissa pointed out with a charming laugh and a warm smile that invited the group to instantly adore her. "The problem is that he was reluctant to come forward once he saw all of you. In fact..."

Her expression fell into a heart-wrenching display of disappointment as she turned her big, shimmering grey eyes to those around her. "He ran. That way." A gloved hand was lifted to point in the opposite direction of where her crew was currently hidden. "Will you help me find him? He's tall and handsome despite the scar and eye patch on his face," Elissa helplessly pleaded, describing the Corpse King as best she was able from what she'd read of him. "Please. He... He promised to marry me once he got me with child."

Elissa didn't even need to press her skills of persuasion into use. Once she said those words, a veritable mob of citizens rallied around her and, soon, she was leading them all on a merry chase to find Malcom 'The Corpse King' Hawtrey for his wedding day.

Distraction handled.

[questionablewit]

Hawke was having a very, very hard time not laughing. That was beautiful. Not just a distraction, but something that would delay to their opponent in the race as well. Elissa was a genius.

"Come on," she said quietly, already starting to move. A broad grin stretched over her face. "Let's not waste the opportunity, hmm?"

Hawke wasn't quite as good at sneaking as Elissa was, especially not up a hill with few bits of cover on offer. But it wasn't exactly difficult to reach the temple unobserved now that the Warden had led all the guards away.

[bloodheels]

Lenalee honestly wasn't expecting anything like this. But she supposed it could be a little better than what she had in mind and just moving quickly to catch their attention. No, this might have been the better plan... At least she really hoped so anyway.

"Right, I'll go on ahead." She said preparing to moving, double checking that the coast was clear before making her way ahead, moving swiftly as one could. When she checked it out she signalled for the others to follow her.

"Come on, it's clear here."

On the Triton's Mistress!

[just_a_minute]

"Where do they get off telling me to stay behind!" And by "them" he meant Haytham. Furthermore, why had Ban even allowed them to go off without him? He was the best retrieval specialist in Japa- no the world! Hell, he was the only retrieval specialist present in this island chain. This is the kind of thing he does for a living.. Why would you ever want to leave him behind?!

Yeah- Ban was being mature- throwing a small tantrum on deck.

Sure- there had been that that one time.. where Ban had totally blown their cover in the Corsair Kingdom but that was months ago. They weren't even crewmembers on the Triton's Mistress yet. How long was this going to be held over his head?

"I have half a mind to go out there and start my own expedition. I bet I could get my hands on that stupid thing long before they could...."

Re: On the Triton's Mistress!

[arcadiasailor]

Harlock's currently fiddling with the Helm. The ship's handling had been off since making past the start of the race. Likely Harlock had been way too hard on the wheel after Elissa had tried to destroy the Nav embedded in the center.

"Some of as have to watch the ship."

While Ban had to be verbally told to say behind. Harlock knew he stood out so all it took was a shake of the head by Haytham for him to get the message.

[just_a_minute]

“Watch it do what?!” Yeah, Ban understood Harlock's words but his ire was up, so he had to be difficult. As usual. “The Navy ships are all docked... no one is looking for us here. The only time they will be is if something goes wrong on the island...” Not entirely true. It was always possible that someone could be on watch just looking for any ship and that the Triton's Mistress could be spotted but Ban wasn't trying all that hard to support his position. He just detested being left out of something like this.

“What's taking 'em anyway.....”

Circle Islands!

[givemelee]