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Attila
May 1, 2021 21:16:51 GMT
Post by Elvander on May 1, 2021 21:16:51 GMT
It had been months since the crew had seen the shoreline of Alynthia. The crew was haggard after such a long, arduous journey, and the perils they had faced chasing treasures of all sorts and varying in value. Attila herself was exhausted, though the captain would never let it show to her crewmates. The little lioness prided herself on maintain an aura of untouchability- she was unruffled and bright eyed as ever, even if that wasn't the truth. The little outing to the ghostly island had swallowed many of the pirates who worked under her, and it was time to find port to sell their goods and to recruit new members. The soft creaking of the Marauder around Attila was a comforting sound, gently waking her from sleep. Above her quarters she could hear the scuffling of boots on wood planks as the crew worked. The young captain rolled over in her bed and placed a kiss on the shoulder of the woman she was sleeping beside, then rose from the bed to dress. The woman had been picked up on one of the many islands they'd visited, and she had made an excellent distraction for the captain while the ship sailed from destination to destination. But Alynthia was calling, and Attila was ready to indulge in everything the bustling cities of Raevaryn and Nethilor had to offer.
Attila dressed in her usual outfit- soft black pants that were loose in the thighs and tight at the ankles, tucked into well worn leather boots. She fastened her belt around her round hips, and tucked in a maroon long sleeved blouse. The material was light and airy. As her companion slept, Attila padded to the small, cracked mirror she had hung on the wall. Every day, she decorated herself in wonderful colours and jewelry to signify her status and reputation. Most knew her for the signature gold flecks of paint she wore around her striking blue-grey eyes, and so she applied the paint along with some black kohl to her lashline and waterline. A quick combing of her fingers through her thick, unruly curls was good enough. She pulled most of it back from her eyes with a black bandana anyway. To complete the look, she added her rings and stacked several thick necklaces on her slender neck. Satisfied, Attila spared one last glance for the beauty in her bed, and then fastened her cutlass to her belt before she made her way above deck.
As the salty sea air hit her face Attila breathed in deep, allowing it to jolt the remnants of a hangover from her body. She nodded to her crew and greeted them as she made her way to the helm of the ship to take over at the wheel. It was time to bring her baby in. The Jade Coast port opened up in front of them, welcoming the ship with black sails. It wasn't often kingdoms were so welcoming to her kind, but she had managed to bring wealth to these kingdoms and for that they were grateful. Her flags, adorned with the crossed blades of two cutlasses, were lowered to signify a peaceful approach. She knew that once they hit the docks, the crew would scatter. She wasn't concerned about that- it was their right. Long days, weeks, and months at sea earned them all the luxuries of the land based establishments like brothels, pubs, and shops. While most returned to the Marauder at night to sleep, many she would not see again until their scheduled departure in about a month's time. During their stay, they would restock on supplies. Attila envied them the freedom- not that she didn't have it, but her time in the kingdoms was taken up by bartering, selling, and forming new alliances.
She hadn't been around since Sahara had died, thus having no idea that her main buyer was no longer in action. Attila's plans were to find the intoxicating woman and hopefully get a good price for the substances she had brought back. But first, she longed for a warm, fresh meal. Finally, Attila guided her ship into the port and felt the lurch of it as it hit the docks and heard the shouts of the sailors as they leapt over the sides to tether the pirate ship. They were here. Attila stood back and watched them all scurry off like rats and smiled, allowing them to go first. The bond they had to her was so strong, and their loyalty ran so deep she wasn't worried for a second that none would return. They knew they bore her name wherever they went, and they would not tarnish her reputation. Finally, Attila stepped away from the helm and descended upon the docks herself. Her legs felt the jarring difference of solid land beneath her feet and she flexed her toes, reveling in the sensation. For Attila, everything was pleasure, and everything was meant to be enjoyed.
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Attila
May 2, 2021 23:26:34 GMT
Post by starrea on May 2, 2021 23:26:34 GMT
Docking on land was not the respite of freedom for Merrick as it was for the rest of the crew. While everyone else scrambled to disembark the ship, Merrick hesitated, unsure of exactly how far his freedoms extended beyond the bow of the ship. Thick, heavy metal cuffs adorned his wrists, an unfortunate testimony that he had about all the same rights as a dog. The cuffs weren't attached to anything, not even each other, but their presence made sure that he and everyone else remembered his lowly status of indentured servitude. They had been bestowed upon him for several months now, so long that Merrick usually forgot they were even there, and he wondered how naked his wrists would feel when they finally did come off.
Apparently, forgiveness was not well practiced in pirate culture - which seemed a little hypocritical, considering their line of work. The whole situation had gotten blown way out of proportion; he hadn't meant to rat anyone out to the authorities but no one seemed to be empathetic towards honest mistakes. It was just that when he was being chased by the authorities, he hadn't thought about anything other than making a hasty escape. How was he supposed to know that the ship he decided to hide on was packed full of illegal drugs and stolen merchandise? It hardly seemed fair to hold him accountable for such a implausible foresight. Sure, he probably incurred a bit of bad karma when he used the opportunity to slip away amidst the chaos, but what more could be expected of him? As soon as the authorities realized that they had just discovered a massive supply of illegal products, just prior to it hit hitting their markets, they had completely forgotten about the nondescript common thief they had originally chased. For a whole two days, Merrick was foolish enough to think that he had gotten lucky.
According to the law of physics, every action has an equal and opposite reaction - so three days later, Merrick was enlightened to just how much damage he had done. Besides the massive loss of inventory and revenue, two or three members of the crew had also been arrested and now their extensive reprieve on land was coming to an abrupt end. Restitution was non-negotiable and apparently, the three schillings in his pocket weren't enough to cover the damages. Thus began his eternal unpaid servitude, which would probably never end because of the inevitable continual procurement of more debt. Everything had to be worked off, including every morsel of food he ate and every drop of water he drank. Nothing was free and at this rate, he was going to die on this ship.
Ironically, Merrick couldn't swim and hated cold water, so living on a ship at sea for months on end was less than ideal. On top of that, the life of indentured servitude really sucked and he didn't transition into his new role gracefully. Back on land, Merrick had thrived living a fast-paced, high-risk lifestyle. His life was wildly chaotic and reckless, constantly running from one adrenaline high to the next, with no regard for anyone but himself. Now, his life was governed by the strict and uncompromising rules of the Marauder and dull, monotonous work. The mindless labor and changeless, static schedule grew intolerable as the days blended into weeks and then into months. Boredom evolved into desperation and with way too much time to think and nothing to think about, he acquired a bad habit of seeking out trouble when he had nothing better to do.
Merrick's eyes followed Attila as she stepped off the ship and he finally rallied the courage to test just how far his boundaries went. Before this, they had briefly stopped one other time but Merrick had spent that week chained to the wall of the ship. Apparently, a lowly thief such a himself couldn't be trusted to uphold the moral obligation to work off his inexcusable debt - which, regardless of how true it was, felt a little specious coming from the moral high grounds of a pirate. He had acquired some trust since then but they hadn't exactly informed him of their expectations for the coming month, so there was some hope that at the very least, he could escape the suffocating atmosphere of Attila's rule for a couple of weeks.
"So, meet back here in a month or so, Captain? That sound good?" Merrick called back over his shoulder, not bothering to wait for a reply as he breezed past the captain. With any luck, he hoped to slip into the masses before she had a chance to stop him.
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Attila
May 3, 2021 20:54:02 GMT
Post by Elvander on May 3, 2021 20:54:02 GMT
Attila had nearly forgotten about Merrick. He had caused an unfortunate handful of losses she'd wished to forget. No matter how careful she was, how loyal her crew, one single stowaway had ruined months of painstaking work that had gone into the collection of the items that had been seized. As the young man dared to pass her she reached out and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, her reflexes fast as a striking snake. "And where do you think you're going?" She demanded to know, sounding bored though slightly amused. No doubt if she let Merrick out of her sight, he would slip off and never return to work off his debt. She turned him to face her and let him go, arching an eyebrow at him and daring him to make an excuse as to why he thought he would be allowed to roam freely. Attila didn't necessarily want a tag along. Perhaps she could pawn him off on someone, or sell him to work in a pub while they were on land.
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Attila
May 4, 2021 17:44:46 GMT
Post by starrea on May 4, 2021 17:44:46 GMT
Apparently, there was a black hole somewhere out in the universe whose sole purpose was to suck up and destroy any remnants of Merrick's good luck as if he hadn't suffered enough for his careless actions. It would have been easy to wrench himself free of her grip but he knew better than to even try. He was painfully aware of the fact that Attila could easily best him in hand-to-hand combat and he wasn't a masochist. Besides, without the captain's permission, his freedom would probably be tragically short-lived. This port was crawling with her crew, all of whom had a personal vendetta to settle with Merrick. Frustration briefly flashed across his face, an unusual break in his cool and confident facade, but by the time he spun around to face Attila, it was replaced with his signature look of mischievousness.
"Out and about, like every other member of the crew," Merrick gestured vaguely, completely aware that no one, himself included, considered him a member of the crew. He put a hand over his heart, feigning sadness, "Do you not trust me to come back to finish out the remainder of my slave labor? I'm hurt Captain, truly hurt. I thought we were past all these trust issues." Again, considering the pair of iron shackles around his wrists, he was well aware of the reality that Attila would sooner trust a shark with her bleeding leg before she trusted him to return to a life he outspokenly hated. But there weren't a lot of factors working in Merrick's favor and he really wasn't above using a little emotional manipulation to getting some time away from his own personal hell.
Unfortunately, all it would take was one word from Attila and he would end up back on the ship, chained to the wall and praying that someone remembered to come and feed him every once in awhile. An unconventional idea started to form in his mind, one so insane that it felt inherently wrong to even consider it. Logically, it didn't make a whole lot of sense to bargain for a temporary break from the ship, considering that he had literally nothing to his name and spent all his waking time doing demeaning manual labor to pay off an ever-growing debt, but maybe that was why it made sense. He had nothing left to lose and he was already locked into a vicious cycle of debt. He was already slumming it at rock bottom, so the only way to go was up - even if just for a few hours or a few days.
"No one is even on the ship, there is nothing for me to do on there. It would be inhumane to keep me there, I would be so bored. And unsafe. What if the ship caught fire? What if you all got caught up in all the fun you would be having and forgot about me?" She hadn't yet decided his fate but the argument came out preemptively, his tone defensive as he tried to change her mind before it had even been made up. He took a breath, calming himself down a fraction as he tried to reign in the genuine slip of emotion that had leaked into his tone. The last he wanted was to show even a sliver of vulnerability to Attila, who would absolutely capitalize on his weakness. "What would it take for you to graciously allow me to enjoy this beautiful port?" Merrick tried again, shooting her a dazzling smile in a typical attempt to charm her into letting him have his way.
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Attila
May 18, 2021 21:47:25 GMT
Post by Elvander on May 18, 2021 21:47:25 GMT
Attila was ready for his little quips. Merrick had a smart mouth and a far too optimistic attitude for someone in his position. As he tried to explain himself, the Lioness laughed at him, shaking her head. "What makes you think I care even the slightest if you died? True, it would be a loss on good, unpaid labor, but there are a million Merricks who could take your place." Attila arched an eyebrow at him, her eyes suddenly seeming to darken and she grabbed him by his chin, shoving him back against a wall. She got in close, so close that she could feel his warm breath on her lips and smell his revolting breath. "What does a poor boy like you have to offer to someone like me?" She growled at him, daring him to show even a little backbone.
His momentary slip of emotion hadn't gone unnoticed, and he was right. Vulnerability was like an intoxicating scent she couldn't let alone. He reeked of it. Attila had never had a problem being inhumane. "The only way I would let you explore this port is at my side. And not as an equal." Her eyes lightened again and she let him go roughly, taking a step back as she seemed calm once more. The glint in her eyes was nothing short of sadistic. "Perhaps you can continue to work off your debt, even while we're on land. Tell me Merrick, how would you feel about being an example to anyone who tries to cross me?" She wasn't sure he would understand right away. But if Merrick wanted to be off the ship, he was going to be humiliated for it every chance she got. He could carry her purchases, watch her back, or if she needed leverage... Merrick could serve as an excellent tool from which she could create a terrifying example. Carved or whipped or starved would be more useful to her than chained on the ship.
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Attila
May 21, 2021 17:22:06 GMT
Post by starrea on May 21, 2021 17:22:06 GMT
Merrick hadn't considered himself particularly sensitive before, but doing a stint on a pirate ship with thirty-plus people who passionately disliked him really toughened him up. Their humor unremarkably primitive, only about as evolved as the humor of a teenage girl with mediocre jokes that centered around degrading Merrick. Once he had stopped being actively afraid of being killed, their humor held little significance and became just another unpleasant aspect of a life he hated. He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes, swallowing down the disrespect before he had the chance to sabotage any chance of him spending time off of the ship.
"And yet, none of them have. Lucky bastards," Merrick grumbled, unconcerned with the threat of being replaced. It didn't exactly take a genius to do the work he did. He did basic, unspecialized, menial labor that was so basic that someone with a lobotomy could probably figure it out. Anyway, he wasn't exactly against the idea of being replaced so if she wanted to pick out some other unlucky bastard from the crowd and throw Merrick away, then he wasn't opposed.
Before he could process what was happening, Merrick had his back slammed up against the wall and Attila was far too close for comfort. This was also something that happened fairly regularly on the ship - he had noticed that most pirates had a relatively fragile ego and over-compensated with brute force when threatened. Unfortunately, Merrick's smart mouth never really seemed to learn that lesson. Early on, he had tried to react as little as possible. It was basic psychology - they did it to get a rise out of him, to scare him into submission, so his best bet was to give them as little satisfaction as possible. So when Attila shoved him back against the wall, Merrick tried to remain as nondescript as possible, even though his anxiety skyrocketed through the roof and his heart started to race.
Merrick was smart enough than to try and answer her hypothetical question. They both knew that he had nothing to offer her, especially when he was so incredibly indebted to her already, so there wasn't a real answer he could give her anyway. He just stared at her, silent and submissive as he waited for whatever came next. There was no way to predict what Attila was going to do, but he knew that he had no control and no say over whatever decision she came to. The situation was going side ways and he felt frustration well up inside of his chest, feeling foolish for believing that Attila would cut him some slack. The idea of enduring hour after hour beneath the deck of that ship, baking the heat and entirely alone, was hard to swallow but if there was anything that Attila had taught Merrick over the past few months, it was that he didn't have a choice.
Attila's change in temperament was so sudden that it nearly gave Merrick whiplash. After slamming him against the wall in anger, he was shocked that Attila was even considering the option of letting him off of the ship - even if it was at her side. Suddenly, the idea of exploring the port seemed infinitely less appealing. The idea of getting off of the ship was meant to be a break from the dull monotony of his personal hellscape, and that couldn't happen at the side of Attila. But his only other option of staying on the ship was even bleaker than being Attila's personal whipping boy, so the situation really came to which sort of suffering did he want to endure. But knowing Attila, he likely wouldn't have a choice one way or another.
"Aren't I already an example for anyone who crosses you?" Merrick blurted out, gesturing to the iron shackles on his wrists. He recognized the sadistic gleam in Attila's eyes and instantly became more reserved, paranoid about whatever idea she was cooking up. Whatever it was, it wouldn't be good for Merrick. "Anyways, something tells me you don't a shit about what I think about anything."
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Attila
May 29, 2021 23:17:25 GMT
Post by Elvander on May 29, 2021 23:17:25 GMT
Attila watched him process it all, enjoying the way his eyes seemed to show the back and forth of his emotions. No doubt he thought he was too good for her crew, for her ship. Even those who had nothing could be drunk on their perceived superiority. She took a step back from him and gestured to the ground. "Why don't you lay down for me, Merrick? On your stomach." Attila was asking calmly, but there was nothing calm about what she would do next. She didn't care that there was crowd around them either. Once Merrick complied, she moved so that she was standing behind him. She stuck her foot under Merrick's right ankle so that there was bit of an arch. "Of course you're already an example. Doesn't mean you can't be the poster child for more than one offense." And with that, Attila slammed her foot down again and again on Merrick's flexed foot. She needed to damage him in some way so that he wouldn't be able to run from her if he was going to follow her around town.
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Attila
Jun 9, 2021 23:26:20 GMT
Post by starrea on Jun 9, 2021 23:26:20 GMT
Merrick didn't immediately obey her command. He looked at her warily, unable to predict what her next move might be whilst also sensing that it probably wouldn't bode well for him. Attila's moods changed faster than the currents and he couldn't really tell if this exchange was going in his favor or not. Even after months of grueling labor and dehumanizing treatment, he stilled hoped that underneath her ruthlessness, there was reason that he could appeal to - even though time and time again, Attila proved him wrong. So in spite on his instincts, he slowly did what was asked of him and laid down.
"Motherfucker!" Merrick screeched, blindsided by her unprovoked assault. He wasn't dense enough to admit that he often misbehaved with full understanding of what consequences he would incur and sometimes even deserved, but that did not apply to this moment. He wasn't being cheeky, disrespectful, or troublesome in the least - in fact, he would go as far to say he was being downright cooperative and complacent given the circumstances. He had no reason to even try and play nice; he was already a permanent resident at rock bottom and with nothing left to lose, he could have just as easily tried to slip out unnoticed. It was moments like this that made Merrick question whether this all ran deeper than simple monetary debt. For someone who had a reputation for being fair and humane, she really seemed to relish in coming up with new ways to degrade and humiliate him in a way that couldn't possibly be justified by greed.
Merrick rolled over just after the second stomp, wildly kicking his legs out in retaliation. He scrambled back and it wasn't until there was a safe distance between him and Attila that he felt the pain radiate from his ankle up his leg. He slowly flexed his foot, hissing under his breath. The only thing that had saved him from truly debilitating beatings had the hours of back-breaking labor he did day in and day out - and he couldn't do that kind of work with a broken leg or fractured skull. Now, with the ship docked in port, Attila didn't seem to care about being gentle with him anymore.
"I didn't fucking do anything," Merrick spat, his voice thick with contempt as he glared up at her. He hadn't exactly planned on doing something potentially stupid but her unreasonable attack awoke something spiteful inside of him. If she was going to be a bitch no matter what he did, then he might as well do whatever the fuck he wanted. "All you had to do was say no. No need to be a bitch about it." Merrick snapped, no longer worried about ruining his chances of enjoying a reprieve away from this ship and away from her. She would probably rather sink him to the bottom of the ocean than allow him to be anything other than miserable. As far as he was concerned, he didn't even want to explore the port anymore. He didn't care if she locked him beneath the deck of the ship - as long as he was away from her, then he would just fine.
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Attila
Jun 15, 2021 19:33:15 GMT
Post by Elvander on Jun 15, 2021 19:33:15 GMT
Attila watched calmly as Merrick screamed, drawing the looks of those nearby, but they didn't interfere. Attila was well known in this port for her goods and her temper. But she didn't take pleasure in seeing the suffering of others- she was indifferent to it. As Merrick crawled away and let him, knowing that he wouldn't be able to get far on his fractured foot. When he lashed out at her with angry words, she grinned, something like approval flashing in her eyes. "Oh, don't be so upset Mer. You can come along with me. I just had to make sure you wouldn't be able to get away. How about something to eat and drink?" She was sure her sudden benevolence may confuse him, but she wasn't paying any mind to what Merrick may think of her. His opinion of her was inconsequential, and right now, she was dying for a good meal and perhaps a romp with Sahara, her contact for illicit substances.
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Attila
Jun 22, 2021 23:58:00 GMT
Post by starrea on Jun 22, 2021 23:58:00 GMT
"Eat glass," Merrick spat, making absolutely no move to get up off the ground. He looked around, astonished by the amount of people who had either stopped to blatantly watch Merrick get curb-stomped or completely ignored the scene he was making. Merrick hadn't counted on convincing anyone to help him, but he was still stunned that no one stepped forward in his defense. He wasn't expecting some white-knight to come sweep him off his feet and ride away into the sunset and he wasn't some overly-altruistic person who made a living off of saving people, but still - not one person even tried to speak up in his defense. Obviously, these people wanted a show and Attila was delusional if she thought that Merrick had enough to self-respect and dignity to be too embarrassed to cause a scene in public. Attila might be some sort of respected or feared presence in this port, but she wasn't above the law and if Merrick was fucked either way, then he knew exactly where to hit her to make it hurt.
Merrick was familiar enough with the cargo of the ship to know that there was nothing illicit on board right now, but he also knew that they had docked with the purpose of acquiring unsavory substances for distribution. It was hard to keep secrets aboard a ship and stuck out at sea, there wasn't much Merrick could do with that information. And honestly, up until the moment that Attila's came down on him, he hadn't planned on doing anything to lengthen his sentence aboard the ship - but something inside of him snapped. He had tried to keep his head down and do his time but clearly that wasn't working so maybe it was time to change tactics. Even if the authorities arrested him alongside Attila, it would still be an upgrade from his current situation and the more he thought about it, the more appealing the idea became.
Obviously no one here would help him, but they would certainly call the authorities on him if he broke the law. It didn't even matter which one of them ended up behind bars because either way would benefit Merrick. There wasn't much time to map out the details of his plan but he was sure he would figure it out as he went along. Lucky for him, this plan pretty much required something barely thought out and poorly executed, which was about all he had right now. So in true Merrick-fashion, instead of getting up off of the dock, he rolled to his right and dropped off of the side of the dock.
Merrick landed hard in the little dinghy, falling into a wooden bench that almost knocked the breath out of him. He didn't let the discomfort stop him; in one continuous motion, Merrick swung his leg out and kicked the older man sitting on the other seat in the face, knocking him backwards off of the boat and into the ocean water. He used the momentum to spin around on his back, planting both feet on the side of the dock and pushing off as hard as he could despite the breathtaking pain that shot up his leg when his foot met the dock. The boat rocked as it moved away from the dock and Merrick scrambled to gather his bearing, frantically looking for an oar or at the very least, something to defend himself with. The momentum had only caused the boat to drift several feet from the dock, which only bought him a couple of seconds. He was out of Attila's reach for the moment but not for long.
The man he had kicked out of the boat resurfaced, coughing up water. Everyone else on the dock seemed to have frozen in shock from such a brazen, poorly-executed attempt at thievery. It was so ludicrous that despite visually witnessing it, it was hard to comprehend the sheer stupidity. Then the man's voice cut through the silence, and the dock exploded into motion: "Stop him! He's stealing my boat! Someone call the authorities!"
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Attila
Sept 1, 2021 1:42:14 GMT
Post by Elvander on Sept 1, 2021 1:42:14 GMT
Attila liked a little spice from her subordinates. It kept her wits and mind sharp, and it had been awhile since she'd been so challenge. Not since Nova, really. She wondered what her navigator was up to, and if she was enjoying her newfound freedom. That led her mind to wander to Saoul... she had had to cut him loose at their last port, after he had spent so many years in her service. His little fling with Nova had dulled his killer instinct. Attila couldn't have that. If she was going to have some sort of enforcer, someone to keep the prisoners in line, she needed someone who wasn't going to turn around and fuck them and beg for their release. It had hurt her to do it, but letting him go had been the best thing for everyone.
Even so, Attila wished Saoul was at her side right now. Gods damn him, Merrick was way more trouble than he was worth. But people here knew her, even if only by reputation, and if she let Merrick row off in the old man's boat, that reputation would take a hit. Never mind the fact that she'd end up in a prison cell for some time before someone came to pay her bail. Gritting her teeth, Attila shrunk back, allowing the crowd to consume her. If Merrick thought she would let herself wind up in prison over his sorry corpse, he was dead wrong. Through the shouting, she heard the clanking armor of the knights who patrolled the port. She wondered how they ever got anything done like that, moving about so weighted down, and alerting everyone within earshot to their presence. Attila hesitated, wondering if she ought to cut her losses and let him go.
--
This was his chance. Lucian happened to be the closest patrol guard to the docks when the man shouted for help, and he wasn't about to waste an opportunity to prove himself to his commanding officer. He was old, almost too old, to still be a patrol guard in the city. Sure, there were grizzled men in their rotations, but they had already seen battles or served under General Talion for many years before retiring to this sort of work. Lucian was... a little behind his peers in the physical prowess department. Not that he didn't try- he really did. He practiced every morning before his shift and every evening before bed. He picked up extra patrols, he watched the senior knights train in the castle courtyards. It was his dream to be called "Ser" one day. But approach 26, he wondered sometimes if he would ever kneel before the king to be knighted.
But right now, with an old man calling for help and a boat being stolen, Lucian saw an opportunity to be the hero and to finally be noticed for something other than his clumsy way with a sword. The young man, clad in light armor and the colours of Raevaryn, skidded to a halt at the edge of the dock. His eyes fixed on Merrick and he scowled, assessing the situation. "Young man!" He shouted out to Merrick, his voice a silky bass-like sound. It almost didn't fit the lanky, olive skinned man with dark hair and eyes who seemed a bit too thin in his armor. "Return this boat at once and you will be spared a night in the cells!" He commanded, trying to sound confident. He didn't want to jump in the water, and he had never been trained for a water pursuit. As onlookers from the crowd helped pull the old man up to the dock, Lucian felt his time was running out before more guards arrived and he would have blown his chance. He didn't stop to wonder why Merrick would have attempted something so bold.
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Attila
Oct 8, 2021 0:53:04 GMT
Post by starrea on Oct 8, 2021 0:53:04 GMT
There were few things in Merrick's short life that had been as satisfying as staring Attila down in brazen triumph as the port exploded into motion around them. He was definitely going to pay for this later, but no amount of humiliation and monotonous, back-breaking labor could erase the truth - he had won, and for someone who didn't have anything else, he felt like a rich man. It was just a small battle amidst a much larger war, but this victory was sweet enough that it would carry him through whatever retribution she was undoubtedly planning right now.
And then the crowd swallowed up Attila and the reality of the situation started to settle in like a nasty infection. Attila had stripped him of his only form of identification and without proof of who he was or where he was from, he had absolutely no idea what they would do with him. It wouldn't be hard for Attila to reacquire him; nobody gave a shit about people like Merrick. Even if he was arrested, he was willing to bet that as long as Attila promised to keep a better eye on him, they wouldn't hesitate to unburden themselves of him. Or, there was always the possibility that they wouldn't hand him back over to Attila but that was more terrifying than returning to the pirate's ship. He knew exactly what kind of monster Attila was, but he had no idea what would happen to a poor, illegal immigrant in a foreign land. In the end, she was the devil he knew and that was better than not knowing what would become of him in the prison system of a foreign country.
Merrick had not a lot of time to make a decision that could drastically alter how miserable his life would be. Making a clean getaway was the ideal choice, but unlikely now that Merrick had drawn everyone's attention within a two mile radius. Even if he managed to escape the docks, he wouldn't last long before either the authorities or one of Attila's henchmen picked him up. Unfortunately, those plans wouldn't even have the chance to come to fruition; there was no way he would make it past the docks without swimming, and he had a distinct feeling that if Attila saw him drowning right now, she might even go as far as block other people from trying to save his dumb ass.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to take the boat!" Merrick called back, lulling the panic on the docks. No one looked like they believed him, especially the man he had kicked off of the boat, but they didn't need to. "I don't know what happened, I just accidentally rolled off the dock!" With reluctance, Merrick maneuvered the oar in the water and slowly started to paddle the dozen or so feet back towards the dock. Even though he had intentionally tried to go slow, it only took half a minute or so until the front of the boat bumped up against the docks. His eyes scanned the crowd uneasily for Attila, but he didn't see her. Maybe he had gotten lucky and maybe she had already slipped away.
Merrick turned his attention back to the situation at hand and looked up, ready to try and talk himself out of trouble, when he realized that he was being chased down by an honest-to-God knight - complete with armor and everything. The sight was a little jarring - he had never seen a knight before, had only heard stories of knights in passing, and they usually featured some sort of grand gesture of romance. But Merrick took the unusual sighting in stride, barely hesitating before offering a sheepish smile, "This was all one big misunderstanding. I'm truly sorry for my actions, but I didn't mean to steal anything."
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Attila
Oct 10, 2021 23:58:52 GMT
via mobile
Post by Elvander on Oct 10, 2021 23:58:52 GMT
Attila was seething. He could escape her now, and she hoped he would find himself in prison. She would pay his bail and thereby extend the debt he owed her. Letting him go was not an option- she would lose a lot of respect that way. She needed a new enforcer. Perhaps she could pick one up here. Perhaps she could see if Nova was suited to the job. Perhaps she would learn to do it herself, despite her distaste for torture. Attila could be cruel, but she wasn’t a sadist. She didn’t relish in the pain of others, but she could appreciate that physical pain and fear were powerful motivators.
As Lucian made his clumsy appearance, she receded into the background to watch. She would see where this went, and then act accordingly. Gods, she just wanted a drink and to see Sahara.
——
With his arrival, some of the crowd dispersed. They didn’t want to be caught inciting any sort of kerfuffle. Lucian cleared his throat, trying to appear stern as Merrick guided the boat to the dock.
“Apologize to this man at once,” he indicated to the soaking wet boat owner that Merrick had tossed aside. The man didn’t look pleased.
“He didn’t roll, he pushed me!” He claimed, unwilling to let it go. Unfor try barely for Merrick, the old man was a stickler for the law and took slights against him very personally.
“Did you push him? Think before you lie to me,” Lucian advised, a little bemused by the boat owner’s conviction. He looked Merrick up and down, noting his disheveled look, his injured ankle, and the grime which covered him from months on the Marauder. Who was this person, and why had he caused this scene?
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Attila
Oct 28, 2021 0:37:34 GMT
Post by starrea on Oct 28, 2021 0:37:34 GMT
The idea of just coming clean about everything was tempting. The opportunity was right there, begging to be utilized. The words were on the tip of his tongue, the accusations that had the power to set him free from Attila and his life of servitude. He could almost see Attila being led away in cuffs. There was something genuine about Lucian, something that made him think that he would believe him. Maybe it was the ridiculous coat of armor or the way he said think before you lie to me, but he just seemed good - too bad Merrick wasn't.
Unfortunately for Merrick, it wasn't a perfect world and there were no happy endings for Merrick. There were too many complications, too many what-ifs, too many risks - and drawing the attention of the authorities was what had fucked him in the first place. He didn't need to look at Attila to know how angry she was, and he was definitely going to pay for this, but right now, he felt powerful. For the first time since she had imprisoned her aboard her ship, he had rattled her.
If accidentally sending some of Attila's crew to jail had incurred indefinite servitude, then accusations that landed her behind bars, even for a single night, was a death sentence. The only way he would be safe is if she stayed behind bars - but that was highly unlikely. She would probably be bailed out within hours and it was only a matter of time until she found him. Based on the fact that she publicly beat him and no one batted an eye, she probably had some influence around here. Whatever accusations she couldn't explain away, she could simply buy silence. It wasn't like Merrick was some integral, important piece of society. He was a nobody with no home and no family and no job. In fact, Attila had probably some people a favor when she had dragged him off of the streets. Between the two of them, Merrick was far more likely to end up in jail and then Attila would either bail him out and make him wish that she didn't, or she wouldn't, and he would die in some forgotten prison cell. At this point, only enduring Attila's wrath was the best case scenario.
"I'm returning the boat so no harm, no foul," Merrick tried to soothe, and turned to the old man who apparently had poor sight when it came to which crimes he saw, "And I am truly sorry for this, I promise it'll never happen again. I don't know what got into me." Probably because I'll never be let off that ship again, Merrick thought bitterly, but hid it behind a look of sincerity. If there was one thing Merrick had mastered, it was a remorseful apology. He had made his statement to Attila, whatever statement that was, but now he needed to shut this situation down before it spiraled out of control.
Merrick had slowed his advance as he floated towards the dock, reluctant to leave his sanctuary, but the boat eventually bumped into the wooden dock and hands immediately reached out to secure the boat. Merrick stood, hissing with pain when he put weight on his ankle and he shot a subtle glare to Attila, savoring the vindication of seeing her so enraged. He hauled himself up onto the dock, getting to his feet slowly as he tried to hide that he was favoring one leg.
Suddenly a wicked idea occurred to Merrick, one that was absolutely the worst idea he ever had, but it was already halfway out of his mouth before he could think better of it, "Please, let me pay you for the trouble I've caused. My companion, she's right over there, she manages my money," Merrick turned towards Attila, waving her over, "Attila! Could you please pay this fine gentleman for all the trouble I've caused him?" He turned back to the knight and the crusty old man, "How much do you think would cover it? I can't put a price on emotional distress."
When he turned back to look at Attila, the look on her face was entirely worth the fact that he was never going to see sunlight again.
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Attila
Oct 28, 2021 20:44:29 GMT
Post by Elvander on Oct 28, 2021 20:44:29 GMT
Lucian watched as Merrick brought the boat to the dock and he helped haul him up. He took a few steps back, trying to figure out if the man's apology was genuine. He squinted his eyes, searching Merrick's face. He seemed to mean it. "See to it that it doesn't," he was ready to let it go and disperse the crowd when Merrick called for Attila.
He knew that name, everyone did. The Lioness had prowled these docks for years, and her presence was welcome so long as she brought her riches with her. Lucian didn't much care for pirates, and it showed on his face as he looked back at Merrick, almost disappointed. So, the man was a pirate. Or so he assumed, based on the fact that he was calling the captain by her first name and asking her to pay for his transgression.
The old man seemed to hesitate as Merrick called Attila over. He knew her name too, and he didn't want to be any bother to her. "No no, that's quite all right," he rushed to reassure her, but it was too late.
Attila was striding through the crowd with her head high, a tight smile on her lips and murdered in her eyes as they bore into Merrick. He was right. Once they were back on the ship, he was as good as dead. But she had the eyes of the port on her, and she needed the goodwill of the merchants if she was going to continue to make port here. "I insist," she tossed a small bag of coins at the old man, who was unable to catch it. As it landed on the dock and he dove down to collect it, she approached the knight. "If you think a night in a cell would do him some good, I wouldn't object. He can be a menace when he drinks," she informed Lucian, giving it back to Merrick as good as she'd gotten it.
Lucian scowled and turned to look at Merrick again. He couldn't smell any alcohol, but that would explain his odd behaviour. "Well... if you've paid the man and returned his boat, there's no real crime..." he trailed off, feeling like a fish out of water. He seemed to blush as he took a step back. "Sir, have you been drinking?"
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