Black Boar Inn ((OPEN))

[Stryker]

Owned by a greasy fat rat and his equally as plump wife, the Black Boar Inn was one of the last few good places to get a tankard of grogg without it costing you an arm and a leg. Unfortunately, with the lower price came the lower overall standards of comfort; the tables wobbled and were scarred and splintering with old age, the glasses almost always somewhat grimy even after a few good washes, and the air always smelled of stale bread and lots of cheese. Somewhat stifling, even in the beginnings of fall, the abnormal temperatures were probably due to the smallness of the rooms and the close proximity most customers had no choice but to be in -- tables and chairs set up from the front counter all the way to the dirty windows in the back.
But he hadn't come here for the wobbly chairs, the grog or the smell of old bread and cheese. His purpose for being here had less to do with food and more to do with...fame, fortune, adventure, generally whatever brought corsairs, pirates and seafaring creatures out of the woodwork.

Captain Kohl Stryker swaggered into the Black Boar Inn, dark cloak swaying as it was caught up in the breeze of the door slamming shut behind him, Stryker's fierce orange eyes gleaming low in the lantern light. The drunken creatures inhabiting the Inn/Tavern like fleas to a dog, were certainly anything but the company he preferred to keep. Having a dislike of drunkenness in general, Stryker would take a handful of vicious rats or stoats over anything else so long as they were sober. At least the conversations would be more interesting. Stepping over a puddle of some poorbeast's puke without breaking his stride, Captain Stryker made a beeline for one of the tables in the back, the farthest from the door and with the best view of the surrounding tavern. Upon arrival, the silver fox pulled a scroll from the inside of his coat in one fluid motion, a terse voice rising in volume in an effort to be heard above the typical tavern din;

"My name is Captain Kohl Stryker, and anybeast brave enough to sail as one of my crew may sign here and be judged on sight. Cowards, braggarts, traitors and fools need not apply."
Well, at least no one could say the Captain of the Stardust was a waster of words; to the point and quite clear the first time was his method of speaking, and while he may choose to throw in a bit of impressive vocabulary here and there, he tended to keep things quite simple. Stryker's eyes combed the tavern for any possible joiners; setting the scroll down and spreading it out across the table, a sudden 'thunk' caused nearby beasts to jump as the silver fox thrust a knife through the parchment, pinning it in place.
Sitting down at last, Stryker stole a few seconds to glance at his pocket-watch and keep his hopes from getting too high. The likelihood of finding decent crewbeasts here was slim-to-none, but he had to start somewhere.

The fox leaned back in his chair, allowing the backing to rest against the dirty wall behind him, his heavy boots hitting the table noisily in the process.

And so the waiting begins.[/size]

~*~

Stryker's Scroll

[Cross]

And why had she left Mossflower for this disgusting little shack, again? Glancing around the rank tavern, the stoat was ready to pull out her knives at a moment's notice, lest the wretched creatures here got any ideas. It was horrible in here, worse than being on a ship itself. A ship . . .

That's right, she had come here to find a ship. Or at least, the captain of a ship, so she could be out on the sea again. Her time in Mossflower had been less eventful than she'd hoped, although she'd made a snarky little arch-rival. Smiling to herself, the black and white stoat moved carefully between the close-quarter tables and chairs. There seemed to be no available spots at the moment.

However, the shout of a fox called her attention away from her seating options. "My name is Captain Kohl Stryker," he began confidently, "and anybeast brave enough to sail as one of my crew may sign here and be judged on sight. Cowards, braggarts, traitors and fools need not apply."

Kohl . . . It sounded familiar. Come to think of it, the fox himself looked familiar. The stoat moved towards him. At least she had found what she was looking for. The captain of a ship, and in need of crew beasts no less! The odd-eyed stoat stopped in front of the fox's table, her different-colored paws on her hips as she glanced over the scroll.

"Stryker, hmm?" she said, with a touch of haughtiness. "My name is Alykas Veer. I'd like to join your crew, since you seem to be the least rank-smelling corsair I've yet to meet." He was so familiar! Where had she seen him before? She knew this fox! Kohl Stryker, where had she heard that name? . . .

[Stryker]

At least she had found what she was looking for. The captain of a ship, and in need of crew beasts no less! The odd-eyed stoat stopped in front of the fox's table, her different-colored paws on her hips as she glanced over the scroll.

"Stryker, hmm?" she said, with a touch of haughtiness. "My name is Alykas Veer. I'd like to join your crew, since you seem to be the least rank-smelling corsair I've yet to meet."



The seemingly out-of-the-blue appearance of Alykas Veer was like a slap to the face for the silver fox, his memory serving him well. After all, one didn't forget a stoat of her odd coloring very easily; "I know you, and I know of your seafaring experience, Ms. Veer." Replied Stryker, eyes glittering in the lantern light as he swept his boots off the table, standing up to greet her like a proper beast should. "The Bloody Talon, was it? A dozen ships, a dozen sets of memories have left me a bit foggy on the name." Gazing at her curiously, the fox took in the sight of the stoat, studying how several years had changed between the young crewbeast he'd crossed paths with a few years ago.
Unperturbed by her then, he was unperturbed by her now, only this time he was showing quite a bit more interest. "I won't bore you with trivial questions," he added smoothly, "So this little interview will be quite brief." Taking no notice of her haughty manner -- or giving her much of a chance for objection -- Stryker launched straight into the questions. He was certainly a no-nonsense type. "What's the highest rank you've ever held aboard a ship? Why are you suddenly in the market for a new ship to join? If you have any skills beyond that of a sailor's, now would be an excellent time to tell me." The fox's eyes glittered almost humorously. "Certain skills will likely award you bonus points." He added, as though this were a quiz and not an interview.

Alright, Stryker would be the first to admit that his luck was already starting to improve. Alykas Veer hadn't left much of an impression on him during his time spent upon the Bloody Talon, but careful recollection made him realize he'd taken more notice of her than he'd thought. if she had improved over the years since they'd last seen each other, then Stryker had a good feeling the oddly colored stoat would be joining his crew very soon.[/size]

[Cross]

"I know you, and I know of your seafaring experience, Ms. Veer." Replied Stryker, eyes glittering in the lantern light as he swept his boots off the table, standing up to greet her like a proper beast should. "The Bloody Talon, was it? A dozen ships, a dozen sets of memories have left me a bit foggy on the name."

Alykas was at a loss for words for a moment. So that was why this fox seemed to familiar! He worked on the Talon for a brief period of time. Now it was coming back to her. How could she forget a silver fox, for crying out loud? She distinctly remembered that disconnected look in his eyes, like an otherworldly fire. A slow smile spread across her divided features as she replied, "I thought I had seen you before, Kohl Stryker. The Talon is buried in the back of my mind, as well. I didn't recognize you at first."

"I won't bore you with trivial questions," he added smoothly, "So this little interview will be quite brief." Taking no notice of her haughty manner -- or giving her much of a chance for objection -- Stryker launched straight into the questions. He was certainly a no-nonsense type. "What's the highest rank you've ever held aboard a ship? Why are you suddenly in the market for a new ship to join? If you have any skills beyond that of a sailor's, now would be an excellent time to tell me." The fox's eyes glittered almost humorously. "Certain skills will likely award you bonus points." He added, as though this were a quiz and not an interview.

Alykas was unfazed by the rapid-fire questions. "I've only been an officer before, but occasionally I worked in the crow's nest and in navigation," she answered. "Mossflower has failed to thrill me like being on the open water did, so I decided to come back to port and see if I could find a position to fill." She smiled wider. "Other skills? I am an expert in swordplay and knife-throwing, and I am also skilled in paw-to-paw combat." She vaguely wondered how much she really had improved since last seeing this fox. After spending time on land, her sailing skills might actually be a little rusty.

But she was a quick learner. She could adjust to situations easily. She had been reckless and a bit crazy when she had met Kohl. That was a time when she was running away. Now she was just looking for something to fill her time. The last time she'd been to a port, she had been a different stoat than she was now. So she supposed she had changed, but mostly in maturity and, well, sanity.

[Stryker]

Alykas was unfazed by the rapid-fire questions. "I've only been an officer before, but occasionally I worked in the crow's nest and in navigation," she answered. "Mossflower has failed to thrill me like being on the open water did, so I decided to come back to port and see if I could find a position to fill." She smiled wider. "Other skills? I am an expert in swordplay and knife-throwing, and I am also skilled in paw-to-paw combat." She vaguely wondered how much she really had improved since last seeing this fox. After spending time on land, her sailing skills might actually be a little rusty.

Stryker preferred to go without a demonstration of her swordsmanship and combat abilities -- he knew better than to waste time over something like that. If she was not as good as she declared herself to be, then Alykas Veer would be paying the price, not him. After all, he was looking for crewbeasts, not bodyguards. He could watch after his own hide. Taking note of her navigation skills and experience in the crow's nest, Stryker's mind ran through her on-the-spot profile one more time, pleased with what he'd heard. "I don't know of your previous captains, Alykas, but I do not accept drama of any kind aboard my ship -- that being said," he paused to look her in the ends, intending to mean every word of this conversation they were having. "Is there anything I should be concerned about, before letting you aboard my ship?"

The Captain's line of sight wavered from the odd eyes of Alykas Veer to the drunken rat standing behind her, apparently in line to speak with him. Resisting the urge to show prejudice to the bilge rat simply for being drunk, the Captain allowed his attention to glide back onto the stoat in front of him. The rat could wait...or pass out on the floor, whichever suited him at the moment.
"I should warn you," spoke the silver fox, as though hit with a sudden afterthought. "I am and the one and only crew member of the ship as of this moment, so it will be a few days, possibly a few weeks before she sails. I'm assuming the wait won't be a problem?" It had better not be. Impatient crewbeasts were not good crewbeasts. Impatient creatures did not belong out on the ocean, where anything could happen -- from waiting until the storm cleared up, to waiting until they hit dry land, to waiting until the sharks had stop circling before attempting to fish...
Beasts who were not used to waiting would have no place aboard the Stardust.[/size]

[Cross]

"I don't know of your previous captains, Alykas, but I do not accept drama of any kind aboard my ship -- that being said," he paused to look her in the eyes, intending to mean every word of this conversation they were having. "Is there anything I should be concerned about, before letting you aboard my ship?"

As if by instinct, Alykas began fiddling with the thick obsidian ring around her finger. Her gaze never wavered from Stryker's as she replied, "My concerns are not your concerns. If you allow me on board, my concern will be for the ship, not my own drama, if I were to have any." She released the ring. "You need not worry about any drama from me." She wondered if he recalled her brazen and downright stupid behavior aboard the ship. Her constant ravings about the monks, her old teachers, and Echo . . . No! She had no drama to bring aboard the ship.

"I should warn you," spoke the silver fox, as though hit with a sudden afterthought. "I am and the one and only crew member of the ship as of this moment, so it will be a few days, possibly a few weeks before she sails. I'm assuming the wait won't be a problem?"

Alykas shook her head. "I can wait," she replied simply. "As long as we set sail, I care little for when." She just wanted away from the good-beast-infested Mossflower. It was sickening to see such caring creatures going about their days with smiles and cheerfulness. It was all out of balance in that woodland. She hoped, for the sake of keeping things in balance, some evil warlord came along with his big horde and set some things right.

[Tulian Solum]

Yet another rat was sitting miserably at the bar in the Inn. But unlike all the other rats this one wasn't drunk off his mind and stumbling around. But he did have a full glass of beer oddly, but instead of gulping it down or talking it up with friends the rat was just staring at it. His eyes fixed on the still brown substance as ripples were formed every now and then from some beast collapsing onto the floor.

It had only been a week since the former navigator had been tossed off the ship, and although he was lucky to make it to land before the sea claimed him the fortunes of the world weren't going to let him go that easily. No since he had landed he had been captured by a horde, just escaped before they dragged him back before the warlord, ran into a group of woodlanders who seemed very keen on introducing him to their weapons in a odd swamp, and finally ran from them too. Slowly making his way back to his one true home, the Sea, Tulian gazed down at his untouched beer, thinking of how his luck could be worsened.

It was during his thoughts of his own luck that the fox burst in and read out his parchment, Tul not hearing him at all as he stared. Looking up as the rat owner tried to talk to him he rolled his eyes at the far rats attempts and turned around with his glass to ignore him.

It was when he looked back that he spotted the short line in front of the foxes table and the parchment...A ship recruiter. Glancing out the window at the distant woodlands he shook his head, better then stay here, he reasoned as he reached back to set his glass on the bar and watch. He would wait for awhile. No sense in standing around waiting when he could wait for the line to shorten.

But his spyglass clinked and glinted dimly in the dank light as he watched the fox and the creature in front of him. But since she was facing away Tul couldn't see that it was the same stoat from the watermeadow, that at the time seemed to be eager to show him her shiny knives.

[Stryker]

"My concerns are not your concerns. If you allow me on board, my concern will be for the ship, not my own drama, if I were to have any." She released the ring. "You need not worry about any drama from me." She wondered if he recalled her brazen and downright stupid behavior aboard the ship. Her constant ravings about the monks, her old teachers, and Echo . . . No! She had no drama to bring aboard the ship.

[...]

Alykas shook her head. "I can wait," she replied simply. "As long as we set sail, I care little for when." She just wanted away from the good-beast-infested Mossflower.

The fox corsair nodded curtly; he had been about to reprimand her for her haughtiness when he forced out a bit of patience and waited until she'd finished speaking first. It was a good thing he did, otherwise he wouldn't have heard her pledge to keep his ship drama free – at least from her, anyways. Well, Stryker had to concede to letting this odd-patterned stoat become the first official crewbeast aboard his beloved little schooner. Wanting this to feel official, Stryker smiled, the first real one in a long time, his dark paw extended toward the stoat in a sign of camaraderie.
”Unless you plan on staying aboard the Stardust, where can I find you, when it comes high time to set sail?” Inquired Alykas's new captain, the silver fox completely ignoring how...pleasant his sailing vessel sounded. He hadn't picked the name, but Stryker was a bit attached to it – probably because of his fascination for anything stellar. [/size]

But his spyglass clinked and glinted dimly in the dank light as he watched the fox and the creature in front of him. But since she was facing away Tul couldn't see that it was the same stoat from the watermeadow, that at the time seemed to be eager to show him her shiny knives.


Was that a rat with a spyglass watching him? Noticing the untouched beer upon Tulian's table, Captain Stryker silently wondered what kind of a rat came to a tavern, ordered beer and never drank it... It was a waste of money and what was probably bad beer. Unless of course, the rat was just waiting for something. If he'd come here to drown his sorrows, then there should be six empty glasses of bad beer on his table, not one completely full one. Narrowing his eyes, Stryker sized the rat up; though it was a bit of a difficult task separating the seafaring types from every other ragtag creature in this place, Stryker had a hunch that Tulian was a sailing beast... For starters, he carried a spyglass.
He'll come over when he feels like it.
Kohl reasoned, and turned his attention back to Alykas.[/size]

[Cross]

"Unless you plan on staying aboard the Stardust, where can I find you, when it comes high time to set sail?”

Alykas resisted a smirk as she shook her captain's paw. Stardust . . . It sounded so non-threatening it was ridiculous. Perhaps she could help him fix that in the weeks to come. "If you'll allow me, I'd stay on board until we sail," she replied, dropping her paw.

Once again, she wondered how much Stryker remembered about her. That had been years ago. She'd been young and insane. Somebeasts, mostly her victims, would probably argue that her state of sanity was debatable, but they never lived long enough to prove their point. Besides, she was more than in her right mind enough to work aboard a ship.

She made as if to find a seat, but then a thought struck her. "If I may ask," she began. "Do you have a certain course in mind? Or will we simply be plundering whatever port you fancy docking in?" It was an honest question, if a little cynical there at the end. She didn't fancy plundering at all, really, but she wanted to know a little more about this Stryker fellow.

[Tulian Solum]

Leaning forward and laying his arms on his knees Tul watched the Fox and his interactions with the other beast. So he was indeed a captain looking for crewbeasts, the first he had seen that was actively looking. So...that either meant he was a new captain; which from his look, demeanor, and vocabulary probably wasn't true. Or the rest of his crew had met an unfortunate end...joy.

It was this indecision that stopped Tul from approaching straight away, even though the drunk rat that was waiting behind Alykas had since collapsed off the side. He bit his lip as he thought about going over, resting his head on his arms as he stared at the fox.

What were his other options? Go back to the forest to get dragged into another horde or robber band? Or get hunted down bye woodlandes because he was once a corsair? Or wait in the small port for his old ship to show up one day and let those beasts get another crack at him...Hopefully they were all dead by now though, laid across the deck all starved and gone to killen each other. Or go with this fox out to sea and try again?

Nodding a little he hopped off his bar-stool and walked over to the foxes table, stepping over the collapsed drunken rat to wait behind the stoat, who now that he was closer looked awfully familiar...But no matter, the fox was his concern now and the possibility of a job. But he made no effort to push past the stoat and make himself known, just waited.

Not being that good in a tussle would do that to you as he oddly waited for his turn behind Alykas.

[Stryker]

She made as if to find a seat, but then a thought struck her. "If I may ask," she began. "Do you have a certain course in mind? Or will we simply be plundering whatever port you fancy docking in?" It was an honest question, if a little cynical there at the end. She didn't fancy plundering at all, really, but she wanted to know a little more about this Stryker fellow.

Stryker chuckled. "What kind of Captain do you take me for?" Amusement revealed itself in the form of a half-smile. "The kind who just wanders from port to port and robs anything he sets his eyes on? No," Stryker shook his head. "We'll be going after something much more beneficial than easy spoils from some port town." It was clear that the silver furred, silver tongued fox had a plan for his crew, he obviously wasn't putting them together due to a sudden burst of adventitiousness. "If you wish to retire now or later on get settled in, just look for a schooner with silver sails, that would be the Stardust. You may have whatever bunk you want, and while there is presently no cook, there is plenty of food."

So he's finally made his move, has he? Having been keeping an eye on Tulian just as Tulian had been keeping an eye on him, Stryker purposefully made eyecontact with the rat, a silent little 'go ahead' to force the seafaring rodent to speak up or look away. The fox knew he didn't need to say some pointless opening line like 'are you here to join my crew?' if he wasn't, then he wouldn't be standing in line, now would he? So Stryker chose a different opening line.

"Can you swim?"[/size]

(( Sorry for the shortness! Alykas Veer: Acquired.))

[Tulian Solum]

Catching the foxes eyes Tul couldn't keep the eye contact for long as he watched those orange suns staring back at him. So instead he looked back at the sprawled rat behind him, who had since his collapsing curled into a ball of dirty fur and was snoring loudly. Rolling his eyes as looked back as the fox. Raising his eyebrows he pointed to himself before nodding after he was sure the Fox was asking him and not the stoat again.

"Yes Cap'n. Tis nay my first time ona ship neither so ye need not worry abou' tat."

Nodding a little he bit his lip a little as he scooted around the stoat so it would be easier for him to speak with the fox instead of just trying to crane his head over her shoulder. Although he didn't turn to look at the odd stoats face so he was still blissfully unaware of who she was. Trying a little smile he took up the quill resting on the table, spun it around his fingers a bit, and rested it against the parchment before looking up at the fox captain.

"Anne' more you wana know capn'?"

(Gah short >.< . Sorry for the wait guys, been busy with classes and not been feeling it lately )

[Stryker]

"Anne' more you wana know capn'?"

Stryker, growing accustomed to the rat's accent, gave a small, curt nod of his silvery black head. "Well, it's not really a requirement, but a name would be appreciated. I have to call you something." The fox smiled to himself, allowing a moment of humor to pass over before he asked a more pertinent question. "Aside from being able to swim, sir, what other skills do you possess? Besides sailing, of course." Looking down at the parchment from above, he noticed that Alykas had not signed the agreement quite yet. Getting her attention by tapping his finger to the parchment, he wanted her to see what Tulian was preparing to do and follow suit, while Tulian answered a few more important questions.
"Now normally the affairs of others are definitely not my business," started the fox, "but considering how important it is that I keep my ship relatively free of drama, I'd like to be informed if you have any...loose ends...troublesome relationships or dangerous enemies that could possibly harm my ship and crew in anyway. Even if I can't promise them fame for certain, I can at least promise my crew safety."

It seemed he truly meant that.
Stryker had seen a lot of senseless death aboard the many vessels and sailing ships he'd been a member of, and it always sickened him when the Captain did not seem to care that much that his first mate had just fallen overboard and couldn't swim. That kind of careless deserved nothing short of mutiny, but Stryker wasn't looking out for them because he feared rebellion. He was looking out for them because it was the right thing to do.
He had at least learned that much from Desoto.[/size]

((whew, sorry for the long wait! D:))

[Tulian Solum]

Nodding to the captains words Tul quickly wrote down his name, which was oddly well written, perhaps a note of his skill on a ship as he set the quill down and looked back up at the fox captain. His face a happy picture as he seemed to finally be getting back on a ship, not trudging around a woodland full of all manners of creatures who wanted him dead. Unclipping his spy glass from his belt he held it out to Stryker if he wanted to examine it.

"Tulian Solum cap'n, an' on ta last ship I was ta mapmaker an' navigator. Sometimes even ta steers beast but my main skil was ta maps, either follown' or makin." He took out the few supplies that had survived his recent oust and set them on the table beside his spyglass. They included; a few charcoal sticks, a battered but functional compass, a few blank parchment scrolls and one intact well drawn map that had a little T.S. inscribed in the corner. With little hooks on the T's top and the S ends.

Tul kept smiling away after he set those down, but the next question from his new captain made his smile falter a bit. But he would have to tell his captain sooner or later about his last ship, might aswell be now. Clearing his throat a little he took a breath before he began.

"Ine last ship I servd' cap'n we took ta map for some woodbeast camp and I was told ta follow eit. It was nay drawn with care and lead us ta nowhere. The crew shifted ta blame on me and tossed me off ta ship." He gestures to his torn ear before he continued. "I mustav' floated for three days befor landin' on ta shore, ta then meet some...'kind' woodbeasts before gettin here. Ta last ship was called BloodSkimmer, and I can nay hope that they all dead of food famine and killin' each other...But ta asked for prior feuds, so tas mine cap'n."

Nodding he tried to smile again, hoping that the possibility of a whole crew after him wouldn't ruin his chances of getting on a new ship. The empty dagger sheath at his waist probably drawing some attention now that he was standing up as he tries to remain calm.

[Stryker]

"Tulian Solum cap'n, an' on ta last ship I was ta mapmaker an' navigator. Sometimes even ta steers beast but my main skil was ta maps, either follown' or makin." He took out the few supplies that had survived his recent oust and set them on the table beside his spyglass. They included; a few charcoal sticks, a battered but functional compass, a few blank parchment scrolls and one intact well drawn map that had a little T.S. inscribed in the corner. With little hooks on the T's top and the S ends.


Stryker accepted the spyglass carefully, his dark paws inspecting every inch of it -- extending it, collapsing it, checking the lens for cracks, and most of all, admiring the craftsmanship. A well made spyglass on Tulian indicated that he was serious about his job -- because honestly, any beast could climb the rigging and tell him which direction to take, but it was a proper navigator that could give him a reason why he should go north and not west. I think I've just found my navigator. Biting back a smile, the Captain of the Stardust kept his composure, listening with much more interest as Tulian relayed the details about his...er...last sailing experience aboard the BloodSkimmer.[/size]

"Ine last ship I servd' cap'n we took ta map for some woodbeast camp and I was told ta follow eit. It was nay drawn with care and lead us ta nowhere. The crew shifted ta blame on me and tossed me off ta ship." He gestures to his torn ear before he continued. "I mustav' floated for three days befor landin' on ta shore, ta then meet some...'kind' woodbeasts before gettin here. Ta last ship was called BloodSkimmer, and I can nay hope that they all dead of food famine and killin' each other...But ta asked for prior feuds, so tas mine cap'n."

Desputes between corsairs and particular members of their crew was not unexpected, especially on a ship that was not properly managed. What would be rather uncommon, however, was if the crew of the BloodSkimmer honestly put in effort to track down Tulian. It was quite possible the rat might be a little paranoid... If he was as guilt-free as he was leading Stryker to believe, then the fox mercenary had very little reason to suspect that weeks from now an angry horde of former crewbeasts would be knocking on his door demanding Tulian's head.
Besides, one thing was certain, in a few weeks from now, the only door they'd be knocking on was the inn keeper's to ask where he went, because he'd be busy traveling the waters, taking odd jobs and generally avoiding land most of the time. If they wanted to get Tulian, they were going to have to find a ship and hunt them down, or learn how to walk on water.
Both cases seemed highly unlikely -- vermin were known for holding stupid grudges, but a case of a navigator leading them nowhere seemed a bit extreme. It'd be like holding a grudge against a cook for trying to make you dinner even though you gave him a recipe card in a different language. It honestly wasn't the cook's fault.

"That won't be a problem. Thank you for letting me know." Watching the rat sign his name, Stryker noticed his empty dagger sheath, and while he didn't call immediate attention to it, he did want to make a point regarding the dangers of NOT being armed. "After your skills have been tested, Mr. Solum, I'd like for you to be my new Navigator. I noticed you seem to be in ownership of a sheathe without a dagger -- it's probably for the best that you acquire one before the ship sets sail. The life of a pirate is not an easy one, not simply because of the rough seas, the lack of doctors aboard, and the sharks, but because not every mission we take is going to be a safe one. If you choose to not carry a weapon, then that's fine, I just hope your evasion skills and survival instincts are definitely up to par."[/size]

[Tulian Solum]

The fox was silent for a good while after Tul had finished his story...that wasn't a good sign. And neither was the fact the fox didn't smile, just kept that iron expression as he thought. Relax, hes just thinking about the ship and the journey, not about how he knows BloodSkimmer and is thinking how much he could get if he turned you in. The fox was right though, Tul was a pretty paranoid person, especially when it had to do with his chosen craft. In this case his failure to find a suitable spot.

But finally the fox spoke up and gave Tul the chance to let out the breath he had been holding. He had the job, a test of skills wouldn't be a problem. One who is good at his craft is never worried about a chance to show off his skills. He nodded understandably as the fox spoke about his mission weapon. Patting the sheath he gave a little smile as he tried to chuckle.

"Yeah...I know Cap'n Stryker, but I had ta give it to some mad sqwirreles so tey would stop tryin ta fill me with arrers. If ye know a good place to acquire one ta would be helpful." he finally looked back toward the tavern after he finished, finally seeing the stoat behind him as he blinked a few times. It was her...from the water meadow. Gulping a little as he met her eyes he quickly looked back at the fox as he tries to keep his heart under control. "Anne ting else?"

[Stryker]

"Yeah...I know Cap'n Stryker, but I had ta give it to some mad sqwirreles so tey would stop tryin ta fill me with arrers. If ye know a good place to acquire one ta would be helpful." he finally looked back toward the tavern after he finished, finally seeing the stoat behind him as he blinked a few times. It was her...from the water meadow. Gulping a little as he met her eyes he quickly looked back at the fox as he tries to keep his heart under control. "Anne ting else?"

Was it just him, or did there seem to be something happening between Alykas Veer and Tulian Solum? Just a trick of the light, perhaps. After all, the Stardust's newest navigator didn't exactly strike him as the 'fearless type', and Alykas was definitely not the kind of female who frightened easily -- in fact, she probably did most of the frightening, and that was just what happened here. Brushing off the half-second exchange between Alykas and Tulian, Kohl Stryker directed his attention back to the issue of Tulian's lack of a dagger.
"Actually, I know of a decent blacksmith nearby, and he owes me a favor. If you see a stout, slightly balding watervole by the name of Reeves, tell him Stryker came to collect on that favor."
Reeves was a decent blacksmith, true, but Stryker got his weapons from only one creature and one creature only; Altairra Warhawk, a goshawk weaponsmith of legendary abilities. Because of his pickiness when it cames to weapons, Stryker probably wouldn't have cashed in on that favor anyway, at least not for a weapon for himself, so the silver fox had no qualms about letting this one go to Tulian. Remembering to hand back the rat's spyglass, Stryker smiled, offering his new navigator a paw.
"Welcome to the crew, Tulian Solum. Though the Stardust will not be sailing for at least a few more days, you are welcome to stay aboard the ship -- she's the one with silver sails, a schooner -- if you wish to reside somewhere else, then an address will be necessary so I have a method of contacting you when sailing day finally arrives."

[Cross]

While Stryker spoke with the rat, Alykas quietly got up and signed her name in flowing script. She was quite detached from the conversation, actually, but she listened enough to tell that the rat was going to be the navigator. Well, every good ship needed one, and no cheapskate navigator toted 'round a spyglass that nice. Even the stoat could tell the craftsmanship from where she sat, lounging back in her seat. She wasn't inclined to find the ship just yet. She wanted to see who else would be her new crewmates.

But then she got a good look at the rat. Hadn't she seen him somewhere before? Cowardly-looking fellow, wasn't he? Dressed in typical corsair getup. Empty dagger sheath. Hmm, yes she knew him. Aha! The fight in the woodlands. The macabre otter, the gang of vermin, and her new little rival. A ghost of a smile crossed Alykas' features, a quite malicious smile, but it was gone the next instant as she continued to study the rat. Her arms folded over her chest, the stoat clearly remember that day in Mossflower. She had successfully dispatched of an otter hermit and a horde rat that morning. Ah, memories . . .

"It's so nice to see you again, too, rat," Alykas said with a nod, her tone barely concealing her cynicism. Oh, yes, she recognized him, now.

[Tulian Solum]

Tul nodded after the fox mentioned a way to get a dagger, for free no less. That was certainly a nice change, so he wouldn't have to give up his already meager supplies to get some necessary equipment. It seemed like for once he was in the clear, he had landed himself on a ship with a captain that sure seemed to care about the crew, and it was also a schooner, not a full sized ship. So less chance that one of the few crew would turn to hate him. For once some good news.

Taking back his spyglass he took the offered paw firmly, but his grip wasn't nearly as strong as the foxes. A result of his less then strength focused profession most likely. Slipping the spyglass and his other materials back into his belt pouch he nodded a little.

"I'll head ovar ta get ta know the ship Cap'n. See you two thar when ta both done." Nodding he quickly moved around the stoat and made sure to avoid eye contact as he mumbled out a few words, heading quickly for the door. "Yeh, nice ta see you again...yeh." Before quickly leaving and heading to get his new dagger first, then to the ship.

(Blah, not been feeling it lately, sorry. )