And little drink umbrellas too

[19:38] <@CounterBeard> It was a nice day. Was. The skies were clear, the wingulls had finally gotten the picture that the Karp wasn't a mobile roost. And nothing terrible had happened the night before, either. The Twins hadn't gotten too drunk. Mick didn't hit anyone with his sword. And best of all there was no work. That is what chills up your spine most of all Nelson Fenimore.
[19:41] * Nelson stands on deck, watching the land beneath go by as he contemplates this lack of distractions.  His gaze wanders to the wingulls that have ceased their distractions.
[19:41] <Nelson> He crosses his arms.  "You guys -suck-." He says at the birds. "Today sucks. Everything sucks!"
[19:42] <@CounterBeard> Two of the birds squack and fly above you.
[19:43] <@CounterBeard> Captain Argyle and Mick the First Mate has a meeting scheduled for today, on land. That was several hours ago. They hadn't said who. Or where. Just a "Ah yes, we'll have work in no time Nel m'boy. Just like the old days in the Corp. THose were the days weren't they? FIghting for our lives, Queen and country I remember one time..." On the main deck the Sisters lean against the rails, watching the sunset. They smile and wave as you uell at birds.
[19:45] <Nelson> He gives them a grumpy nod of acknowledgement.  "You'd think after all those years of armed service they'd get a bit more punctual," he mutters to himself as he looks to the sunset as well.  What colors are in the sky today?
[19:50] <@CounterBeard> The sky around you is almost crystal clear. A shocking fact, as you'd usually be enjoying a fine gray cloudscape. But as the sun dips down you see the faintest hint of wisps. Purples and pinks, with a hint of orange where the sun goes below the horizon. As you stare you start to see a shape grow larger, heading towards you.
[19:52] <Nelson> "Orange is such a stupid color," he complains as he notices this approaching...thing.
[19:56] <@CounterBeard> As it gets closer the twins whoop and holler, The Captain seems to be sporting his Corp Best today. He is also woobbling on the back of a salamence as Mick directs. Sloppily. "Coming in for a landing lasses! Make room!" The captain yells the lack of a slurr in his voice belies his drunken state. You swear you can smell the stupid fancy drink he must have guzzled from where you stand.
[19:58] * Nelson sighs and makes sure he's out of the way as well.  "Did you forget the part of trainin' where they tell ya not to fly while boozin', Captain?" He hollers back.
[20:02] <@CounterBeard> They land with a bit of a thump ondeck, the dragon looks incredibly bored. "Of course not! But this is a special case! We have the most important task we have ever been granted!"
[20:04] <@CounterBeard> Mick groans and slides off. "Yeh. Can't wait t'almost die in another foreign land. S'my favorite pasttime Cap'n. Leastways we get paid a bit first, fore we go."
[20:06] * Nelson walks over, and looks to the dragon's opinion on this.  "Your buddy don't seem to sure of that. This better not be some sorta personal convey thing - last thing I need is some noble twerp thinking I'm their temporary butler -" what Mick said hits him. "What's this about death?"
[20:06] <Nelson> "And we're getting -paid- for once?"
[20:10] <@CounterBeard> Mick nods and motions for Nelson to help him drag the captain off the dragon. "Yes yes! Mick haggled a fine price for us! An excellent going price if I do say so. The man has a fierce dedication to his craft, but Mick his desire for his shipmates is applaiadable!" The captain belts out trying to climb down himself.
[20:11] <@CounterBeard> Mick whispers to Nelson "The man actually offered hisself. Just looked at us, asked us what we done before and offered. I just told him half up front after he told us what he damn wanted us to do."
[20:12] * Nelson hurries over and helps the tipsy old guy before he falls and hurts himself.  He seems dubious of this whole thing> "That doesn't sound much different than normal.  Unless the pay part actually, ya know, happened."
[20:14] <@CounterBeard> After getting the Captain settled, Mick laughs and pulls down a package from the dragon. It huffs afterwards and prepares for lift off. "Aye. All crisp and new. Fresh printed like."
[20:16] * Nelson looks at the package, still skeptical.  For all he knows they got paid in nudie mags.
[20:17] <@CounterBeard> (That only happened the one time.)
[20:18] <Nelson> That's still more than needed!
[20:19] <castfromhp> (what about being paid in hookers and blow?)
[20:19] <Nelson> Well okay maybe Nelson could over look the lack of money if hookers were involved.
[20:20] <@CounterBeard> Mick opens it up slowly, acting like a magician before the big reveal he sticks his hand in and brings out a solid fistful of bills and coins. Slightly less mint as they were described. But real.
[20:22] <Nelson> "...Holy crap you're not kidding - those aren't even chocolate coins like that one time."
[20:23] <Nelson> "...So what was this about dieing for this cash again?"
[20:25] <@CounterBeard> Mick wears his shiteating grin "I said I wouldn't let it happen again lad! N'lookit 'em. Glory they be." He shoves the money back in, saving a coin he flips six times. For every heads he flips he spits on his left and every tails he spits on his right. Doing a quarter clockwise turn each time. "Fer luck. I didn't say where we was going yet."
[20:26] <Nelson> "It better not be space hell," he grumbles.
[20:32] <@CounterBeard> "Oh no lad. If only. No. We head to some where much better. Some sort of Lost World. 'Where no man has ever been, and the beasts know no fear. They rule this land, and all the treasures that hide within.' Or some tauros shit. We're just ferryman as usual. Protect the old codger and his supplies there and back again. He extended an offer to any ablebodies that want to 'explore' with 'im."
[20:33] <Nelson> "Oh. Well that doesn't sound that bad, actually."
[20:33] <Nelson> "Is it near a beach? Do we get coconut drinks with little flags in them?"
[20:35] <@CounterBeard> "If only. We have to go fly peak altitudes lad. Thin air the whole trip. Breakneck speeds. The man wants us to make a three month voyage in less than one. Half rations the whole way here and back, then quarter as we wait for 'im to find whatever he is lookin' for. Scientists, crazy old bastards."
[20:36] <Nelson> "...Half rations? QUARTER rations?"
[20:37] <Nelson> "This dude's got hunters with him or something, right..?"
[20:37] <@CounterBeard> Micks grin gets wider. All you can see is teeth and eyes. "Just like back in the Corp what what." His impressions are terrible.
[20:40] <Nelson> "Aw screw this!  If he's okay with actually letting us catch and eat shit out there I'd rather do THAT than sit around and starve while doing some old fart's laundry!"
[20:42] <@CounterBeard> The captain by this time has swaggerwalked to his cabin, the sisters on the other hand saunter over to listen to the latest NelsonMeltdown. "Awww c'mon Nelly Boy it isn't that bad is it?" asks Typhoon. Jetstream giggles pointing to th ebag "Atleast we get forward pay."
[20:43] <@CounterBeard> Mick just nods "Well, Old Doyle didn't say we couldn't...I don't see no reason NOT to hunt. Just don't go get eaten by any of them foil things he is lookin' for."
[20:46] <Nelson> "Well of course it doesn't sound THAT bad - least with an old Professor or something we can -expect- him to ante up.  And...doesn't sound like there's any weird catches here..."
[20:47] <Nelson> "...When the hell are we supposed to pick these folks up anyway?"
[20:52] <@CounterBeard> Mick motions outwards towards the settling city. "Morning I should think. I asked for that seeing the Captains...Condition."
[20:54] <Nelson> "I guess we should thank him for celebrating a bit early since we get one more decent dinner," he grumbles.
[20:57] <Nelson> "Still though - three month trip? Where the hell is this place even?"
[20:59] <@CounterBeard> "Some god forsaken mountain region near Southern Unova. Some sort of crater lake. Least ways thats what Professor Doyle said."
[21:03] <Nelson> "Well shoot, that IS far.  Wonder what on our hilariously flawed resume he found impressive for this sorta thing then.  That or it's dumb enough no one sane would take the job..."
[21:03] <Nelson> "Not like it matters much if we already accepted it.  He tell us anything WE gotta do to get ready?"
[21:04] <@CounterBeard> Mick bursts out laughing. "Oh aye, We leave in the morning. We have to load the ship tonight."
[21:06] <Nelson> "Oh. Right.  So we gotta pick this shit up tonight as well.  Bleh."  He eyes the two sisters. "What the hell do you two make of this?"
[21:08] <@CounterBeard> They groan and shrug in unison. "Could be worse. Could be fending off jellicents after a tsunami." "Or that one time we scraped that bridge? Nearly broke it in two." "Ohoh! What about that time we accidently droped cargo into the clients mansion?" "Nono! The Shiek! When you slapped him!"
[21:11] <Nelson> "The worst was obviously when they asked us to judge that weird ass CONTEST thing."
[21:11] <Nelson> "Least we agree on that - doesn't sound that bad..."
[21:12] <@CounterBeard> Mick coughs, his que before he bellows orders "All available crew, main deck, receiving cargo withing the hour. Fragile equipment, you break it I throw you overboard. Or make you go work with Richard for the whole damn trip. Get to it you gits!"
[21:13] * Nelson rolls his eyes and heads to main deck.  "There better be fuckin' coconuts."
[21:27] <@CounterBeard> (Alright. We can stop here. Or we can do a time skippue and set up for the first session.)
[21:28] <Nelson> I was just about to ask if that was our conclusion, funny enough - let's go ahead and time skip to get the set up done!
[21:34] <@CounterBeard> You have been enroute on your current mission for little over a month. Everyone is tense for the arrival. The Captain has not made a single stupid pun in four days. Things are grim. The man who chartered your services has been on edge since you set off. His entourage have assured you all that everything would be fine once you got there.
[21:35] <@CounterBeard> The night is dark, above the clouds you can see the stars shining and blinking in all their glory. You were stick with night watch. And you know exactly who will be there waiting. The damned man himself Doyle.
[21:37] <Nelson> Nelson never thought he'd wish the mood was merry enough for puns.  Until now.  Least everyone as miserable as he is.  He heads onto deck and does his best to quell a moan at the sight of the old man - gotta at least -try- to be respectful to the guy paying you.
[21:38] <@CounterBeard> Doyle stares off, not at the sky but down, through the clouds. His hat fastened on with a strap around his chin. He looks like he is waiting for something.
[21:39] * Nelson stands near and looks over as well, "You didn't drop something, did ya?"
[21:42] <@CounterBeard> The man barks out a laugh. "No. Not quite. Left something behind though. Coming back for it now. Let me ask you a question boy. I tried three damn times to light up. Damn cross winds blew it out." He pulls out a cigar and a small box of wooden matches. "How the hell do you smoke up here?"
[21:45] <Nelson> "What? The matches?  Why didn't you just start it indoors and step out?  Not like the tip's gotta be a friggen torch or something."
[21:45] <Nelson> "That or I guess some folks would use a Fire Pokemon or something."
[21:47] <Nelson> "Whaddya ean you left something behind?  Like, back home, or where we're goin?"
[21:53] <@CounterBeard> "Where we are going. And it isn't important. Not now. We are almost there. Just need to get there."
[21:55] <Nelson> "What's it like out there anyway?  Are there...palm trees, coconuts?  Or is everything venomous and want to kill you?"
[22:01] <@CounterBeard> "Venom? No. Just near the pits. No. Most of them just hunt you. Openly."
[22:02] <@CounterBeard> "THey just sit and wait. OR watch from afar. Some just sit in the open. And smile. Thier greedly little eyes and twirled mustaches. The pompous asses."
[22:02] <@CounterBeard> His eyes get a bit distant as he rants.
[22:03] <Nelson> "Pokemon with mustaches."
[22:03] <@CounterBeard> "In the wilds. You know everything is there to get you. The whole land reeks with savage nature the way it shouldbe."
[22:04] <@CounterBeard> "Pokemon? No keep up boy, the politicians and the damned bureaucrats. Always wanting assurances and things to go exactly to plan."
[22:04] <Nelson> "Well not too surprising.  Always thought it was a bit weird how folks just treat these critters like little people, and, well, not like what they are."
[22:05] <Nelson> "Oh.  That makes a lot more sense now, yeah."
[22:07] <@CounterBeard> Doyle laughs "I like you boy. What is your name?"
[22:08] <Nelson> "Nelson.  Nelson Fenimore."
[22:10] <@CounterBeard> "Doyle, but I'm sure you knew that. We are almost there Nelson. I can feel it. I can almost hear them. The damned shrieks. The war calls. You ever been to war?"
[22:12] <Nelson> "Me and half the crew, aye."
[22:13] <@CounterBeard> "Thats right. Half the reason I chose this ship. Right. Warriors. The land respects those who have shed blood. You ever feel like the earth ever just wants to be feed on the bodys of man?" He stares at the clouds, down deeper towards the ground, his voice going a bit raw.
[22:13] <Nelson> "Think we got off better than most though.  Which is, alive."
[22:17] <Nelson> "That's a bit too artsy for me.  Life just tends to usually suck."
[22:22] <@CounterBeard> He bursts out laughing. "A simple view, for maybe a simple man. Good. You'll like it there."
[22:23] <@CounterBeard> The air is split open by a howling, warbling screach.
[22:23] <Nelson> "...I guess that was the shrieking you heard."
[22:24] <Nelson> Nelson shudders a bit.
[22:27] <@CounterBeard> As the screach dies away Doyle pulls out a simple revolver. "I'd suggest you prepare yourself Mr. Fenimore."
[22:31] <Nelson> "Prepare for what?"  He's not super phased by the man pulling a weapon, but more concerned what for
[22:35] <@CounterBeard> Breaking the cloud bank a V formation of aerodactyls, atleast fifteen in all. Their scaly hides shimmer deep purple in the moonlight, their wingspans are easily ten feet across. On each of their backs, sits a rider, bareback, clinging on. A spear like weapon clutched close. Their skin mimics the color of the beast they ride.
[22:36] <@CounterBeard> To top is all off, that same shriek echos again.
[22:36] <@CounterBeard> And for some dicemaiding. Roll Perception in main channel
[22:39] <@CounterBeard> You hear a whistling and then a roar, not from any beast but from wood bursting and breaking apart. An aerodactyl largen than any you have seen, spikes jutting from its wings and back, almost as dark as the night tears through the Karp. You spot Doyle try to get off a shot but he seems to be getting smaller. You have one action. What do?
[22:41] <Nelson> Nelson guages his options and given his cynical nature realizes there is absolutely no way in hell he can fight back here, so clamps a hand onto the professor's shoulder like a vice, and then the other to the railing before they both fall to their deaths.
[22:44] <@CounterBeard> The Prof. misses his shot, shooting wildly off into the night. He stares at you, any remenants of the man you were speaking to gone. As you hang on for dear life the Karp begins to sharply decend. Split almost in half, you can make out the ground sharply rising through the gape.
[22:44] <@CounterBeard> and /mini