9/27 A Dance with a Thunder Queen

 Jianyu Xi says, ". . ."
 Maertock would turn with a flash of his jagged rows of teeth in a grin at the familiar voice, the fortune teller of his late, hung over evening prior having returned no doubt to admire his body. It was understandable after all.

Placing his webbed hands behind the back of his flowing black, salt laden hair, the Captain of the Deep Company would bark out with cheer as he clicked his teeth together.

"Returning to admire my Neptunean physique? A reasonable gamble, what is my body if not a temple to be worshipped, the pinnacle of merman physicality."

The reaver would bark out in laughter, taking a firm swig of his bottle of rum as his piercing blue gaze met the woman's crimson one.

"So, what was the cost for that fortune again?"
(Maertock Reave)
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 Jianyu scrunches their nose at the presence of sub-humans.
(Jianyu Xi)
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 Gou squints at the man before him for an uncomfortable amount of time. No words, just staring.

As one does.

Though its' then that his emerald hues would rest on Katja, squinting at her rather menacingly before shrugging. "Sure." With that he walks off into the ocean for what he deems to be a bit, before walking back.

"Okay."

With that, he'd focus on the Mori.

"Imagine being a fish, and a dog. Then, and this part is crucial." He'd pause for a moment to make sure Kott was paying attention, before he continued. "Combine the two, and that's what it's like."
(Gou Meztin)
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 Crimson hues, much like that of a Serpent, one vile and corrupted, stare towards the familiar fish-like man. A sub-human.

"Surely not." They wave their clawed hand, amused by his laughter and haughty. "I enjoy this beach but your people seem to be dirtying it up with their presence. I liked it better when the ocean didn't vomit its rejects all over the shores. I've no heart for the water."

Yet they do step closer, venomous words aside.

"Five-hundred coin or something that interests me if your pockets are light. I also accept blood- A bloody dance where you run for life from me."
(Jianyu Xi)
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 Kott would stare just at Gou, unbelievably dumbfounded by the explanation. He said it so genuinely, so honestly- and it truly threw him off guard.

Frankly, he could only find himself grinning like a moron at the statement.

"Nice."

And then overhearing the nearby Sheng- he couldn't help but turn an eye at attention.

"Not as nice."
(Kott Mori)
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 Gou simply gives the Mori a thumbs up.

What else needed to be said?
(Gou Meztin)
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 500 coins? Absolutely not. Maertock was nothing if not a greedy pirate.

The Captain of the Deep Company would bark out in mirthful laughter at the woman's commentary, shaking his head with a tsking noise as he waggled his large finger at the fortune teller.

"The ocean made us to keep it clean, it just happens trash has a bad habit of staying landside, sometimes we need to come to shore and make sure everything's tidy and neat. Responsible, civic servants us fish."

Maertock would nod sagely, his tone denoting with obvious clarity that his crew was the furthest thing there was from civic servants.

"Though rejects....I like that...."

The shark would bare his teeth, pupils blackening and widening not unlike a great white with the scent of blood in the water. Leaning his ratty steel blade over his shoulder, he'd consider the matter.

"So five hundred coin, or something interesting, something bloody? No fear."

Without any delay, Maertock would proceed to turn his steel blade upon his own visage, narrowly directing it towards his left eye before, in a sudden thrusting motion at his eyeball.

 Gou glances over towards the captain of the ship, as he attempts to remove his own eye.

No words come from the fish.

None at all.

"Y'know." He starts to speak, but doesn't. Instead he takes a few deep breathes before shaking his head. "Yeah. I-"

Once again he fails.

"Spirits."

That's where he ends it.

For the man who literally drank dirt earlier today, the captain of the sirenian crew stunned him into silence with his actions.
(Gou Meztin)
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 There's a moment of pause. Caddock pivots on heel, a raised brow and slow turn leading his attention to the scene a mere few feet south. Flowing, green ichor spews across the sand, dribbling forth from the confine of his Captain's skull. One second. Another. He visibly attempts to process whatever it was he'd just witnessed, before speaking his confusion in clear -

"What in the god damn?"
(Caddock Reave)
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 Kott would just stare at the botched transfer. Goodness- he really just watched that happen.

There was a quick heel-turn, almost as if he couldn't brace himself! But sure enough, the fish had plunged a dagger into his eye, splitting his left, and a ever too casual plucking of the vein.

The gory sight of emerald blood dripping from the socket, along with the crooked smile of the shark-visage.


Yeah. He had seen enough.

"O-"
(Kott Mori)
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 Katja watches this exchange with renewed interest at the apparent self-maiming for nothing more than a simple fortune. His willingness to give up such a vital organ- or was this a reaction to the fear that this being presented?

Her spirit, the smaller cuttlefish begins to swim in the air and capture this moment from other angles. Her expression would not change, but her attention is enthralled on this very moment. She would not speak, not out of any fear.

No, she must see why.
(Katja)
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 Coin or something bloody. Jianyu found themself paying half paying attention. Even then, he seemed to keep his own attention on them, teeth revealed.

Naturally, that of a shark rivaled a serpent's. Their fangs thin and more precise. "Tell me w-"

Steel moved, blade directed to his face and the Fortune Teller, very quickly, whisked their hand to send a blast of wind against the Siren's blade. It blew past, saving his eye from any plucking and self-mutilation.

"Absolutely not."

The blade hit the sand and their clawed hand reached for Maertock's bare skin, tugging him close. The difference in height mattered little to the rather small Fortune Teller.

"You will not rob me of maiming you myself."
(Jianyu Xi)
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 Maertock would snort with amusement as his attempt at gouging out his eye was stopped, both arguably from a combination of the woman's immense speed as a master of lightning magic, and of course the fact that Maertock's own resilience was innate against such flimsy steel.

The pirate captain was also very drunk, there was no doubt his movement's were slowed.

"Kinky. Well, now it'll be a good story and a good fortune. Blinded by a pretty lady's touch."

The seven foot tall fishman would kneel down for the shortstop, gesturing idly with his hand.

"Go on, the left eye's half cut anyways. Might as well finish the job now. I know, stunned by my robust physicality. It's common. Take your time."

Smug bastard.
(Maertock Reave)
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 Crossed arms. A lopsided, watchful gaze, curious of the outcome that'd follow. The short shark-man leans back, jagged rows showing with a chesire-esque grin. That was him - That was Maertock. He'd not much a statement regarding the former or latter, the ins and outs, or the start and finish. It was, as it was - And he simply wanted to see what it would be.

"He's still drunk as fuck, yeah?" he'd question, nudging Katja's side to beckon forth agreement.
(Caddock Reave)
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 Smacked with ease. Still did they move with the speed of lightning- Only briefly and sometimes can they strike in the blink of an eye.

Crimson hues followed the massive fish-man as he kneeled down, matching their height, somewhat.

"You misunderstand me entirely. This?" They shook their head. "Will not do. Sitting prey may as well fall over and die. You'll strike me and I strike you. It's a dance, you see."

Dainty, boney hands reached out and cupped the man's face, squeezing his cheeks together.

"It's been a while since my blood has truly boiled. Barsburg has since moved further west... Wandering souls are oft weak."

"You'll stand," Claws only poke into the fishy-flesh. "-And amuse me."
(Jianyu Xi)
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 Maertock would bark out in laughter as he chuckled with amusement, shrugging with a lazy dreg of his bottle of rum as he clicked his rows of serrated teeth together. The fishman was nothing if not one for blood sport.

Shrugging his broad shoulders, he'd dredge his iron blade from his sheathe with a flash of his grin, glancing over the shoddy weapon with a light hum.

"Can't be helped. You want to see this body in action. This sword's a piece of shit, but it'll do."

Flourishing the blade, he'd hold it in a backhand stance not unlike his former trident, light coils of occultic energy flickering around his form.

"Let's dance sugar."
(Maertock Reave)
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Dumped unceremoniously next to her brother and some fish-faced dweebs, she looked over at what appeared to be the start of combat. The girl blinked, scratching her cheek with surprising delicateness considering her sharp nails.

"Hey... they're attacking an old hag," she'd point out, as if Gou might have somehow not realised. "What's going on?"
(Yaretzi Meztin)
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 Gou shrugs.

"Dunno. Wasn't paying the most attention." Emerald hues would drift over towards his sibling. "And does it matter? We got ourselves a show to watch!"
(Gou Meztin)
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 A brow arcs, dull, blackened hues dragging to his left. An unamused tone breaks away, tone sharp enough to shred a lighter soul into bits. Had he misheard, or -

"Attacking?"
(Caddock Reave)
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 "Shh. I'm watching."

Her eyes do not peel from this unfolding scene, but the water sprite moves in front of Yaretzi. One of it's many tentacles on it's face mimics that of someone holding their finger up to their lips to shush.

Her captain would not simply gather the flesh for this being- the speed coming from Jianyu was on another level.

She was just an observer. Unable to properly put up a fight against either of them, and partially unwilling to risk life and limb for something as meaningless as another's fortune.

Yet, she could not take her eyes away from this fight, it's outcome, and the portents for the future because of it.
(Katja)
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 A piece of shit sword and a staff of all things. Awful. Jianyu missed their bow more than ever but it was given to another so who knows where it is.

Actually...

Since their youth, they've been an archer and then scythe wielder. Where did the Supreme's Black Star go?

Electricity hummed with a scary consistency. It stretched around their small frame, billowing up much like a fine flame-- Yet, it's entirely composed of potent electricity.

"You'll refrain from calling me any name that is not my own. Don't forget it," The staff whisked down to their side, occult seeping into the air around them.

"Jianyu Xi. At your service for any price when it comes to fortunes." Immediately, they flash away.
(Jianyu Xi)
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 How they missed the Black Star.
And their Guardian Bow.

But alas, this flimsy stick would do. Devastating rays of lightning replace now with something far more concentrated to keep Maertock away. Throughout this encounter they flashed in and out, appearing in the blink of an eye and bombarded him with Helish occultic burns.

He'll burn.

"I take payment after so let's hope you aren't hurt too bad. Or- Perhaps you are. I care little for the result."

Blood pumped and already, the Fortune Teller felt the essence come onto them. Siphoned and stolen as they engaged in a dance of blood.

"Worry not. This only helps round out my fortunes." When he comes close, the Fortune Teller only zapped away.
(Jianyu Xi)
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[01:59] Maertock would bark out with excitement as he danced with the woman, cackling with cheer as each sparking bolt of lightning excited him with simmering, crackling force. The fishman would bark out in drunken cheer as he'd lunge forth in procession, his movements surprisingly focused in spite of his inebriated state.

In contrast to the woman's shroud of lightning, he appeared to merely be putting the least amount of effort possible into his own aura, a vague shroud of essence that shimmered around his physique.

Bombarded with occultic flame, he found his skin almost familiarly tingling, a flash of insight coming over the Captain's visage as his smile widened.

"It wouldn't be a party if you didn't hurt me a little bad Jianyu. Come on, I'm startin' to feel alive. Keep shockin' me!"

Flourishing his piece of shit blade, the usual trident user would make a pose for the woman and await her assault with his ever relaxed visage.
(Maertock Reave)
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{Lost Dangerous RPB against Jianyu Xi}
** Jianyu Xi has inflicted an injury upon Maertock Reave. ("Temporary Injury", "Temporary Injury", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **
 Alive?

Jianyu knew of ways to make someone feel alive or dead. They knew how to hurt people. At this age, their occultism has been held firmly but sometimes, it slips. In spurts of violence, physical and verbal, they can lose themself.

Crimson hues glow dangerously, pupils thinning as an iron sword knicked at their flesh, at times nearly cutting at them and withering them down. However, even in age they can strike fear into a man's heart.

Instead of flashing away, they came in-- Appearing before him and blowing him back with rotten occultic. It's withering, siphoning at his very strength and forcing him to take a knee.

"Be careful of what you wish for."

They'll read to him like this. Him on a knee and their flimsy stick of a staff dropped to the ground. Boney hands slide to their hip- A dagger is brandished. Old.

"I tell fortunes for a price," They repeat, panting, blade easing up and dragging along his flesh. It's gentle, every motion. Jianyu cared little for those who may be present, children or not.

"And yours?" Serpentine hues stare down into his. "Hmm..."

Their free hand rose, bringing a single card between their middle and index finger. Its turned and they look at it surprised. Familiar.

"The Chariot drawn upright."

Very familiar.

"How interesting. Your will is different from all others. Is it because you've risen from the sea and walk the land like a man? You're prideful of your origins and, more than anyone, are aware of the direction you wish to tread towards no matter what's left in the wake. How many bodies do you have? Do corpses follow behind you? You're destructive to yourself and those are you.

But you don't care."

Without warning, the dagger jabbed into Maertock's thigh.

"Every facet of your life will be controlled and tailored as you see fit. Much like a boat. You're a captain, no? Your boat is your vast chariot, carried forth by the waves and piles of bodies in the past and to come."

Jianyu pushed the dagger down further. "Does that suffice..." Their head cants slightly.

"Captain?"
(Jianyu Xi)
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 A soft, dull yawn sounds out, echoing across the barren beachfront and bounding over wave after wave. He mulled over the situation for one moment longer before reaching a resolute and calm conclusion regarding the matter as a whole - a conclusion easily placed under the realm of a single word.

"Nah."

Maertock's antics no longer excited him, and with the apparent lack of danger - LETHAL danger, the only type he could truly be bothered to care about - he'd no reason at all to linger. The night was cold - the waves the only consolidation to an otherwise dreary, uneventful evening. The earlier hours of the day had been nothing short of enthralling, but so cameth the nothingness betwixt - and he wanted some GOD DAMN SLEEP!

"Later."

Off to the boat.
(Caddock Reave)
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 Maertock would find the barrage of lightning from the witch's masterful application as a thunder queen invigorating, but also scourging for his flesh if the steady sapping at his stamina with its bolts was any implication. But it seemed the more wounded he grew, the wider his jagged rows of teeth spread in excitement.

His swipes were eventually abated as, with a sudden flash of lightning, he was blasted away by a surge of occultic energy, falling to his knee with a smoking cloud of smoked fish as he chuckled with a cough of green blood spattered upon the sand.

"I've never been careful a day in my life. I don't plan to now."

Steadily, the captain would listen to his fortune with a proud nod, an aura of occultic energy seeming to manifest from him with almost pride at what would otherwise be a negative matter.

"You stop keeping count of bodies past the hundreds when you're sinking ships. I've drowned enough men toconsider myself a professional. After al-"

The captain was silenced as he was stabbed in the leg by Jianyu, not so much out of sheer pain as surprise. But that jagged, shark toothed grin immediately spread as he placed his hand over Jianyu's dagger wielding hand for nary more than a moment.

Forcing it with a sudden, violent motion deeper into his leg as he brought his face up to Jianyu.

"Almost. It's Captain Reave. Maertock Reave. When's our next dance?"
(Maertock Reave)
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 It was the first time Yaretzi had seen occultism in action. Vile, sickening magic- washed away in the fervour of battle. Such little things didn't matter. Having talked with Talacael before setting off to find her fishfucking brother, she'd resolved not to try and get involved in too many random fights.

Watching them was almost as good. There was an energized feeling to it all. She didn't know why the two were acting the way they did, or what the whole chariot thing meant...

All she saw was the breath of violence gifted to the world, bringing an excitement to witness more. Yaretzi looked over to her brother.

"That was cool," the lame sentence attempting to capture her emotions as effectively as a net could hold water.
(Yaretzi Meztin)
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 Enthralling.

Katja, who had been prior a being of chaos and attention-grabbing was utterly silent at this display. The bravery of her captain was matched by the terror that was behind the strikes of the Fortune Teller. Lighting that blitzed the sky, moving just out of reach of the Captain's blade.

But it was the command that was displayed over this situation. The terror, the power of the unknown that this Anguill did not understand. The tendrils of water would stay by her side, even though her expression would not change.

Fear through body language, unable to be displayed through a thin smile and a wide gaze. Katja was a hunter at heart, but even the boldest of hunters knew when a fight was not worth the energy or pain.

"I do not understand, but the Captain lives."

She desired understanding, above all things.
(Katja)
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"Of course it was cool."

The Shaman would mutter, seemingly un-phased by whatever the Hel was going on. In fact, he simply stood there with a wide grin on his face, idly bobbing his head from side to side.

Sure the presence of the occult wasn't pleasant, but why should he care? He wasn't a holy magi, or any Knight, which seeing as he disliked both of those, only seemed to make him just a little bit more interested in the fight.

"That was quite the fight to watch."

A nod follows before he turns to face his sister. "Come... With me for a moment. I can probably fix up whatever the Hel is bothering you now."
(Gou Meztin)
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 To their surprise, the Captain brought the blade deeper into his flesh. Strange, but they aren't one to complain.

For a while, the blade stays lodged in his leg and Jianyu came to a stand.

"Maertock. It will be whenever I want it to be. You exist on my time, not the other way around. I'll seek you, perhaps. Your essence was tolerable."

Jianyu did eventually pull the dagger out with little care for how he'd felt. Given his oddities, it likely was enjoyed.

"Fortune complete. I hope you don't need anything else from me." The Supreme rolled their shoulders back. "I'm tired-- Hel."
(Jianyu Xi)
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 Jianyu Xi says, "Speak."
 Yaretzi Meztin says, "Oh. I just wanted to learn how to use lightning.. like that."
 With a quirked eyebrow, the youth crossed his arms now, by his chest; he eyed the two individuals going at it, blood spilt onto the ground and from their wounds. Quite the weird bunch.

That is why he stayed some feet away from the fish people. They were a mystery for him.

"That's some interesting Magic right there. What's it take to share it with a practitioner?"

That he redirected the Supreme's way - he did not know her, he did not care whom she was. She had knowledge. He wanted knowledge. And he's about to get what he wants, one way or another.

Regardless, he'd keep his distance, observing the energy surrounding the two. Chilly..
(Ares)
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Maertock would maintain that toothy grin like a predator measuring up another predator, a sense of respect and amusement in equal turn in his gaze as the blue eyed giant matched the crimson rubies of the arch witch.

As she removed it, the captain of the Deep Company would chuckle lightly as he offered the woman a sultry wink, green ooze dripping from his massive thigh as the shark adrenaline aided in killing the pain for now. It was certain it was going to hurt in the morning.

"Well, yes, as a pirate my schedule is rather open. I would assume we're working around your timetable here. I'll make sure to get some nice wine and biscuits."

The occultic captain would chuckle darkly as he leaned his shitty iron blade over his shoulder. At her final inquiry, he would over a nod of his head.

"Your company perhaps, come visit the captain's cabin sometime Jianyu. You're spicy."

The carefree marauder would chuckle jovially again, placing his arms over the back of his head with a wince as a bit of blood spurted once more from his leg.

"But in a good way, not a bad way. Well, in a bad way, but in the good kind of bad way. Something like that."

The fishman would drink more rum.
(Maertock Reave)
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"I wouldn't allow you thirty feet near my home, so. I suppose. I enjoy a treat or two." Again, not much mind is paid to him. Serpentine sights travel over to the Nagual.

That's new.

"Mh."

"That would be a boat, correct?" They ask, clarifying the situation. "If so, I hate water."

The witch's attention was stolen for now.
(Jianyu Xi)
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"It is only common sense not to allow a pirate near your home on the first date."

Maertock would flash a shark's grin, predatory and yet provacative in equal toe. His lazy eyes effortlessy capable of turning the black of a hunting shark, and yet lazy, drifting, piercing blues remained as he offered a final glance to Jianyu.

"And yes, it is the boat. But shocking as it might sound, there's no water inside of it. That would make it difficult to do boat things like not sinking, maritime piracy, that sort. You'll find my quarters surprisingly dry for a merman, it's where I keep my maps."

The giant would offer a final wink to the woman, proceeding to depart with a chuckle as he shook his head.

"It was fun Jianyu."
(Maertock Reave)