Pirate Ship: THE SIREN

[longnowmods.livejournal.com]

The afternoon burned down upon the sun-bleached wood of The Siren. Seagulls kept watch over white sails as a dozen Frenchmen- maybe more- sped about her deck. The crewmen were burly and graceless. Still, their routine was coordinated as a dance- mops pushed, knots tied, sails raised, all perfectly timed to the beat of the sea.

This perfection was the work of Captain "Pipesweet" Jacques Fitzroy, a pirate lord with the aura of an aristocrat. He emerged from his quarters with purpose. Every inch of Fitzroy was controlled, from his blonde hair pulled back in a bow to the shine of his boots. As he walked the deck, Pipesweet carried with him the scents of leather and sweet pipe smoke. His crew's efficiency pleased him. The Captain, however, could not smile. Something bigger was on his mind.

Pipesweet reached the ship's bow. As he looked to the blue horizon, he pulled from his waistcoat a tattered parchment. The Captain's fingers, surprisingly devoid of callouses, unfolded the paper. It was a decrepit treasure map- half of one, at least. The torn-away portion had been lost to time. Pipesweet was about to look it over- inspect yet again the same island with the same missing finish line- when he sensed something. The thin pipe in his mouth became threatened by clenched teeth. His perfect ship, of which he knew every corner, was suddenly different.

The Captain turned back toward the rest of his vessel, and waited. The imperfection would be spotted.


[OOC: Any characters boarding The Siren can arrive in this post!]

Comments

[crazymythicnpcs.livejournal.com]

The Captain allowed John a nod, content with the basic obedience. He waited until John disappeared. Then, he leaned toward Cordelia, removing the torn half-map from his luxurious coat. He was close enough that she could likely smell the sugary smoke of his pipe.

"We are going 'ere," he declared. The ancient paper showed an island. A path was etched in black, but the end of the journey was missing. "I believe zis treasure to be ze Fountain of Youth."

Cordelia likely didn't realize it, but Pipesweet had just revealed the motivation of his entire crew. Their coordination, their perfect discipline, their hunger for Pipesweet's respect- it all had reason. Every man on the ship sought the Fountain of Youth as desperately as the Captain did. Each one possessed their own reason for desiring eternal life. Some had seen loved ones die, and feared their own deaths. Some believed themselves fine politicians or artists. A few were simply curious. Each joined the dance of The Siren, and each had won Pipesweet's favor. They would all bathe deeply in The Fountain as equals.

"We shall reach our destination by sunrise." The Captain paused. His pipe shifted in his mouth. For a moment, he actually seemed distracted. "We will get zere before ze demon woman does."

[visionsinprada.livejournal.com]

The Fountain of Youth, years ago, would have been incredibly appealing. Now, after working for someone cursed to live for eternity, while Cordelia wanted to remain forever young she wasn’t entirely sure living forever was all it was cracked up to be. But, rather than mention any of this, she nodded. It certainly looked like it would be a tropical island and if she wasn’t getting in the way of their conquest, maybe she’d be able to enjoy it. And, if the temptation to take a dip in the fountain was too strong, well at least she’d already be there!

“Less than a day to go? Well, that’s certainly better than being stuck at sea for the next month. Don’t get me wrong, it’s way better than where I was, but there’s something to be said for putting your feet on dry land and not having to be crammed in with like a bazillion other guys, right?”

Indeed, she hardly realized the motivation of the 'bazillion other guys' and why the crew was was damned loyal and obedient. Cordelia offered Pipesweet a smile after her comment, but it soon faded when he mentioned demons. Of course. There had to be a catch. There ALWAYS was a catch.

“Did you say demon? I mean, not to brag or anything, but I’m pretty experienced with demons. We had our own Hellmouth where I grew up!”

Apparently the fact that the Captain was employing the use of figurative speech did not even occur to the ditzy woman.

[crazymythicnpcs.livejournal.com]

Pipesweet furrowed his brow. Even a 'bazillion' of his men would remain respectful to a woman. Cordelia's childish offense was unfounded. As she droned on, The Captain glanced over her shoulder to monitor his crew. Perfect, as usual. As for the girl... beauty was not brains.

"Captain Cannons, true demon or no, she belongs een ze Underworld."

The name of his rival sent a bitter taste into his mouth. Not even the sugar of the Captain's pipe could dull it. Clearing his throat, Pipesweet quickly folded the half-map away.