<Storyteller> Alu, on his knees, is looking at each of you, a pleading look in his eyes.
* Brianna has tears running down her face and she silently reaches out to him
* Erik turns toward Brianna, a look of rage in his eyes
* Alu shrinks back from Brianna's touch
* William lays his hands on the man
<Erik> "Great work, Brianna. We ALL appreciate that. Thanks a bundle."
* Brianna glares up at Erik through her tears
<Brianna> Knowing that Alu will not let her heal him, she slowly gets to her feet,
face averted from both Alu and Erik
<Storyteller> His corpus seals up,
<Storyteller> The other crew members look at Brianna
* Brianna looks at the floor, trying to hide her tear-streaked face
* Alu looks at William
* Erik places himself between Alu and Brianna
* Gerard comes out of his cabin. "What the Hell is all the commotion. Fella can't
get any work done with you running around like idiots!"
* Nachabe is still navigating
<Storyteller> Silence fills the ship as everyone looks on
* Brianna suddenly looks up, at the southern man and his wife. "You said that they
were drones. Alu isn't a drone."
<Erik> "Our friend and loyal crewmember Brianna shot the escaped slave. Didn't you,
Brianna?"
<Nachabe> {Erik: He he he he he...Maybe you are next}
* William helps Alu stand
<Erik> (Probably. That's why that kind of thing will stop NOW)
<Beau> "It doesn't matter, I bought and paid for him."
* Brianna shoots a venomous look at Erik
<Erik> "Not so perfect now, are we?"
<William> {Bri: oooh....that felt so good. Seee. I told you. If they were your
friends they'd believe it wasn't you.}
* Brianna shudders
* William stands infront of Alu protectively
<Storyteller> Alu stands next to William
<Brianna> "I never claimed perfection Erik and you know it."
<William> {Bri: I did that to prove my point.}
* Brianna looks back at Beau. "How can you do this, knowing that this man is a
sentient being?"
<Beau> "I'd like to have my property now, sir." says to William
<Erik> "Ah, but you implied it with every word."
<Gerard> "Would someone tell me just what the heck is going on?"
<William> "You viloated the terms of the cargo order."
<Beau> "This is not a man, he's property."
<William> "We are confiscating your cargo."
* Erik whispers to William "I'll take care of this later. Trust me."
<William> "Or atleast the part that is in violation."
<Brianna> {Ger - ahhh, such lovely companions you keep}
<Beau> "Now see here, sir!"
* Beau get's in William's face
<William> "No you see. You are on our ship."
<Gerard> (Yeah, and I been staying away from them all this time. Looks like they
need a lesson in ethics. Especially ethics in these lands.)
<Erik> "Look, since there's a dispute, I'll put him in the brig until this is sorted
out."
<Erik> "Is that reasonable to both parties?"
<Beau> "There is no dispute, he was brought on as my property, and he's leaving that
way!"
<Erik> "He is going in the brig until this is sorted out. That's FINAL."
<William> "He will be safe there."
* William says that more toward Alu
<Erik> "Come on, Alu."
* Beau gives you both a murderous look, and stalks off.
<Erik> "I'll handle Beau later."
* Alu follows Erik
* Erik escorts him to the brig, but does not lock him up
* William goes with them
<Erik> "Alu, look. I'll take care of things...you just stay put and out of
trouble..."
<William> "Someone should guard him."
<Storyteller> You reach the engineering section of the ship
<Storyteller> You pass by Merriweather, and Simon
<Erik> "It won't be needed. I think Beau will have a change of heart REAL soon.
Trust me."
* Brianna stays quietly at the back of the group
* Gerard follows Erik and William. "You know, many of these slaves were criminals.
You better make sure he's locked up."
* William frowns. "Beware not to feed the dark one when you do it."
<Erik> "Gerard, I said I'd handle this."
* Alu gets a frightened look as you pass by the forges
<William> "I will return to check up on Alu. I have something to do."
<Gerard> "By not locking him up. Real brilliant. If you need me, I will be locking
myself in my cabin then."
<Erik> "William, you hang around and make sure Beau doesn't get to Alu before I get
to Beau. Raise an alarm if there's trouble."
<Storyteller> Merriweather looks up from her forge
* Gerard goes back to his cabin and locks himself in.
<Erik> "You have a problem?"
<Merriweather> "Is this the new material?"
* William looks like he wants to go, but nods.
<Erik> "Sorry, I'm a little angry today..."
<Erik> "No, it's not."
<Merriweather> "So what's he doing here?"
* Gerard makes sure his soulforge pistol and gladius are out in case of something
from the slaves.
<Brianna> {Ger - those fools don't need your help anyway. They're doing fine on their
own. *chuckle*}
<Erik> "It's for his protection. He's the object of a dispute."
<Gerard> (Yeah, well let them kill themselves. Teach them.)
<Merriweather> "I see."
<Brianna> {Ger - very good...I see we are finally beginning to think along the same
terms}
<Merriweather> "Well alright then." she turns to look at you and smiles.
<Erik> "Now, it is to be totally understood that he is NOT materials for the ship.
Got it?"
<Merriweather> "Crystal."
<Gerard> (Who said we were, I have some things to think about. And they don't
involve the death of the crew.)
<Erik> "Good."
* Erik escorts Alu to a cell
* William follows
<Erik> "You can stay here, but if you escape, I will have to give you over to Beau,
much as I don't want to. Got it?"
<Storyteller> The crew gets back to work, once the show is over
* Brianna stays back with Remy, not wanting Alu to get upset at seeing her
* Alu nods
<Erik> "Excellent."
<Erik> "I'm going now to take care of Beau."
<William> "Could you send someone to take over soon?"
<Remy> "It's ok cher."
<Erik> "Yeah, I'll try. But truth be told, I don't trust anyone else."
<Merriweather> "I can watch him."
* William nods
* Brianna shakes her head. "No, it's not okay. I lost control and let something
horrible happen."
<William> "Thank you."
<Erik> "We'll see, Merriweather."
<Remy> "It happens to the best of us,"
<Erik> "It's only because you're the only one that DIDN'T fuck me over."
<Erik> "And I hope you won't. Good day."
* Erik goes to find Beau
<Gerard> {Remy: Are you going to protect the slave like you protected Emily. The
last time you died. This time will be your oblivion.}
* Beau returns to the deck with his manifest
<Beau> "Let me show you this, captain."
<Erik> "Beau, can I have a chat with you?"
* Remy gets a strange look on his face, then an angry one
* Brianna returns to her cabin
<Beau> "Fine."
* Nachabe watches all of this from the wheel of the ship
<Beau> "What do you want?"
<Erik> "I want to see you in my office. Now."
* Gerard comes out of his room and goes to where Alu is being kept. He has hidden
his pistol on him.
* Erik escorts Beau to his office
<Gerard> "William, is the slave locked in?"
* Beau follows Erik to his office
<William> "He is secure."
<Gerard> "That's not what I asked. Is it locked in?"
<William> "He isn't going anywhere."
<Gerard> "Again, thats not what I asked. Is it LOCKED IN?!?!"
<Storyteller> Simon and Merriweather look up
<William> "HE is not locked in. He is not a prisoner he is here for his own safety."
William says calmly
<Beau> "What do you want?"
* Erik uses Phantasm 3 to put Beau to sleep
* William looks at Gerard, not liking his tone
<Gerard> "Well, lock him in since I don't want either a criminal or a spectre roaming
the place."
<William> "I am guarding him."
<Gerard> "That's not good enough. Lock him up."
<Beau> Beau staggers and falls to the ground asleep
* William frowns and takes the key ring down.
* William stands so he can see Gerard as he locks the door
* Erik uses Phantasm 2 and Keening 1 to make his dream a frightnening ordeal, as he
is slowly being forged into a brick and then placed into a wall for eternity...
<Gerard> "Good."
* Beau dreams,
* Brianna sits in her room, closes her eyes and begins a long meditation in order to
clear her mind and cleanse her inner self
<Storyteller> You lift and lug him to his room, as you reach the door you can hear
Rochelle inside.
<Nachabe> {Erik: You are doing a good job.....its just what I would do.....Keep up
the good work}
<Storyteller> You hear footsteps now and they are coming towards the door.
<Erik> {Wiliam:Gerard is obviously possessed...I'd strike him now, before he has a
chance to kill you}
* Erik opens the door
* Erik walks out confidently
<William> (No he is not. And you under estimate me.)
<Storyteller> The door opens and Rochelle is there
<Erik> "Ah Rochelle, just the person I wanted to see."
<William> "He is now secure. You can even send the captain down to take the keys."
<Rochelle> "Why, good afternoon Erik," she says with a beaming smile
<Erik> "It seems Beau had an accident...a beam hit him and knocked him out. I
brought him here, but I'm not sure if he's OK."
<Erik> "The engineers will be disciplined shortly."
<Gerard> "No, I will just stay here and make sure you people don't do anything
stupid."
<Rochelle> "Knocked him out?"
<Erik> "Such shoddy craftsmanship cannot be tolerated."
* Rochelle runs over to Beau
<Erik> "I fear he might have suffered mental trauma, but I can't really tell."
<Rochelle> "But we are dead..."
<Erik> "It was a piece of soulforged lumber...it almost looked like it...wanted...to
hit him."
<Erik> "It was eerie."
* Rochelle comforts her husband
<Erik> "Anyways, he might not remember anything, or if he does, it might be
distorted."
<Erik> "I'm not a doctor of the dead, so I don't really know."
* Nachabe is still a navigating
<Friday> "Captain, what are we going to do here?"
<Erik> "I'll fetch the ship's doctor now, Rochelle, if you'd like."
<William> "You seem angry about something."
<Remy> "Do, Friday?"
<Gerard> "Your damn straight I am angry. You people get all sentimental over
something that is either a drone, a criminal, or a spectre. How you can feel
sympathy for them is beyond reason."
<Friday> "Well about this situation."
<William> "Some are only enslaved for not being able to resist their would-be
captors."
<Gerard> "So you think. Tell me, during all this time, did you ever ask that
southern guy what the slave was before he became property?"
<Remy> "I tell you what I'm gonna do. As far as I'm concerned, Beau violated his
contract by having a sentient slave. That makes our deal void. I'm gonna
complete the voyage to London, but Alu stays with us."
* Nachabe continues to steer
<William> "I do not believe in slavery. Regardless of where it is done."
<Gerard> {Remy: Free the slave. The spectral armies could use another foot soldier.}
<Storyteller> Merriweather-"look you guys, we are trying to work here."
<Remy> (How do you know he's a spectre?)
<Gerard> "Son, slavery has been around longer than you have been dead. Do you
honestly think these people would give up that institution?"
<Gerard> {Remy: We'll get him *Evil chuckle*}
<William> {Bri: Why do you stay with them? I proved to you beyond a doubt that they
are not your friends. Who else do you have besides me? Leave them. Jump off the
ship. I will keep you safe.}
<Remy> (By your logic, I should kill everyone so they don' become spectres in the
future. Sounds flawed to me)
* Nachabe sits on the rail of the ship, with his legs dangling over the side
<Brianna> (You are a devil and a liar and you proved nothing)
* Nachabe begins to play his flute in a calming and soothing manner
<Gerard> {Remy: So you will protect him like you protected Emily. The last time you
died. This time will end in your oblivion.}
<Remy> Nach:{Do us all a favour and jump, you sniveling wimp}
<Nachabe> (You forget darkness that I can jump with no harm)
<Storyteller> Merriweather glares at you two "guys take this topside please."
<Gerard> "Merriweather. Do you know what they were doing? They planned on keeping a
slave in the brig with the door unlocked."
<William> "I am protecting Alu. I must stay."
<Storyteller> She sighs, "Simon..."
<William> "He is not a prisoner. Why should we lock him up like an animal?"
* Nachabe sighs and goes back to navigating the ship
<Erik> {William:See? My friends are controlling him...you are weak, and I am
strong...}
<Simon> "Alright guys, you know me, he'll be safe here. Please," he motions for the
door.
* William 's tone of voice has remained calm
* Nachabe stands and wonders why wraiths just can't let go
<Gerard> "You still don't understand do you William."
* Erik goes to fetch the ship's doctor
<William> (A difference of opinion from mine does not mean he is turned to the
darkness. He just accepts the horrible ways that have developed here)
<William> "What is to understand? He is as sentient as you or yet was being treated
like the lowest form of beast."
<Erik> {William:Is it really acceptance? Or is it my control, subtly urging him to
keep up with the atrocities? I am more powerful than you will ever be, William.
Realize it.}
<William> (You are weak. Your way is easier, but it only leads to self destruction.)
<Storyteller> The crew stop working and watch the two fo you argue
<Gerard> "So, you would allow say, your sentient... rapist to roam free. your
sentient... murderer to roam free. Your sentient... spectre to roam free.
Slaves that are sentient are usually this. By all means free it, but when it
kills you in your sleep, you will realize your mistake to late."
<William> (Any who value themselves even the slightest can resist you.)
* Remy goes down to the brig to check out their 'guest'
<Gerard> "How long have you been dead William?"
<Simon> "Hello, Captain."
<William> "Since most such individulas give way to their own dark sides almost
imediatly they become Spectres, servants of the Devil."
<Remy> "Good day, Simon."
<William> "Spectres' minds have been consumed by darkenss and it controls them."
<William> "I have been dead too long." You sense a hint of remorse in his voice
<Simon> "He's right in there. Gerard and William seem to really be at each other's
throats."
<Gerard> "How long. A few weeks at most?"
<Remy> "Ah, crap."
* Remy walks in
<William> "Good afternoon captain."
<Gerard> "Remy."
<Remy> "Gentlemen. What seems to be the problem?"
<Gerard> "Both Erik and William believe they can keep the slave in the cell with the
door unlocked."
<William> "Nothing sir. We were merely having an ethical discussion. Gerard got
somewhat emotional and raised his voice."
<Remy> "He's no slave any longer, Gerard."
<Remy> "As far as I'm concerned, he shouldn't be in de brig at all."
<William> "Erik suggested he would be safest here."
<Gerard> "Not a slave. You can't arbitrarily free slaves. Have you asked Beau what
this slave was before he was chained?"
* William unlocks the door and hands the keys to Remy
<Remy> "You know what? Fuck Beau. He violated the contract, an' I'm demanding a
sign of good faith. Alu is being set free. If Beau don' like it, he can swim to
London."
* Gerard takes out the pistol. "You will relock the door. I am not going to have
this shit go any further."
<Friday> "Hey now, Gerard, put that gun down."
<Remy> "That's enough, Gerard. You have no authority. This be business. I have a
ship to run, and I *don't* like to be fucked over."
* Nachabe walks by all of you with a deck pin in his hands
* Nachabe walks in to see the artificers
<Storyteller> "Hey Nachabe," says Simon.
<Nachabe> "What?"
<Gerard> "No. The slave should be locked until we get to London. Then deal with it
there. I am not letting you screw the entire ship over someting so simple."
* William appears relaxed but is ready to draw his sword at a moment's notice
<Remy> {That's right, Nachabe. Why don't you just bury that pin in Gerards back.
He'd enslave your whole tribe if he got the chance. Do you want that?}
<Nachabe> "Yes Simon."
<Storyteller> "Nothing, just saying hi," he says
<Gerard> "You still don't understand. There is a reason he is a slave and if you
don't want to figure it out, then it is the death of you all."
<Remy> "You're right. The slave should be locked up. Unfortunately, Alu ain't a
slave no more."
<Nachabe> {Shadow, if the tribe is dead they will go to our lands not these here,
there are slaves there as well...remember we sold ourselves into slavery}
<Remy> "And if there's one thing my momma taught me, it's never treat a guest badly."
* Nachabe walks in an talks to the artificers about replacing a dozen or so deck pins
that are missing
<Gerard> "Very will then, just go on upstairs and I will handle the rest of the
problem."
<Brianna> {Ger - ahhh, such fun we're having. Never a dull moment with you around, my
friend}
* Nachabe walks out and says in passing "Remember your place."
<Remy> "So I ask you again. Put the gun down."
* Nachabe walks back up stairs
<Gerard> (This is not what you think. I won't hurt them. I am only bluffing. I
just want the slave locked up until we arrive in London.)
* Gerard puts the gun down. "Fine., to hell with all of you. When you all are
killed from this Alu, don't come crying to me."
* Gerard stalks to his cabin and lockls the door.
* William sighs.
<Remy> "No one gonna be killed."
* Nachabe walks by some of the crew and says "They are waving guns around down
there....sure hope they don't hole the hull....we are in deep tempest."
* Alu pulls the door closed, and it locks
<Remy> *mutters* Not if we all keep our heads
<Storyteller> The crew rushes down stairs
* Gerard stays in his locked cabin, not coming out at all.
<Storyteller> The crew look at you
<William> "Captain, you should be wary of Beau's guards."
<Storyteller> They walk back topside
<Remy> "Why is that, WIlliam? Are they being disagreeable?"
<William> "Beau may send them down when he finishes talking with Erik, or he may have
them take hostages."
<Remy> "Erik is talking to Beau?"
* Beau walks on deck, he seems very disturbed...restless.
* Nachabe wonders what a Stygia styled court marshal is like for a captian and first
mate that attacks their passangers that they agreed to take on
<Remy> {Maybe you should take charge, oh mighty prince. Surely you can do better
than Remy. That southern hick. You know that his father was a racist? Burned a
couple of black folk himself. I'm sure it's a family tradition....}
<Beau> "I need to speak with the captain...."
<Nachabe> (I have a more important job, and our people have killed more of us than
the white man ever has)
* Remy walks up on the deck
* William grasps his cross and prays for Erik, Remy, Alu, Gerard, Brianna
<Beau> "Captain...I need to speak with you."
<Remy> "I'm sure you do. An' I got some things to say to you!"
<Beau> "I have changed my mind, I no longer want Alu. Just keep..keep him away from
me."
* Remy raises an eyebrow
<Remy> "If you insist."
<Beau> "Let us off in London, and we'll find another ship to take us home."
* Beau walks back down to his room, and locks the door.
* Remy tries to keep from laughing
* Remy knocks on Eriks door
* Erik opens it
<Erik> "Yes?"
* Brianna walks up on deck to get some air
<Remy> "Son, I don' know what you said to Beau, and maybe I should be anrgy, but I
gotta say, good job."
* Remy smiles at Erik
<Erik> "Thank you."
* Remy nods to Erik. "Beau gave Alu to us."
<Erik> "I showed him what it was like being one of his slaves, being forged."
<Erik> "I gather he didn't enjoy it?"
<Nachabe> {Erik:"Awww...he likes you}
<Remy> "I take it not."
<Erik> (Fuck you)
<Remy> "Anyways, this saves me some trouble with Gerard."
<Remy> "Thanks again."
<Erik> "Just send all problems to me."
* Remy smirks, then waves goodbye
* Erik waves back
* Erik closes the door and starts reading about Stygian Law
* Remy goes to Brianna's room, to check up on her
* Remy goes to the deck
* Brianna stands on deck, leaning against the railing and looking out towards the sea
<Storyteller> Off in the distance, the lights of London are begining to come into view
* Remy leans against the railing beside Brianna
<Remy> "You alright, cher?"
* Brianna nods. "Much better now. I had a talk with Nephrutu."
<Brianna> "What happened to.. to Alu?"
* Remy nods and smiles
<Remy> "Erik convinced Beau to give Alu over to us. Not that it much matters, though
it saves us some messy legal matters."
<Storyteller> London grows ever closer
* Brianna sighs with relief. "Good...thank the heavens..I'm so sorry..."
* Remy nods to Brianna. "I understand. Remember when I attacked that slaver?"
<Storyteller> You can now see the docked tempestships in the harbor, and the dock
workers waving you in.
* Remy puts a hand over Brianna's. "Think of it as a second chance to do good. An' think of
the friends. In life, I didn't have many friends. Always on de go..."
<Remy> "Well, that hasn't changed much." *grin* "But I got friends now."
* Brianna smiles. "Yes you do."
* Remy nods to Nach. "One sec."
<Storyteller> As you pull into the dock, the crew begin to tie up the ship
* Gerard comes on deck with a stack of books and his gladius at his side. He sees
Remy and walks over with a sullen face.
* Remy goes with Nachabe
<Brianna> "How long will we be ashore, Remy?"
* Gerard waits until Remy finishes talking with Nachabe.
<Storyteller> As you pull into the dock, the crew begin to tie up the ship
* Remy and walks over with a sullen face.
<Nachabe> "I'm staying in London."
<Remy> "Why is that?"
<Nachabe> "Because this is not my place."
<Storyteller> The crew try to look as if they are not listening
<Remy> "I see. You sure this is what you want?"
* William looks at Alu.
<Nachabe> "I am sure , this latest episode proved it to me."
<Storyteller> Alu looks down
<William> "How were you captured?"
* Remy nods and sighs
<Storyteller> He doesn't speak, he walks up to the deck
<Nachabe> "I will miss you all as well."
* Nachabe says goodbye to them all and then leaves the ship carrying nothing but his
flute
* William unlocks the door.
<Storyteller> Alu walks up topside
* William follows him up to the deck when he goes.
* Gerard walks over to Remy "I also am staying in London."
<Nachabe> "You too."
<Remy> "Take care."
<Erik> "Remy, where are Nachabe and Gerard going?"
* Remy looks at Ger
<Remy> "What??"
<Gerard> "I am also staying in London."
<Brianna> "Why?"
<Erik> "Obviously, they can't tolerate me."
* William sees Nachabe step off the boat and catches a few words of the conversation
<Gerard> "Because I no longer see any hope for you in seeing the reality of this
world. You have much to learn about the ways of this place."
* Remy smirks
<Brianna> {Ger - yeah, let's go have some fun elsewhere. These guys are sticks in the
mud}
<Remy> "I was never much one for reality."
<Gerard> (My little shadow friend. If they deny reality, it is their business, not
mine.)
<Brianna> {Ger - though it was pretty cool to see the bitch take that slave down.}
* Gerard walks of the ship and into the streets of London.
<Erik> "One more prospective slaver hits the streets."
<Remy> "You're a little odd, Gerard, but we'll miss you too."
<Erik> "We?"
* Brianna nods
<Brianna> "Yes, *we*"
* William frowns as Gerard leaves.
<Erik> "Very funny, killer."
* Remy nods
* Brianna flinches slightly and looks away from Erik
* Remy looks at Erik. "That's enough."
<Erik> "Oh is it?"
* William steps next to Brianna
<Erik> "You know, I don't think so."
* William moves back a bit
* Brianna looks at William
<Storyteller> Friday steps in between you two
<Friday> "Enough!"
<Friday> "Jesus christ you two. Get over it."
* Brianna looks at Friday then at Erik
* Erik looks at Friday
<Friday> "All you two do is fight and argue. No wonder Gerard and Nachabe left."
<Erik> "This is none of your business."
<Erik> "Fuck you, you useless shit!"
* Erik puts his hand on his gladius
<Storyteller> Friday sighs
* Brianna gets a really nervous look on her face and steps back
<William> "Violence is not necessary."
* Remy looks at Erik, slightly amused
<Friday> "C'mon. "
<Erik> "What? You want a piece of me?"
<Storyteller> The door to the deck opens
<Erik> "I'm not taking this shit any more."
<Storyteller> Nephrutu walks upon the deck
<William> "Gerard did not leave because of Erik or Remy."
<William> "He did not agree with us. He said it himself."
<Storyteller> He walks towards you.
* Brianna sees Nephrutu and breathes a sigh of relief
* Remy ignores Erik, and looks to Nephrutu
* Nephrutu speaks in a voice that sounds very close to Ahuru's
<Nephrutu> "These wounds must heal, or else you will fail."
* Nephrutu looks at both of you
* Nephrutu goes back down to his room
* Erik stares him right in the eye, unblinking
<Remy> "I don' see what this has to do with me.."
<Storyteller> to be continued...............
