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Post by Nadia Cooper [SR] on Jun 7, 2016 1:56:56 GMT
all was quiet for a time… The little tavern had filled to capacity and though she enjoyed Carlisle’s bed and he’d enjoyed having her there if only to tease her about the fact that she was there… War… It was time to go when parts of the city burned… She never had many things… too hard to pick up and go when the time called for it, and she’d packed her meager things in silence giving her bags and his to a man she trusted before going in search of Carlisle himself… Over the next hour she would be surprised if he remembered much of what had happened. She’d half dragged half carried him in a rum filled stupor onto the small but quick sailing vessel. Once aboard she had another choice to make… one she had never had to make before; but then he’d been kind enough to share his bed so when he awoke he would find himself in hers… Captain Quarters were not overly large, but the bed would be big enough… mostly and it wasn’t like she hadn’t slept shoved up next to him before. Two large trunks on the floor and a small table against the opposite wall and only enough room to turn around was it for the room, a port hole on each side allowed for light, and she’d hung soft sheer material to keep the harsh sun from filling the room. The room housed various things from her travels hanging on the walls. Everything from black magic items to holy items secured so the rolling of the sea would not disturb them. The crew was used to her, too many thought having a woman aboard was bad luck, but her crew… and most of those involved with the Scarlett Regiment knew that the women in charge of these ships were better Sailors than most men. The men aboard this ship respected her even if it was strange for her to have a man in her bed aboard the ship… they would respect him too; as hers, until he proved worthy of his own respect. This was the ship she loved… the ship she hoped Aversia would gift her one day… the fleet sailed.. as the city burned. Getting out of dodge was a skill they had in spades. They sailed through the night before she sent a hawk to Aversia… she was spilting off course. It was not like her to remain with the fleet. She would be within a day sailing. Out of sight; but not so far she wouldn’t be able to provide assistance with the ship she was on. The hawk returned as day broke on the horizon.. and just as quickly she changed course allowing the wind to sill the scarlett and pristine white sails. Once course was set she washed the ash and smoke from her skin and dressed in a simple linen shirt and leather pants with a half corset that served to keep excess fabric from getting caught in ropes, boots we laced tightly and her hair was braided and wound around her head secured in a deep red and white scarf that matched her sails. No weapons could be seen, but for those who knew her; knew better than to assume she was unarmed. The sea was calm for the moment, which was probably for the best though she had never known Carlisle to be motion sick or even suffer from morning after effects of too much rum… the thick black smoke could still be seen on the horizon getting smaller by the moment, she could be found there at the back of the ship holding to a rope as she half watched where they had come from and half watched where they were going… Carlisle Holt |
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Post by Carlisle Holt on Jun 28, 2016 19:30:18 GMT
Carlisle didn't ask questions when Aversia told them all it was time to go. He respected a leader who knew what battles to fight in, and this one was a lost cause. Whispers of the Spire Monarchy falling gave away the truth: Aversia's king was gone. The drow respected the dragon king and now he was presumed dead. Poor lass.
Oh well, he had good company and rum to last him a while while the kingdoms changed and new leaders were born. What did that mean for this clan? he didn't care. Okay... He was starting to care for Nadia. She was strong and didn't need his help for much... Maybe that's what he loved most about her? Who knows. Either way, Carlisle enjoyed the young woman by his side.
She kept him sane while he remained trapped on a ship with a bunch of guild members. It wasn't that he was the only one not part of the SR on board, but he was extremely out numbered by Aversia supporters.
"Are we going to land soon?" He was leaning over the rail of the ship, staring down at the beautiful blue waters. "I hate ships... Small spaces with no where to run when I get into trouble..."
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Post by Nadia Cooper [SR] on Jun 28, 2016 21:02:49 GMT
He was going stir crazy… they all were. Another hawk sent to Aversia and she had just gotten a reply… for now… she sailed. She loved this little ship, but she was tired of it too. The water was crystal clear and blue as far as the eye could see... it was not the worst place in the world to be.
A chuckle touched her lips when he asked if they were going to land soon; “Oh aye… but I already told you I didn’t mean to push you out of bed” she teased him in a soft tone, though the entire ship knew where Carlisle slept at night the Captain of said ship tended to be private with her personal life amongst her crew.
She drew in a deep breath as he leaned over the side she stood beside him and looked over into the water tilting her head, “planning on getting into trouble are ya?” she wondered of him before she turned and barked orders that had the crew scrambling to change course… they had been steadily sailing away from the rest of the fleet, but she knew she was not the only one who had broken off the bunch..
She leaned against the rail and turned her face to the sun and wind, thinking… she often did before she spoke, but Carlisle was one she had come to trust, “Aye… we’re making for land” she told him finally, “it’ll be isolated and uninhabited… a safe haven.” She explained... “the Regiment has some items we need stored there… I have those items to deliver” she drew in a breath and released it on a sigh, “there will be plenty of rum, but not much room to run” she told him apologetically.
The island was not tiny, by any means… but much of it was jungle. There were paths to the place she was going, but only if you knew where to look. She didn’t need maps, not of this place. Once upon a time she and Aversia and some others built it… just in case. Since then she’d stored important things there, log books, evidence, treasures… rum. They had cleaned out of Lothrei, until new alliances could be made and a port was chosen for ‘home’ they would sail.
“We will remain there for a fort night… and then I can take you where-ever you’d like to go…” she assured him, but made no promises about remaining with him there… she would not hold him hostage on this ship, if he wanted off he had but to ask… and she wouldn’t dump him in the ocean either.
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Post by Carlisle Holt on Jul 9, 2016 19:14:43 GMT
Carlisle had explored the ship in less than two hours… about fifty different times. The same crew, the same rooms, the same sparkling ocean surrounding them. He was growing sick of it, although he did enjoy the close proximity of the captain.
"Not the firs' woman to kick me outta bed." He winked, trying to keep himself from showing his aggravated mood.
"An island has more leg room…" He eyed the rest of the crew. Carlisle admired them, really. They were lucky to follow the command of a strong willed captain. Even more so, they all worked for one of the most infamous halfling in Lothrei.
He ever really asked much about the mission, coming to trust Nadia and Aversia, despite not being a member of the guild. He also had to appreciate the lengths that Aversia went through to protect him. The enemy of his enemy wasn't exactly his friend, but he enjoyed her company.
Still, Carlisle was curious if his enemies were slaughter in the war… His freedom… He wanted it back. As much as he enjoyed Nadia's company, he couldn't fully enjoy it as a man on the run. She still had no idea who he even was.
"To be fair, m'lady, back to the homeland is the only place I'm interested in."
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Post by Nadia Cooper [SR] on Jul 9, 2016 20:49:46 GMT
The ship had landed on the island and she left Carlisle to explore or come with her to the underground cavern where she stored trunks upon trunks… and took a few bottles of rum before she could be found on the beach. It had taken them a week and a half to move all the boxes into the cavern.
Then for three days she let her crew drink themselves silly with big fires on the beach… she left them to their devices, choosing a spot down the beach for herself, Carlisle came and went, and it was a happy time except for their isolation.
She’d sent and received hawks since they’d landed and she’d made her mind up… back to Lothrei… for good. She ordered the crew back to the ship and made sure everyone, even Carlisle, was accounted for… and they set sail… it would take them a few days to get from here to Lothrei if she sailed straight and true.
They’d already rebuilt a tavern… and she would take a room there while looking for a home. She intended to make Lothrei home port… or as Carlisle said… homeland.
Once ‘home’ they unloaded the ship and she checked into the tavern… Carlisle knew where to find her if he wanted to see her.. it had bothered her they had shared a bed for more than a few nights, but he never shared anything of himself.. of his past.
She’d told him about it bothering her… more than once… sometimes teasingly, other times not so much… when they docked that morning she was the last off the ship, on purpose… he knew where to find her if he wanted to talk, she’d told him as much.
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Post by Carlisle Holt on Jul 9, 2016 21:20:13 GMT
Once on the homeland, Carlisle's mood improved. He helped the rest of the crew unload what was needed before going to get a drink from the tavern bar. Nadia… He of course thought of her too, but he wasn't exactly sure how to tell her about who he was.
It wasn't judgement that he feared, but rather admitting his life out loud to himself. The Scarlet Regiment was run by a conartist with fifty other criminals under her belt. Carlisle barely made a scratch on his record compared to any of them, but that didn't mean he didn't have enemies.
Nadia wanted some answers from him and he couldn't blame her.
"Oi." He spotted her at her usual table. In one hand he had a large bottle of rum. In the other, two glasses. "Let's play a game…" Without asking, he took the seat across from her and began to pour rum into the glasses. "We each get to ask as many questions about the other as we want.. But if you ask a question you have to finish a glass…" He grinned. Okay so he was cheating. Eventually she would have too much to drink and not be able to ask any more questions.. Or be drunk that she won't remember.
"I'll start." He raised his glass to his lips and tipped it back until the last drop burned down his throat. "Where are you from?"
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Post by Nadia Cooper [SR] on Jul 9, 2016 21:51:18 GMT
The entire crew’s mood improved.. every one probably.. except the captain of that particular crew, though she was not in a bad mood she was not in a good mood either. He would tell her.. or he wouldn’t life went on either way really.. she knew that, but she’d never dealt with loss well.
He’d helped unload the ship… that was a point in his favor, he hadn’t needed to, but he did. When all was said and done she sat at the back corner table where she could see all the patrons in the tavern… he moved forward and sat at her small table, pouring rum into two glasses before he spoke of playing a game… a thin brow lifted… she did not drink often, but that did not mean she couldn’t hold her liquor… she nodded and shifted speaking to a barmaid to order a glass of ale to chase the rum… for both of them… she returned with the mugs and set one down before each.
Blue eyes settled on him, “if we are to be fair Carlisle… you will take two drinks to my one” she pointed out… she wasn’t stupid.. “but have it your way..” what he didn’t know was that the mug of beer set down for her was empty… she would chase the rum by carefully spitting it out into the mug.. only taking a drink every so often… she would likely still end up drunk, but this evened the playing field.
“I am not from anywhere… I do not know” she told him honestly, “I have always come back here... so this is home” she shrugged, “the regiment is home” she nodded.. she lifted the glass of rum and inspected it before she lifted the glass to her lips and let the liquid burn down her own throat it took her a moment to recover… but when she did her voice was soft and husky from the rum, “Who are you… really…” he was not just a wanderer who was in trouble with someone… there was something more, she just couldn’t put her finger on it.
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Post by Carlisle Holt on Jul 10, 2016 21:49:48 GMT
Only a simple shrug was made as she spoke about the rum. "Ya have too much faith in my liver..." He chuckled lightly. Still... She agreed to his game, which meant that the odds were likely in his favor. Even if he did tell her everything, he would be facing his own past drunk. That's one way of dealing with shit.
"Not much of an answer..." He scowled playfully. It was an answer though. How could this place not be her home? And then she jumped at him with the hard questions. Right off the bat! His brows furrowed, staring down at his glass as he began to refill it with more rum.
"I am Carlisle Holt, never lied about tha'" Lips twisted into a small smirk. "I once had the title 'Lord Holt' a long time ago... Until I found out tha' politics was a giant game that I didn' wanna to play. Now I' jus' a sellsword." If she was going to play his game, she was going to have to accept the fact that his answers were doing to be precise.
With a grin he knocked his next glass down. "How did ya come to be so close with the Mistress?"
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Post by Nadia Cooper [SR] on Jul 11, 2016 19:33:31 GMT
A grin touched her lips.. no it wasn’t much of an answer, but it was the truth. She didn’t know where she had come from and she was okay with that… not like she had much of a choice, but she’d come to terms with making her own destiny a long time ago. She didn’t even know if she was fully human… the jury was out on that.
He looked into this glass at her question and she waited patiently… her head tilted ever so slightly to one side… a lord… she nodded, she’s suspected as much. He carried himself like one… even if he drank like a pirate. Politics a game? Another nod… it was one she refused to play too… which was why she took orders instead of giving them.
As he refilled his glass she nudged her over for a refill as well. She said nothing of his answer… instead she let his next question come and nodded… she had expected it too.
“Aversia and I…” she drew in a breath and released it on a sigh, “I grew up an orphan as close as I know… I ran away… a lot” she mused, “until the matron turned me out… I was too much trouble she said” she grinned at the memory, “I worked odd jobs around here for room and board” and the work had been tough, “I was young then, not yet a woman but not still a child” she informed him, “Aversia was a regular here then, and she took me under her wing… she saw something in me that I’m not sure I saw in myself” her nose wrinkled at the sentiment, “she saved me from a life of prostitution…” shoulders lifted in a shrug, “she taught me that she would always have my back and she taught me how to always have hers.. she is my best and sometimes only friend” she concluded watching him.
She looked at the glass and drw the um into her mouth making the motion of swallowing without actually swallowing she winced and ‘chased’ the rum with the mug of ‘beer’… how many times had she done this? Enough that nothing seemed amiss.. he would be angry with her if he found out probably.. but her cheeks already felt warm and were flushed from the first glass…
“How did you get mixed up with Aversia and the Scarlett Regiment?” she wondered of him setting her glass down to be refilled by him.
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Post by Carlisle Holt on Jul 18, 2016 20:28:19 GMT
Carlisle watched her carefully behind the mug of beer. Every now and then he would sip some of that, although he knew that was likely a bad idea. Still, he couldn't help the cool taste on his lips. In the very least, the man was enjoying himself.
"Aversia seems like the type." She catered to the outcasts. As cruel as she could be, the half drow had more humanity in her than some full humans did. Although Carlisle wouldn't call the woman kind... she still had a big heart for those loyal to her. Then again, what good leader didn't? It was fine to rule with fear, but prepare for your men to turn on you without remorse.
His finger traced the now full shot glass of rum, smiling a little. "Well, Leif was told to kill me. One of my own enemies made a deal with the mistress. I, however, am a lot smarter than I look." He grinned playfully. "I pleaded my case to Aversia and gave her information that broke her alliance with my enemies. I think she took pity on me after that and let me work for her. Now she protects me..."
His voice died as he took in another drink of rum, sliding the then empty glass back over towards her.
"If you could do one thing in your life, what would it be? Something grand..."
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Post by Nadia Cooper [SR] on Jul 18, 2016 22:04:22 GMT
Aversia was her very best friend… but he was right, she tended to cater to outcasts and had a soft spot for those who were loyal to her.
Leif was told to kill him and he was still standing…. A thin brow rose at him and her head inclined forward… he said more than his words with that. If Leif had meant to kill him… truly he wouldn’t be here. She made a mental note to ask Leif about it… later…
Took pity on him? Not likely… Aversia was not the type for pity... which meant what he had to offer must have been more than what whom-ever was paying to have him killed.
She watched the glass… somehow they’d ended up sharing though they had two glasses. She poured rum in it and thought about his question…
“Something grand?” she wondered of him after a long moment of silence... “I would be a mother…” she nodded slowly at the admission. It was something grand… but it was also something that would never happen, not for her. She smirked and shrugged her shoulders lifting the glass to her lips and swallowing the liquid.
“If you could go back… to being a Lord… to where you came from with no consequences… would you?” she studied him.
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Post by Carlisle Holt on Aug 11, 2016 14:24:25 GMT
Carlisle watched the look on her face, trying to pick up on any stray thoughts. He may have been a secretive fellow, but he thought the same about her. Ironic, really, the game they were playing... but he had no desire to stop. Nadia was the first person Carlisle felt like he could be himself. It was... cheesy, in his opinion, but behind that tough exterior and threats of killing him, she was willing to keep his company and offer him friendship. It was obvious how she and Aversia got along so well, but even the mistress had little desire in making friends. Nadia? Well... She had a different sense of the word 'loyalty'.
It threw him off guard at her words. A mother? How did he miss that one? It wasn't something unnatural, really. He even smiled at those words. "You'd make a good mother..." He said it not just because he meant it, but because he knew it was still possible for her to become one. She was young, free, and smart. "To be honest I expected ownin' a ship and sailin' to the ends of the earth." He grinned.
At her question, Carlisle leaned forward to pour himself a drink. Would he? "There are always consequences." It wasn't a yes or no statement because Carlisle truly didn't know. In his situation now, it was impossible for him to go back without someone putting his head on a spike.... and Carlisle enjoyed his head a lot more than his title. "There are good and bad things about who I was. There are also good and bad things about who I am now." He shrugged.
Carlisle downed his drink, scowling behind the glass. "y'know, I am not sure what to ask now."
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Post by Nadia Cooper [SR] on Aug 12, 2016 14:40:22 GMT
A master of hiding her emotions… she’d learned from the best after all. Nadia could seduce a man that repulsed her if she so wished and the man would think she was so enamored with him that he would let his guard down. It was not something she took pleasure in though… and so mostly she used the gift to keep her own feelings from showing on her face, or in her voice..
He had been watching though, and Carlisle knew her better than most, the wistfulness of that grand something and the knowledge that it would never come to pass was there. Secrecy was a trait they shared… but then somehow they’d fallen in with one another. Part of her wondered if Carlisle would sell her to the highest bidder given the chance, and part of her never questioned his loyalty to her.
He was right in that… she had a different sense of the word loyalty. She was loyal to her clan, but she would be loyal to him too. It was an odd combination that could put her in a tight and unwanted position, but she would worry about that if it came to it.
Her head tilted when he’d said she’s make a good mother, pink stained her cheeks and her head shook. It would not come to pass… she would never be a mother. It was not possible; not for her. She let it go, unwilling to argue that particular point strangely because she’d argue about anything else usually. Owning a ship and sailing the earth? She took a swallow from the mug and laughing, drawing in deep breaths as the sound floated from her throat and across the room… she shook her head with a grin; “I’m not laughing at you… promise” she told him between breaths… her face had taken on the pink hue from her blush, or perhaps the alcohol…
“You couldn’t wait to get of my ship… something about being cramped” she pointed out; “won’t it be the same on any ship?” she wondered… and then wrinkled her nose because that was another question.
A few moments later she was composed… and he answered her question… and much like he had her… she studied him. She settled the drinks on the table and left her seat on surprisingly steady legs. A moment later she was in his lap hugging his neck with her face pressed into the crook of his neck and her arm with a sigh on her lips, the gesture was forward, but it was where she wanted to be and their game appeared to be over….
“I think that means I win…” she murmured half against his skin and only loud enough for him to hear, “but I must confess I cheated” she half mused, “my mug was empty.. I spit the rum back into it sometimes” silly loyalty… and having drunk enough to not want to hide such a thing..
She shifted enough to pour rum in his glass and drink it before she rested against him again, the drink signaling that she had a question in her mind, “what do you think are the good and bad things about who you are now?” she wondered lifting his hand and touching each of his finger-tips as she traced them.
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Post by Carlisle Holt on Aug 12, 2016 18:49:19 GMT
His head canted to the side, having never seen her blush before. He did wonder if it was partly the alcohol, but it was obvious that being a mother was an important dream to her. He felt a strange sense of pity wash over him, as if he subconsciously accepted that her dream could not come true. And... it wasn't like he could help her with that either.
"Well, I meant you alone... but I'm happy to keep ya company on land." He winked. His eyes followed her as she stood- impressed with how easy it was. Not that he would admit it out loud, but his head was certainly spinning! It made it much easier to talk about his past in this state. Among other things.
His arms slipped around her waist, holding her against him. He wasn't shy about it either, considering they had shared a bed a number of times. What did shock him was how intimate she was. The feel of her breath against the crook of his neck made him very aware just how bold her action was.
"Oi!" He lifted her chin up to meet his gaze at her confession. "And here I thought I could trust you! Women are always out to get me." He gave a mock pout. "Ya know, the whole point in cheatin' though is to not tell the person you did..." He chuckled.
She manage to get out another question that brought the topic back onto him... and who he was. "I haven't changed, really. Just lack of title." He smiled a little. It wasn't much of an answer, but as much as he wanted to be honest with her, there was only so much he wished to discuss. Especially with her on his lap!
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Post by Nadia Cooper [SR] on Aug 13, 2016 0:42:11 GMT
Affection was… sparse from her, even when they had shared a bed, and if questioned later she would likely blame it on the alcohol she had consumed.. even being so little. Bold? She wouldn’t have thought so… it was a sign of weakness… one the clan would not like for her. He could be used against her… and that could be a problem, but she didn’t think of that now...
Instead she focused on him with an amused if only slightly apologetic smile playing across pale pink lips as he pouted at her. She nodded; “I have a rule…” she rested against him, content to remain with his arms around her waist, “I don’t cheat those I care about…” it was an admission, and true to form her face was angled away from his as she spoke. She expected nothing back from such an admission, in fact anything back would be questioned as truth or lie considering her own admission.
Eyes narrowed as he answered, but didn’t really answer her question… she considered him in silence for a time before lifting her shoulders in a shrug, “I don’t believe that…” she left it at that though.
A moment later she offered a smile that rivaled the sun and wiggled until her bottom was pressed firmly in his lap and she could twist around to rest her chin on his shoulder, her eyes fluttered closed for a moment and she spoke against his skin once more, “will you regret this in the morning?” surely that was easier to answer…
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