This is a private RP between myself (LeMonstre) and The Cheshire Cat, please don't post unless you were invited too. ^^ But feel free to read. :vicky:

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Aubriel scuttled down the mast of his ship, flying off of one of the massive strung up sails as his crew brought the elegant vessle into port. He didn't look to be much of a sea-faring man but he knew the oceans currents and wind stream better than the birds and he if there was one thing in this world he loved more than the deep ocean of freedom it was the deep hunger he had for... sausage! He knew something delicious was being cooked up on the docks, probably at a local bar or brothel, his nose leading the way to the source of the scent. His crew had run out of food, at least the edible kind only a day before and he was starved beyond belief. "Where is that intoxicating aroma..." His eyes opened to meet the eyes of a very husky fellow who wasn't fond of having some blond haired pretty boy up in his face and sniffing his food. "Are you the one cooking up that heavenly smell? Cause if you are.. I think i'm in love..." The man was about to slap him when Aubriel's sea foam blue eyes went wide, throwing his hands up in a panic. "I meant in love with the sausages!" He exclaimed and before the man could do anything more Aubriel was rushing off with a tray of the tasty meat delicacies, with a confused crowd of on-lookers watching him. Aubriel dashed behind a building as he scarfed some of the meat down and laughed. "Ah, how does that work everytime? I've hit that guy at least three times by now." He swallowed down the last of the food he'd stolen, strolling off into the crowd like nothing had perspired, his crew was busy taking care of the ship, scrubbing it down and making it shine for their next trip as he approached it once more to admire it's fine detailing. "Hey boys, what do you feel like this time around?"

Aubriel wasn't readily aware of much that went on at the ports other than what his crew was doing and to keep an eye out for the police, seeing as his mug shot was up on every building and in every port attendants hands. He'd yet to even pay a docking fee, not that he had plans too since once they were stocked on food and supplies he was going to barrel out of this place like a jet-fueled cannon. He could tell a good storm was coming, his skin was crawling from the chilly breeze that had started and if he could be ready when that storm rolled in, his sails would catch that wind and he'd be out to the middle of the atlantic by day break. "Ouright boys, i'll be back. Might even get you a little special somethin', somethin'" It was of course like him to want to treat his crew well, after having been stranded on the seas for a day longer than planned they deserved something nice. Like steak... or maybe that was his stomach talking again.

Ivi was scowling, something she had managed to avoid in a couple weeks. A record, really. She just couldn't help it though. The woman who was talking to her appeared to speak nothing but a language that Ivi was only vaguely familiar with. It appeared like some Southern Islander accent or something.

"Listen," Ivi attempted, staring the woman in the face, "Where can I find the dock master?" It took all her will power not to say each word with extreme clarity, slowing down each word.

The woman grinned and started babbling away in her native tongue, only causing Ivi's temper to simmer. This woman wanted to play games? Oh, she could play games! This woman was about to drive her up a wall.

"Okay, Madam." Ivi took a step closer, placing both hands on her petite hips and looking up at the difficult female. "I just heard you speak English to that man over there. Now, please" Her words had a sharp edge to them, "Say something useful."

The lady blinked, smirked and it was obvious what Ivi said was true. But, it seemed that she just wasn't about to give in. She opened her mouth and Ivi took a hopeful breath. The moment Ivi heard a unfamiliar word, she smiled and pulled back, socking the girl in the stomach.

"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Usually Ivi enjoyed verbal games, and if she really wanted to, could probably pull out enough of what that woman was saying. In fact, she did. Let's just say, it wasn't very polite and very unlady-like.

Ivi also never lost her temper so violently, so quickly. She was stressed but her little assault of the vender had been part of her plan. Someone had saw her little "escapade", made an alarmed sound and soon whispers were falling like dominoes. Moments later, a very large man came bounding in her direction. He was highly tan, his skin worn from years of exposure to sea salt, and his hands looked like they could crush her skull. She smiled cheekily at the man, and decided that he must have been the dock master.

"Well, that wasn't my smartest idea..." She muttered to herself, and then deciding she would just wing trying to find a ship needing crew members, or that were willing to take on a passenger. Her clear laughter rang and she whipped around, running through the crowd. She quickly maneuvered, an easy task for her, due to her small size. Talk about a mood lifter. There was nothing like being chased by authority figures.

Aubriel was determining between two types of gun powder as he looked over his shoulder to see a woman running from several figures of authority, many of which knew his face by heart. He ducked behind a cart, kicking it out infront of the dock master just after the woman ran past, causing a train wreck of people to pile up. Aubriel laughed, holding his gut to keep himself from laughing too loudly. He wasn't the type to just save some girl but he knew how brutal these guys were and wasn't going to condemn her to being caught by them. He'd experienced that once before and spent two months in jail chizzling away at a wall until he could escape. "Crap..." Was all he could think when the men who were after her unwravled themselves from the pile and saw him with his distinctive wheat blond hair, green eyes and noticable scars they now had two people worth the chase and one would pay well for the bounty on his head. "Crap crap crap!" He lept from the ground , snatching everything he could as he made way to his ship, commanding the crew to let downt he sails. Even though they wern't in the least bit ready nor did they have nearly enough supplies or the wind behind them to make real headway he grabbed onto a rope as the crew dropped the sails, climbing up it like he was a monkey. "Come on guys, move it move it! Get those sails down we gotta get out of here or were all ending up in the brigg!" He rushed to his cabin, sliding back out onto the deck with a sword and pistol in hand. "You won't catch me today Admiral!"

He laughed taking hold of another rope and running up the side of a mast to see how far behind their chasers were going to be. "Ah... that poor woman. Rather it be her than me though! Oh well, I gave it a good shot, she seems capable of handling herself." He flopped down in the crows nest, swinging his pistol around his fingers, chuckling the whole time as the ship jerked away from the docks with a strong gust of wind.

Preoccupied, Ivi didn't get a good look at the man helping her out, except for a swish of blond. She was still laughing but knew that it wasn't time for thanks. If she got away and ran into him, then she would express her gratitude. As of this moment, it was every man for himself. Which would kind of explain why the next thing you know, a man, who also had blond hair, was pulling out of the dock as fast as he could. "Dang it!!!" She yelled, slowing down without realizing it. Frantically looking around she spotted two interesting things.

One, posters depicting an outlaw, also with blond hair. She cocked her head to the side, snatching one off the nearby wall. "Aubriel?" Ivi only had time to read his name before a very blunt object came flying towards her, and she barely ducked from its reach.

The second thing she noticed was a piece of rope dangling from the ship pulling out of the dock. The same rope this "Aubriel fellow" had used to climbed aboard. "Sweet lord..." Biting her lip, she realized it was her only option. That, or attempt to maneuver the alley ways of a town she was unfamiliar with.

Reaching to make sure the dagger strapped to her thigh was secure, she ran. She ran fast. It was pretty foolish. A girl jumping after someone who was an outlaw, on their ship, and who could easily be tossed back into the water, but what else did she have? Besides, if she got thrown back over board, and the dock master got her, it would make a pretty good story, right? If she survived, of course (but that was just a small technicality...).

Picking up speed, the brunette girl seemed to run on air until she reached the end of the dock and jumped. The shouting and furious curses of the dock master and guards seemed far away as she flew through the air. Time stopped and the next thing she knew, she was underwater, diving deep, and then beginning to claw her way to the surface.

Breaking through the surface, she took a deep gulp of air and started swimming. If you've ever swam after a moving ship, you can tell it's not easy. In fact, she dove back under the small waves, kicking at the liquid around her and reaching out blindly for the rope. 'C'mon!' She urged mentally, opening her eyes under the water. It was slightly murky, which in any other situation would have made Ivi think about it being the perfect water for predators, but right now, she refused to focus on anything else but the task at hand.

Just when she was sure the wicked sea would win, a brush of twine tickled her fingers and she clutched onto the rope. Yanking her torso completely out of the water, she gave a relieved chuckle, glancing over her shoulder and seeing very angry men. The Authorities, no doubt. "I never get caught." She muttered, hauling herself slowly upward. After what seemed like forever, the slender female grunted and climbed over the side of the ship, smacking onto the deck. Her arms felt rubbery and she was outta breath. She was a thief; yes. An ex-merchant; yes. A crazy woman who runs from authority, swims after a moving vessel, and then climbing up said vessel; no. Can you blame the girl for being a little tired?

Blinking, she coughed a few times, tugged gently at her soaked clothes and then rolled onto her side. 'How many people saw that?' She wondered, letting the last bit of sun brush over her skin before disappearing behind storm clouds.

((I hope this is okay. I don't know if you want me to write more, or less so I stopped myself. lol))

((it's fantastic xD! If you ever want to type more go for it, I adore long posts. Never feel the need to stop yourself))

Aubriel was too busily lost in his world of musical bliss as a sweet, sweet symphony of joyous trumpets played in his head, exclaiming his escape was success and he would live to see another day and pilage another dock market tomorrow when he would make port at a less suspecting sea side town. If there were two things he was extreamly good at, it was reading maps which came in handy of course. Being a pirate and all that... knowing where you were going would be useful, and... escaping. Which was of even more use considering what good is the ability to read a map if you are locked up in a jail cell to rot away until they hang you from a post. Hm? Not very good at all, as he might say. He drapped the upper half of his torso over the side of the crow's nest, watching his crew work until he spotted a very strange looking and very large fish on the deck. With a quirked brow and intense curiosity he crawled down the ropped netting, using it like a ladder as he grabbed a rope and swung the rest of the way down to the deck landing by the 'fish' which was actually a very worn out woman. He leaned over the creature, waving his hand infront of her to see if she was alive and giving her a nudge with his bare foot. "What do you think you are doing stowing away on this ship? Don't ja' think ya' should'v picked a better hiding spot hm?" He determined this woman probably wasn't very skilled in the art of escape but to be so unskilled as to not find a hiding spot and expecially on a pirates ship where the food was scarce enough, now to have a tag-a-long... the crew was not going to be happy.

"Well little girl you are gonna get yourself into alot of trouble and I ain't about to have any mutany on my ship, so off with you! Ya' can swim back to shore and hide under the docks or somethin' cause this ship ain't going to take you along." He picked the woman up from the deck, wether she was dead or alive and threw her over his shoulder like a rag doll, heading towards the railing he looked over the expanse of ocean seeing the fading figures of the dock master and authorities. "Well I did say better you than me, I still got alot I hav-ta do. Ain't like I got a million lives ya know?" his crew had caught site of the 'dansel in distress' as Aubriel was getting ready to toss her back to the sharks wether they be the ones in the water or land. Several of the crew members cheering him on.

"Toss her!"
"She's bad luck, get ridda' her!"
"Make her shark food Captain!"

They were all calling horrible things most of which made Aubriel laugh on the inside. It was then, right before he was about to toss this crazy woman back into the waters that he noticed the paper in her hand with his face on it, instantly dropping her back to the deck as he tore the paper from her hands, admiring an artists handiwork at rendering his complexion onto the paper. "Not bad, not bad..." he rubbed his chin critiquing it as if it were a fine masterpiece. "I think they portrayed me all wrong though according to this i'm a murderous, pirate, with every intent to fire on woman and children and that is just not true. I don't shoot my pistol at anyone unless they are shooting at me... which a few woman have with reason... but to say i'm a pirate! Oh please!" He laughed and spun his gun around his hand once more before he let it rest on a strap that hung from one of his belts. "More like.... treasure thief? Of the heart and gold?"

((Okay then! :D))

Ivi was still adjusting her stinging eyesight when a tall figure loomed over her. She held her breath, knowing this moment would practically decide it all. Heck, she was still thinking of what to say when she was yanked up and thrown over the man's shoulder. "Hey!" She bit her tongue. Now was not the time to start yelling at someone. Especially this man. Oh, how she wished to. But not yet...

Now, Ivi could handle a lot. She was used to being called names, but these men annoyed her. They were so... Blah. Arrogant, maybe? Uncivilized? Psh. Whatever it was, she didn't appreciate it. Ivi was known for having her share of rude moments, but this wasn't cool. She just escaped the dock master and now she'd have to do it again, only this time more tired. Great.

She closed her eyes, refraining herself from trying to clutch onto this man right before he tossed her. She wouldn't appear needy. He didn't want her, she'd deal. If it was one thing Ivi was, it was crafty. And just when she expected to fly through the air, and into the water, Aubriel suddenly changed actions and she smacked right into hard wood.

'What the hell???' She inwardly howled, glad her energy was returning as she stood up. She watched his little rant, wanting nothing more that to snatch the paper back, but she smiled. Our little merchant had an idea.

"Of course you are!" She exclaimed. "A master, if you will." She took a step closer, looked at the paper and tsked. "How could they say such things? Heartless? Ouch."

She shrugged sadly, "But, from what I can see is that you do what you need to get the job done. Is that such a crime?" Ah, Ivi was going for a bit of flattery. She was a smooth talker in tight situations, but she wasn't used to dealing with pirates. "I'm living proof of that, you see? I can tell the world of how brave and...." She was looking for the right word, "Respectable, you are. But if you were to throw me over board, I'm afraid I do not know the language of the mer-folk."

She pouted and took a step backwards, appearing thoughtful, "In any case... If you were to keep my present until the next town, when I left, I would be sure to weave wondrous tales of Captain Aubriel! They would change those posters in no time! And look at me! I'm less than half the size of your men. I can go days without needing food, plus..." She smirked, turning slightly, "I was a traveling merchant. I've probably heard of whatever it is your looking for, as well as it's whereabouts. And if not, at dock, I can still get your ships supplies at prices so low, you wouldn't even believe these people were willing to go so cheap!"

"So, whaddya say? Keep me, you get," She held up her fingers for emphasis, "A change in reputation, information, cheap supplies, AND!" She paused, thinking, "Work. Free of charge." She threw in the last bit, hoping it would seal the deal. Like mentioned before, people underestimated this petite female, but when push came to shove, she could hold her own.... Usually.

Let it be known that despite Aubriels vain, and clueless personality that he is a very passionate person. His reputation being one of the most important things to him as he had a strong belief that to die without a story is to be dead forever. It was by this idea that he lived... and by this idea that Ivi's words became one-thousand times more convincing than they should have been. Any other pirate, heartless and cruel as the lot could be, even his own crew wouldn't have taken two seconds to listen to her flattery and words and simply tossed her to the sharks or kept her as a slave and would sell her to the black market at the next port. Aubriel though... having a different motive than to just pillage and cause mayhem was much more inclined to listen to anything that might benefit him. He wasn't beyond throwing her over board, oh no not at all. A single wrong move and the next thing she would be hearing is her body hitting water and seeing him wave Au Revoir.

His eyebrow quirked to her compliment, calling him a master? He didn't believe he was that good but she had just met him and if that was her percieved idea of him than it must be true, as first impressions are often right. He eyed her out of suspician wondering if this woman was trying to pull a trick on him or if she was being honest. "Well..." he started to say something but this womans flattery was a bit much and he wasn't quite sure if he wanted to just toss her to the crabs right yet. He liked the boost to his ego... not that he needed it of course! He was clever too, perhaps not the quickest of wit, nor could he hold up in a political debate, but what kind of pirate really wanted to be in politics anyways? He could see this woman might be useful, wether she was fooling him or not he was going to hold her to her words.

"Alright girly, you can stay. Ya' gotta pull your weight around here though and you better be able to do what you say ya can do or I won't even bother with the sharks. You'll be dinner for my crew." Of course he would never actually eat another human being ...well. Not unless under dire circumstances such as being stranded on an island where the only living this was him and his crew with water too salty to drink and fish too small to feel satisfied... then maybe. But how often does that happen? No he was in fact talking about the animals he had on bored. He kept a lively set of animals, several dogs and birds that would help around the ship and if lost the birds would find them land. They were better than any compass. "If you can do as you say don't be counting on me letting you go."

He shoved the paper back into the girls hands, taking hold of her clothes and pulling her close to him. "Now, little merchant girl i'll give you a chance to prove yourself." He dragged the girl off without even asking for her name, the crew hollering and cat calling to her the whole way as he pushed her into his cabin, slamming the door behind him. It wasn't like Aubriel to be serious, there is only one thing in the world he could ever get serious about. He looked around the room, taking a book out from a drawer, it looked to be his diary or memoirs. Was he a writer? Did this rough and tumble pirate have a soft spot or was he just merely in need of a very good therapist? Neither. He opened the book up the blood stained pages crinkling as he did so and if one was to wonder how that blood go there... they would come to a very ugly conclusion. It wasn't his diary, but the diary of a long passed away aristocrat.

He held the book open to several pages, featuring some drawings and writing. The pages reading as so:

'Ever since i've come into posession of this... this beautiful thing. I feel unstoppable, uncontrollable... as though a fire is raging inside of me. yesterday I had cut myself on accident and in only hours I could not locate the wound any more... this piece of treasure is something powerful. I believe it is the hand of god... or perhaps it is something much more sinister. No matter what this thing is as long as it is mine... I will never die, I will never feel pain again.'

Beside the mans writings were several drawings of what seemed to be a common gemstone, inlayed into a finely crafted necklace. "It's called the Scourge of Pompeii... it's been lost for a very long time."

She could feel the anticipation of his answer seep into her bones. She needed this. She needed to stay on this boat. It was the only hope for her to run a few more errands and handle unfinished business. Ah, she sounded like the undead now... None the less, she had things to do, and it didn't include being in that city. Everywhere she needed to go was across the sea and this was currently the only way she was going to get there. She did her part with the whole, flattery-convince speech. If he still decided to throw her over, she was just outta luck.

Ivi watched him consider her offer and she took in his appearance. He sure as heck didn't seem like a captain. He was too... not disgusting? And how was his hair not messy? Didn't he run away from the dock master too? She felt a bit of jealousy probe her. What did she look like? A drenched girl with dark hair falling out of its pony tail and sticking to her face? Talk about attractive. She looked down and her wet clothes were clutching to her body. Suddenly, Ivi was fully aware she was on a ship with nothing but men... When was the last time they were this near a woman?

Glancing over her shoulder, the multiple crew mates made her grow uneasy. Her eyes darted around and she was relieved to see her dagger was still attached to her. Ivi decided she would clean up when she got the chance (although she doubted that would be anytime soon), and snapped out of her thoughts when Aubriel announced she could stay. Although she furrowed her eyebrows when he commented about keeping her if she could do all she said. Well, great. Now she was in another tight spot, but she would be able to deal with that later.

And without even being able to respond she was being yanked towards the cabin and she stumbled. The response of the crew was not helping and she felt her cheeks redden slightly against her will. She wanted to tell them to all shut up, but she didn't. In fact, she didn't appreciate how roughly this Aubriel fellow was tossing her around, but she'd live. Her physical state was pretty much in this man's hands until they reached land.

When Aubriel walked into the room and slammed the door, Ivi jumped slightly, watching him wearily. He was looking for something. Just when she was about to ask what he found the object. A book. Soon, he was showing the pages. "The Scourge of Pompeii, eh?" She muttered, relieved he didn't want her to prove her worth in, uh, other manners.

Blinking, she carefully took the book from him, not bothering to see if he was okay with her touching it and pulled herself onto a nearby table. Placing the book in her lap, she read the passage quite a few times and then carefully examining the drawings.

"So this is what it looks like?" She felt a ghost of a smile tug at her lips, "Some women used to talk about all the time when I was younger. My mother in particular, but I haven't seen her in years." She traced the drawings softly with her fingertips.

Closing the book carefully, she laid it next to her on the desk. Lowering her voice, more out of habit than anything else, she began to recite what she knew about it, "I was told that it was crafted by creatures of lore, particularly the elves or fairies. They always create the most superb instruments of magic, ya know? But then again, a lot of people say the gods crafted it themselves." She paused, trying to squeeze her memory, "It was made to be a gift of the Phoenix, an item that helps with immortality and boosts the health of the user, I think. Virtually priceless and very powerful."

Sighing, she slid off of the table and stretched casually, "My mom used to say it was the prettiest jewel she ever laid her eyes on, but I'm sure that's just something to entertain me when I was a young girl." She smiled, "So, did I pass?"

Aubriel leaned against the door of his cabin as she took the book from him, examining the pages closely. He closed his eyes, waiting for her answer, after all it would determine part of her fate here. "The Scourge of Pompeii... " he muttered to himself, his fingers playing with some feathers that were twinned into his hair along with the bones of some unheard of creatures. "Your mother has seen it hm?" He smirked, slamming his fist into his other hand. "Then, where she is will be our next stop... for if she doesn't have it she may know where it has gone to!" He stood from his slouched position against the door with a wide grin over his lips, his smile as brilliant as the sun. If fact, had he been a celestial body of any importance in this universe he would have been the sun. His hair as yellow as fresh corn, his skin as warm as the volcanic fires that raged beneath them and his personality as veracious and uncontrollable as an atomic explosion... his crew barely knew how to handle him. Then again he barely knew how to handle himself all his mind thought about was that object, that necklace that he desired whole heartedly.

Now that she had any information on the where abouts of the Scourge her fact was sealed to him. She was going to remain with him on this ship until that trinket was found. He would need her negotiating skills, and her clever mind to help him locate it. "That item, it does more that boost health and provide immortality." He put his hand to his chest as if he was holding the very item he was after, wearing it around his neck like it was the most prized thing any man could own. "That necklace has saved man kind, that gem is no ordinary gem..." He wasn't sure if he wanted to reveal the whole story of it, it would almost come off as if he knew 'too' much about it. "Your mother was correct when she said that it was the most beautiful jewel she would ever see... it is as perfect as the most finely crafted ruby and more pure than the irridecent pearl."

Aubriel crossed the room, staring out the window at the black clouds that were looming over them, the wind making the sails puff out like large marshmellows. "Listen, I have a deal of my own for you..." He knew that she wouldn't stay with him just because she needed a lift or because of her skills. It was unlikely that she really wanted to be here to begin with, but he needed her for now and she for sure needed to be on his good side. "Help me find this necklace, and i'll reward you with something so incredible and valuable you could buy yourself a country if you so chose." Rain started to fall onto the deck of the ship, wiping away the dirt and grime, the sailors reveling in the cool shower as they watched their posts. With the wind behind them, keeping ahead of the storm was no problem, his ship was built for speed. Sleek, and smooth it cut through waves with ease. Though it couldn't carry as many men as a military ship or have as many cannons, that isn't what Aubriel needed to be a great pirate. All he needed was people who knew what they were doing.

He knew his men might not take kindly to having a woman aboard the ship and many thought woman were bad luck. Not because they thought woman couldn't be sailors but because they were too distracting to the crew and they wouldn't focus on their actual job. Aubriel took one look at how haphazard this woman before him looked and that idea was thrown out the window. He knew not everyone looked great after just running from the authorities and being chased into the waters. Of course then there was the being tossed around on a pirate ship and nearly thrown back to the sharks part and he laughed off his amusement at the whole thing. Mentally forgiving her for her drenched looks. "If you accept my offer, you won't be pulling any of the manual labor around here. I'll only ask that you get the information and supplies we need. I have more than enough money to spare for that kind of thing... then again I usually don't bother with buying it." He laughed again and approached her, standing over her seat like a giant as he opened the book to the pages once more.

"Just find this for me and you won't have another thing in the world to worry about." The drawings didn't depict any fine details about the necklace but he knew it's look by heart. "Where does your mother live now?"

Ivi's bright green eyes examined him and the female smirked. He was dead set on this piece of jewelry. So much that he was negotiating with her? So valuable she could buy a country? What did he have in mind? She leaned on the desk, tapping a finger to her chin. "Hmm, that sounds nice." She agreed, thinking his offer over.

"No, thank you." She grinned cheekily and then laughed. Before he could get upset, she quickly added, "Why do you think I need so much? I like to appear like a girl who doesn't need much and here you are offering all this. It's almost insulting." She teased, shaking her head. "No... Instead I just want three things," She looked up at Aubriel, "A dry place to sleep, the guarantee of the safety of my friends and family, and if I ever need a place to stay, I can come aboard your ship."

She maneuvered around the blond and was suddenly very happy. Actually, she was more relieved than anything. Now that it was obvious she was staying, she let out a long breath. "Oh, wait, I change my mind. I want a bath too." She grinned and put her hands on her hips and then reaching up to pull her hair down. She didn't want her locks drying like that. Otherwise they could get very uncontrollable.

While she stood there, she waited patiently, her mood much higher than it had been before. "And I would probably accept your offer of not having to do manual labor, but what should I do if I was to get bored while everyone else is working? I'm not used to being cooped up all day. I need stuff to do."

Pulling the hair clip from her hair, her brown hair tumbled down, resting on her shoulder blades. She tucked the pin into her pocket. Leaning slightly, she began to tussle her hair with one hand. At this moment, Ivi realized he still didn't know her name and it amused her. Would he ask?

Imitating his actions, she went to look out the window. In all honesty, Ivi was slightly scared of being caught at sea in a storm, but since Aubriel was a wanted criminal, she doubted a storm would halt his ship. Not to mention the fact his crew was probably used to this kind of weather. "My mother lives quite a ways from the last town. She lives on the coast of Aberdeen. I'm sure you know where that is, correct?"

She hummed softly to herself, and then turned towards the Captain, "I never promised she has actually seen it, only that she claimed she had. This could be a wild goose chase." She was sure he was aware of this but couldn't help but voice it.

Growing restless, she opened the door and walked outside. It wasn't like she could go far, so she was almost sure he wouldn't mind. When she stepped onto the deck, the rain pelted her, but it was nice. The rhythmic beating of the water against her skin felt good and she watched the crew work, unsure if she was willing to help or not. I mean, she didn't have to... "Hey," She yelled over her shoulder, towards Aubriel, "Where do you keep the soap?" Her words were a joke, but she had an idea if he actually took them seriously.

Aubriel moved from one side of the room to the next, pacing like a caged lion. His golden hair catching his self created wind and fluttering behind him as he stopped for a moment and looked to her, carefully listening to her words. He didn't need or want to be swindled and he could tell this woman was very clever. "It isn't that I believe you need much, from your appearance you barely need clothes." A smug comment that would most likely cost him later. "Every human being has something they want though and if they had something that could get them what ever they desired they'd have their dreams fulfilled. What I can give you is something that fulfills your dreams and wishes with no astranged outcomes..." He stretched his long arms over the top of his head, his finger tips able to brush the wood ceiling over them as he felt the vertebre of his spine crack when he relaxed back down.

"I can guarentee that I will bring no harm to your friend or family, given they don't try to kill me. As for a dry place to sleep I can provide that while you are here, my ship is well kept and doesn't leak, and if you can find me you are welcome aboard... IF and only if you can help me locate this necklace." He nodded in agreement with himself watching her move about. She was going to frustraite him if she was going to spend every day negotiating with him. Expecially if she wasn't going to just do as he said like every other man on this ship. Even though some tried to negotiate with him before they always gave up and never questioned his authority. His entire crew had faith in him that he knew what he was doing and they earned a very good living doing what they did, and with a brave a man as Aubriel at the helm there was no worries for any of them even in the roughest of storms. Aubriel just nodded to her comment about the bath and laughed. "We're surrounded by water, you can get a bath when ever you want, I'll just toss ya' over the railing!" He laughed once more, shifting his weight from one to the other as his laughter turned into a melodic chuckle. "And I suppose you expect us to have some sort of bathing system? I'm afraid theres no such thing less you plan on bathing with the fishes. Other than that you'll have to wait till we dock again"

He watched as she left the room, he wasn't going to get angry at her want to explore this ship after all she'd be spending alot of time here and as long as she was out of his way or there when he needed her he didn't care. He treated everyone aboard this ship equally and she wasn't going to get special treatment for being a girl. If she wanted to do manual labor around here than she could. As long as she could do it as good as any of the other crew members he could care less. "I know it's a wild goose chase, trust me... this whole hunt has been following one tale after another. I've been to every port imaginable and found nothing but more goose feathers." He noted where she said her mother was and nodded again. "Scotland hm? I wouldn't have thought it would travel all the way there..." He was talking to himself by now as she was up on the deck and he gave a strange look as he emerged from the door getting yelled at by her for some soap.

"There isn't any soap around here. We got some dogs ta' like you clean though if you'd like?" He smirked emerging into the rain as well. As the water hit his skin they seemed to sizzle creating a soft mist around him like the steam from boiling water. Even though the rain was becoming a downpour and the wind bellowing against the sails, his hair never tangled or seemed to get wet. In fact... he seemed inpermiable to the rain. Though his crew worked through it, looking like drenched dogs with their hair plastered to their faces and their clothes sticking to them like glue. "Boys, get that main sail down before that wind catches up the wrong way, we ain't gonna sink this ship cause of a little water are we?!" He ran off in the direction of the main sail, latching onto a large and heavy rope as he untied it from it's knot the sail starting to flap in the wind, he held it in place with what seemed to be more strength than a normal man should have as he was going against the force of the storm and the power of the sail on what would take two or three men to handle he in all of his obsurde manners and antics seemed to handle such things effortlessly.

((Sorry its taken so long for a reply. Had class. D:))

Ivi rolled her eyes at Aubriel's comment. She didn't like it, but she was getting used to dealing with this guys smart remarks and ego. Although this was only day one so there was no telling how long her patience would last. "Wait." She blinked, turning around and looking at the blond male. "You have dogs?" She smiled brightly, hoping they were nice. She loved animals! She assumed that if they were vicious he wouldn't be joking about them licking her clean as much as biting off her arm.

"Can I see them?" She asked, holding up a hand to prevent the rain from running into her eyes.... Was he steaming? Growing distracted at what the water was doing around the Captain, she glanced around to see if anyone else noticed. Maybe they didn't care. 'What are you?' She thought, quite amused, although not sure if she should be worried or not.

Running her hand through her hair, she bent down slightly to unstrap her dagger. Her posture held nothing threatening, but she wanted to use it as a mirror. Holding it up in front of her face, she looked back at the distorted complexion, growing stranger as water droplets stuck to it. 'I look like hell', She noted, frowning and returning the sharp knife to her thigh. Her mother would be disappointed. When Ivi lived at the brothel, she knew the woman would want nothing more than fine dresses, luxury incense and oils, and desirous jewelry for her daughter. Her mother, Lenore, was actually pretty materialistic, although she never disliked anyone based on their appearances. She just enjoyed the finer things in life. Ivi was currently the complete opposite.

The slender female, who could actually be very attractive when she wasn't sporting the drenched dog or low class petty look, disliked having to always be on the road. Sometimes the promises of nice things really called to her, but she knew that if she did ever settle down, she'd miss the adrenaline rush of being on the run, or the minute feeling of accomplishment when you completed a successful pick-pocket. She knew that if they were to actually stop by her mom's "home", her mother would fuss about her. In fact, the last time she visited the women was... 5 years ago? Lenore wouldn't even let her sit down! She forced her into a tub of lavender scented water, brushed Ivi's hair till it shown, and wrapped her into layers of expensive fabric. She could only imagine what would happen now.

Snapping out of her brief thoughts, she focused on Aubriel. "Yeah, I want to see the animals..." Pausing, she added, "Why are you steaming?"

((it's Fine i understand how that goes, i've had work lately so no biggie. xD Glad to see you are alive and kickin' ))

Aubriel released the rope, letting it drop to the ship's deck once the massive sail was lowered, knowing now that they would be able to safely navigate against the winds of the storm without capsizing he was able to relax a bit more. He looked over his shoulder at her, before spinning around on his heel with a great smile. "My dogs?" He answered back with hypothetical question. "Yeah i've got a fe~... " His attention was taken away from their conversation as he felt the ship jerk a bit with the changing direction of the wind. "Ah... the northern winds.... good" His smile faded a bit as he looked back towards the girl he had taken aboard his ship and laughed. "Well, They aren't much good at being dogs" His men knew what to do as they'd traveled this route several times when they returned to Aubriels home nation of Spain. Which might explain where his fiery, and spicey attitude came from. "Follow me, uh... What ever your name is!" It didn't phase him that much that he didn't know this womans name he didn't have any plans to get very personal with her. It wasn't that he didn't like woman, nor did he have a poor appetite for woman... he just preferred woman of the more... wealthy standard. After all, once he broke up with them he could always robe them and make a great exit. He wasn't much of a caretaker but that would have been obvious in his way of dressing, as he was barely covered in any sort of decent clothing.

He paused at the doorway that lead to the lower deck as she questioned why the water seemed to rise off of him like a fog and he glanced to her. "You get me all hot and bothered girl, feel flattered." He snickered as he ducked under the low door frame and started down the steep stair case to the bottom of the ship where the dogs were already barking to be by his side. He lead the woman down the stairs and into the back end of the ship where several dogs were keeping out of the rain. Two great danes came rushing from the darkness of the ship basin and slamming into Aubriel who caught them in a massive hug as they lapped off the water that remained on him. "Hey boys, I was able to get some nice steaks for you guys." He pushed the two danes off of him as their ears perked up at the sight of Corby their tales wagging wildly. "These are my dogs. Ones named Duke the others Prince but they are twins from a litter so I don't have a clue who's who." He laughed as he leaned against the massive dogs, whos heads came up above Aubrie's waste, their large noble eyes staring at Corby. "Careful, they could lick your skin clean off if you let them." He ran his hand down the back of one of them and sat down ontop of the dog as if he was a chair, the massive hound not seeming to mind the extra weight as Aubriel pulled the dogs head back to look at him, playing with the large jowels, making the extra skin flare out like the dog was caught in a wind storm. "Gosh, you almost got wings with these things! You could fly!" He laughed as the dog tried to lick at Aubrie's hands, keeping them just out of reached he leaned over the hound and planted a kiss on the dogs nose.

"These guys keep watch when my crew and I are away, if ya can't tell by their fat bellies they do a good job of it too!" He pulled the dogs paws up onto his shoulders, dancing around in circles with the giant. "I recomend if ya ever go dancing to bring one of these good boys with you, they are better than any dancing you'll find on this ship!" He laughed again letting the dog down, both of them starting to sniff around Corby's feet before one pounced on to her, his paws on her shoulders as it lapped at her face, threatening to drown her in thick gooey slobber, sending Aubriel into another fit of rolling laughter. "Hey, theres that bath you wanted!"

Ivisis narrowed her eyes. Hot and bothered? Was he making fun of her. She scoffed, almost wanting to just stop walking and wander off somewhere else but decided against it. "God, you're arrogant." She breathed, obviously annoyed, but held her tongue from saying anything more. As she followed Aubriel, she looked around the ship, memorizing it. It was in better condition than you would think for a pirate ship. It was cleaner than most she saw and Ivi was eager to explore the rest of it. Of course that would have to wait till later.

When she saw the two dogs she smiled brightly. Animals were a huge weakness for her. "I love dancing." She admitted, more to herself than anything and watched the giant mutts with contempt. Great Danes were large dogs. In fact, they came up to her waist just standing on all fours. When one of the twins jumped on her she had to brace herself so she wouldn't fall over but she laughed, adjusting the giant paws on her shoulders. "The dancing on this ship must be horrid." She gave the dog a kiss on the neck and then gently pushed the animal away, smiling.

Sighing, she sat down, the giant animals trying to lick her face. "When we reach my mother, she's not exactly what you'd expect. And you have to be careful on what you say to her. She'd rather die with her word than be pressured to speak. She's very... insistent. When we get there, we need to play by her rules or else you won't get your information." Ivi's voice was calm, more informing than anything else. She didn't doubt this man's ability in getting what he wanted but she needed to tell him the most effective route. That was the point of her being allowed to stay, correct? To find him the Scourge of Pompeii. And if he wanted it, he'd have to listen to her on some affairs. He didn't know her mother. He didn't know what he was getting himself into. Or, more like, getting Ivi into. She was gonna go through etiquette hell later. Not to mention being weighted down with layers of clothing, or have her lungs filled with various perfumes, making it impossible for her to breath clearly.

"Oh, and whatever you do, don't insult her business." Ivi watched Aurbriel closely, and then letting her attention linger to the dogs as she talked to him. "It's best if you just stay quiet. No offense to you, but the more you talk, the more the," She paused, looking for a word to replace 'women' with, "family, will bother you. Outsiders," She pointed at him, "especially men, are seen quite differently."

Smirking, Ivi let her thoughts wander to how the women would react. Some would hate him, others would use him for obvious reasons. If he allowed them too... She thought for a moment and the mentally shrugged. He probably would. Creep. "And my name's Ivi, Captain Aubriel." She emphasized each syllable of his name, rolling her eyes and wondering why she choose this ship. Maybe she should have allowed herself to be thrown overboard. Surely hiding under the docks wouldn't be that bad.

Preferring to no longer converse with this man, but having to ask at least on more question, "Out of curiosity, how much longer till we reach Aberdeen?" A part of Ivi was nervous as hell, but the more sentimental part was eager.

Aubriel leaned against one of the large pillars that supported the upper deck of the ship and watched the dogs bathe her in their slobber. "Your mother sounds like quite the woman, don't worry though. I don't pressure woman to speak to me. They just do." He laughed as he shifted his weight to the other foot and smiled at her, the two dogs were finally settling down and laid down on either side of her their large bodies actling like huge furry, breathing, blankets. "I'm willing to put up with just about anything if it gets me a sliver of information to where that necklace has gone." Which might have been good news for Ivi but her words did concern him a little. He didn't feel much like dealing with barbarian woman as scotland was so readily known for, nor did he want to deal with Pirate woman. As much as he loved their 'GO GET EM' attitude he didn't quite fancy a pirate womans need to get HIM inparticularly. He'd had to fend such woman off before... not because they wanted to get with him but because they wanted to take hold and capture his ship. It was quite a lovely vessel after all.

"An outsider hm? I guess if I am considered an outsider I ought' to play by their rules... but what is this buisness your mother owns anyways? Just so I don't make a comment that might hm..." He thought a moment and laughed. "Make your mother want to kick my ass?" His eyes glinted with a sense of confidence that more than likely was going to wind him up into a whole load of trouble, he was holding back from speaking any further about what he thought her mother might be like or why on earth he was going to have to be so careful. It wasn't of that great of concern if he got into a little trouble, so long as he or Ivi was capable of retrieving the information he needed to continue his quest. He caught onto her snide emphasis to his name and his eyes narrowed a bit, he didn't like being shown attitude about something so minor as not learning her name. It isn't like they were going to end up the best of friends after all. As far as Aubriel was concerned at the moment his relationship towards her was no more than that of a mans to a slave. He would use her until she proved herself useless, and if she never became useless than she would stay a captive upon this ship until one or the other killed each other. Which he didn't plan to have it be him.

His gaze returned to normal as his fingers ran through his hair, the silky texture of the golden blond threads seemed almost luxiours to the touch. Something almost any woman would be jealous of. Each strand fell back into place as his fingers left the yard length strands behind. He was thinking about her question, calculating the amount of food he had, compared to the number of people and animals aboard the ship and then shrugged with a smug grin. "I dunno." he stated plainly. "I don't travel up there often, ain't much for me to do in scotland after all." He straightened himself up, no longer leaning against the support beam as he headed back up the stairs figuring she would be content down there with the dogs. He looked up towards the sky as he come out onto the top deck, the rain had turned to a misting and the steam that rose from his skin as the water droplets hit him became more of a fog. As if he was surrounded by the ghastly spirits of the lost men of the sea. He looked out to the oceans waves, his eyesight penetraiting to even the deepest depths of the water to catch where the best current may lay to carry them to their destitation. "Boys! Slack that western sail we need to catch that northern rift come on come on!" the men scurried back into positions and he headed towards the front of the ship, leaning on the railing as he peered out into the water, watching the fish. "Keep up with those tuna, the northern winds gonna shift on us!" He was right... as the west sail started to come down the north wind seemed to disappear all together the rainclouds dispersing from above them. He examined the sky once more and turned back to his crew. "Get that main sail back up! Now!" he screamed out to them, as they ran around once more taking hold of the heavier ropes to raise their most intimidating sail which could stand up to some of the greatest winds the ocean had to offer, though it shown them as a pirate ship like a beacon of a lighthouse. The reason being the sail was painted in red with the shape of an aztec bird. A sign that they were not friend, and that this ship was ready for combat.

Truth being though, Aubriel detested combat and preferred to wear out anyone who approached him wanting to fight by out-running them. After all... that reduced the damages to his ship and crew and made sure he got away with any treasure he was carrying. He might be a captain but he wasn't ready to just surrender and go down with his ship. He had bigger plans than that. As the main sail was tied down the northern winds caught the ship once more, with the gusts of a hurricane sending the streamline vessel through the water like a rocket, wave after wave of water being sliced in half with ease. Even the fish couldn't keep up... it was then he knew how long it would take to get to aberdeen and smiled. The sun was glistening out onto the water with the removal of the storm clouds and he basked in the hot rays that were reflecting onto him. "Ah... there is never anything more wonderful than the warmth of the sun." Unlike most of the others who were aboard his ship, his skin was a nice hazel tan instead of a horrible burnt red. For as much time as he would spend near the water, in the sun... his skin would never burn nor pale though his crew figured he used some sort of anti-sun lotion or cream after all he was quite fond of his own looks.

Ivi was a very smart. Whether she used her wit, or decided to hid it, it was difficult for things to pass by her without at least catching her attention. When she saw his reaction to how she said his name, she couldn't help but try and suppress a grin. Patiently (surprisingly), she sat, watching and listening to the young captain. He was strange. Green eyes flickering over the male, she inwardly huffed. Why was his hair so golden? And perfected? Instinctively, she raised a hand and lightly touched her own amber locks. They were soaked from the recent rain shower, and even beginning to frizz slightly. In fact, Ivi's hair could be quite beautiful. She could be beautiful.

The petite girl had a slender frame, nice muscle tone, and lovely tan skin. Her eyes were a bright spring green, specks of silver dancing within the two orbs. For being so small, she had full, perky breast. In all respects, she wasn't what you'd expect from someone dressed the way she was. In fact, to most, she appeared nothing but a dirty, street runner. A merchant who had found rough times, or just someone who had no where else to go. The latter was fairly true.

If you looked close enough, you could see that there was more to her. Not just that she was secretly beautiful, but that her steps were light; airy. Her movements were lithe and precise. Even her voice could be a ringing of bells when gentle. She was unique but never got seen as so. This was the same case when it came to the captain. Not that she didn't enjoy being blown away as nothing but dirt at times. The most unpredictable are the ones you never expect, yes? Ivi was unaware of the way she looked. Many were. It was natural. Of course, once again, when they arrived in Scotland, her mother would show the world what kind of woman her daughter was.

Blinking, she let her gaze fall onto the large animals now resting their large skulls upon her lap and traced the shape of their muzzles with her artistic fingers. They leaned into her touch and a light smile played at her lips. Listening to Aubriel yelling at the crew, she had a good idea what was happening but she was calm. Something about what was going on didn't bother her. If they did end up fighting, she'd prove her worth. If not, she'd wait till they reached dock and then shock the crew on how little they'd have to pay for a restocking.

Hmm... Did they pay normally? None the less, this would be a lot less of a hassle when she reached her contacts in Scotland. Ivi had strings everywhere. Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, England, Russia. You name it, she had it. Hopefully this would come in handy for dealing with finding the jewel. Taking a deep breath, Ivi leaned back against the ship's side. Her only living family may be in Scotland but that was not where she was from originally. Her ancestry traced back from Greece and that was actually where he mother was from. From the constant traveling, Ivi could speak a good amount of languages and perfect many dialects but her strength lay in Greek and Italian.

Slowly, she pushed the animals away and stood up. What was she to do now? Work, wait, or stand in the rain like a moron. It would be different if she had a job but truth be told, she wasn't that familiar with sea faring. Occasional travels, but she was not absolute on how to run a ship. Or how to work on one. Walking to the deck, she coughed, and looked over. Spotting the enemy she turned and observed the crew with intense scrutiny. She would figure out what to do by their actions and jump in if she had the chance.