Jericho shook Shiv's hand and laughed along with him. "Jericho Aleksander, Freeman Mercenary, at your service. Speaking of service, I was looking to enter yours." Jericho grinned widely, walking out on deck beside the captain. "Do you have room available for an extra crewman?" he asked. "I'm a fair hand with ships, worked on them until I was seventeen." he added quickly.

Rhianwen was less than pleased. With a growl, she hissed at the captain as he turned his back. "Oh real nice you are! Leave me to be shadowed like a babe by someone; that's not a chance or freedom! I WON'T have someone follow me all day and butt into my buisiness!" The flame haired maiden glowered at the male, clenching her fists and shaking in anger. Stupid man! Sword sheathed and pendant tucked under her shirt, the female sulked out, glaring at the guard as if to dare him to follow.

"Oh, so ye want t' join me crew?" Shiv smiled. He took a second look at Jericho, sizing him up. He was younger than most of the men on his ship, but, even from seeing the brief amount of swordsmanship, he could tell that he could be an asset. However, he wanted to see what he could do while someone was actually paying attention. "Well," the captain said, pacing around him as if appraising an item, "what kind of skills do ye 'ave?"

((I changed my mind, he doesn't recognize him.))

"Well, I've been trained in swordplay since I was a wee lad, I know how to sail and repair a ship, I've a close bond with all types of sharks, I'm an accomplished acrobat, and... I have certain... sway with a particular noble family. I've also been in the mercenary business for the better part of a year now. I can lead a group of men or engineers or whatever I'm told to lead; I have much scholar-type knoweledge from certain schools I've attended." Jericho stood at an "at-ease" stance as he recited all of this; feet shoulder-width apart, right hand clasping his left wrist behind his back.

Rhianwen had tiptoed out of the room, ignoring the guard, and glaring in the direction of the captain. Wandering around on deck, she found herself a spot by the railing to sit. Sliding down, her back reclined against the wooden railings of the ship deck, arms folded over her chest as she relaxed in the sun.

"So, ye be of noble birth? Hmmmm...." He continued to pace around Jericho. Suddenly, the captain looked bewildered. "What do ye mean, ye 'ave a close bond with sharks?" Of all of the verbal resumes Antis had accrued, the leadership, swordsmanship, and ship ability had been common features; This shark inclusion, though, was never something he had heard of. "Do ye mind if I see what ye mean?"

Jericho flashed him a wicked grin. "Certainly." he said. "Follow me, please!" He walked towards the bowspirit of the ship, clambering up it until he was perched on the very tip.

while he was doing this, he sent out a mental call. Finwalker requesting escort service for sloop. Any available within range?

We hear you, fin-brother. We shall come! It is always a pleasure.

Raising his arms, Jericho flourished theatrically, and twirled to face the captain. "Cap'n Shiv, Sah! Requesting your presence at the bowspirit!" he called, a mischevious grin on his face. "Come and see for yourself how my friends below will aid me!"

(( a typical escort is around 20 sharks over 15 feet long, fyi, mostly hammerheads and great whites))

Sighing at the commotion at the bow of the ship, the young woman glanced up, a look of confusion on her features. Rhianwen was torn. For one, she wanted to sit and relax in peace. But on the other had, the female was curious by nature, and it was taking a lot to remain still and keep her bored expression in place. Tapping her fingers beside her on the deck, she glanced over in the direction of the captain and the newcomer. She didn't need to see what was going on....she didn't..or so she kept telling herself.

((OK, i'm posting for Salvaria b/c her comp is being (w)itchy))

Antis ran up to the front of the ship, watching to see what would happen. First, it was entirely uneventful, with Jericho just staring off of the bow. After a while, there seemed to be a disturbance far out in the water. To get a better look, Blackwings flew off of the bow to see. As he got out there, there was a large great white shark, some twenty feet long, swimming back towards the Wingbearer. Antis wasn’t afraid of sharks, for they were a natural occurrence in the ocean. He saw similar ripples in the water coming towards his ship, so he flew back and hovered around the bow. There, he saw twenty sharks, half great whites, half hammerheads, all of them at least larger than fifteen feet. The captain had never seen so many sharks swimming together in a peaceful manner. They then seemed to organize, and swam orderly around the hull. It was incredible! He looked toward the newcomer, and shouted, “This be yer doin’, I suppose?” He smiled from ear to ear at this awesome sight.

((ok, now for jericho!))

Jericho, still with that wicked grin on his face, shouted back "Yup! Lovely, ain't they?" Stepping down off the bowspirit, he waved for Antis to join him. "So... Am I suitable to sail with the great Antis Shiv?" he asked, noticing out of the corner of his eye the same girl who had attacked the helmsman. I'll have to see if she's ok, later... he thought, waiting for Shiv's reply.

Excitedly, the winged captain dived at Jericho, then flew up at the last second, closed his wings, and dropped to his feet right in front of him. "With a talent like that, 'ow can I refuse?" Antis smiled, then stuck out his hand to shake again. "Ye got yerself a deal. If ye got all of yer things, I'll lead ye to yer cabin, then show ye 'round." He turned around, gesturing for Jericho to follow, and saw Rhianwen. It's good t' see she's not sulkin' in 'er room... yet she's still not 'appy. He continued to walk towards the cabins, and then noticed something. Where be that guard!? This be the second time I 'ave seen 'er out without 'im... "Narth!" He yelled to his first mate, who had been sneaking glances of the excitement off of the bow while doing busy work. "Aye, Antis?"
"Would ye watch this lass for me? The guard 'as been doin' an awful job of it."
"Aye, cap'n."
"Thank ye." He then continued to walk to the cabins. 'Ave t' remember to punish that guard later...

In truth, the female had been looking over the edge, surprised at the sight of all the sharks. She quickly sat back down, curiousity fed and slaked. Closing her teal eyes, the maiden was curled up in her self proclaimed spot, arms folded across her chest and knees together. She vaguely heard the voice of the captain, but chose to ignore it. Only when footsteps came near did she open her eyes. Rhianwen glared at the first mate she had seen earlier, hand on the hilt of her sword lest he try anything.

Jericho shook the captain's hand, smiling as well. You guys can go, now, he thought at the sharks. Could one or two of you scout ahead and see if there's any ships about, though? It would be much appreciated.

It would be our pleasure, Fin Brother. Life is so much more interesting with you around!

Thank you

Jericho again snuck a glance over at the girl to see if she was alright, then followed after the captain.

Antis first lead his guest to the cabins. "This one'll do fer ye." It was of moderate size, not constrictingly small like some of the rooms. However, it was near bare, with only a hammock in the corner as furnishings. "There not be much in 'ere, though I can get ye some boxes fer chairs." After showing Jericho the room, the captain gave him a small tour of the ship, including the galley and the hold. He then led them back onto the deck to show him the captain's cabin and the helm. Antis was proud throughout his guiding around, being able to show off his beautiful ship. "I think that be all ye need t' know about the Wingbearer. Did I leave anythin' out?"

As the winged male came back up towards the deck, the female grew stiff, jaw clenched. Shifting in agitation at her spot, she eyed anyone who came to close with a cautious, weary eye. He seemed to be proud to allow the newcomer onto his ship, and no doubt the shark summoning male would be given free reign of the ship. Scowling at the first mate, Rhianwen spoke. "How long to I have to be monitored like a babe?"

"No, I don't think ye did, Cap'n." Jericho smiled warmly at his new employer. "But for now, I believe I shall--" Jericho cut off his sentence, hearing the report of one of the shark's scouts.

Fin Brother, there are two large ships a small distance to the northwest. They appear to be riding low in the water, and look decoratively plated. I believe they are what humans call, "richships."

Thank you, friend.

"Captain Shiv!" Jericho exclaimed, looking to the northwest and scanning the horizon, finding two small black specks there. "I do believe there to be a couple of choice targets runnin' due northwest of us! Permission to give chase, sah?"

Antis lifted off and flew to the crow's nest, to retrieve the telescope to get a better view of these ships. They looked awful full, and, from the shape, treasure-carrying vessels. "Aye, crew! Thar be two richships to the nor'west!", he called down. But, to his surprise, they didn't scream their war cry back. They looked downright tired. While flying back down, Shiv yelled, "What, are ye all tuckered out?" A few 'Aye's were called back. "Awhhh, ye all be no fun." He shook his head. "Fine, then. Ye can all get yer sleep." To Jericho, he added, "Sorry, lad. They all be too tired from the battle earlier." He shrugged. "Thar will be more."

Moving away from the crew members, Blackwings walked over to the red-haired maiden who was glaring at him. "No, lassie, since thar be a break in the action fer now, I will visit with ye." He winked at Narth, indicating that he would take care of her for now. Antis stared off of the deck, looking at the water. He wanted to have a conversation with Rhianwen, but he didn't know how to start one, considering she wasn't exactly pleased with him.

Rhianwen didn't growl this time, simply eyed the captain with wary eyes. On guard and defensive, the maiden kept herself closed off, hand near her sword just in case. As the man spoke, she glanced up at him, brows furrowed. "Action....." her soft alto voice was barely a whisper. "Killing, plundering, looting, and bragging means 'action' to you? Hmph! A sorry excuse for a man you are." she taunted, looking away from him as if he were about as interesting as a piece of dirt.

((ah, ain't she a bitch when she meets people? XD ))

He looked at her, wondering if she thought he was going to kill her when he had draw his sword against her earlier. "Look, now, lassie, I may do some of those things, but I only ever kill people when they try t' tan me own 'ide first!" Antis tried to keep the mood light, but it really bothered him that Rhianwen thought he was the horrible kind of pirate that would kill and kidnap women and children, like the one that had captured her. Somberly, he said, "Lass, ye do know that those pirates who captured ye were the worst excuse fer plunderers. Even we 'ave some morals..." He hung his head, looking at the blue beneath him, that was kindly waving back at the sad captain.

((Jeez! Poor Antis, getting verbally abused by this wench C: ))

Leaving Antis to his conversation with the girl, Jericho strolled along the deck of the ship for a while, then decided he was tired. Heading back to his cabin, he lay down in his hammock and soon fell asleep, lulled to unconsciousness by the rocking of the waves.

Rhianwen shrugged, frowning in annoyance. In truth, she was more lonely and distressed than she was angry, but she hid it well. Rather than feel like a meek, weak little girl or give off emotions that might make people look down on her for, she hid behind bitterness when not at peace inside. Arms folded across her chest, she ignored the male, not bothering to respond. She felt far too vulnerable for her liking, and to show fear was to give potential enemies or those with malicious intent an advantage.

Antis sighed. He didn't want to stand here with the girl if she wasn't going to say anything. He tapped his fingers on the side of the ship. Then, all of a sudden, he jumped up on the side, flapping his wings. "Would...would ye like to go flyin' with me?" Antis had no idea how to make the lass happier, so he resorted to something that made him happy. Besides, flying in the evening sunlight would be even more beautiful than normal.

Blinking in surprise, it took the female a moment to register his words. She and the captain weren't on the best of terms, yet he wanted to take her flying? It was tempting, and oddly flattering that he would offer. Biting her lower lip, Rhianwen looked up at the captain. She was considering, but she looked torn. Was it a trap? A trick? She wasn't too good at telling such things. Standing, she swallowed hard, speaking softly in her reply. "Ye won't...drop me will you?"

"No, lass, I won't drop ye. I promise." Antis was pleased that Rhianwen did even consider his request. She seemed to be so upset to be on his ship. Maybe that's why she be causin' all of these problems... and even if it's not, this will be a good way t' make sure she won' be makin' trouble. He jumped back down, standing with his arms out, ready to grab around her waist. "Do ye want t' go?"

Now the difficult part. Rhianwen was tempted, and did very much want to go and fly in the beautiful sky. However, she was not very good or comfortable with being touched, by males in particular. Oddly enough, all her life she had not minded so much, liking hugs and handshakes, and other forms of affection and freindship. It wasn't until rather recent years that she became more...reserved and wary about physical contact. Looking up at him, she tried to gauge what kind of man he was, hard by looks and guesses alone of course.

Antis was becoming less and less enthusiastic about his idea. From the way that Rhianwen eyed him, he was getting uncomfortable. He stared her back, trying to mentally tell her that, despite being a pirate, he was an okay guy. After a while of this awkward stand-off, the captain sighed, and dropped his arms. "Well, girlie, twas only an idea, an' if ye dun' want t', that be alright with me." He climbed back on the railing, readying himself to jump off of the side.