The Ashlanders - Chapter 6: The Blind Man's Last Gambit (Closed, Started)

[The Funslinger]

"The Iron Maiden's time is up. I'm willing to offer a hefty sum--one that will set you up for life--to the one that brings me Pixie's head."

That choice of statement gave Metal some insight into the man. Clearing his throat, he tugged back the curved leather brim of his hat. "What about managing returning the bride-to-be? What's that get us?"

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"True enough, the basics are obvious." The Gentleman conceded. "You can smell that foul concoction Ruffles makes over half of the ship. Those are merely the bare bones of the matter though, and you never know what details might be important later. I want to know how he started, and how he ended up here. I promise, hand on heart, as a return for the promise you made me back on the train, that I will not use the information I get from you for any malicious purposes."

He gave Lilith his most disarming smile.

 

[ProtoChimp]

"Where are they comin' from?"

"I don't know I can't even peek my head up."

"Who cares bullets are flying everywhere just shoot where the bangs come from-"

"KEATS! NO!"

"DON'T SHE'S DEAD DON'T G-"

"OH FUCK WHAT'S HE DOING?"

"ARIN!"

"Leave him he's dead, they both are."

"FUCK FUCK FUCKING GOD DAMMIT!"

"Salih run, go get the-"

"EMILIO!"
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Aesop woke up with his face buried in his pillow. He was sleeping on a funny angle and his neck was aching. He turned his neck in a way to increase the pain as he pulled on his own hair. "C'mon, not today. Take it easy today Aesop, job well done yesterday, all in all." He continued to cause himself slight pain until his dreams had been driven out of his mind. Then came the smile. The forced smile which he slowly twisted into a genuine one. Grabbing the hair bobbles he fashioned his locks into a ponytail once again and began his morning ritual of working out.

"Captain says we have the day off, but she's got an important announcement to make after supper. Don't miss it."

"Thanks Cranston." He continued his workout for a while before realising that he didn't have the nourishment to continue. Panting he sat against the wall and wiped the sweat off his brow with his forehead. "Probably best to get a wash." He went to his small basin and himself a clean up, laughing at the razer that for some reason sat at his sink. He held it up and said, "Pfff, I'm never gonna use you." He dropped it in the sink and stroked his beard before putting back on his signature gear and exiting the room. He set off down to the kitchen high fiving a couple other maidens on the way down. Man did repressing memories make him feel good in the morning, or maybe afternoon by now. He had spent a lot of time in his room. Sadly his mood went right back down as he turned a corner and saw the... fuck face Ruffles named him? Yeah that'll do, fuck face; when he saw the fuck face having tea with Lillith. As much as Aesop wanted to have fun and tease Lillith about her hangover he couldn't do it with fuck face there he just couldn't. He could ruin Aesop. It was a good idea to keep his distance. Maybe he could get some food somewhere else-ooh the cargo might have some good food. Yeah the nobles would definitely have some spices or some fancy pants bread made in the finest plantations of... this thought process is going nowhere; TO THE CARGO HOLD!

 

[Daystar Clarion]

The man's smile caught Lilith a little off guard. It wasn't the same smile he used in the past.

Still an act, I reckon. She pulled up the vest strap that managed to slip from her shoulder. No, she wouldn't tell him. She could trust the man about as far as she could throw him. She took a long drag of her cigarette, propping the side of her head on her fist, the opposite vest strap slipping down. Fucking vest

"Tell me, have you ever heard the story about The Boy Who Cried Fire?"

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Tell me, have you ever heard the story about The Boy Who Cried Fire?"

"That, or some similar variation." The Gentleman replied. "I know the story well, and I seem to remember the boy in question had his moments of sincerity."

The Gentleman still smiled at her, as he looked over his cup.

'I will find out, eventually. It will be easier for all concerned if it comes from you.'

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"I know the story well, and I seem to remember the boy in question had his moments of sincerity."

"Yes, well, he was just a boy, kinda like the one you held at gunpoint yesterday" She smirked, an eyebrow raised. "You no doubt already know about the alcoholism, I'm sure that took you all of three seconds to figure out. Anything more than that, and I honestly don't know." He pulled the strap of her vest up with her free hand, only for it to immediately fall back down again. Fuck you gravity, you're making it really difficult for me to be taken seriously here.

"And even if I did know, which I don't, and I did tell you, would you believe me?" She asked, blowing out smoke, "I don't think you would, or if you did, you would still attempt to confirm it through other means." She furrowed her brow in thought. "Which makes me wonder, with that being the case, why are we even having this conversation? What can a lowly bandit girl from the arse end of nowhere tell you what you didn't already know?"

 

[Dogmatic99]

-"I don' know if I can trust myself ta' make the right calls here."

Florian took a deep gulp from his metal mug and gently laid it down on the small table and cupped his hands in front of his mouth for a moment, breathing in deep. It was going to be one of those days was it? He listened intently as she went on and looked back into her severe stare, unblinking.

"So why are you risking everything for this girl?" He asked after a while. "Am I far off when I assume that she's more than just the usual noble arm candy?"
So either they were holding out for a larger bounty than her family could afford, or she was doing this for a moral or personal reason. With most captain one would assume the former... but this was Meredith "Pixie" Munroe. Robber of the rich and feeder of the poor and she was not most captains.

And she wouldn't be worried about trusting herself if this was strictly business. If there was anyone the captain trusted above all others in this world it was herself.

"This girl... she's something special isn't she, is she something to you, personally?" He asked, softly.

 

[Fappy]

"Am I far off when I assume that she's more than just the usual noble arm candy?"

Pixie grunted amusingly as she continued to stare down into her coffee.

"This girl... she's something special isn't she, is she something to you, personally?"

Pixie slowly lifted her head and met his gaze once more. The look in her eye was no longer that of a concerned maternal figure, but rather a calculated commanding office. Florian could feel his blood freeze as she seemingly stared into his very soul, "Florian, anythin' said from here on out ain't gonna leave this room. Understand?"

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"What about managing returning the bride-to-be? What's that get us?"

Dio stopped his deliberate pacing and looked to the man who spoke out, "She is of no concern." He smiled as he gauged the group's reactions. "Do not think me a monster. I do care very much for Lady Maribel, however due to certain circumstances I need not be concerned with her well being. Assuming none of you do anything reckless I fear not for her safety."

He turned away from the group to peer out the enormous windows behind his desk, "Captain Monroe knows better than to let her come to harm."

 

[Dogmatic99]

"Everything said in this room is kept in complete confidence, you know that." Florian said flatly.

It looked like he'd hit a nerve. Clearly it was too early in the morning for both of them to get into one of these matters. Why did the captain never come to him on a more light hearted matter? Still he couldn't take it personally, half the crew that had come through his quarters on confession started getting aggressive at one point or another. The company he kept all had their fair share of deeds that weighed heavy on them, the kind they didn't talk about happily.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

"Well Lilith," The Gentleman said, finishing the last dregs of his tea. "Sometimes what someone doesn't know can be just as informative as what they do."

He smiled again, with the pipe between his teeth as he lit it for a second time.

"I'll leave you in peace. It would be remiss of me not to cause any more trouble. The audience expects, and so the players must provide." he said, as he swung off his stool and left the refectory.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"Sometimes what someone doesn't know can be just as informative as what they do."

She closed her eyes for a second to let that one soak in. It is far too early, and I am far too hungover to be having this conversation.

"I'll leave you in peace. It would be remiss of me not to cause any more trouble. The audience expects, and so the players must provide."

She waved her hand lazily, as if to shoo him away. "Yeah, yeah, get outta here, if you're gonna snoop around, try not to break my record player, that shit's hard to come by."

She rubbed her temples, a portion of unattended ash breaking away from her cigarette. "That oyster didn't work..." she let her arms fall to her side as she rested her face on the counter top, enjoying its coldness on her cheek. Both straps of her vest fell loose.

"Bollocks."

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"She is of no concern." Lord Dio said with a cruel smile in response to a question one of the other hunters asked. He then quietly scanned the group, looking to see what sort of reactions the other bounty hunters gave. "Do not think me a monster. I do care very much for Lady Maribel, however due to certain circumstances I need not be concerned with her well being. Assuming none of you do anything reckless I fear not for her safety." Lord Dio then turned away from the group to peer out of the large windows that were behind him.

"Captain Monroe knows better than to let her come to harm." This caused something to spark within Viola's mind.

"Hmmph, to think, this man cares more about a bandit being dealt with than his own betrothed; truly shows the devotion he has for her. If this is true, than Lady Maribel doesn't deserve him; she'd be better off with someone who'd put their beloved's safety first. *sigh* Or perhaps I am simply over thinking things, I guess time will tell." Viola thought to herself, her voice speaking with a sense of coldness and hostility, not that she'd openly display it of course.

"I take it then that the two of you have come to some sort of altercation in the past?" She then asked aloud.

 

[Ruedyn]

Kayneth answered the posh little shit with a proud middle finger and a defiantly stuck out tongue. It didn't seem he noticed, which suited the Duelist just fine, thank you very much. The boss, client, head of the organization; whatever he was to be called, looked like he could do the job just fine on his own. Not that Kayneth knew or cared what the 'Iron Maiden' was (he remembered Aeron once throwing an attempted assassin in one once, but he figured it was just a namesake).

One of his competition decided to pipe up with something, something the rest should've asked. The safety of the bride to be. That was all but brushed away, instead focusing on the heads and collecting thereof. Reckless behavior was bad, which meant stealth and stabbing on this mission. He didn't give a rat's piss over the fate of that girl.

"I take it then that the two of you have come to some sort of altercation in the past?"

But the bleeding heart in the group did. Kayneth groaned, "I don't very much care for a history lesson. Sounds like bandits are holding a damsel in distress, who cares much for the kidnappin cap'n's motivation in all this? Just tell me where to strike, and I'll have a few heads by sundown."

 

[Fappy]

"I take it then that the two of you have come to some sort of altercation in the past?"

Dio turned to face the girl and was about to dismiss her when another did his job for him.

"... Sounds like bandits are holding a damsel in distress, who cares much for the kidnappin cap'n's motivation in all this? Just tell me where to strike, and I'll have a few heads by sundown."

I like this one.

Dio smiled, "That's what I like to hear. You could learn much from him." Dio said to Viola before turning his gaze to the group as a whole. "Do not get hung up such trivial details. You are among the best hunters on the planet. The elite of the ashlands. I expect results that do your reputations justice."

He started for his desk once more, "Now, if there aren't anymore questions I have a lot of work to return to."

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Pixie let out a long drawn out sigh. She'd gone through two mugs of coffee since beginning her tale. Florian had listened intently, honing in on every fine detail, being sure to ask questions when appropriate. And with that, Florian knew the truth of the situation. Though she was still uneasy, it felt as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulder.

She glanced up at Florian from the mug in her hands, "I reckon that's 'bout all of it. Now I hope ya' understand why this whole situation is, well, completely monkey-fucked." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I got me some other matters tha' need tendin' to, but I plan ta' talk ta' Josephine before the end'a the day. Mind keep'n Elizabeth company while I do?"

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************

"Bollocks."

Sprout entered the room just on time to see Lilith's cloths malfunction. Stopping dead in his tracks, he didn't even realize he'd be staring until she noticed him, "Oh! M-m-m-morn'n Lilith!"

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"Oh! M-m-m-morn'n Lilith!"

Lilith didn't move, but she did try her best to smile. "Hey there kiddo, how're ya holding up?" A croak in her voice, groaning as she righted herself. She leaned back her head, tilting it slightly so she could see Sprout. "Don't ever get drunk, kid, it's not worth it." Lilith's hair was a mess, her face grimy, and she was pretty sure that oyster was coming back to avenge itself and all it's former comrades, and to top it off, she must have slept funny because her back was killing her.


"You wouldn't mind doing me a favour would you?" She chuckled, "See, I'd usually ask your old lady, but she's not around..." She tapped the back of her shoulder rather clumsily.

 

[Dogmatic99]

It had been quite the story. Some parts of it fresh and original, others were tragically common if you lived the wrong kind of like on the rock and so many people did these days. For the most part Florian had been content to listen in silence, only speaking up when a lull occurred and he needed some clarification to get the full picture. And what a wonderful picture it was.

He and the captain seemed to simply regard each other for a moment.

Has she ever told another soul this story? It didn't feel likely.

"I got me some other matters tha' need tendin' to, but I plan ta' talk ta' Josephine before the end'a the day. Mind keep'n Elizabeth company while I do?"

"Of course."

Were this any other story Florian might have tried to lighten the mood right about now. But this wasn't like any other confession he'd been given before.

"I'll make myself look the part and join them in their quarters as soon as I'm able."

He quietly ushered the captain out and set about making himself look as much like an honest priest as he could. Dressed in his usual blacks and greys and with his collar in place Florian scooped up his bible and stepped out, pausing briefly to lock the door behind him less Smiles decide to have another crack. The thought of having to defend and control himself like this on the ship was depressing. Any thoughts of payback had been squashed by this new development, Florian would have to turn the other cheek and do what was needed of him for now.

It would be the right thing to do anyway. He tried to justify it to himself but it sounded like an excuse even then.

There was time to get a quick breakfast first at least. He arrived just in time to catch Lilith and Axel in the middle of an erotic encounter. Just another day on the Iron Maiden.

"Glad to see the two of you have been brought closer by yesterday's event." Florian said, taking a nearby seat along with some toast.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"Glad to see the two of you have been brought closer by yesterday's event."

Lilith smiled weakly, "Hey, I don't care who does it, You've got big strong hands, Padre, why don't you do it?" She wiggled her shoulders, "C'mooooon, I'm dying over her." She glanced at Sprout, who seemed to be halfway between having an aneurysm and wanting to break out in dance.

 

[Dogmatic99]

"C'mooooon, I'm dying over here."

"Afraid not. I made a solemn vow denying me the temptations of women. It would take a stronger man than me to lay hands on Miss Lilith and not cast aside his principles." He shot a look of manly encouragement to Axel. The boy had faced near death far too much yesterday, he needed something to give him a shot of life.

Why when Florian had survived a fight to the death at that age he'd be climbing the walls in search of decadence. Though his father had kept him clear of the sensual decadences until he had been a few years older than Axel was now. Still the principle was the same.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

"Afraid not. I made a solemn vow denying me the temptations of women. It would take a stronger man than me to lay hands on Miss Lilith and not cast aside his principles."


Lilith pouted, resting her head back on the counter. "But it huuuuuuuuuuuuurts." she complained.

She understood the situation the kid must find himself in, but really, it was about time he stopped being so intimidated by her. The lessons she taught him now would stand him in good stead for future relationships. His future wife would thank her for it.

"Sprout, over here, that's an order."

 

[Fappy]

"I'll make myself look the part and join them in their quarters as soon as I'm able."

Pixie nodded with a smirk, "Thanks again, Father."

It was finally out. She had finally told someone. She'd hoped her anxiety would subside after doing so, but her fear remained. It also didn't help that she was running on no sleep. To say the previous day had been eventful would be an understatement. Any normal human would have passed out upon returning to the ship after going through what she had.

Not Pixie.

She never did sleep much to begin with.

After unlocking her door she swung it open and threw herself onto her cot. Sleep took her moments later.

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"Sprout, over here, that's an order."

After an audible, nervous gulp. Sprout nodded with renewed purpose, "Yes, ma'am!"

His hands trembling, he rested them on her shoulders and after a few moments of hesitation, began massaging them. Her skin was as smooth as a baby's bottom, "Uh, like this?"