Sea of Pirates

[Woo]

Oh, no, there's not much point now lol

[LavenderFairy]

Charlotte leaned on the edge of the ship and gazed back at the island. Was it true that she had seen Calico?. She inspected the little parchment, tied neatly to her belt. Then how the hell did she come across this?.

"Hey there", Steam approached her slowly and leaned next to her. "You seem troubled, what is torturing you so much?". With a slight smile she lifted her head up and ran a hand through her hair, feeling the breeze. "Don't worry, its nothing".

"All crew to the main deck!", they heard Dario's voice booming a few feet from them. "Charlotte, Tink! you guys ready your weapons!". Charlotte nodded, "Aye, Captain!". Steam obeyed as well but was still confused as to why or who they were about to fight.

Suddenly, a sharp thunder shot from the skies, parting the seas underneath it and causing huge waves to tumble the floating boats bellow. "Jack mind the sails!". "Tuna, to the fore!". "Stev, ready the  rune cannons!". Dario gave orders to and fro, preparing their men for a frontal attack.

"Cap't where is the enemy?", asked Steam looking around them and noticing the panicked merchants who desperately swam to shore. Dario crossed his arms over his chest, "You will see him very soon, he just loves this stupid games". A small smirk appeared on his face, "And he knows I do too".

The waves crashed against the side of the ship, making it rock from one side to another. Charlotte tied a rope around her for security and climbed the main mast to take a better look. Yes, the island was still there but the skies were dark and the waves uneasy. She then noticed a moving figure climbing the rudder of the ship hastily, he was going for the quarter deck where he could easily take some weapons or hide between the boxes. "Oh no you won't, little rat", she murmured. Readjusting the shrouds around her so that they hung loose instead of securing her to the mast, she lunged towards the quarter deck, stopped a few inches from the floor, untied herself and landed gracefully on her feet.

Tempest made it in time, a head poked from the side of the ship, looked cautiously around and heaved herself up over the fence. "Piece of cake", she muttered with a triumphant smile. "Not so fast!", Charlotte intercepted her, sword readied and pointing at the intruder's neck. "Who the hell do you think you are, climbing the great Captain Dario's ship as if it were yours!". Tempest smirked, "If I were you I wouldn't use my tongue so carelessly, you could lose it". Charlotte glared at her but kept her fighting stance. "Is your desire to die so strong?", she teased, licking her lips.

The other woman chuckled loudly, loving every minute of this encounter. This girl had guts and she had to admit it. "Let's end this".

With quick movements, Tempest began to ging, balancing herself from right to left to the sound of a silent rythm and took her fighting stance. Charlotte raised an eyebrow, she had never seen such a fluid way to fight. Her opponent then took advantage of said confusion to sweep underneath her, catching Charlotte's legs between her own and making her lose balance. The blonde gasped but quickly recovered, doing a backflip and landing back on her feet again. Her opponent smiled at her, "Hey, you aren't half bad!".

"I could say the same about you stranger!".

"But as I told you before", continued Tempest, "I have to end this". With a swift movement, she took one of her guns from her belt and tossed it with force towards Charlotte who dodged it almost instantly, however it wasn't fast enough. Using that diversion to gain control of the situation, Tempest kicked her hard in the stomach, sending her flying backwards towards a mast. But before she could feel the fatal impact, a hard pull on her wrist stopped her and she instead fell on her knees on the wooden floor.

"Had me worried there, are you okay?", asked the raven haired girl with a kind smile on her face.

"Who... who are you?", asked Charlotte as she tried to recover her breath. Tempest offered her hand and the surprised girl accepted it. "I meant no harm to you or your comrads, I just want information about the man you talked to earlier". Charlotte rubbed her sides in pain, but still paid attention, "You mean Steam or...". Victoria shook her head, "Calico Vane".

"Charlotte! The island! Its being attacked by the sky!", Steam ran towards them with fear evident in his eyes.

[m-p3x9]

three helicopter looking vehicles flew over the island bombing it and leveling the ground.

That's my store, thats my home, thats my ship! he stole my ship! those are my bombs. He's bombing my home with my ship. That's my flying ship. That's my friends. that's my family. Steam was panicing. He held his breath to hide his fear. With his adrenaline running the demand on Steams body grew higher then its income.

"I... uhh..." his entire body trembled. His eyes grew red with the tears that were held behind his eyes. The world started to turn black and his legs started to fail. "the things... " he pushed out. "The thing... the things they say. He wont-" Steam started to breath again "He doesnt leave survivors"

"Charlotte, the paper, what does it say?" steam said keeping back his panic and anger
"what paper?"
"no-nothing" He said wondering when he was to wake up.

Steams sanity was slowly being restored for the time being.

"The vehicles he is using will not survive over the water. But it's not just my floating ships he is using. My ships are flying higher and longer then usual. I see no steam coming from it. They seem to be using magic-" without pausing he turned to Charlotte and asked a seemingly stupid question "and Charlotte, answer me this. Dif i come aboard this ship"

dumbfounded Charlotte answered "well obvi-"
Steam interupted "Did you see me come aboard. Did i climb any rope, net, did i use my pocket harpoon ANYTHING. Did i come aboard this ship."
"I don't-"

"Listen people" steam yelled even though much of the attention was already on him, "This is a threat. This ship is in no danger. The bombing is a bit of insurance and a death threat." He walked over to Charlotte. "where did you get get that?" He said looking at Charlotte's belt.
"I don't know."
"Did the dark man give it to you?"
"i don't know"
Quite annoyed Steam asked again, "Did you get it in a dream?"
"How-"

the wind suddenly picked up and viciously hit the sails of the ship and the ship was shot forward. Any crew member not tied to the ship was thrown to the stern of the ship.

"This wind is not natural!" Steam said crawling to the bow. "Charlotte- you have the ransom note. Give it to the captain or we will be killed including this woman that just came aboard." Steam helped the unsecured crew to there feet. They returned to their post swiftly after they stood up.

"Dar- Captain dario, sir. Listen to this god... it will buy us time before we can kill him."

[LavenderFairy]

"No, you are wrong", Charlotte's lips were trembling slightly. "That is not Calico...". Victoria  gently placed her hands on the girl's shoulders to turn her focus on herself, "The man you spoke with, wasn't the legendary Calico?".

"No, he wasn't at all", interrupted Dario as he approached them. "Victoria De Lioncourt, its a pleasure to meet a lady such as yourself". Her eyes went wide for a bit but then relaxed, after all it was Captain Dario, an important bucaneer who easily got any information he needed. "Well now that you know who I am, will you allow me to stay here on your ship until I get the information I seek?". He bowed to her, "It will be a pleasure". He then turned to Charlotte, "My dearest, please take care of Miss. de Lioncourt and tend to her needs".

Charlotte glared at her friend and father, "Since when do I look like a servant to you?". Both he and Victoria chuckled, "It is alright, Im sure we will enjoy each other's company for a while". The blonde turned her head back in an angry gesture, "I don't follow orders from anybody".

"They are firing again!", Steam announced, as another set of rays shot from the enormous ship above. "Are those lightning rune cannons? I've never seen anyone who could use them before, those are hard to control", said Victoria as she scanned the skies. "Charlotte, I need to know what does the parchment say...", he urged her.

The girl nodded as she began undoing the little knot on the string. It soon came of and she unrolled it to take a better look. It read:

Captain Dario:

Seek what is rightfully yours... it lies hidden in the place where the waters are crimson and the animals ferocious. However we both know the price.

Be a pirate?
Or a father?

Your choice.

P.S. I had him deliver the letter to you since he misses you so much. Tell him to cause enough trouble.

Signed CV.

---

Dario read the letter and sighed, "Damn him, truly, damn him". "Captain Dario!", a crewmember ran to him, panting. "Sir! The island has been destroyed!".

Steam watched the flying ship as it dissapeared within the clouds...

[Woo]

Tempest had slipped away and shimmied up the central mast of the ship, to the highest crows nest to get a good view of the raging seas. From so high up, she could see the tiny island disappear under a cloud of dust and sea mist, the wreckage barely visible through the smog.

She let out a low whistle of admiration, which terrified the lookout who had not noticed her climbing onto the rail of the crows nest behind him. Such power was  horrifying, terrible, and awe-inspiring. She had never seen anyone so ruthless since fleeing her mothers ship. And certainly, such skills at manipulating magical artifacts was almost unheard of. She had to find him, had to learn his secrets. She would be the next Calico Vain no matter what it took.

With her goals re-affirmed, she swung gracefully down from the mast and landed near soundlessly on her feet a little ways from Steam, who was staring with listless abandonment into the sky where the great and fearsome flying ship had so recently been. "My man, I think it's gone." She said in a soft, sing-song voice. "You'll not be seein' it again fer a while I should think."

He spun around and scowled at her, though he didn't reply. things had begun to get tense, and Victoria looked as through she might say something more, when suddenly Charlotte arrived from bellow decks and called to them.

"Steam, Victoria! Let me show you around the ship!" Charlotte called them over with a wave of her hand as she turned and disappeared below decks again. The two exchanged glances before heading off to follow her.

(Sorry it's so short, getting ready for college. I just wanted to get at least something in lol XD)

[LavenderFairy]

"Wait a minute, before we continue", interrupted Steam as he and the girls halted. "How can you be so sure that man wasn't Calico? He had every feature of the legendary pirate". Charlotte looked at the sky in deep thought, "Yes he did... but I know Calico Vane wouldn't destroy Bermuda island so recklessly. After all its one of the main trading islands and pirate friendly. In the stories I've heard, Captain Calico respected the pirate friendly islands as well as the merchant ones".

"But such power... can a normal pirate possess it?", Tempest looked bewildered. Her blonde friend shook her head, "That was way too much power..., but Im as confused as you are about that".

"Allow me to explain, my dearest", said Dario as he walked to the center of the group. "How about we go below deck to the dinning room? I'll tell you everything there". The group did as was told, and soon they walked down the stairs in a big room with a huge oak table and matching tables, all neatly carved and decorated with diamonds and rubies. From the ceiling, hung a golden chandelier, with a dozen thick candles that gave all the light the room needed. And the walls were decorated with valuable paintings stolen from many places in the world.

"Wow... the great Dario and his fortune", whispered Steam to Tempest's ear. She couldn't help but smile a bit. This scenery was very familiar to her. Her mother, being the legendary pirate she was, also had a huge treasure in her ship, scattered around the place. Dario motioned for them to sit down and soon enough, one of the crewmembers came in, carrying plates and wine. A feast was set before them and they didn't hesitate one bit to dig in.

Halfway through the dinning, Dario cleared his throat to get their attention. "Alright, now down to business". "Dario", interrupted Charlotte, "Please tell me what the letter means and who wrote it?". He smiled at her and placed a hand on her head, "All in its time". He turned to the rest, "Now then, I bet you want to know who the man impersonating Calico Vane was...". Tempest nodded, "Yes and how come he holds so much power".

 "I have to confess something I haven't even told my crew", he continued. "In one of my many conquers and trips, I stumbled upon an island that is only visible at night and floats in the sky at day. There, I met him, Calico Vane. He was just a faint shadow, standing on one of the many strange crystal rocks surrounding the island but he was real and we talked for about two days until he showed me the many wonders there. We became close and he promised me a part of the treasures hidden within that place... but somehow, before I could take the loot, I was attacked by the guardian beast of the place and thrown into the sea from very high in the air". "Woah! How did you manage to survive?", asked Steam interesed. "Yes, its a miracle I did. And then my current crew found me and we went into our own adventures together. However, since I know some pirates are treacherous, I never told them this".

"So you know how to find that island?", asked Tempest. He shook his head, "I've looked for it for a long time now and there has been no sign whatsoever". He then took the parchment out and placed it on the table, "But we have a lead, apparently this letter was written by Calico Vane himself, giving me the chance to claim that lost treasure again". "But how can we start if you don't know where it is?", added Charlotte with a worried look. "And who is he? The man we saw?", asked Steam. "He is our lead", Dario grinned. "Calico's right hand and a legend himself, I had the fortune of meeting him when he saved me from the fall I told you about earlier. Yes, he is still alive even if a lot of years have passed by and he dosen't look a tad old if I may add".

"So he looks like his captain?", Tempest placed her hands on the table and rose up. "He is a master of illusion, and probably the perpetrator of the attacks on Bermuda island. He was probably sent by Calico", Dario smirked. "So all we need to do is to find him, and I know just the place. Its called Calico island, named after the captain. A place full of pirates of the highest and lowest calibre".

"And what is the name of that man, the one we will meet?", asked Charlotte. "Its Kael, Kael Corsair. Also known as the Crimson illusionist".

(Yesh, im bringing Kael back! ^^) And sorry for not including any action in this post but it was to explain the situation to you <3

[Poesbird]

Name:
  Lady Severly ReReaux

Nickname:
  Often referred derogatorily as “Witch” or "The Willow Witch" referring to a series of large willow trees in the ReReaux's garden.

Age: 19

Physical Appearance:

(I did not create this image, it's from the work of this artist on dA http://qkie.deviantart.com/ )

Weapon:
  Severly is not experienced with the weapons of man, thus she carries no such instrument. Even so, it would be a mistake to not consider her a threat. Townspeople fear her and her family for their fierce reputation. She uses intelligence as her primary weapon but she may or may not possess various enchanted objects hidden on her person.

Bio:
  Over  decade ago, gypsies and those of questionable origin were considered a plague in the grandiose city of Paris.  Young Severly survived as a talented pickpocket, by age six she had become a notorious thief who thrived in anonymity; the only connection between thefts were small flower petals Severly left to replace the possessions she stole.  She lived with the caravan of her people, whose origins were a complete mystery. Even amongst other nomads, they were considered shifty.
 
  By order of those in power, a witch-hunt erupted throughout the city– orchestrating the execution of countless people suspected of witchcraft, regardless of guilt or innocence.  Young Severly and a handful of people managed to escape by stowing away in the floorboards of a lowly merchant ship exporting goods to Calico Island. 
 
  To ensure their security upon arrival to Calico, they all claimed to be a merchant family; giving themselves the name ReReaux.  Quite mysteriously, fortune smiled upon them immediately and they found themselves falling within regal circles. Most survivors waited for the fires of Paris to stop burning before they left Calico, leaving Severly and a few guardians to live as stately aristocrats. Due to their odd appearance and mannerisms, the ReReaux family was still thought to be witches and it was believed that they used bewitchment to obtain their fortune. Soon ReReaux became taboo throughout the country; it is synonymous with sorcery and allegiance with otherworldly evil. Parents used the ReReaux family’s nightmarish reputation to discipline their children. Severly insists such things are mere rumors, but are they?
 
  Severly landed in social limbo; considered a savage witch by stately officials and deemed a contradiction by lower-classmen.  Even the street urchin thought her to be a paradox. Severly has become socially awkward and has little knowledge concerning interaction with others. Her reclusiveness only adds to the beliefs of the general public. She works to behave as a proper Lady to rebuke the stories.

Abilities:
  Once a talented pickpocket and is now believed to be a witch. May bear a vast knowledge of magical artifacts and runecrafting. She has studied botany, history, philosophy, geography, and literature among other schooling expected of a young prospective woman.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  The young Ladyship, Severly ReReaux, stood in her dressing parlor debating her goal as two maidservants dressed her.  Once she was alone she moved to the window, sliding her open book aside so she could gaze through the parted drapes surrounding her windowseat.  Her objective was simple; get the hell of this island. Her view over Calico Islands’ populace was limited by the window’s position but she could see the ocean. It’s curious how paradise and prison are often the same place. To Severly, the ocean meant freedom to pursue the things lost, to discover who she was-- what she was.  She had no sea-legs but her heart drifted with the waves of the tide. It was improper for a Lady to seek the untamed wiles of the world, even if said ‘Lady’ was believed to sacrifice goats or eat children.
 
  "You'd better behave," the townspeople told their children "or the Willow Witch will sneak into your room as you sleep and remove you eyelids to put in her stew!" as it turns out, The Willow Witch was also responsible for any mysterious disappearing pets, toys, or pastry desserts.

  Severly cared not for such trifling tales; she simply sought to reclaim what was taken from her people so long ago. She knew nothing about where to start but she knew that the next vessel to cross that horizon was going to be her way out. No matter what the cost.

  Exporting from Calico had slowed since piracy had caused most of the goods to disappear, it could be days before anything opportunistic would appear. Until such a time came, Miss ReReaux was expected at the Rainespeare Gala to mingle with people who had no interest in mingling with a witch that might eat their soul as soon as look at them. Such absurdity brought a slight smile to Severly's lips. She could already hear the wealthy snobs whisper quips regarding her peculiar hair. Luckily, the gala was featured in Admiral Rainespeare's garden, which had an oceanic view.

  The want to leave, however, was ever-growing.

[m-p3x9]

(i am assuming this ship is a galleon with Demi-culverin cannons with a crew of the 5 lavey said before, and the 2 chars we made. what did we decide to name the ship again? oh.. and i apologize if i screwed up any chars... especially lavey's... sorry in advanced. i'll fix anything that i messed up )

Minor repairs to the ship were done, and the two new crew members were given a place to rest. night had fallen. Tuna (te he) manned the crows nest, and Stev stayed up to steer the ship if need be or to wake the captain if danger arose. The captain, the two new crew members, and the rest of the crew slept. At least that's what Dario thought.

There was a full moon and the stars were out. Clouds Sprinted through the sky, seemingly mere inches above the highest point of the ship.
Steam and Charlotte sat and watched as the sky transform and move with beautiful shades of blue and a little bit of purple. The two meant to talk, but it seemed as if all they could do is sit on the forecastle deck and watch. Steam wished to say something witty, to make her smile, something to win her heart. All he could think of was his friends that had lost there lives. His emotions by now had become stable, but the sadness still talked to him. Charlotte was a tough girl- one more ridged then she once was years ago.

"Listen" steam said, breaking the silence, "when i was aboard this ship last, Dario treated me kinda like his son." Charlotte looked over to him. "He once said, 'if you're heart is set on something follow it.' I saw you, and i saw how well we got along, so it was you i followed." Steam paused "i wanted to invent something that you could look up to me for. Something that would be everything you needed."
"Steam i-" Charlotte tried saying.
"i know, i know" He interrupted.  He bowed and reached both ands behind his neck. He presented a necklace with a beautiful pendant. They both looked at it as Steam dangled it through his fingers.
Charlotte looked down. "Dario expects me to get up early. I should probably go to sleep before it's too late." she said as she picked herself up.
"Me too" steam replied, still staring into the sky in front of him.

When she walked out of view Steam grabbed the chain and pendant in one hand and threw it over the side of the ship.

Steam woke up in his bed for some reason thinking of the words all hands on deck. why was he dreaming about that? His thinking cleared when he heard doors slam open. "ALL HANDS ON DECK" Dario called.

An explosion erupted. Steam ran to the main deck to see what the commotion was about.

a Ship was sailing almost parallel to this one. why hadn't there been an earlier warning? "jac, tuna, stev, Steam, Man the starboard cannons, She's comin' up broad on the  port quarter!"

the  ensuing ship seemed to be going faster then the vessel This crew was on.

Steam followed the other three to find the cannons. The ship looked as if it had 70 cannons. "this crew is much too small for this ship" Steam said as he loaded the cannons closest to the back of the Vessel.

another explosion resounded. "why are they firing on us? they don't even have a clear shot!"
"to scare us" one of the crew members responded.

[LavenderFairy]

Suddenly the ship stopped firing and the seas went calm. Onoard, the crew looked around wondering if it had been an illusion or if the ship had somehow sunk.

"Calm down fellas´, its just Kael´s way of saying welcome to Calico Island", Dario assured them with a big grin and his hands on his hips. Steam sighed deeply and ran a hand over his forehead to wipe off the sweat, "Is he always this reckless?".

"You better stop whining. We are about to reach dock and beleive me, you want to keep your eyes open at all times", interrupted Tempest with a slight smirk on her rosy lips. Steam raised an eyebrow in confusion, "What for? There are no soldiers in this... oh". Tempest drew her head back and chuckled, "Yup, its full of pirates and some are spineless and will steal even your soul if you aren´t careful".

"Dock the ship dogs!", hollered Dario while the smile remained on his face. It seemed he truly enjoyed that island, Steam thought it must be because it was like a home for pirates. He looked around to see if Charlotte was anywhere in sight, but when the attack had started she had retired and hadn´t appeared back ever since.

“Alright, Im going ahead. Can´t wait to see what that boy wants”. Dario started walking down the wooden ramp followed closely by Tempest and two other pirates from his crew. He turned back to Steam, “Don´t you worry about her, enjoy yourself!”. With a last wave of his hand, he left.
Severly was staring at the window, a little surprised by what she had witnessed. Renamed captain Dario´s ship had appeared in the horizon and when it was approaching the island, another massive ship appeared out of nowhere and began attacking it. Then, just as it had appeared, the vessel vanished. Was it a figment of her imagination?

However, while she was pondering about that. A tall handsome man walked under her window, he was smiling widely and his right arm had a red glow surrounding it. The sudden feeling of an inmense power startled her and turned her attention to the stranger.
How could a mere human have such power?

Following her instincts, she took after him, carefully eliminating her presence so that he couldn´t sense her. She followed him towards the docks where he stood between the swarm of people with his arms crossed over his chest and a defiant smirk on his face.
“My Darling, you should be aware that if my presence was overwhelming, so is my power”, he said, loud enough for her to hear him.

Already discovered, she came out of her hiding place and faced him. “Who might you be?”. He eyed her , “Im a forgotten villain who is soon to make his reappeareance. Hmm you seem quite interesting. If you want to find out more, then you stay here”. She took a step back warily but heed his orders.
 Suddenly a man came on the docks, she recognized Dario of the seven seas. So these two somehow knew each other?

Dario stopped a few meters from Kael, grinning widely. "Well well, if it isnt Kael himself, the second man", he said, emphasizing the word "second". Kael drew his head back and laughed loudly, "You never change do you? Even after 10 years of roaming the seas with no destiny like a lost little puppy".

"You! Tempest took a step towards Kael who eyed her curiously. "How can you be still alive?". The man smirked widely, malice evident in his eyes, "I´d tell you girl, for a little fee...". Dario placed a hand on her shoulder, "Kael, you know better than to disrespect the ladies. Now tell me, what does Calico want of me?".

"A crew", Kael looked down at him, "He wants to relive those glorious days of hunting and pirating, but he needs the best crew you can gather for him". Dario sighed, "Why won´t he do it himself?". Kael shrugged, "He trusts you to do it for him , I suppose its because you are only good for that anyways".

"Im done here, lets go", he started walking in the direction of Darios ship but stopped and turned to Severly. "Come with me, or stay and perish alone in this boring place". Dario tilted his head to the right, "Who is this girl, Kael?".

"She is part of the chosen crew. Now lets set sail, I will accompany you".


Sorry for the short post, but I almost dont have time. Will post more latur <333