TikTok13
Oh, I have a title?
@Ambyssin
~~~~~
Welp, another update here! Now, this one's a little late, so forgive me, but I hope you like it. Another important character joins here, and we see a bit more of the others in this one. So, get ready, and enjoy!
Utter silence. Not what I expected, to be honest. The crowd remains motionless as Steele conceals his revolver and turns, leaving the pavilion the same way he came. The Bisharp disappears with a final sweep of his cloak, the sun reflecting on his steel head. The two Magmortar guards collect the limp figure of Jacob, and I feel my stomach turn as the glistening hole in his head becomes visible. Only when everyone has left the pavilion does the crowd break into uproar. Most people talk happily about the execution, glad to see another violent criminal off the streets, but I'm just confused.
Does that happen to every criminal? Or is it exclusive to those that conspire against Steele? I have yet to learn the way of the world, it seems. In the slow movement, I can't help but compare Cormeum to Covedrift. Deaths don't happen often at home, and when they do, it's a solemn moment. Being such a small island, the inhabitants of Covedrift know each other very well. But here in Cormeum, you don't know someone because you pass them on your way to work or invite them round for a cup of tea - you know them because their faces are plastered on notice boards, criminals and idols alike. Unlike home, this place revels in the murder of someone. Just another miniscule event in the life of the big city. Nothing like home.
No, not home. Covedrift. I have to remind myself that that small island isn't where my home is anymore. The Liquid Lugia is the one place I can call home now. I have to come to terms with that.
Rose grumbles beside me, casting shifty glances at the few stragglers that hang by the town square. She seems tense, or tired. Her face is like a wall, and I can't tell why.
"What did you think to that?" I ask, hoping to get some enlightenment.
"Nothing much. Pretty commonplace; if you commit treason, you're as good as dead, unless there are special circumstances." She doesn't elaborate, and by the way she stands, arms folded and eyes closed pensively, I can tell she doesn't plan to.
As night starts to consume the city, we start to make our way back to the docks, sure that Crux will be almost ready, if not waiting for us. The idea that they could leave without us spurs us on, but there's also something slightly unsettling about Coremeum at night. The streetlamps, which I expected to glow with a fiery amber, instead shine in eerie violet flames that so closely resemble those of a Lampent. The shadows that the rising moon casts are freakishly hellish, and send shivers down my spine. I get the sneaking suspicion that we're being watched, but Rose puts it down to a mix of paranoia and fatigue.
Still quite apprehensive nonetheless, I rush Rose on, and within minutes we've passed the grumpy attendant and are outside the city walls, the dull thumping sound of the propellers keeping this city afloat the only sound that accompanies us. Even out here, where raucous sailors are supposed to rest, the silence that has dogged us since the execution continues to persist. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I am wrong, or does Rose seem incredibly jumpy? She's walking very close beside me, her arm occasionally brushing mine, and her head never ceases to turn.
"Hey," I whisper, but in the perpetual silence of twilight, it sounds like a shout. "We're almost back at the ship. Don't worry, okay?" I try to throw a sense of sympathy into my voice, but Rose just brushes my concerns off and smiles nervously, a white flash in an equally pale face. Her eyes are wide, but with what emotion, I can't tell.
"I'm not scared." I'd believe her if it weren't for the tremor in her voice. Despite her apparent fears that the night may hold, she leads the way down the wide wooden platform that leads to our ship.
~~~~~
We clamber aboard the Liquid Lugia, which is enveloped in fiery light that creates a warm, somewhat cosy atmosphere, and I instantly feel much better. The eerie feeling of the city already feels mines away, even though I can see the city walls from here. Most, if not all of the crew, are gathered on the deck, and it's obvious that they're waiting for something. With slight confusion as to what it is we're actually waiting for, I make my way across the deck to stand by Cyrus. The Luxio looks somewhat impatient, a frown creasing between his eyes.
"Crux shoulda been here b'now," he murmurs, his eyes darting about. "Something's up." I mentally slap myself. How did I not notice that our hulking Rhydon Captain was absent. It's funny, how short-sighted fear makes you. The crew seems to think this too, as many are becoming restless, and start to wander around the deck. We obviously can't leave without our Captain, right? I decide to busy myself around, even going below deck for a while to work on a new clock, but soon return back to Cyrus' side. My apprehension is growing; I still feel as though we're being watched, but it feels as though more than one set of eyes is paying attention.
But even Cyrus is getting impatient. After another ten minutes of aimless procrastination, he states: "If the Captain ain't back in the next quarter of an hour, then I'm gonna go look for him." Nobody dissents against him, and my respect for the young Luxio increases. Even Rose, who I assumed was without a care in the world, seems highly worried for the Captain's wellbeing.
"He's not normally this late," she says bluntly when I ask her what's up. I get a feeling that there's something the others aren't telling me; they seem to want to leave Cormeum as soon as possible, and Crux's disappearance is doing nothing to comfort them. Boredom sets in, and with a long, drawn out sigh, I realise that this is the part of pirating that you don't hear in the tales and sea shanties. The mood has considerably lowered - it doesn't take an empath to notice, but all this depression is really putting me down, like a weight has entered my chest. So, laying on the wooden floorboards of the deck, I start to tap my gem. A smooth rhythm. With my free hand, and bang against the deck, a deeper, hollower sound than that of my chest. And then I start to sing.
"What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
Early in the morning?"
My voice is quiet at first, but on the third line, it picks up, and raises to a shout. Other crew members join in; Cyrus and Rose are among the first, but others, like the Ariados and the Machamp, are reluctant to accompany us. But when we begin a second round, we have the entirety of the crew bellowing at the top of their lungs, an odd mixture of different pitches, accents, and levels of enthusiasm.
When the song comes to an end, a crowd of people whose names I don't know come over to me and start cheering, lifting me above them with wide smiles and bright eyes. All of this is so out of place. I've just witnessed an execution, Crux is still missing, yet here I am, singing along with the rest of the crew without a care in the world. Maybe I'm not as methodical as I thought after all. I definitely did not plan to do that.
Unfortunately, we all fall back into our dormant state, waiting for Crux to arrive, fear growing with every second that ticks by. However, true to his word, Cyrus gets up before long, and fastens a jacket around him. Slinging a bag over his shoulder, he gives us all a nod, and then strides off of the ship and into the shadows of the docks. A desire to follow him suddenly possesses me, but Rose appears beside me, as if having predicted my thoughts.
"He'll be fine," she whispers reassuringly. "You don't know Cyrus like I do. He'll come back with Crux or he won't come back at all."
Great. That doesn't exactly instil me with confidence, either.
~~~~~
Sure enough, my Mawile friend does not lie. Cyrus returns not a hour later, the Captain behind him. The two step aboard, but then I notice something. There's no cargo. Surely Crux was gone all that time collecting our next job, right? Instead of supplies or goods being hauled aboard, Crux is followed by another figure. Lean and formal-looking, with a trench coat fastened tightly at the neck and a leather satchel hanging by its side. The face is obscured by shadows, cast by Crux's enormous figure.
"Righ' everyone, can I have your attention please?" Grunts Crux in a formal tone, so different to what his usual speech is like. Cyrus, who is stood to the side, looks quite angry, but I don't have time to wonder why. "Sorry for the delay, bu' I needed to get our cargo." He pauses for what I presume is effect, before introducing the mysterious figure behind him. "This is Benit Grey, a gemologist, and our latest client."
The figure, a young Servine, steps forward with a nervous smile.
"Hello everyone. Firstly, I would like to say that I look forward to working with you all, and I hope that we shall all benefit from this." As he speaks, he shuffles* quite a lot, wringing his hands together, but there's a fire burning in his eyes. "Now, down to business. As Captain Crux said, I am what is called a gemologist, meaning that I exclusively study gemstones." The crew look at him with blank stares, and he nervously continues. "What I've hired you for is this - I have reason to travel across the Broken Kingdom to Naga City, home to the largest mines in the Kingdom."
"Two questions." Someone interrupts bluntly, making Benit look even more nervous. "Why us, and what do you need to get there for?" There were murmurs of approval across the crew, and I furrowed my brow in a frown. What is his point?
"Well, the Liquid Lugia has a good reputation, no failed deliveries, I believe, and as I'm sure you know, the road to Naga is not all that easy for an inexperienced fighter such as myself." He gestures at his own body, and gives a wry smile. "As such, I require a tough crew, a fast ship, and a friendly environment to get to Naga."
"But what for?" Growls Cyrus, beside me. I'm not sure why, but he's frowning, and looks somewhat irritated. "The road t' Naga's a bloody dangerous place, so we better know what the hell we're riskin' our necks for!" Benit shuffled uncomfortably.
"W-well… a-at Naga, they believe that they have unearthed something. Something very important." He pauses, apparently for effect. "It appears to be a Lustrous Orb."
Some of the crew look bewildered, but I'm confused, and to a large degree. A what? Nonetheless, it appears to have the effect that Benit wants.
"For those of you who do not know, a Lustrous Orb is of a stone-like substance, said to resemble a pearl. In the days of old, it was said that this orb belonged to the legendary Palkia."
"But the legendaries don't exist!" Yells Rose. She too looks annoyed by Benit, and I can't tell why. For once, I don't seem to know everything, and it's quite frustrating, to put it simply.
"Yes, well, that's, uh, open to discussion. I, for one, am still a believer in the old tales, and real or not, this Orb is highly valuable and one of a kind. As such, I can pay you handsomely upon delivery, if you choose to accept my offer." One look from Crux tells everyone that we will be accepting the offer, but I'm still trying to process all of this.
Everyone has heard the tales of the legendary Pokémon. There were many, and they were said to have individually contributed to the creation of the world. But nowadays they're just seen as stories told to children. Everyone knows their names, Palkia, Groudon, Kyurem, to name a few, but now they hold no reverence, no respect. It's somewhat sad, but I guess that's what comes with evolution of society. But why Cyrus and Rose appear to be annoyed with Benit is a mystery. Just like the legendaries.
~~~~~
Just like that, Benit Grey joins the crew, our only cargo, and we prepare for the journey to Naga, which will take three weeks if we travel non-stop. Of course, we will have to stop at points, for food, fuel, and other things of that nature.
It's not until I'm laid in my bed, surrounded by the snores of my crew members, that my mind really wakes up. Why were Crux and Benit taking so long to get back? And why was Cyrus so flustered? Questions I want answers to, but know that I'll probably never ask. After all, this is just a small pirating job, and I'm a newbie. It's not like anything out of the ordinary will happen any time soon.
Eh, I wanted to show a bit of uncomfortableness for Black, but I do suppose an example would have been good. I apologise for that, bad judgement on my part :/
That's kind of what I was going for. I thought a villain with a not-so-fantastic name would be alright, and I was watching Guardians of the Galaxy 2 at the time, so Taserface is a perfect example.
Well, I'm happy that the gun shook you all up! I hope you look forward to seeing them a bit more, though. Regarding OHKO moves, I don't think I'll use them all that much, to be fair.
Great! More on the way for you to see!
~~~~~
Welp, another update here! Now, this one's a little late, so forgive me, but I hope you like it. Another important character joins here, and we see a bit more of the others in this one. So, get ready, and enjoy!
Chapter 5
Utter silence. Not what I expected, to be honest. The crowd remains motionless as Steele conceals his revolver and turns, leaving the pavilion the same way he came. The Bisharp disappears with a final sweep of his cloak, the sun reflecting on his steel head. The two Magmortar guards collect the limp figure of Jacob, and I feel my stomach turn as the glistening hole in his head becomes visible. Only when everyone has left the pavilion does the crowd break into uproar. Most people talk happily about the execution, glad to see another violent criminal off the streets, but I'm just confused.
Does that happen to every criminal? Or is it exclusive to those that conspire against Steele? I have yet to learn the way of the world, it seems. In the slow movement, I can't help but compare Cormeum to Covedrift. Deaths don't happen often at home, and when they do, it's a solemn moment. Being such a small island, the inhabitants of Covedrift know each other very well. But here in Cormeum, you don't know someone because you pass them on your way to work or invite them round for a cup of tea - you know them because their faces are plastered on notice boards, criminals and idols alike. Unlike home, this place revels in the murder of someone. Just another miniscule event in the life of the big city. Nothing like home.
No, not home. Covedrift. I have to remind myself that that small island isn't where my home is anymore. The Liquid Lugia is the one place I can call home now. I have to come to terms with that.
Rose grumbles beside me, casting shifty glances at the few stragglers that hang by the town square. She seems tense, or tired. Her face is like a wall, and I can't tell why.
"What did you think to that?" I ask, hoping to get some enlightenment.
"Nothing much. Pretty commonplace; if you commit treason, you're as good as dead, unless there are special circumstances." She doesn't elaborate, and by the way she stands, arms folded and eyes closed pensively, I can tell she doesn't plan to.
As night starts to consume the city, we start to make our way back to the docks, sure that Crux will be almost ready, if not waiting for us. The idea that they could leave without us spurs us on, but there's also something slightly unsettling about Coremeum at night. The streetlamps, which I expected to glow with a fiery amber, instead shine in eerie violet flames that so closely resemble those of a Lampent. The shadows that the rising moon casts are freakishly hellish, and send shivers down my spine. I get the sneaking suspicion that we're being watched, but Rose puts it down to a mix of paranoia and fatigue.
Still quite apprehensive nonetheless, I rush Rose on, and within minutes we've passed the grumpy attendant and are outside the city walls, the dull thumping sound of the propellers keeping this city afloat the only sound that accompanies us. Even out here, where raucous sailors are supposed to rest, the silence that has dogged us since the execution continues to persist. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I am wrong, or does Rose seem incredibly jumpy? She's walking very close beside me, her arm occasionally brushing mine, and her head never ceases to turn.
"Hey," I whisper, but in the perpetual silence of twilight, it sounds like a shout. "We're almost back at the ship. Don't worry, okay?" I try to throw a sense of sympathy into my voice, but Rose just brushes my concerns off and smiles nervously, a white flash in an equally pale face. Her eyes are wide, but with what emotion, I can't tell.
"I'm not scared." I'd believe her if it weren't for the tremor in her voice. Despite her apparent fears that the night may hold, she leads the way down the wide wooden platform that leads to our ship.
~~~~~
We clamber aboard the Liquid Lugia, which is enveloped in fiery light that creates a warm, somewhat cosy atmosphere, and I instantly feel much better. The eerie feeling of the city already feels mines away, even though I can see the city walls from here. Most, if not all of the crew, are gathered on the deck, and it's obvious that they're waiting for something. With slight confusion as to what it is we're actually waiting for, I make my way across the deck to stand by Cyrus. The Luxio looks somewhat impatient, a frown creasing between his eyes.
"Crux shoulda been here b'now," he murmurs, his eyes darting about. "Something's up." I mentally slap myself. How did I not notice that our hulking Rhydon Captain was absent. It's funny, how short-sighted fear makes you. The crew seems to think this too, as many are becoming restless, and start to wander around the deck. We obviously can't leave without our Captain, right? I decide to busy myself around, even going below deck for a while to work on a new clock, but soon return back to Cyrus' side. My apprehension is growing; I still feel as though we're being watched, but it feels as though more than one set of eyes is paying attention.
But even Cyrus is getting impatient. After another ten minutes of aimless procrastination, he states: "If the Captain ain't back in the next quarter of an hour, then I'm gonna go look for him." Nobody dissents against him, and my respect for the young Luxio increases. Even Rose, who I assumed was without a care in the world, seems highly worried for the Captain's wellbeing.
"He's not normally this late," she says bluntly when I ask her what's up. I get a feeling that there's something the others aren't telling me; they seem to want to leave Cormeum as soon as possible, and Crux's disappearance is doing nothing to comfort them. Boredom sets in, and with a long, drawn out sigh, I realise that this is the part of pirating that you don't hear in the tales and sea shanties. The mood has considerably lowered - it doesn't take an empath to notice, but all this depression is really putting me down, like a weight has entered my chest. So, laying on the wooden floorboards of the deck, I start to tap my gem. A smooth rhythm. With my free hand, and bang against the deck, a deeper, hollower sound than that of my chest. And then I start to sing.
"What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor?
What shall we do with a drunken sailor,
Early in the morning?"
My voice is quiet at first, but on the third line, it picks up, and raises to a shout. Other crew members join in; Cyrus and Rose are among the first, but others, like the Ariados and the Machamp, are reluctant to accompany us. But when we begin a second round, we have the entirety of the crew bellowing at the top of their lungs, an odd mixture of different pitches, accents, and levels of enthusiasm.
When the song comes to an end, a crowd of people whose names I don't know come over to me and start cheering, lifting me above them with wide smiles and bright eyes. All of this is so out of place. I've just witnessed an execution, Crux is still missing, yet here I am, singing along with the rest of the crew without a care in the world. Maybe I'm not as methodical as I thought after all. I definitely did not plan to do that.
Unfortunately, we all fall back into our dormant state, waiting for Crux to arrive, fear growing with every second that ticks by. However, true to his word, Cyrus gets up before long, and fastens a jacket around him. Slinging a bag over his shoulder, he gives us all a nod, and then strides off of the ship and into the shadows of the docks. A desire to follow him suddenly possesses me, but Rose appears beside me, as if having predicted my thoughts.
"He'll be fine," she whispers reassuringly. "You don't know Cyrus like I do. He'll come back with Crux or he won't come back at all."
Great. That doesn't exactly instil me with confidence, either.
~~~~~
Sure enough, my Mawile friend does not lie. Cyrus returns not a hour later, the Captain behind him. The two step aboard, but then I notice something. There's no cargo. Surely Crux was gone all that time collecting our next job, right? Instead of supplies or goods being hauled aboard, Crux is followed by another figure. Lean and formal-looking, with a trench coat fastened tightly at the neck and a leather satchel hanging by its side. The face is obscured by shadows, cast by Crux's enormous figure.
"Righ' everyone, can I have your attention please?" Grunts Crux in a formal tone, so different to what his usual speech is like. Cyrus, who is stood to the side, looks quite angry, but I don't have time to wonder why. "Sorry for the delay, bu' I needed to get our cargo." He pauses for what I presume is effect, before introducing the mysterious figure behind him. "This is Benit Grey, a gemologist, and our latest client."
The figure, a young Servine, steps forward with a nervous smile.
"Hello everyone. Firstly, I would like to say that I look forward to working with you all, and I hope that we shall all benefit from this." As he speaks, he shuffles* quite a lot, wringing his hands together, but there's a fire burning in his eyes. "Now, down to business. As Captain Crux said, I am what is called a gemologist, meaning that I exclusively study gemstones." The crew look at him with blank stares, and he nervously continues. "What I've hired you for is this - I have reason to travel across the Broken Kingdom to Naga City, home to the largest mines in the Kingdom."
"Two questions." Someone interrupts bluntly, making Benit look even more nervous. "Why us, and what do you need to get there for?" There were murmurs of approval across the crew, and I furrowed my brow in a frown. What is his point?
"Well, the Liquid Lugia has a good reputation, no failed deliveries, I believe, and as I'm sure you know, the road to Naga is not all that easy for an inexperienced fighter such as myself." He gestures at his own body, and gives a wry smile. "As such, I require a tough crew, a fast ship, and a friendly environment to get to Naga."
"But what for?" Growls Cyrus, beside me. I'm not sure why, but he's frowning, and looks somewhat irritated. "The road t' Naga's a bloody dangerous place, so we better know what the hell we're riskin' our necks for!" Benit shuffled uncomfortably.
"W-well… a-at Naga, they believe that they have unearthed something. Something very important." He pauses, apparently for effect. "It appears to be a Lustrous Orb."
Some of the crew look bewildered, but I'm confused, and to a large degree. A what? Nonetheless, it appears to have the effect that Benit wants.
"For those of you who do not know, a Lustrous Orb is of a stone-like substance, said to resemble a pearl. In the days of old, it was said that this orb belonged to the legendary Palkia."
"But the legendaries don't exist!" Yells Rose. She too looks annoyed by Benit, and I can't tell why. For once, I don't seem to know everything, and it's quite frustrating, to put it simply.
"Yes, well, that's, uh, open to discussion. I, for one, am still a believer in the old tales, and real or not, this Orb is highly valuable and one of a kind. As such, I can pay you handsomely upon delivery, if you choose to accept my offer." One look from Crux tells everyone that we will be accepting the offer, but I'm still trying to process all of this.
Everyone has heard the tales of the legendary Pokémon. There were many, and they were said to have individually contributed to the creation of the world. But nowadays they're just seen as stories told to children. Everyone knows their names, Palkia, Groudon, Kyurem, to name a few, but now they hold no reverence, no respect. It's somewhat sad, but I guess that's what comes with evolution of society. But why Cyrus and Rose appear to be annoyed with Benit is a mystery. Just like the legendaries.
~~~~~
Just like that, Benit Grey joins the crew, our only cargo, and we prepare for the journey to Naga, which will take three weeks if we travel non-stop. Of course, we will have to stop at points, for food, fuel, and other things of that nature.
It's not until I'm laid in my bed, surrounded by the snores of my crew members, that my mind really wakes up. Why were Crux and Benit taking so long to get back? And why was Cyrus so flustered? Questions I want answers to, but know that I'll probably never ask. After all, this is just a small pirating job, and I'm a newbie. It's not like anything out of the ordinary will happen any time soon.
