Post by Harlequin on Apr 5, 2015 21:48:55 GMT -5
The Grey Lady returned to the Eastern port on a spring breeze that still carried winter's chill, especially as it blew in off a cold charcoal sea. The ship's silvered hull was several shades lighter than the waves she rode upon, and a little travel weary - as were her sails, a paler and brighter silver than her hull and ragged at the edges from harsh winter winds. She'd been out at sea for several months and required some maintenance, and their supplies in the hold had dwindled too. The Captain intended to dock for two days so the necessary repairs and purchases could be made - and it was also a chance for those crew members not interested in another round to depart and be replaced - before setting off again, with plans to remain at sea for the first three weeks to month of spring before the spring storms blew in.
"Crew to port! Take her in gentle, lads." Harlequin's voice rang out over the ship's deck, clear and almost melodious. The Captain himself stood at the helm, unmissable in his worn hat topped jauntily by a black crow feather and wrapped in a seal-skin lined jacket that flapped dramatically around his knees in the wind. He, too, was weather-stained and travel weary, and was looking forward to a hot meal, a hot bath and some new clothing once the ship docked. Salt-hardened pirate he may be but Harlequin also had a taste for the finer things in life, and a dramatic flair for fashion. The Grey Lady bumped gently into the dock, guided by his expert hand and the smooth, well-oiled mechanics of the crew at their various stations. The sails folded and collapsed as they were brought down, and as the ship finally stilled and the ropes were thrown out to anchor her to the dock, the deck came alive with bustling activity. Thirty odd crew members scrambled over the smooth silver deck as they prepared the ship for her repairs, gathered their own belongings and palmed the coin made in the latest raids which was clearly burning a hole in their pockets now they were docked somewhere coin could be spent.
Once the Grey Lady was still and secure Harlequin patted the worn wheel and jumped lightly onto the dock himself. There was much to be done in two days to prepare to sail again, but the senior crew - loyal men and women Harlequin had been sailing with for years or decades, knew their roles and there were enough of the main crew returning for another sailing that most of the necessary jobs would be covered. He'd tasked Crow with coordinating the resupply of the hold, though he'd check it himself before the set out to sea again. Harlequin's main task was to find a carpenter he trusted and make the payment and arrangements for the Lady's repairs - this was not a job he was willing to entrust to someone else. He also wanted a place to stay on dry land, so the first thing the Bat Shifter did was seek out a dockside inn.
The place was small and smelt of salt and fish, but there was a fire in the grate and a horse in the stable - the latter, of course, meeting Harlequin's requirement for a hot meal. Being as it serviced the dock the inn was rough and had a well-stocked bar, too - all perfectly suited to Harlequin's tastes. The pirate rented a room for himself and Crow, though his first mate remained back with the ship for now, then took a seat at the bar, a tumbler of rum in hand.
"Crew to port! Take her in gentle, lads." Harlequin's voice rang out over the ship's deck, clear and almost melodious. The Captain himself stood at the helm, unmissable in his worn hat topped jauntily by a black crow feather and wrapped in a seal-skin lined jacket that flapped dramatically around his knees in the wind. He, too, was weather-stained and travel weary, and was looking forward to a hot meal, a hot bath and some new clothing once the ship docked. Salt-hardened pirate he may be but Harlequin also had a taste for the finer things in life, and a dramatic flair for fashion. The Grey Lady bumped gently into the dock, guided by his expert hand and the smooth, well-oiled mechanics of the crew at their various stations. The sails folded and collapsed as they were brought down, and as the ship finally stilled and the ropes were thrown out to anchor her to the dock, the deck came alive with bustling activity. Thirty odd crew members scrambled over the smooth silver deck as they prepared the ship for her repairs, gathered their own belongings and palmed the coin made in the latest raids which was clearly burning a hole in their pockets now they were docked somewhere coin could be spent.
Once the Grey Lady was still and secure Harlequin patted the worn wheel and jumped lightly onto the dock himself. There was much to be done in two days to prepare to sail again, but the senior crew - loyal men and women Harlequin had been sailing with for years or decades, knew their roles and there were enough of the main crew returning for another sailing that most of the necessary jobs would be covered. He'd tasked Crow with coordinating the resupply of the hold, though he'd check it himself before the set out to sea again. Harlequin's main task was to find a carpenter he trusted and make the payment and arrangements for the Lady's repairs - this was not a job he was willing to entrust to someone else. He also wanted a place to stay on dry land, so the first thing the Bat Shifter did was seek out a dockside inn.
The place was small and smelt of salt and fish, but there was a fire in the grate and a horse in the stable - the latter, of course, meeting Harlequin's requirement for a hot meal. Being as it serviced the dock the inn was rough and had a well-stocked bar, too - all perfectly suited to Harlequin's tastes. The pirate rented a room for himself and Crow, though his first mate remained back with the ship for now, then took a seat at the bar, a tumbler of rum in hand.