Nikki grinned and stepped aside for the next folks in line. She'd noted the captain's bright eyes with disguised interest, recognizing that as a sign of magic power. It would be interesting, she reflected, to see what he was capable of. But that was a thought for another time. She angled over to Matthew and Blackfire, inspecting her potential shipmates. "Heya~" she said, ears alert. "Matthew and...I didn't catch your name? This should be fun."

Tressa frowned. "Yes, but there's...a difference between ships shooting each other and casualties and something up close and personal...and when it is up close, you don't have to...you don't have to kill someone to win a fight. I've butchered chickens, it's not like blood and whatnot bothers me, not even killing an animal. And fighting in that context...well I don't know. Maybe it'd be the same to me. But maybe it would be different, since the killing here was just so random."

“Welcome dear” Fer smiled softly as she turned away. Being right behind her he couldn’t help but let his ear wander and pay attention to their conversation as he looked away. Gave him a chance to see what fit and what the captain wanted in his crew. It just made the yearning and excitement to be out in the open water and air grow. Fer glanced back down when he heard the captain stand, he too was caught by the glow, fascinated even. This was a man he wanted to sail under.

The line was actually getting shorter, which meant there was a possibility for Jack’s time to run out. Sure, the captain was attractive. But that wasn’t the only reason she was after him, though that could be the evenings bonus. She did want to be on that ship, part of the crew, part of something bigger for once. She just didn’t want the typical means of doing it, lines weren’t her thing, she liked grabbing attention in different ways. Her eyes fluttered around the crowed room, looking for another opportunity to show off her knife skills, short from just picking a random fight. What good was that anyway, was bad karma to pick a fight just to show off.

[I]"You are right. It is different. When a man is swinging a sword, or leveling a pistol or rifle your way, it's different. You will learn that" [/I] He nodded, inspecting the bottom of his empty mug with slight disapproval of it, as if it were the cup's fault for being empty. [I]"You have much to learn in the ways of the worls, and I will be glad to teach you. Come back in three days. Oh! Before I forget..."[/I] He fished the merchant notes out, except for one, and handed them to her, along with the fat coin sack. [I]"Since it will be your job to cook, and to buy the wares which we live on and sell for money, these next three days, along with resting and preparing to leave, it is your responsibility to buy our stock, and procure goods to trade. Even we do that every now and then. Welcome aboard, didn't catch your name....[/i] He held his hand to the side, showing that she was free to go after he caught her name. One more person in line, then he was off to sleep,to ponder the eventts to come.

Picked from her silent musings by the kitty's voice, the blond looked up at her. "Uh... Blackfire." She waved a hand and then immediately shoved it back into hiding. "Not a very typical name, is it. Then again, I never was fond of typical names. Er... Nikki, was it? Back in some younger days I could give myself a nice tail and ears like you've got. I was a shapeshifter, even! Got quite a few friends out of trouble that way... and sometimes even into trouble. Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to start... I just miss being able to look cute." She cleared her throat and sipped from her cider mug.

"Oh!" Tressa said, surprised she'd forgotten to introduce herself. "The name's Tressa. And how many am I...you know what, never mind. I can guess from how much money you gave me how much you want me to buy." She took the coin sack and moved out of the way, casting a glance back at the man who had stood behind her.

She didn't particularly want to go home, but she didn't have anywhere else to- well, she did have her savings. She could just rent a room. Did this place have rooms? She didn't want to go back out. Shouldn't be a problem to afford and after two nights she wouldn't have to worry about that any more because she'd be on the ship and- she'd be on the ship.

She was going to be on the ship! She was going to be an adventurer! For once, Tressa's smile wasn't the fake permanence, but a wide, genuine beam.

"Yep, Nikki," the nekomimi replied. "And you're still plenty pretty. Sounds like you know how to have a good time," she added, flashing a bright smile that showed off her sharp teeth. "Shapeshifting is useful. I can only change into a housecat, though. It'd be nice to have something more impressive. Like a tiger. Or flying like a hawk, that'd be cool too."

Fer nodded with his charming little smile as Tressa looked up in passing. His glance turned back to the captain, it was his turn. Stepping forward he changed his smile a bit, less lady catching and more just good first impression. “Jefferson Mead” He smiled offering out his hand, exposing some of his tattoo as his sleeve pulled up. “Most call me Fer” he nodded. “You must be getting tired of asking the same questions over, I’ll try and spare you the repetitive breath. I’m a bit of a master pickpocket, I have been since I was a wee lad. Things, just disappear.” He said having a coin of his own that right before the captains eyes he made disappear. "My grip is strong, my attitude is flexible. You order I’ll do.” He hoped that was a good start.

The door was closing faster. Jack went back up to the bar ordering two more pints, this time taking both herself, taking the long way back, setting one next to his empty mug. The other she kept with her, sipping on her way back to another seat, making sure she kept herself in his line of site.

Rous sighed, he had to watch his wallet for sure now. Everyone of noteworthiness he had talked to this day was an expert thief. Fortunately, something aboard the ship would make sure that no double-crossing would be had on his ship. Stealing not only from him, but from his crew was unacceptable!

[I]"Just what I need, dedication. You will make a fine sailor, good sir! Three days time, meet at the docks!"[/I] He cut this last interview short, on part of he was tired, and two, the blonde had brought him a drink. He stood up, and pulled the poster from the wall [I]"No more inquiries! Gentlemen...."[/I] He turned to the veteran crewmembers seated with him. Every eye turned to him, some gleaming with pyrotechnic proficiency, all eager for what he was about to say. He smiled [I]"Show them a good time! He who laughs first?" [/i] He yelled, and they responded "LAUGHS HARDEST! " With that, they immediately jumped up and dispersed, some grabbing drinks, others mingling with other sailors. One immediately jumped into a fight.

Rous glided over to the blonde, drink in hand. His crooked smile on his face, but his gleamig eyes were weary, curious [I]"So, you bought me a drink. What's the meaning?" [/I] He asked, sitting next to her

“Thank you sir, see you then” Fer smiled with a little bow of gratitude. He walked over to the bar to order himself a drink.

Jack smiled looking up at her new guest. Crossing her legs one over another, she repositioned herself to face him better. “Just thought a fine captain such as yourself could use a drink or two” She smiled setting her own down. “So, just gathering new crew is the only thing that brings you to town?” She asked her own hand running up her leg exposing a little more, just below where she kept the dagger strapped. Almost foolishly she had a small pouch sitting on the table next to her. She could feel another presence close to her, trying to hide. An arm was slowly creeping up next to her. “Foolish” She smiled not even breaking the contact with the captain. Pulling out the dagger it quickly went deep and fast though the man’s sleeve trapping his arm. Jack glanced over as the sleeve started to grow soaked in red, having knicked the sad excuse for a thief’s arm. “Let that be a reminder.” She nearly sneered, as he yanked at the sleeve tearing it off. “I apologize” Jack smiled back at Rous.

((We do have a worrying number of thieves. giggles))

((I GUESS IT'S GOOD I DIDN'T BRING IN MY JACK. Although he isn't exactly a thief. Well, not a super good one, anyway. He's more a cheat. Course the more I'd thought about it, the more I realize he'd be a bad match anyway since usually he joins these things via stowing away, I'm sure Rous would be totally okay with that.))

Tressa headed over to the bar as well, with the intent on securing a room rather than buying drink; after a little looking around, she still wasn't able to ascertain the presence of rooms and so she'd have to ask. Even if they could not provide her with a room, the tender could probably recommend a nearby inn. Her eye darted briefly over to the man from earlier but she otherwise did not regard him.

He watched as she stuck the man, the man running away in shame. He grinned [I]"This time it is. Will be on our way in a few days. You're awful quick with that knife..."[/I] He said. He tapped his glass in thought, not breaking eye contact as well. [I]"I have a feeling you wanted more than just a conversation. Something on your mind?"[/i] He asked, giving the thirf she stuck a dirty, evil glance as the man eyed his pouch. The man fled

OoC// Also, soon the adventure begins, everyone. These next couple of n posts shall be the end of this little 'Prologue'

"Ah, I could become much more than just a hawk. Practically anything I wanted... If I could do that now, I wouldn't be signing up for Captain Rous's crew." There she went again with that sarcasm. What the hell was with her? He seemed like a nice enough guy, too... And very much eager to flirt with women who bought him a drink. So nothing unusual. "Ergh. Anyway, Nikki, I'm sure turning into a little house cat every now and then is very useful for... stealing, was it? Heh. If my hands weren't - uh, if they weren't hurt, I bet I could snatch your tail right off your ass and be gone before you even knew it was missing." Blackfire glanced at her. "Y'know, providing it wouldn't actually hurt you."

Matthew gave a slight lopsided grin, "You won't be sorry, Mr..." he squinted at the captain's name on the paper, "Row-us?" he said, actually pronouncing the name 'correctly'. With that, he turned on his heel, and left. Afterwards, Matthew heard someone calling to him, as he doubted anyone else here had horns. He could almost feel the eyes intensely staring into his back before he turned around and saw the woman with claws beckoning to him. He walked over inquisitively to the table with the woman and what looked like a nekomimi.

"Ah. Yes. You. With the horns. Good. You said your mother practiced the dark arts, but something tells me you might as well." Blackfire situated herself to better look at him, setting her bandaged hands on the table where he could see them. "This is mighty presumptuous of me but I'm running out of options. Do you know how to, ah, fix my hands? Or know anybody who knows how? I have to be honest, they're getting a little demonic, and if they do then the rest of me will only follow. Matthew, Right? I'm Blackfire."

Nikki gave a sly smile. "I can get in through small spaces, and if I snatch something on the street, well, who's looking for a stray cat~" She laughed, gesturing to the bartender for another drink. She downed a gulp of the warm cider, but her ears went back at Blackfire's next comment. "No, don't take that!" Her tail lashed in agitation. "I assure you, it's /quite/ firmly attached." She tilted her head at the comment about the woman's hands, and looked at them intently. "Huh, what's wrong with 'em?" Even if the claws were poking through the wrappings, she wouldn't think much of it, since she herself possessed retractable claws.

Matthew sat down at the table and sighed, "I was born with the use of the dark arts, except I don't really know exactly how to use them." He shook his head, "My mother could probably easily fix your problem, but..." He hesitated, "She's gone now..." He shook his head once again, now more vigorously as if to shake off the grim mood. "Anyways, yeah that's right, it's nice to meet you." He then turned to the nekomimi "And who might you be?"

Blackfire groaned and let her head fall back. "Great... the problem is that I'm not supposed to have claws at all, much less sticking out of the bandages when they weren't yesterday..." If she didn't get herself sorted out soon, then the good captain would have one hell of a problem on his hands. She looked over at Matthew, then started tugging the bandages off. "Look, will you at least try? Sometimes magic just happens even if you don't know the proper way to do it or whatever; it's like you can just sorta do it." The bandages fell away. Not only were the claws black, but the tips of her fingers were too, and there didn't seem to be a distinction between the nail and the actual finger.

"I didn't wanna say it," she mumbled, "But these here are demon hands, and I'm desperate to find someone to revert them at least for now. So if you can't do it and your mom's dead or whatever you meant, isn't there someone else you know who could help? I've only got a few days to fix this problem of mine." She looked over at Nikki. "For that matter, either of you. I haven't been in town very long so I haven't exactly had a chance to look around for anyone to help."

"The name's Nikki," she grinned, shaking one of Matthew's hands before the sight of the woman's fingers distracted her. "Ooh, sweet~" she exclaimed, grabbing one and lifting it for a better view. "Your claws make these little things seem like toys." She extended the claws on her free hand, showing them off for a moment, before letting the sharp points slide back under her more mundane nails. "They're not supposed to be like this, though?" she asked, finally picking up that she ought to express some concern. "I don't know anyone well versed in black magic, sorry. Hm, but they're nice~ You should just keep them."