Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Skye walked towards the Captain's Cabin as a man might walk towards the gallows. There was something stuck in his throat and his feet felt as if he were wearing lead boots. Caitlin had given him no indication of what she wanted to speak to him about, she'd simply ordered him to report to her after she'd rallied the crew to the cause of taking on Sveden. What was he walking into? He hadn't talked to her since the party, and as far as he knew she'd chosen Levi over him. Was this to be his dismissal from the BoR? He didn't really relish the idea of working as a bouncer for Edel, but if that's what it came down to, he was ready.
As he pushed open the door, he felt slightly dizzy, and very clammy. Was it hot in here? Ok. He took a deep breath and walked up to Caitlin, who was seated in what appeared to be a calm posture at her desk. How did one report to the Queen of rogues anyway? He only had one default to fall back on, so, he Saluted her. "Reporting as Ordered, My Queen." he spoke as if he were presenting himself for inspection before the actual Queen. It was, after all, something he'd done many times during his tenure as High Commander. Too many thoughts were flowing through his head, better just to focus on whatever business he was here to discuss. He tried to detach his feelings, but he'd already opened Pandora's box. There was no putting everything back inside now.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Dec 7, 2015 5:08:17 GMT
She was a ball of nerves, but she would do everything it took to hide that. She wondered if he'd show up at all.... but that thought was put at ease when he entered her cabin. She nodded to him and his formalities. Caitlin rose from her desk and walked around to stand face to face with him. "At ease, or whatever it is you military types say." She responded softly. Her voice was a little hoarse from the rally outside, and she didn't want to be as hard on her vocal chords now. "I didn't want to put you through this so soon after your recovery, but its time." She reached over her desk and pulled some papers across it. It was a ledger, of all her assets on sea and in the sky. Some of them were struck out. Angry black ink blotted the once proud names of vessels she'd owned.
"I didn't want to bring this up out there, but... we've already suffered a few loses. We weren't expecting a fight and the ships we already had adrift didn't make it back. I'm going to need a new acquisition, and with it, a new - experienced captain - someone who can can jump in cold Turkey and fight a war. Now normally I'd leave this particular piece of eye-candy in the army's hands... but with their attention split between fighting us----------ehm---anders and the invaders, I suspect it will go to better use flying under our flag. It's all too convenient that this vessels former captain has recently joined my ranks, as for giving the man his trial, I think acquiring the EIRAL's flagship would do nicely."
She shoved the papers away from her, tired, anxious, disgusted by the loss. She'd known each and every sailor on every one of those ships, and they were either all dead, or prisoners of war now. Her gaze swept from the ledger to the man in her presence. "How are you feeling? I have a team in mind for the expedition, but if you're not ready, it can wait.." Her misgivings, her softer thoughts, her worries and concerns all come out with the gentler tone of her voice.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
He went to an at ease posture, as instructed, and listened. Why was she telling him about her losses? Sure he knew his position in the past, but he was just a soldier here among many, and he hardly deserved to be treated special. Surely she had a second officer, but he eyed the paper anyway, looking at all the crossed out lines. She tried to hide it, but he could see the loss she felt. It wasn't something many would pick up on, but he knew the look from seeing his own face so often in the mirror. The men he'd lost had never been trivial to him. He'd known them all, dined with them, recruited them, trained them. A man like Alistair would see them as disposable assets, but not Skye, and apparently not Caitlin.
He was about to reply when she moved on to the next part of a well considered plan, but he almost did a double take when she named the ship. His Ship? The Prometheus? She wanted to steal it from the EIRAL? As if breaking him out of prison hadn't been risky enough. Sure, he wanted to stick it to Alistair, but how? The Ship was docked at a secure facility, tethered to the ground by anchors driven deep into the earth. The only way to release them was from the bridge, and how many guards would there be between them and that goal. Especially during wartime. Most people didn't even know where the Airdock was located...most people. It was impossible...or, no, that was a crazy idea...but just maybe. He wanted to balk at the idea, to tell her not to risk her people, but instead his mind began to tug at a possibility. He'd won the command of the EIRAL for his ability to think in a complex tactical manner, was this any different.
Only...there was one problem. He wasn't sure if he would even be staying. "I'm feeling pretty well, considering, though I need some serious sword training before I'll be good enough to take on the EIRAL. I just don't..." What was he supposed to say here? Should he be blunt? How sensitively should he approach the whole thing. Did he even want to know? She was so much more than he'd ever thought possible. Her passion out there was so much more than he'd ever seen from her, and it made her all the more appealing. The real Caitlin was a firebrand, and she'd burned her essence right into him.
"I'm ready to do whatever it takes, to take that next step. Are you?" As he spoke, he took a step forward, his hands reaching for hers. He knew she was smart enough to get the meaning. He wasn't talking simply about joining the Brotherhood, but of her choice. What would it be?
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Dec 7, 2015 6:27:53 GMT
"I'm feeling pretty well, considering, though I need some serious sword training before I'll be good enough to take on the EIRAL. I just don't..."
"Well the good news is, we're not taking on the EIRAL, we're taking on their goods. There are two sides to the brotherhood. We're not all just pirates," but he seemed preoccupied with his thoughts, weighing the possibilities. Then he took a step toward her, reaching for her hands. Vulnerability made her back up, till she ran into her desk and was left to face him and herself.
"I'm ready to do whatever it takes, to take that next step. Are you?"
"I already have..." she answered him, her eyes on his before her gaze drifted away. Tears sprang to her eyes. Guess they weren't too dry to cry after all. Still she held them back. "Before the strike, I told Levi.... I told him we couldn't continue the way we were... and then the mortars fell, and....... I haven't seen him since." Guilt panged her. Did she break things off with him, moments before his death? Did she have to hurt him on his last night alive? Queens, she hoped not! He had to be alive. He had to. She'd never forgive herself. What rotten luck. What terrible timing.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Well that didn't go the way he'd hoped, but still better than he'd feared. She'd broken things of with Levi, the man who'd been a consistent thorn in his side when it came to Cait. That meant she'd chosen him. It felt like a weight lifted off of him and he was suddenly lighter, so much lighter. Still, he felt horrible that such good news was marred by the bad. He didn't hate the man, and he wouldn't wish death upon him. Levi had at least been there to take Cait's mind of of certain things while he'd languished in prison.
"Hey," he said softly, letting her rest her head against him if she wished. Letting his fingers run through her hair if she did lean into him. He was there for her, no matter the cause of her tears, and he would offer his support just as she'd supported him in his weakened state. She could be safe in the knowledge that he'd never use it against her or tell another soul in the brotherhood. "I'm sure he's just angry Cait, and if it's anything else, well we should get people looking for him. I'll go look for him myself if it would offer you some measure of comfort to know."
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Dec 22, 2015 20:54:25 GMT
She did wish it. She leaned her head against his shoulder, letting her eyes leak the slightest bit, the red rimmed itchiness easing up ever so slightly. She couldn't ask Skye to be the one to find Levi though... She'd have to own up to it and find him herself. It was only right, and not add insult to injury for either man.
"No, it's ok. I'll take care of it, I'll find him soon. In the mean time..." She cleared her throat and stepped back to wipe her eyes. "In the meantime, there are a few other things we need to take care of...."
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
He could feel her breath as she leaned into him, and he memorized the moment; her pulse, her warmth, the scent of her hair. He just enjoyed the closes for as long as it lasted. This wasn't a moment born of romance, and as with such things, it shortly passed. Replaced with business, he could all but see her push those emotions down again, even as her hand moved to wipe away the last of her tears. Very well, another time would be more conducive to exploring their relationship further.
This brought him back to the matter she'd brought up earlier. If he was staying, was he crazy enough to try and steal the Commander's own ship? "Right, my little induction, as it were? Were you serious about stealing the Prometheus? I mean the military sky dock is probably one of the most guarded locations in all of Lodan right now. I can't just stroll up and ask for the keys."