[center][h3][sub][b]E V A N D E R   W H I T E M A N E[/b][/sub][/h3]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/EqOFKC8.jpg?1[/img][/center]
[right][hr][color=gray][b]Windward Island[/b]
The Southern Sea, aboard the Skullfish
[@Mcmolly][/color][hr][/right]


Having dutifully agreed to serve at the helm while the Skullfish’s captain headed below deck, Evander took up his position behind the wheel of the ship, with Solia close behind. Yes, the Skullfish may have been a vessel entirely different to anything he had boarded in several years, but behind a wheel of the ship, they may as well have all been the same. Gripping the wheel itself, he could feel the oceans below and the gusts of wind from above. This was where he felt most comfortable in life - most in control - and it showed. His posture relaxed, and the corners of his mouth curled into a slight smile. This is home, he thought to himself.

Feeling a presence near him, Evander turned his head slightly, catching the figure of Max - one of the crewmen. He spoke of turning the ship around, and of a situation, but before Evander had a chance to inquire further, the Skullfish was rocked violently to the side.

Holding a tight grip of the wheel, he managed to stay on his feet. [color=A9CCE3]“What th--..”[/color], he yelled in shock. [i]A Reef? Surely not - I’d have spotted it. What, then?[/i]. His thoughts raced for the few seconds of confusion, before several crewmen could be heard yelling. 

[color=f9ad81]“To arms! Defend yourselves! Savorask!”[/color]

Their voices were soon drowned out by the ringing of the ship’s bell to signal alarm, and the yells of crewmembers engaging the Savorask on the deck below. Instinctively looking toward his belt, where the usual weaponry of a diver would be sheathed, Evander found himself woefully unprepared. Indeed, he admittedly hadn’t expected much trouble at all during the course of the expedition - and certainly not this early. So much for his plans to grab some gear from the Skullfish before the dive.

Moments later, several Savorask began to rapidly clamber over the side of the vessel, having reached the somewhat raised height of the ship’s helm. The fighting on the deck was well under way, and had now reached the helm.

[color=A9CCE3]“Damn”[/color], he cursed under his breath. Savorask were trouble at the best of times - but here, [i]now?[/i] It was going to be a trial by fire.

Spinning on his heel to retreat from two Savorask now advancing towards the ship’s wheel, having already cut down the feeble attempts of a crewman to force them back, Evander spotted Solia making her way towards him after having initially headed for the deck. They hadn’t been partners for long - but already he was realising the benefits of this arrangement. [color=A9CCE3]“By the helm!”[/color], he remarked as she approached. His answer to her question was short, and for a reason. Turning to face the two Savorask, having heard their increasingly loud approach as they drew nearer, he found himself face-to-face with the two. Barely managing to avoid the first strike by the frog-like demon of the oceans, he was soon thrown backwards by the other, landing with a loud thud and accompanying groan. 

Sitting half-upright as he recovered from the painful landing, he saw Solia begin to face-off against the Savorask.