[img]https://i.imgur.com/q9Hq2SQ.png[/img] [color=gray] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/mApeJL0.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/rUzyFdp.png[/img] [color=ee82ed]Race:[/color] Silver-Wolf Shifter [color=ee82ed]Class:[/color] Arcane Mystic [color=ee82ed]Location:[/color] Bar [color=ee82ed]Interactions:[/color] [@oso] Bastion Mentions: [@princess] Phia [@potter] Arya/Stella [@FunnyGuy] Minerva [color=ee82ed]Equipment:[/color] [hider=Equipment List] 🐾 Special Magic Item: A magically enchanted Haori garb of snow🐾white fabric made of a mix of various creature materials and what few rare magic crystals scrounged. It enables the haori’s internal temperature to be adjusted to keep the user at the optimal temperature within feasible degree and minor elemental resistance of the basic 4 elements imbued. 🐾Oruna tribal moon bracelet: a charm bracelet made in pairs, sharing a deep bond. Those of the tribe share them with a close friend, cherished family member, or lifemate who holds a fanged tooth, one for each of those most trusted and loved. 🐾Small pouch holding emergency dried meat and any fresh fruit picked 🐾Small pouch of freshwater 🐾Sewing kit 🐾Small tool kit 🐾Small gold pouch 🐾A partially started personal journal 🐾A personal dear drawing hidden on his person 🐾Dark Crystal Shard-left Eye[/hider] [color=ee82ed]Attire:[/color] [color=ee82ed]Gold Balance:[/color] 27 [color=ee82ed]Injuries:[/color] [img]https://i.imgur.com/q9Hq2SQ.png[/img][/center] Menzai turned his eyes over the three pirates, keeping track of their movements, waiting to see how they would respond to his attempts at dissuading violence. [color=peru]“Woooh! Menzai! Good speech! Good speech! I will make sure not to skimp out on the wet food today!”[/color] Instead, Minerva had chosen to chime in first, accompanied by clapping that sounded nigh condescending.*[b] [color=ee82ed]…Wet…food? The gall of this mouthy feline![/color][/b]* His single eye shot towards Minerva's direction, a fire-lit arrow of subdued fury stared back with an increasingly glaring intensity with every word she continued to utter. [color=peru]“Captain Beckett! Nix whatever unreasonable things the dog-man was saying. I speak now, not as a pirate, but as the dog’s handler.”[/color] To hear suggestions of his words ignored, insulting enough, but to be equated as a common dog, worse yet, insinuating him to be her pet? This perturbed the wolf in a matter of ways that the day’s prior incidents could hardly match. His stoic expression struggled as his wounded pride fumed fiercely, snarling just beneath the surface while she explained the gist of his words in simpler form. Wheras his approach was perhaps too proper for those of a pirate ilk, but such mockery was unneeded. And in due time would answer for it. The wolf promised to himself, glaring venomously back at the feline shifter. The glint of his eye practically rippled with suppressed rage. [color=peru]“I don’t really care too much if this thing goes kaboom while meeting with the pirate prince, but I’d rather speak his highness while he’s not upset that he lost all of his booty in an explosion… and sharks, I guess, from what my dog sniffed out.”[/color] *[b][color=ee82ed]Doesn’t care? If not for the valiant efforts of this ship, we would be sinking into the depths of the oceans.[/color][/b]* Her lax words and indifferent treatment of the ship befuddled him, their only lifeline and chance off this jungle island. Fighting back a rising urge to leap forth with a muffled growl, turning away from the shifter, fuming, wincing as he felt a faint crackling coming from his left eye. A brief discomfort he could not explain, nor reason why this gem reacted, the intense emotions he surmised. Mysteries aside, its timing served to collect himself. *[b][color=ee82ed]Calm, keep calm.[/color][/b]* An agitated huff from his nose.*[b][color=ee82ed] Do not let the rage consume you…remember the training. Take this fury and hold it, redirect it towards your prey. If the hunt fails, let the fuel burn and channel it all into the hunt. Focus on the hunt.[/color][/b]* A slow, long cooling exhale as he shifted his attention towards the pirates until he laid eyes on Captain Beckett, making crude kissy faces at Phia and Arya. Canine ears flicked with a slight displeased scowl at the man’s enjoyment of the situation as the man smugly denied any chance of negotiations. Unsurprising from such vile sorts who played by their own set of dirty rules, as the Captain pointed out, the group like this was all a game. Then, a demonstration was conducted to ensure those who remained stayed out of trouble as the jungle echoed the sounds of gunfire. The clicks of their guns caught his notice, prompting him to lower and cover his ears before the exploding assault ripped the handkerchief to shreds, leaving the air raining bits of fabric and reeking of gunpowder. His body trembled, momentarily numb as the deafening noise died back to a mythical, eerie silence and creaking metal and crashing waves of the sea, reminding them of their hopeless isolation. Menzai shook off the disorientation to find himself approached by one of the pirates. He stepped over with a mocking, cocky grin and jabbed barks with a threat of a hand on his pistol at the waist, the other holding a rope. After some reluctant delay and teasing threats of putting him down like a bad dog and his cute fairy friend too, he complied and turned, offering his hands to be tied. Being bound wasn’t an issue for the wolf, used to prowling jungles, though seeing the women bound up as well left him uncertain for Phia, as he knew the half-fairy’s distaste for having her freedom restricted. And as he turned to stare into the jungle, he knew it was only a matter of time till whatever strange effect these ancient fauna would have on Phia. He had his guesses of what might be compelling her from his observations during their countless walks. Places with strong connections to nature and energy seemed to affect her particularly; peering into the jungle, his senses warned him of unseen dangers, some he doubted even the pirates were aware of. Quietly, he walked along through the jungle, following near the back, where he could keep an eye on Phia and Arya. Within, he was contemplating plans for how to deal with the pirates, alternating his gaze between Phia, who managed to keep her wandering habit under control..for the time being, to Arya, who looked and felt alone, surrounded by recent made friends, but strangers still and enemies that he kept a fair distance, close enough to step in if any pirates decided to get to close or heckle her. Other times, when he could afford it, he would turn to the trees and fauna around them. The air, thickly heavy and hot with sticky humidity, the musty scent of old things. Ancient and unpleasant to the wolf who could smell some putrid bogs off in the distance and various chitters and snarls of unseen creatures watching from the shadows, from above and below. Wherever one looked, the sense of life could be felt all about. And not just animals, the plants as well; a shiver down his spine, for he learned from experience the true terror of plant predators. Menzai pondered as they went on the possibility of them needing a way to find their way back on the off-chance of escape, or after this problem was dealt with. A quick rolling test of his bound hands to feel enough slack to shift to the sides; from this, he tried scratching a passing tree with a stray claw, leaving a tiny mark. Small enough to easily overlook and only noticeable to those actively looking or a sharp eye. Seeing it go unnoticed, the wolf continued marking trees at intervals of three so as not to appear too suspicious as they went. Phia’s unexpected cry pulled him from his studying, and with it, the realization that he had gotten too distracted and nearly sprang towards her direction with worries. He stopped on a short stumble, seeing Bastion at her side; surprised and impressed at the huge warforge’s speed, more so the softness of his steps. [color=30a4d9]"I will carry her."[/color] Those words calmed the panicked beating of his chest as he watched Bastion scoop her up, where she would be safe from the sneering pirates. Waiting till they had traveled a short time before he would appear behind Bastion, silent almost as a ghost to his left side.” [color=ee82ed]My thanks, Sir Bastion. You have shown much generosity to us…[/color]” He spoke in a hushed whisper as his gaze shifted to the pirates, making sure they hadn’t noticed.” [color=ee82ed]We cannot talk for long, but I trust you to keep her safe for now. Better than I can in this predicament.[/color]” Frowning slightly, turning his attention to Phia’s sleeping face, remorseful at his inability to do little else for her now. Shifting his attention to catch glimpses of some of the pirates glancing at him caused a slight annoyed growl to rumble in his throat.”[color=ee82ed] Tch, were that we could speak more. We will talk more about how to deal with these pirates and this Prince of theirs later. Biding our time is ou-[/color]” Glancing up at Bastion to see Minerva had joined in on the piggyback, warranting a head shaking airy scoff.” [color=ee82ed]Patience is our best move for now. Till we can speak again.[/color]” A glowering glare at the feline before giving Bastion a nod in hopes they had an understanding, then as quick as he appeared, he was gone. Returning to the rear, reluctant as he was to leave Phia’s side. Yet, knowing she was in safe hands put him somewhat at ease and made managing his tasks less hectic as he maintained watching over Arya and marking the trees as they went. - Hours of trekking passed by uncomfortably and stuffily, and by the time they pulled out legs were sore and their clothes drenched from sweat. Menzai, despite his haori, could not avoid the foul sticky humidity and lack of washing while pushing through thickets and bushes. Such treks were normal for the wolf, but being bound and shoved or harassed by the pirates made things strenuous and bruisingly stressful. Sounds of the ocean struck his ears once more, signaling there were close and the closer they traversed, the more sounds of voices and countless activities broke through the canopy of trees, where the sun bled through an opening leading out to a clearing. He walked out into the marginally blinding light of the dark orange sun beginning to sink off into the watery horizon, its glow reflected and illuminated the hidden town that lay before them. Rows and rows of rudimentary huts patched with colorful fabrics decorate the roofs. For a moment, the town appeared almost magical, like a lost civilization possibly rediscovered. That is, until he spotted the ships, flags sporting beasts, and other self-claimed jolly rogers. A pirate city. The concept before him intrigued him as it did disturb him. [color=#1abc9c]“There are some rules we should discuss before the next phase of our fun little adventure…but first, I’m curious, any questions you might have had before or things you wish to know now…here’s your chance. I’ll be as true as a priest, but just this once.”[/color] Hearing the man speak of being honest nearly made him scoff, though he had no intention of passing up the chance as he gazed out over the town.* [color=ee82ed]This explains their cockiness. Just our luck to land at the doorstep of the pirates’ home base, and this Prince of theirs appears to be building an army at that.[/color]* Shaking the harrowing possibility aside, then turned to Beckett. “ [color=ee82ed]I am curious if these pirate rules include any such things as truthfulness.[/color]” He asked, raising a brow, ignoring the heckling jeers bursting out at his question.” [color=ee82ed]But, no, I suppose my curiosity is towards this lord prince of yours. What grand ambition does he hold to sway so many to his hidden kingdom?[/color]” [/color]