tirgesfu

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax took the bottle of course, from the First Mates hands. There was something slightly fascinating about the way she gracefully, easily, toss the bottle back and drank. It was rough and tough even a full swig and yet Jax could not help but notice the curve of her neck, the swirl of her wrist, the shape of her lips as she slipped her tongue out to catch the lingering rum.

For the first time ever Jax thought about his own form as he aimed the bottle to his mouth. Would she watch him? Most likely not. She was irritated. She didn’t want his company and to be stranded here with him was not at all how she dreamed of a night off duty. Tough break sea witch, Jax thought as he took two drinks. The first was very slow , tilting the bottle only slightly, and then in exaggeration slurping the rum. He lowered the bottle and then took another tip, fast and hard more like the one she took before she offered.

“Off duty of course, as two sailors is all, two …” He almost said men and he smiled as he paused, “waiting with rum what is it you do when you feel the warmth of a good drink and a fair night to let go, to let loose? What do you do for fun, Doctor Beauchamp?” He did not give her wide grin as he handed the bottle back. He did not expect her to really answer him. Still he did want to know. And try as he might he made his question not carry all the tease and innuendo usually smartly laced inside. He tilted is head and tried to imagine her in some pose of real relaxations.

But just as he was thinking of that boots thumped down steps and before Jax could lift his eyes from his drinking mates face, the sound of their Captain filled the silent room. All of the sincere atmosphere Jax had worked to place shattered into a grim as their commander tossed about his own well placed tantalizing words of views and stars.

“Well,” Jax snickered, “Pull those pants back up and get ready to lose them again, my man.” He gestured to the table with a grin. “But let it be known, in my many sit arounds, it is the one with the keen eyes and straight lips,” Jax nodded his head toward the first mate, “who often leave with the rewards.” He looked back to her and smiled with a tease again, “Maybe not the fun, I know I will have, but the rewards none the less.”

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax didn’t mind that this second in command, bookreader and fixer of hands walked slightly in front of him. She couldn’t walk beside him really. She held her own gawd damn merit that was for sure and Jax had no problem seeing she thought it was way above his. But she did a fine job on his hand and he had a book so if she had anything stuck high up her ass was of no concern of his. Besides, from just a step behind he could appreciate the view of it.

She couldn’t see his snicker, which was a good thing. But he could see the tension in her neck, the way her jaw tightened and her shoulders pulled back. He hit a nerve for sure. In Jax’s quick assessment he believed it might be raw not as a defence, maybe she hadn’t shared the Captain’s bed, but more as a constant battle to prove her innocence. Ha, not innocence but truth. She was not on the Dusk Skate for anyone’s bed covers. Maybe. Maybe. Jax was still not totally convinced. Why risk a woman if not for more than a hot tongue and a cold shoulder? And this fine piece of work knew how to use both. The thing Jax had to admit was her sizzling words dripped with warm sugar. She had a very enticing tone even when she was commanding, and scolding.

As she opened the door and gestured to him his little mirth exploded to glee as he curtsied to match her gentlemen manner. “Here’s hoping that your design fits mine, M’Lady.” He could not help but smile at her solemn face. He let the tease swim in his own head sure that it could mean so much more than cards. But as he slid through the door, almost a skip added because he could not help feeling silly, he realized that the card game would be exciting. She could take his purse or he his, it did almost not matter. Right now he just wanted to sit across from her and let his eyes and smile tease her.

So he was ready, for a table of cards set. As he looked around he let his light smile fall. He didn’t see the Captain, or a waiting game of gleek. This was the right Inn, where was the promised fun? The thought that he might have to wait, drink, and pull some conversation from the First Mate did not sit so well.

But he managed to shrug, “Wasn’t there rum offered?” He spun back around and asked.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax had offered the Firstmate Doctor Seawitch a wager. She declined. In a way Jax was sure he would evaluate more than a few times she had just placed a book to borrow on her table. Not in his hands not saying his name, her stiff language - knowledge does no one good in unread books- made him lower his eyes and shake his head. Even her kindness felt chilly.

“Suit yourself.” He reached for the book and held it in both hands. For a few minutes he studied the cover. With two fingers he felt the leather and almost began to open the book. Stars, he was drawn. But Jax stopped. No, this book would be enjoyed and savored in his own privacy. Not in front of the sea witch. “You’re mistaken if you think these torturous acts of goodwill I force you through will lessen my bite when I,” Jax looked up at her and let a sly smile unfold, “hold cards.”

He gestured toward the door. “You missed your opportunity to arrange for your mercy.” He waited for her leave her cabin first and then waited for her to close the door behind them. He pulled a rather clean kerchief which he never wrapped around his hand because he valued the cloth, and quickly covered the book. Keep it clean and unseen.

“Or” with the book wrapped and tucked under his arm Jax threw his shoulders back in the crisp dark sea air and walked beside her. “Or, do you save your needs for mercy to be played upon and satisfied by the good Captain?” Jax snorted a laugh. “Perhaps he is the type that does not like to lose and all his fair charges,” he glanced to her as he kept a quick pace down the dock and back to the streets , “know well their place around his table if not his ship.” He felt light and his feet showed it. In his mind the night had been grand, his pocket filled with coins a few swigs of rum, a victorious rumble, and a surprise never expected, a book. Now he was off to play games with this new odd and strangely interesting crew. It was a good night.

“I am very curious to find out,” he looked to her his eyes teasing, “because of course knowledge does me no good unread.”

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Jax almost fell into the seat only because his eyes were glued to the shelves of this small cabin. Books? He felt the wind knocked out for just a second and he struggled to keep his jaw from dropping. He hid his shock with a thrust of his hand toward her. She might not see his uncovered awe. Books. Jax traveled very light, He kept almost nothing because he had too often moved from ship to ship so quickly the only things he took was what he could hold. He didn’t need things. But that didn’t stop him from appreciating something as mystical and magical as books. She had books.

Suddenly his wasn't hiding his hand any longer. Let her think her speech about her job convinced him. Fix me, his fingers wiggled. But his eyes stayed on her netted shelves. He longingly looked at each shelf not being close enough to read any titles or even see what language they might be in. After he counted each book he could see on each filled shelf he turned his head just a bit to see the book on her bed. That one he could figure because it was open. Plants. Flowers. Something a witch would read of course and still he leaned toward it.

He looked back to her quick hoping she had missed the emotions that slid over his face. Just the hand, ma’am. Something changed for Jax. He began to realize he might need to amend his approach with this sea witch.

He held his breath as she worked her magic, her spells, her transformation of all those mysterious words and pictures from parchment of wizardry right to his bone. He made not a sound or a moan no acknowledgement of pain. Instead he let his eyes and thoughts take in the rows and rows of books.

When he thought she might be near the end, he looked to his hand and then to her. He had no way to judge her work or her job she was so quick to claim. But he had a stich or two. Hers were neater and more exact than any he had seen.

Jax gave her a grin. In a very soft voice with his smile returning he let his breath out and whispered, “This game of cards, this fleecing and booty, I am rethinking.” Still soft as if too loud in this small cabin would be a sin, “I would like to ride more on this game tonight. If I win I will take not one of your coins, not a single gold piece at all. If I do kiss luck and show skill and win.” He stood up and swept his arm. “I want to borrow a book, maybe two.” He watched her face not sure how she would take his request.

Then he raised his bandaged hand, “And when I return it in the condition I borrowed you might call me Jax” He opened the door of her cabin as wide as his grin. “That is when I win. And what of you? If stars be fair and shine on you, do want more than just my coins?” .

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

Mud? Did someone mention mud? Lovely stuff.

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

Max in the world of Death

Bored. Endless time to sit in the damn tree like thing and just, just, well thinking was not an enjoyable pastime for Max. He did not contemplate. That was Thadd’s job. Wherever the hell he was. But even the thoughts of where the fuck Thadd was didn't settle Max's time. In that terrible state of nothingness Max picked at the bark of the tree. It wasn’t really bark because it wasn’t really a tree but just like indepth analysis was not his thing either were analogies or metaphors. The bark peeled like a cord or a thick thread and Max began to make a sort of rope from the sort of bark of the sort of tree.

And listened. From below, if down was down, there had been howls and growls like feral cats after one scrap of meat. Some battle of some kind was going on and on below him. Deep snarls and shrill cries drifted around him from somewhere he couldn’t see. It was not curiosity that made him tie the bark around the trunk and then around his chest under his armpits. It was boredom.

If there was fighting down there it had to be more fun and time consuming than just sitting here. It was just he wanted to get back just in case at some point, well maybe sometime, Veti would pull him out. He needed to stay close to the top, if this was the top. Well, fuck, that was his plan and he was sticking to it.

Still a little side adventure couldn’t hurt nothing.

So with a grin, the long bone in his hand, and the bark rope tied tight Max jumped . All that time sitting flew past him as he fell through pockets of fog and warmth, clear spots and thick smoke, with sensations that woke Max and shook his boredom. It was fun. For awhile, time still messed up for Max, he laughed and flew. Until he landed, with a bounce on top of a herd of strange, strange things. Some looked like half human half cats, some had faces of dogs and legs of men. As luck would have it, and Max was always one to seem to find luck - he had been with Veti after all - the long battle had taken its toll on all of them.

Max sung into the end of the fight and began to hit everything he could reach. His pent up need for action exploded in kicks and hits at the startled strange things. Oh yea, it was just what Max needed. It might have gone on longer that Max was really ready for but then the exhaustion was welcomed as the cries began to fade and the things to hit disappeared.

There at the center was something wrapped in torn faded purple cloth. Ah, Max picked it up, a prize. He wasn’t looking for anything but something to pass the time but still an object collected and fought for made it even better.

Max began to pull himself back up to the tree. It was much more of an effort back up than the flight down and more than once Max wondered if the he would make it. But he had time, so he stopped a few times and dangled catching his breath and listening. No sounds seemed to follow him. Luck again.

Once back in his perch, feeling the strain of something to fill his time, Max unwrapped his prize. It was odd shape he had seen before, on some tattoo or new wave earrings. A cross with loop made Max think of a key ring. A key ring? Max waved the thing in the air. Now where the hell is the fucking door?

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

Somehow when she said booty and fleecing it sounded different to Jax. First mate doctor lady Beauchamp had a voice that lapped at his ears like the waves along side. Lurling and easy, rhythmic and fresh, Jax wondered how she had ever managed to be the sharp edged crew master she was with that sweet soothing tone. But then he had heard her yell commands. This must be her off the ship doctor tone. It was that sound that made him smile a genuine rise of his lips and his legs to march.

March he did bringing his knees up with a salute to add to his joke. “MIght be they add the master to somethin’ because you play master at others.” He shook his head knowing she might not like his dig so he added quickly. “Not a bad thing to be judged as a master. Might make your seat at that table more…” He let his face show his enjoyment as he paused, then added on, “mysterious. Nothin’ like holding cards with a player who is unconventional.”

He marched to the door and opened it because he just could not resist. Something in the back of his head was screaming that he best be careful how far he pushed this if he wanted to keep his spot with his new love Dusk Skate. Thing is he was enjoying that edge, that fine line, and he meant to find it, and walk it. Could be he just wanted to listen to those melodious sounds.

“I will be honest here and say,” He stood at the door and glanced to his hand. “I am usually not so keen on the whole fix me up idea. I take care and heal fine. But if you could just snap this bone back in place. I am thinking I might not have the mobility to do so on my own.”

He looked out into the night, from the light of the battle worn Inn to the crisp cool night air. “I need my hand, the feel of it. To move her right, to guide her.” There was a softer longing in the sudden change of his voice.

Jax snapped out of it quick enough and looked back to Nicki, “After I sit and play good lad for Lady Doctor Beauchamp, then follow orders to some minic bird place to finish off this night, I want to hear you say my name. Just once. Call me Jax. Then when I do manage to take any of your…” He smiled, “booty tell me I can say a name other than First Mate or Doc or Beauchamp.”

He didn’t wait long not needing her answer right there right now. In fact he was sure he could enjoy the night stroll back to his ship, yes she was his as much as anyones in Jax’s mind, almost more if the Doctor didn’t grace him with an answer to anything. Well, he would miss those soft waves that tickled his ears and shivered his spine. But he now knew they were there and that made Jax smile.

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

HA...wonderful Lillian. Magic how you work all that. It looks grand.

Tides of Dusk: A Piratical Tale of Fantasy

His first thought was damn he didn’t fool her at all with his fake face and show of the bottle. Eagle witch eyes this one, even if her voice fell over his ears like melted sugar. The eyes drilled. But for some reason he couldn’t look away from Nicolette until the voice of some strange hat swordsman began to boss things around and broke the spell. Who the hell was he? Jax thought he saw the guy flash around the fight but why did he pick their side? Maybe the first mate's lover? No, he didn’t look at her that way. But he did dangle cards, coins and conversation this strange fish. And was Jax mistaken or did his Captain just grab hold of that squirmy sea creature’s hand? Might be more to learn than who in this crew could play cards.

Jax was quick to look back to Mademoiselle Beauchamp still holding his hand against his chest. He tried a smile again. Was she sending him a challenge. “I can listen to gut wound screams for as long as you like.” He pulled his arms away from his stomach and hefted his chest so she could marvel at his fit form. He took a few deep breaths for her to watch. Jax stuck his chest out and flexed all the muscle he could. Feast your eyes, witch. She was wrong and he wanted to point that out, again.

The bottle that was tucked under his arm slipped and he moved as his wrapped arm caught it before his mind warned him. His face did not hide the pain that shot through as he juggled the bottle and quickly put it in his unwrapped not bloody hand. He shook his other arm a few times trying to stop the pulsing pain that ran up his arm. He spun his back to her. Jax was sure she saw. Maybe she didn’t care. Why should she? Most likely better for her if he was off the Dusk Skate.

Taking a big breath he spun back around to face her. “Seems they think you are some master at games, at gleek and others I am sure.” He smiled and slowly held his hand out sure she would not take it or uncover the hidden wound. “Good thing I am not in top form just now. I don’t fall for the tête dur act.”

“I am a shark at cards.” Jax announced with a broad big smile. "Le petit poisson." Of course when he said the phrase it sounded nothing like French.

Pieces of 8: Bones of the North

Wait.....no fireflies out west?

And from way out here in the peanut gallery....fun wild witty reads!