Pirate's Bounty( Started)ADULT/CC (need Michael and Kyle)

[KatnotKath]

~Alex~

I cannot help thinking that I seem to be something of a ‘third’ wheel here, as Isabel greets the ladies and informs the, of our immenant arrival… A number of them are looking at me and I am certain their expressions speak of something of discomfort. I do not wish to make them feel awkward of course, but I can understand their thinking…

Trying to minimise any such feelings, I hang back slightly, remaining silent and keeping out of it as Isabel tries to explain a little of what she knows of the island.

I smile inwardly as she comments that they will have to get used to working, noting a look of displeasure on a number of faces, but on the whole I think the ladies seem reasonably happy… What they might be fleeing from to make this a more attractive proposition to going home I do not know, and I am not about to ask… I only hope they will find the Island a preferable alternative when the reality sinks in…

Isabel continues to answer a few questions, and then when she was done I offered her my arm again politely. “If you will allow me M’Lady…” Tell her, hoping that the awkwardness and trepidation I feel is not too obvious at this moment in time.

Upon reaching the deck, a few quick instructions are passed and the ladies all begin to disembark, lead by Isabel, Tess and myself…

Stepping onto dry land I am making ready to release the two ladies’ hands, but Isabel stops me with her words, requesting that I escort them over to Max. “I would be honoured…” I respond although surprised. In any case, as she suggested I would be going over to Max anyway, but the chance to accompany two beautiful ladies is hardly one I am about to decine.

Immediately we reach Max Isabel releases my arm of course – probably a good thing given I would not like Max to get the wrong idea – and I return her smile. “My pleasure M’Lady…” I nod to both of them, releasing too now Tess’ arm and stepping to the other side of Max, sharing Isabel’s desire to know exactly what is to happen now, and knowing that he might want to talk some more anyway.

[isabelle]

*Max*

Isabel asks the obvious question about what's to come as she steps away from Alex. I'm pleased to see that he's been keeping close to the ladies. Not that he wouldn't enjoy the pleasure of a woman's company, but I know that his sense of honor is high and he won't be shirking his duties to make sure they remain unmolested.

Isabel looks wonderful. You would never guess that she's just spent more than three days on board ships. Almost two of them locked in a slaver's cargo hold. Tess also looks fresh and clean. There's plenty I'd like to discuss without Tess's prescence, but when it comes to that, I would want neither Kyle nor Alex to be privy to that discourse, either. There should be time enough for personal briefings later.

Kyle seems to be distinctly uncomfortable. It makes me wonder why he fears these ladies who helped to save his life, although he does offer Isabel respect.

You and your lady friends should be safe here for the while. I have secured lodgings for all paid through the end of the month," I tell Isabel as Michael comes within earshot. "There are only six rooms available there. I thought you may like to join me at my home for the present."

[magikhands]

Michael

"You and your lady friends should be safe here for the while. I have secured lodgings for all paid through the end of the month," I hear Max tell Isabel as I come closer. "There are only six rooms available there. I thought you may like to join me at my home for the present."

Just as I figured. I'm wondering if she'll let me go to come back to my ship for some peace and quiet. It's been ages since I've seen her so she may want to catch up. Besides, I'd like to know why she didn't want to go back home. Besides, if I know Max, he'll want to discuss certain things that he can only discuss with Isabel and I.

"Ladies." I bow looking to Isabel and Tess with a small smirk on my lips as I try to be polite. I glance over and give the one named Kyle a glare.

"And what are you doing with this one?" I ask Max with gruffness, letting the man know I didn't really like him much. I didn't trust him. Ok, I trust few people but still, we found him on the slaver's ship. He was only fished out of the ocean because of Isabel.

ooc: I can't remember...does Michael and Max live together or have separate houses... If I need to change it let me know. My brain's not working quite right tonight

[StormWolfstone]

~Isabel~

I can't help but smile knowing that I've just been escorted by a man that I was certain was shy in some aspects and that he was so respectful. As I asked my brother my question and greeted Kyle, Alex eased from my hand as well as Tess' then stepped back with a respectful comment.

Kyle bowed his head as he greeted me and then I watched him gaze toward Tess.

"You and your lady friends should be safe here for the while. I have secured lodgings for all paid through the end of the month," Max informs me and I nod even as he begins adding, "There are only six rooms available there. I thought you may like to join me at my home for the present."

"I would enjoy the opportunity to do so, Max. There is a great deal we need to discuss and I'm certain you and Michael have much to tell me after all this time." I reply, knowing that Michael probably wouldn't be saying much at all.

"Ladies." I hear Michael speak from behind me and turn to see him giving a bow looking toward myself and Tess with a smirk that really makes me feel like I'm truly home.

Then I watch him turn to look at Kyle with a glare and listen as he questions Max, "And what are you doing with this one?"

Placing a hand on my hip, I nod. "Yes, Max.. what are you doing with Kyle? I'd like to be assured that he will be safe and well." I look at Michael stubbornly, "After all, if not for him we wouldn't have had food below or known exactly where we were headed." I add, making certain that they both understood that without him I wouldn't have been able to give them a way to find us and rescue us.


OOC: I've sent a message to Tess' player and am awaiting a response, if nothing is recieved I will begin temping her (starting Wed) until I know one way or the other what is going on.

[isabelle]

OOC -- Magikhands, They can be sharing a house or have separate ones. Your post indicated they were sharing and that's okay. We do need some place to put Kyle, 'tho.


*Max*

I'm pleased if not surprised that Isabel agrees to lodge at my house with me for the present. My smile reflects my pleasure at this but before I can respond, Michael demands to know what will be done with Kyle. His question seems no more caring or personal than if he were describing a extra sack of grain, and I suppose to Michael he's not much more than that. Another liability. And he would remain so until Michael had seen for himself that Kyle had become an asset to the crew.

I would very much like him to stay with me so I might keep him under close eye, but I cannot do that with Isabel around. I may trust him as a seaman, but that does not mean I trust him with my sister. Besides, we are in serious need of privacy for the nature of conversations likely to occur between her and Michael and myself.

Before I can answer the question of Kyle's lodgings, Isabel repeats it. "Yes, Max.. what are you doing with Kyle? I'd like to be assured that he will be safe and well. After all, if not for him we wouldn't have had food below or known exactly where we were headed."

Her comments about knowing where they were heading does answer a question I hadn't even thought to ask. It would have been unlikely that a slaver crew would bother to give such information to their 'cargo.' It's not clear that Kyle told them diliberately to help them or merely from ignorance, not knowing that they shouldn't be told. Still, without that information, Michael and I might still be roaming the ocean in search of her.

"Fear not, good lady," I tell my sister, bowing my head slightly to her and to her friend Tess. "Kyle has proven himself a willing and able seaman in these last few days. I have offered him a position with my crew and he has accepted. Still, he cannot stay at the inn for there is no room."

Glancing between Michael and Alex, I continue carefully. "I had thought to have him lodge with a trusted member of our crews."

[StormWolfstone]

OOC: This is a catching Tess up post.... lol

~Tess (Temping)~

"There is nothing being interrupted. I was simply greeting one of the closest friends I've had over the years in a proper manner since he has done good at avoiding it." Isabel smiled at Alex and motioned toward me, causing me to realize that I wasn't quite where he could see me which would easily give someone the wrong idea. "Tess and I were borrowing his cabin when he came in." My soft laughter joined Isabel's as she walked back toward me and the brush she'd laid down beside me.

“My lady…I apologise, I did not realise you were there…” Alex says to me and I simply smile, giving a light nod.

"Well, I guess we had better be going." Isabel says to me and I nod, standing up and preparing to follow her. It felt wonderous to have someone that for some reason didn't feel like a stranger to me, but somehow familiar.

She turned toward Alex as she questioned, "I know we were nearing shore, how long before we actually are able to disembark?"

Michael also seems to turn toward Alex as he speaks, “It shouldn’t be long now but I’m sure Alex can tell us whether your brother’s ship has docked yet.” I can't help but cast a glance toward Isabel to almost silently convey 'if only they listened.' She seemed to agree.

Alex smiles at both of us as he responds to Isabel's question, “Your brother’s ship has just docked, I believe that the ladies aboard will be disembarking currently, and I understand that we should be doing the same in less than half an hour…”

"Now, if you would be so kind as to gather all the ladies and make sure they are ready, they can disembark as soon as we tie to port." Michael says and I can tell that there's some tension in him which makes me have to admit that his willpower was wonderous compared to how I'd have expected him to be after having so many women on his ship and him being a pirate.

Isabel sighs, nodding, "Michael's right." She begins then looks at me. "We should go to the other ladies and inform them of the newest development."

Then I see her smile as she turns to Alex, putting on the charm as her voice softens, "Would you be willing to escort us below and await us while we do what must be done before perhaps escorting us back above?"

Isabel glances at me and I can totally grasp what she is saying in that thought and nodded with a grin. It's just one of those things that was too easy not to enjoy.

I smile at him just as charmingly and place my hand upon his other arm, "Yes, it would certainly be an honor."

“M-me…? W-hy y-yes of course…if that is what you ladies wish…” Alex agrees and I see him brighten with embarrassment which simply causes me to smile.

"Of course it is what we wish." I say softly and despite this, I can't help but wonder if Kyle is alright. I don't know what's come over me, but a part of me was suddenly wishing it was Kyle who's arm I was holding. Pathetic Tess. I tell myself and shake myself mentally.

"Will you be maintaining a residence on shore for a time?" Isabel's question toward Alex draws me out of my momentary reverie while we begin walking along toward the hold.

“I will indeed…for as long as your bother decides we will stay ashore this time….” Alex responds and as I look between him and Isabel I can't help but raise my eyebrow and smile. It seemed to me the man was smitten with Isabel which could definitely be interesting considering that Max, who seemed to be in charge, was her brother and might have something to say about it.

As Alex agrees and escorts us below, I'm glad that we will be docking. When we get below, Isabel announces, "My Ladies, just to inform you, we are in the process of docking and will be disembarking shortly, so please gather yourselves together and anything that you might have of your own."

"Isabel, what can we expect from this place?" One of the ladies, formerly a Baroness, but now as common as us asks her.

"To be honest, Eugenia, I do not completely know, however since you are all aware, my brother is a very honorable man even though he is a Pirate. We will be safe and well. In time, we will learn exactly what might be needed, however I do believe everyone here will need to get used to working. We won't be having any sort of free ride while living here." I hear her say and honestly realize that I hadn't even completely thought about that. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time since I'd lived and had to work hard at the same time.

More questions are rapidly being shot forth and answered as much as Isabel could. I'm surprised to see how well she handles it. Then after several moments, myself with Isabel and Alex, lead the way down the ramp to disembark and I am glad to see that the ladies aren't giving too much problem when some of the pirate's assist them in a well mannered way.

"M'lord Alex, would you be so kind as to see us off as well?" Isabel asks and smiles then I see her turn and her smile widens and I see her give a nod. My head turns to look the same way and I instantly note Kyle standing not far from Max. I smile, glad to see that Max hadn't harmed him, that Kyle was safe. He'd helped us and he was a friend, I didn't want to see anything happen to him. "I'm certain you need to speak with Max as I do."

We continued down and towards Max and Kyle, Isabel thanked Alex and I added, "My thanks as well." Then as brother and sister embraced, I looked over at Kyle with a slight smile, suddenly feeling nervous.

"Tess." I hear softly spoken and turn to Kyle. "It is a pleasure to see you again. I hope your travels were well."

I smile and give a light nod, "They were very well under the circumstances, Kyle. Were you treated well? They didn't cause you any problems?" I asked, my concern true and I waited on edge for his response. If I found out that they had harmed him.....

My mind focused only on Kyle, not even listening to the conversation around me at that moment.. or at least not until I heard what sounded like a conversation about Kyle...

"Yes, Max.. what are you doing with Kyle? I'd like to be assured that he will be safe and well." Isabel says and I turn to see a stubborn look on her face. "After all, if not for him we wouldn't have had food below or known exactly where we were headed." Now why did that sound like some sort of hidden message or something?

I glance at Max, not even realizing that as I do, I'm stepping closer to Kyle planning what?? I don't know... maybe to protect him if I need to. Woah.. where did that come from? Since when did I want to protect anyone?

"Fear not, good lady," I see Max tell Isabel and watch as he bows his head toward both her and myself, "Kyle has proven himself a willing and able seaman in these last few days. I have offered him a position with my crew and he has accepted. Still, he cannot stay at the inn for there is no room."

I sigh in relief and choose to ignore the rest of the conversation, "So, you worked on his ship? You've decided to be a pirate?" I ask Kyle softly, my expression relaxed and not at all judgemental. After all, I'd had the chance to see for myself that these Pirate's weren't as bad as those that I'd often heard about.

[magikhands]

~Kyle~

"They were very well under the circumstances, Kyle. Were you treated well? They didn't cause you any problems?" Tess asks me.

I shake my head. "I am well. Max put me to work on the ship. It kept me busy."

I knew that the conversation between Max, Michael, and Isabel was about me and what they would do with me but at the moment I didn't care as I looked into Tess's beautiful blue eyes. From the first time I saw her, I was mesmerized by their color. So bright but filled with a sadness. I never asked her why, thinking that it would be rude to ask such a thing when we'd just met and under those circumstances. She had enough to ponder without having to dredge up her past.

Tess breaks our gaze and looks to Isabel then Max as Isabel tries to defend me. I notice that Tess steps closer to me and I feel my stomach flip with joy as her scent reaches me. My eyes roam her body and take in her dress, despite it's dirty shape, it snugs closely to all her curves and her hair had been done, accenting her beautiful face.

"Fear not, good lady. Kyle has proven himself a willing and able seaman in these last few days. I have offered him a position with my crew and he has accepted. Still, he cannot stay at the inn for there is no room." Max says as he bows his head.

"So, you worked on his ship? You've decided to be a pirate?" Tess asks.

I nod. "Yes. It's...well, not that I have much of a choice, but I love the sea and Max does not appear to be the rough hardened pirate despite the occupation's reputation."

My eyes sweep past Max to where the other captain, Michael, stands glaring at me. 'Now Michael...he's a different story.' I think to myself.


ooc: sorry, RL has been tough and I'm trying to keep caught up

[isabelle]

Glancing between Michael and Alex, I continue carefully. "I had thought to have him lodge with a trusted member of our crews."

*Max*

Since neither Michael nor Alex seem to have taken any notice of my not-so-subtle hint about where Kyle would stay, it seems I must speak more directly.

"Alex, could you give him a berth at your place? Or perhaps you can keep him company for now and Michael can stay with him on the Demons later."

It's not that Kyle needs guarding exactly, but I don't know him entirely well yet. It would be a good idea to have someone keeping tabs on him in at least a casual way. Isabel and I will want Michael to join us as we discuss recent news, so maybe Alex can lend a hand.

[magikhands]

Michael

"Alex, could you give him a berth at your place? Or perhaps you can keep him company for now and Michael can stay with him on the Demons later."

"I'm not a babysitter Maxwell." I say glaring at Kyle. "And I'm definately not sharing my ship with a Slaver."



~Kyle~

"I'm not a babysitter Maxwell. And I'm definately not sharing my ship with a Slaver."

Michael's voice tears my attention away from Tess. Anger fills me as he accuses me of being a slaver. I step up to the man. He's a good foot taller than I but I don't care. I've always been able to handle my own.

"I'm not a Slaver." I practically growl through clenched teeth. "And I don't need a babysitter either. I'll find my own place to lay my head,"

I know that by saying that, I'm turning away a nice bunk for the night and possibly warm food to fill my belly but I can't let this man accuse me of being something that I'm not. One mistake...that's all it was.

[StormWolfstone]

~Isabel~


I shake my head looking between Kyle and Michael before I move to step between them and say as calmly as I can though my expression as I look at Michael is anything but, "Michael, drop it. Tess and I have both informed you on occasion that Kyle was not a Slaver, just in the wrong place at the wrong time, though at the right time in order to assist us. Now, please be civilized with each other gentleman. There are ladies amongst you and though you may be pirates, I happen to know you both have the sense to be courteous even when you don't wish to."

That said, I turn to Alex and give him a brief smile, "Alex, would you have a problem with allowed Kyle to stay with you? I believe Tess and I would both be more comfortable knowing that Kyle was somewhere safe and also not in a tension filled situation."


~Tess~


I watched as Michael and Kyle suddenly grew tense and exchanged barbs at each other and was certain they might come to fist fights. Then, in a rather surprising and yet foolish move, I saw Isabel stepping between them and listened as she so calmly chastised both men. I couldn't help but smile as I heard her so easily state things toward them both, before she turned to Alex.

One thing was certain, if she didn't watch it she might have a moonstruck pirate on her hands. I turned to Kyle and reached out, placing my hand on his arm gently as I spoke, "Please, Kyle. Ignore the cutting words of untruth. We ladies know well that you were not amonth those responsible for our capture, but an unwitting and unwilling party to it. That is all that really matters is that you know and that we women will vouch for that." I tell him softly and smile as I await his response, hoping that between Isabel and myself that we can defuse this matter at least for the moment.

After all, we'd just reached land, the longer the men decided to argue, the longer we went without being able to relax, change and all of that. I was expecting that I would be bunking at the boarding house with the other ladies, but I was hoping I'd be free to visit Isabel at anytime. And.... maybe even have chances to see Kyle as well before they set sail again.