Mister O - The End - RPLOG
Participants
Date
8/3/479
Log
It is dark on the docks. The lights somehow seem dimmer than usual in the black of the new moon. The Vengeance waits in its dock, the waves lapping gently against its sides. The only sounds are the creaking of ships, the splashing waves of the bay and the occasional call or whistle from ship guards on duty.
Aloysius stood near one of the darkened alleyways with a nonchalant, almost bored expression on his face, "So it seems that we found our mark, old friend. I dare say that we have not gathered enough evidence to facilitate his capture, but his cabin must hold enough condemning material. What do you think, shall we strike now or not? The ship might not hold Esten's siblings, but think of the tale we can tell once we return to the Adventurer's guild back in the home land."
The small elephant follows up alongside his friend, looking up at Aloysius and nodding. "Mm-hm." He taps his staff lightly on the ground as he thinks. "I think we should strike now. We'll interrupt a great deal of evil if we stop him." He smirks. "And yes, it will make quite the tale won't it?"
"There's enough evidence to detain," Cassidy says, folding her arms as she eyes the ship from the docks. "Maybe not to arrest, but to detain. And that'll be more than enough to delay things til you can find whatever evidence you intend to. With implications in the warehouse incident, I could bring him in for questioning."
The ship is quiet. There are four lanters moving about on deck as sailors patrol, and two guards stand ready at the gangplank, both large and well armed by the look of things. All that remains is to decide on a course of action.
The young squirrel being turns around and nods at Cassidy, "If you say so, thought I never caught your name, miss." he says in his distinct Andrussian trill before looking back at the ship, "Also any plans on how to proceed?" he asks his two companions.
The elephant considers this for a moment. "The sneaky approach may be problematic. We'll have to secure the ship anyway, and if we get discovered we'll be surrounded. But we can't risk Mister O tossing or burning any incriminating evidence if he suspects he might be on the losing side here." he nibbles on his lip briefly as he looks up at the night sky.
"Captain Solacious," The Fennec replies, adjusting her hat. "I only request that you try not to kill anyone. At least, none but the captain. They are not acting within their own wills, and I don't want to see them die for it. I leave the plan to you. Stealth or direct. Failing all else, I can just demand for his surrender and revoke permission to leave the docks."
The squirrel being quirks his brows, "For shame captain. Suggesting that we would kill anyone unnecessarily." he says before looking around again, "Well...we could possibly jump jump into the sea and sneak from the back of the ship, the captain's cabin might be there." he remarks as he taps his chin, "Or I could do it myself and then create a distraction up there to let you two get on the ship."
"Also define not being able to control your will? Is the captain a divine mage?"
The elephant being nods. "I agree. Let's go and sneak 'round the back if we can. We might be able to clamber up onto the cabin and secure evidence before it gets destroyed. Or even better, find the guy and face him off without the rest of his cronies around."
"I would prefer stealth, yes," The foxmage agrees, looking over the other two. "Less so swimming, but all the same. Shall we?" She asks, gesturing back down the docks towards the rear of the ship. "Don't want to wait until dawn, after all."
There are no other beings around this part of the docks. It makes the night seem even darker. There will be no better time to act.
The squirrel being nods at the two other beings, "Well then, off we go." he simply says before holding onto his hat and lowering himself quietly into the water, "Hmmm, not my choice for a hearth fire." he adds before he begins swimming towards the ship. On the way he also casts a simple air maths spell to keep his hat on, it would be a shame if he lost his style during a fight!
The elephant raises his staff off the ground and gestures a small incantation, a little blessing of divine math to protect from the elements. That water looks mighty cold, after all... After the mathemagical phrase does it's job he steps towards the water and lowers himself down before starting his swim across. No need to make a noise by diving in carelessly.
Preferring not to swim, Cassidy instead takes to the air, opting to fly to the back of the ship, instead, though she makes no less effort to remain quiet, and tries to remain below the edge of the ship, so as to avoid any line of sight.
The water is cold, but certainly bearable, especially with a touch of Jugu's magic. All three beings manage to reach the rear part of the ship without incident or undue noise, though Cassidy does ellicit a bit of a clatter as she catches hold of the wood of the ship. It does not seem to provoke any outcry, however. Above the group, the Captain's state room leans out over the water, lamps lit within, and several shutter open to catch the cool night breeze.
The squirrel being begins his long climb using his daggers before finally reaching the top. There he spends a minute to wait for the others and wiggle his gain tail to dry it up a bit. "Well looks like the captain is there. You also did not tell me what do you mean by them fighting against their own will, if so how, and is there a way to stop it?" he tells Cassidy once she rejoins them.
Ever the elphant of few words, Jugu makes his climb the old fashioned way using any available hand holds to hoist himself up as carefully as he can. He stays behind his squirrely companion, more than happy to let him be the first to barge into the ship's sterncastle.
"I've reason to believe the captain is an Old One caller. And that he exerts influence over others, which is my main reason for wanting to stop him. I do not want him to leave port with a... Kidnapped crew, so to speak," she says quietly. "Stopping him should stop it."
On deck, things are still quiet. It looks like the trio has not been noticed yet. But that probably won't last if they don't move quickly. Beings carrying lanterns high are approaching from both directions.
The squirrel being nods his head at Cassidy and eyes the lanterns moving towards them, "Well, it appears that we have an unholy cultist to catch." he says before he quickly and as quietly as possibly rushes towards the rails of the upper deck before getting on them and jumping down towards the deck below, making an effort to not alert the two beings climbing the stairs, and hoping that if he does fall on someone one again, it wouldn't be that loud.
The elephant slinks onto the deck and clambers past the rails, standing in the shadow of his taller companion as he looks around. He readies his staff again as Aloysius bolts off, the pachyderm pausing for a moment before bolting after him. He leaps after his friend does, hoping for a soft landing of his own.
Cassidy watches the others go and slips back towards the rail, attempting to go over and down to make use of the window they passed on the way up. She didn't want to be in the way, and she was not suited for non-lethal combat at the moment should things go south.
While the elephant in the room manages to slip silently over the rail at just the right time to miss the guards ascending the stairs, his squirrel friend is not so lucky, missing the ideal moment and finding himself brightly illuminated by the lantern of a surprised looking hippo. The large sailor lifts a whistle to his lips and begins to blow the alarm, turning and rushing back down the stairs to confront Aloysius and Jugu on deck in front of the cabin doors. The tramp of the other on-deck guards sounds as five sets of feet come running!
Cassidy, on the other hand, has no trouble slipping away with the distraction caused by the other two and eases her way to be level with the open shutters of the captain's quarters. Through the window, she can see two beings, a Croc in a purple suit, and a large goat being. The two of them are looking away just now, obviously distracted by the noise just outside their door.
The squirrel being sighs, "King's luck." he swear before shaking his head, "Keep our friends company Jugu. I will visit the our good host." the squirrel says as he tries to open the door, "King's luck." he adds before eyeing Jugu while he places his hand on the door, "Maybe use some of your magic to create a barrier in front of us? I am sure the captain won't miss some planks." he adds as he formulates an explosive force focusing on earth magic to weaken the hinges to allow the door to be kicked back with minimum exploding.
The elephant curses under his breath as he regards the approaching beings. He nods at his companion as he's already formulating the same plan. He keeps his back to Aloysius as he raises his staff and slams it down, willing the very wood that makes up the deck to warp and splinter under the feet of the approaching beings, buying them time and perhaps even creating cover from their attacks.
Cassidy settles in the window of the ship, listening to the commotion outside for a moment before clearing her throat. "Gentlemen. May we talk? While we can, at least," she says, adjusting her point hat again. "I wasn't expecting you both in here."
The wood of the door groans under the force of Aloyisius's magic, but holds. The deck in front of Jugu is not so fortunate. Magic rips into the old wood of the ship, causing it to suddenly surge and buckle. While it does not actually break, it warps and twists and splinters, causing the approaching sailors to cry out and draw back, buying the pair a little time. It looks like five guards were on deck, but with all that commotion it won't be long until the hold empties itself of able bodies.
Inside the cabin, the pair of beings spins at the sound of Cassidy's voice. "Ah, Lady Solacious," the Croc rumbles, "I am afraid that until the ruckus outside is tended to, I cannot spare the time to chat. Unless you care to stop it?" Meanwhile, the large goat being has risen to his feet and drawn a pair of pistols that he seems to be quite competent with, pointing one toward the door and the other at Cassidy.
The squirrel being shakes his head, "Shenshen's landing!" he groans, "Excuse my language." he quickly adds to his friend before taking a deep breath and attempting the same process again, this time dropping subtlety and just aiming for a fiery shock wave, his other hand on his rapier, preparing for the draw, after all who is inside must know now of their coming.
Jugu twirls the staff in his hand into a ready hold and lowers himself to a guarded stance. "The situation is appropriate for such language, friend." He taps himself in the chest, channeling a protective incantation as he layers himself with soothing water and ablative earth, soon resembling more a living statue than a being as the defensive spell takes hold. "I'll hold them off as long as I can." He prepares to be overwhelmed, ready to retaliate the moment any being tries to brave the field of splintered and warped wood to get to him.
Cassidy leans to the side, inviting in a sharp wind to try to throw the goat against a wall and throw off his aim. "Don't point those at someone unless you intend to use them right that instant," she says, leaving the croc untouched. "I've told the others to try to leave the crew unharmed. I do not want to harm you, either, but I do need to detain you." She looks towards the croc and raises her brow. "I do not think I need to detain you, though... You are not a caller, are you?"
The fiery strike against the door leaves a blackened mark on the door, along with a sizeable crack, though it continues to hold. The five guards seem hesitant to traverse the warped deck, but that does not keep a pair of faster thinkers from drawing pistols and firing! One ball pings off of Jugu's masterfully formed shield of water and spinning shards of wood, and Aloysius avoids the second shot. The others seem to be getting the idea, though and all draw. "Yield!" shouts the hippo, "You've got nowhere to go, brigands!"
The goat being gasps as he his thrown from his feet into a large cupboard, shattering the glass. The big fellow crumples to the ground, struggling vainly to rise once or twice, before yielding to unconsciousness.
Mister O frowns around his tusk-like underbite. "That was hardly necessary, Lady Solacious," he says, "It is you, after all, who has unlawfully boarded my vessel. And I imagine that they are your men who are harrassing my crew and, from the sound of things, damaging my ship." He raises an eyebrow at the fox's strange accusation. "Caller of what?" he asks, "I don't seem to remember calling anyone. And unless there is something else you want, I would request that you leave and allow me to have my guard tended to before he bleeds out."
Aloysius leans away from the short before shaking his head, "This door is almost as sturdy as jailhouse door." the being says with a shrug, "Feel free to give the ship a bit of a shake." the squirrel adds before he raises his leg and brings it down at the stubborn wooden barrier.
Jugu works his jaw, his double tusks clackins against each other. "Alright. Watch for the guns." He says as he taps the tip of his staff on the wooden deck. He raises one foot, heaves, and slams it down onto the deck as he brings forth another rippling wave of earth magic, tearing at the softwood deckfloor and sending splinters flying to try and comfound the aim of the beings.
"Unlawful? Not quite. At least, not my actions," Cassidy says, looking towards the goat as she stands. "As for calling, it may just be a mistaken assumption, but are those not tusks I see?" She asks, making her way towards the downed goat. "But like I said, I am not here for you. This fellow, however... I've reason to believe he's a Caller of Olg'ish, and more importantly, has used his powers in crime. It is for that reason that I'm here. I could not allow this ship to depart with him on board. Or most of this potentially ill-gotten crew."
The door to the captain's cabin crashes open at Aloysius' kick, revealing the standoff between the Fox and the Croc. And the bleeding goat, of course. The Croc opens his mouth as if he was about to say something when the entire deck buckles and cracks. There are cries of alarm from the sailors on deck and the cadre that have just spilled up from the crew quarters in the hold as the entire boat starts to list gently to one side. A number of sailors are shouting and raising weapons, but are stopped by a raised hand from their now visible employer. "Gentlemen," he raises his voice to echo across the deck, apparently ignoring the attacking pair and the condition of his ship. For now. "Lady Solacious informs me that some of you are here against your will," he roars, "Anyone who wishes to leave my employ may accompany her and her thugs off of my ship. The rest of us are limping out of this port NOW. Make ready." He turns a reptilian gaze on Cassidy, giving her no further answer as he folds his hand before his snout.
The squirrel being snaps his fingers and looks at Jugu, "Ah, of course, the door needs to be extremely sturdy because an Isharan crew would as likely turn on their leader as follow him." Aloysius says as the door finally buckles down and the squirrel being saunters inside with a smirk, "Thugs? That is indeed rich from a Lockedjaw captain." the Andrussian remarks before looking at Cassidy and at the bleeding goat, "Lady Solacious, since it appears you are apprehending the good captain, might I add that there appears to be some rather suspicious business dealings as well. Might want to check the cargo for contraband."
The elephant staggers himself with the power of his magic-enhanced slam. He stands at the epicenter of that shipquake, his position deliniated by streaks of cracked and splintered decking. He returns to his guarded stance, standing between the crew and the door but making no further moves. He's going to need a minute to recover his breath after that spell anyway...
Cassidy grimaces at the breaking of the ship. That was not what she'd had in mind! "Is that wise? I cannot advise trying to leave port in a ship that's in this state." she says, scooping the goat up. "Dealings, you say? Shall I call upon the guard to investigate it? I needs attend to this Being. I'd like to avoid further property damage at this time, though."
"Get. Off. My. Ship." the Crocodile growls, and it is quickly becoming apparent that none of his crew is showing any interest in leaving. Those who are not essential to trying to patch up what they can or to making ready to leave the harbor are all watching the proceedings with drawn pistols and swords. "This is the first time you bastards have had the gall to come calling pretending to be the law," he growls, "But I can smell the stink of whoever it is you work for on all of this. I won't sacrifice any more of my men to you. Leave my Captain and go." The Crocodile rises from his chair at last, and he manages to cut a rather imposing figure.
The elephant being looks back over his shoulder at the croc. "I don't think leaving without answers is an option anymore." He looks back at the crewmembers having an uneasy standoff with him. "Sorry 'bout the ship. Guess I don't know my own strength." He glances up briefly at the main mast, trying to ascertain if the crew are making ready to depart any time soon.
"Do... You doubt my words?" Cassidy asks, raising her brow. "I mean, you are welcome to. But I assure you that Sweetwater takes its threats from Callers -very- seriously. But if you wish to play this difficult, very well. I can round the guard, have the port closed, and you'll be going nowhere. The pretense of subtlety is long since gone, it would seem," she says, making her way towards the elephant and offering the goat. "Would you hold him, please? It would appear that we must make a public debacle of this."
The squirrel being turns around and eyes the goat before eyeing his partner. He is certainly keeping a close eye on that goat he tries something. "You might want them to check his warehouses and the dock Crown ledgers as well. You could probably spot some inconsistencies there. Also, I am not sure if this is relevant, but a Dacha was claiming that two of their purple buffalo were stolen and smuggled into Firmament and he seemed to suspect someone wanting to travel by sea, but always worth to check for that in the ship pens. Those animals are not the easiest to hide."
"What threat?" the Crocodile growls at Cassidy, "What have I done to invite your destructive attention, eh?" The croc advances out onto the deck after Cassidy. "What proof do you have of wrong doing or of any of these Callers you keep talking about," he snaps, "And you have no right or grounds to remove any of my crew." He sneers at the squirrel. "My cargo has all been checked and double checked by your dock workers and magistrates," he says, "I have nothing to hide. And now, will you or no, we are leaving this mad house."
And they are. The anchor is already hoisted, and the mast, while a little off kilter is being prepared with the mainsail.
Jugu takes the goat being by the wrist. He wills his earth magic once again in a manner not dissimilar to what he used to cover himself in ablative earth to cover the goat's forearm in a heavy earthen manacle, binding his wrists together.
The squirrel being raises a brow at the croc before shrugging and moving towards Jugu as he eyes the goat before leaning towards the elephant and whispering something in his ear.
Cassidy furrows her brow, shooting a look towards the croc. "Do you want proof? Very well. A few months ago, at the party, beings that got too drunk or found themselves unruly were escorted out back and put on carts to be taken away. One of 'your mean' from the warehouse even stated, himself, that it was odd how Beings were brought in on carts, had a chat with your captain, and then joined up. People that were not looking for a job. NOw, that sounds pretty suspicious, don't you think? No, I don't think you'll be going anywhere. Not til there's been a thorough investiation. This charade is over." She lifts a hand and fires off a flame. Not to the ship, or any of its crew, but into the sky. Like a flare.
"And who will be stopping me, Miss Solacious?" the Crocodile asks, giving a rather frightening grin, full of a rather worrying number of teeth. "We are already under way," he says, "I don't believe you have the power to take both yourself and my ship's captain away with you."
The unconscious goat does not put up a fight, but he does groan as Zuri summons a rather unpleasant cuff of shattered wood to bind him.
The ship slides slowly away from the pier, wallowing a bit. The flash of fire magic reveals something that was not previously visible in the darkness of the new moon. Six small vessels closing in around the Vengeance.
The squirrel being simply yawns and leans backwards on the cabin's wall next to Jugu, "Well it appears that more of the noble's friends are on their way." he says as he stretches his arms and yawns.
Jugu nods in response. "Things sure got interesting real quick." He moves up to stand flush with the goat, keeping him between himself and the croc, somehow the salamander is predicting more trouble. He looks up at Cassidy, wondering what else she has in store right now.
"I think you underestimate my powers." Cassidy frowns and lifts a hand, conjuring up a wind. One to turn the ship right around and force it to sail back to port. "You will be stopped by me. The Sweetwater navy. The law. It was rigged from the start. We've been watching you since you first set foot in town. And if I cannot take you in, I kill you. Either way, you lose. You just get to decide -how- you want to lose."
The Croc's sneer turns into a crocodilian frown as the other boats come into sight. "Sirius," he growls, "I should have known. And here you had me thinking it was the Longtails. Very clever. I suppose the assassins were yours as well."
The wind starts to pick up and the Croc's frown turns into a growl. "Think you're clever, don't you," he growls, "But you won't have me or my men." The croc holds out his arms in a motion similar to Cassidy's and the boat starts to. . . Sink?
The squirrel eyes Jugu and shakes his head, "What, not searchhim?" he asks before moving towards the goat, taking out his dagger and flipping upside down to deliver a pommel strike on his head, aiming to send him to dream land.
Jugu pulls the goat to him as he feels the floor start to sink from under him. "What in the.. I don't think I hit the ship quite that hard, not enough to make it sink!"
"Assassins? No. If we wanted to assassinate you it'd probably be done. I'd not have stopped to talk to you through the window. As for 'having,' well... Beings float, you know. Especially when they have assistance. It'll be more than enough to wait for the other boats." She looks towards Jugu and nods. "You have talent with magic, yes? See what you can do to reinforce the ship. Buy us as much time as you can to make contact with the other ships."
The sailors seem to be following some unwritten plan as the boat starts to take on water. They all scramble. . . below decks? The Crocodile has his grin back as he walks slowly toward the trio and their fallen captive. "Not me, no," he says, "Only my best man. You know how hard it is to find a majordomo with his skills?" The ship begins to sink faster, the waves starting to lap over the edge of the upper deck now!
The squirrel being eyes Jugu, "Care to keep this ship afloat a bit more, old friend?" Aloysius says as he unsheathes his rapier and points the tip at the goat's neck, "Indeed, it must be quite hard, which would make it a shame if something happened to him." the young being says, his eyes fixed on he crocodile.
The elephant nods at Cassidy and begins to focus his magic again. This time he's not angrily stomping his earth magic with the rage of a quake, but lacing it carefully to try and feel at where the hull has been severed or cracked. Between using his affinity for water magic to stem the leaks he finds, and a bit of earth magic to reknit the ship's wooden frame as one would a gushing wound, he may yet buy them all a few minutes.
"You would drag all these people down with you?" Cassidy asks of the croc, folding her arms. "That will only make it worse on yourself," she says, glancing out towards the approaching vessels. "I suppose I should thank you though. I really was just here for the goat. Had you played your cards right, I would've taken him and left and you'd probably have slipped through. But now... Well. Now you've gone and made a mess."
Jugu's probing reveals that, though his own destructive power did some damage to the hull, most of the water gushing into the ship is doing so through what seem to be prepared channels! He can feel the water moving through the hull, though there seem to be two large, protected areas where the water has not gathered. This is not a suicide or going down with the ship! It looks like the ship is made to travel beneath the water! At least for short distances.
"Big talk for raiders," Mister O says, "And you are free to go whenever you like, Lady Solacious. No one is holding you." He turns an eye toward Aloysius and his threat with a growl, though he does not stop whatever it is he is doing. "Haven't you killed enough of my people?" he rumbles, "Tell Sirius hello for me."
The small boats in the harbor are drawing close, but unless something happens to keep the ship afloat, it will be gone before they can intervene. If they even know to intervene at this point.
Aloysius nibbles his lips and shrugs, "I think that you would rather meet this Sirius yourself, Mr O." the squirrel being says as points his sword at the captain an assumes his duelling pose, "But since we are just wasting time. En garde, villain, show me if the Lockedjaws earned their ferocious reputation." Without a word more it, the squirrel lunges at the crocodile, aiming at his feet. Looks like Aloysius is less interested in a fight and more interested in disabling the captain as soon as possible.
Jugu blinks. "Oh.. this ship isn't -sinking-, it's meant to sink.." He pauses for a moment. "It's meant to go under water.." He considers this. "Alright, let's make it stop sinking." The elephant grits his teeth as he feels out towards the gaps that are admitting water into the ballast compartments. He reaches out with his magic, twisting and warping the wood, making the rim of each gap swell and bulge out to plug each of the holes in turn.
Cassidy frowns and shakes her head. "No, I'm afraid I can't let this ship get away. I will tear it down before I let it escape." That said, water magic was not her specialty. She fires up another flare before turning her attentions to the wind, trying to spin the ship around in the water. Maybe that would hinder the flow of water, or at least disorient any attempts of navigation, should she manage it.
Between getting stabbed below the ribs, Zuri's water magic and Cassidy's air magic, the ships starrs to rise once more. Those ships will be here momentarily!
The huge gator staggers back on the water soaked deck, trying to recover. He growls wordlessly and lunges forward, not at any of his attackers, but at the cuffed goat, trying to hurl himself and his mate to the water!
Aloysius masterfully lunges forward and hits the gator below the ribs to deliver a non-lethal wound, but he sighs and shakes his head as the gator goes back to the goat, a good plan since he can certainly rebuild his army with hus goat friend. Without missing a beat, the squirrel being runs forward and also jumps towards the goat, aiming to push him away from the flying Isharaman.
Jugu finds himself suddenly in the center of an impending being collision. The poor elephant is, sadly, concentrating far too hard on his magic to really react to this unexpected situation.
Cassidy isn't about to let the croc take the goat. No, the boats were almost here, and it'd be vital to have at least -one- of them in custody. More air magic applied, redirected from the shipward breeze to try to throw the croc back. "You're not going to slip away with him that easily."
The partially submerged ship comes to a jarring stop as the ring of smaller boats hedges it in. Mister O's lunge is arrested by Cassidy's air magic and his is flung back and away into the water with a splash while Aloysius manages to lay hands on the bound goat. Soldiers in dark clothing pour off the boats, rushing about to secure the place.
A medium sized fox in a fine, black coat with fine, black fur steps up next to Cassidy. "Not bad," cousin," he says blandly, "But I would have preferred that the crew come out alive."
The rodent does not miss a beat as he quickly stands up, pats his clothes and puts his hat on Jugu, then quickly jumps into the water again where Mr O was thrown, he wasn't going to let the crocodile run away for sure.
The elephant looks confused as a whirlwind of activity happens around him, and he finds himself with his friend's hat on his head before the squirrel off and jumps into the water as well. He stands there a bit bewildered, unsure how to react to all this.
Cassidy looks towards the elephant and nods. "Good work. You just helped save the day," she says before nodding at the fox. "Make sure this one is taken care of properly, hmm? Strong wills. I don't want any victims on our side. I was also told there might be contraband under the decks."
The black fox nods and seems to direct his men with only his eyes. A pair hurries over to bind the goat an take him away, blindfolding him for some reason. Another set of beings seem to be working some water magic, because the ship starts to rise again from the water.
Under the water, Aloysius manages to catch up with the Crocodile, who has struggled free of his coat and is trying to swim away, leaving a trail of blood in his wake!
The squirrel being follows after Mr O, deciding to cast a quick spell to force water into the crocodiles nasal and oral cavities to force him to surface.
Jugu smiles brightly at Cassidy, before shaking his head and reminding himself of his 'role'. "Only doing what I was brought to do, milady." He looks over at the disembarking beings, and stands out of their way as they filter in. "I'm not sure how the crew will react, they seem still under whichever hocus pocus is controlling them."
"Well, you did that job well. They should come around," Cassidy says, putting her hands on her hips. "When they've got enough time broken away from his influence."I am looking forward to putting this all behind us at last."
"No doubt, Mister Pondleaf," the black fox says, "I fear that most of them are rather too far gone, to return to lives long abandoned, but we will do for them what we can." He says Zuri's name without a second thought.
Aloysius's magic is effective. Maybe too effective. The fleeing Croc's eyes bulge as the water forces its way into his lungs. He flails about wildly, stirring the water into a cloud of bubbles and blood as he starts to sink, rather than rising.
The squirrel being shakes his head and decides on a final attempt to save the crocodile by swimming towards him and pulling him up towards the surface.
Though the squirrel is able to reach the sinking Croc, it becomes apparent that between the water and blood loss that Mister O is gone.
Back aboard the Vengeance, the black fox looks around and nods. "Good work, everyone," he says as he watches the crew escorted up out of the hold. He looks at Jugu. "Inform your friend that it is safe to come back to Firmament," he says, then turns and walks away to organize his men.
The squirrel being shrugs and rises up towards the boat once more before clambering on top of the ship and coughing a bit, "Met his end." Aloysius says before shrugging and patting Jugu, "Not sure what the fox is on about, I do not recall it ever being not to come to Firmament." he says teasingly to his elephant before they both pack up and prepare to return to the docks.
