Phantom of the Aurora - RPLOG
Participants
Date
26/4/477
Log
The Aurora is at it's best this evening! Colorful paper lanterns hang from the rigging and the entire deck is festooned with brightly colored draperies and decorations. Servants wearing livery marked with the Snowmark crest weave through the crowd offering drinks and food to the plethora of guests, each wearing a domino mask in the spirit of the costume ball.
The guests themselves are a sight to see! Each wearing their own unique costumes. Though, it is easy to spot the nobility by their species. Sven himself stands in front of the helm of the ship, watching people arrive. He is wearing an oversize cavalier hat with an ENORMOUS feather in it. He also seems to have painted a blue celtic knot onto the side of his face. The rest of his costume is an ornately crafted military outfit. Wonder who he is supposed to be dressed as?
Cedric is also standing near the helm awkwardly fussing with his own costume. He appears to be dressed much more regally than normal. One might suspect him of being noble himself if not for the crudely fashioned tail extension in black and white that appears to have been designed after that of a skunk. His white eye stripes are either dyed or painted in black, not matching the natural black of his remaining fur at all. "I'm uh... I'm not really sure about this..." Cedric says to Sven, looking uncomfortable.
Sveta arrives and steps across the gangway, dressed in a long, elegant gown of white that she'd borrowed on short notice. Since Lady Longtail was...busy with her own devices, the social obligation of attending had fallen onto her shoulders, like it or not. Being feathered and quite unwilling to pluck oneself has limited her choices of costume for the event, but at least she's dyed all her feathers black - just who is this supposed to be, and more importantly, will it wash off?
Amaterasu steps up to the ship, she never went to anything of this nature, so her clothes weren't anything special. She wore her good robes, which were a soft, silky, white and her cloak, normally worn, was absent. Her staff, as much a part of her body as her arm, still helped her walk, though one could tell shebwas looking much healthier. Less of an eyesore, and more of a ill woman who finally began regaining her weight. Her snow white hair was loose, running in waves to her shoulders, while her forelocks were gilded and tied in braides behind her head, giving the apperance of a circlet. She wore a mask, more because she didnt have leeway to do much else, though anyone could tell by the cold, golden hourglass eyes who this mage was.
Issi doesn't do dresses. She really doesn't, for obvious reasons. But she decided that showing up in that half destroyed leather armor she usually wears would be a bad idea. The viper walks up the gang plank in a white silk ball gown and opera gloves with more formal shoes. No hood, no armor- Well aside from the leather corset which she didn't probably need. The one thing she does keep with her is her black scarf, she doesn't go anywhere without that. Once on the ship she sighs, she really didn't like this, but it helped her blend in or at least not be utterly conspicous.
Jera has made his way to the ball dressed in his finest. Which, for the kit fox, is a long, flowing dress that goes down to his ankles matched with a shoulder-bare upper half, along with silk gloves that cover up just past his elbows. A polished silver tiara rests upon his groomed hair, looking every bit like a noble lady...discounting his slightly broader muzzle and very, very flat chest. He's not sporting makeup cover this time though, his unusual fur markings visible and even made to stand out a little with talc powder. Unsteady steps give a hint to the platformed shoes he's wearing, even as he slowly makes his way to the congregation. "If I'd known paint was the theme of the ball I'd just have covered up my markings and called it a day." He giggles.
Sven waves off Cedric's concern with a grin. "Is fine!" he crows, "But friend Cedric should have used more padding. He is far to small to be friend Rollyskunk."
The hefty puma turns and looks out over the slowly starting party and waves to the small string quartet that has been providing a bit of background music. As they cut off, the big cat waves an arm to the assembled beings. "Welcome, friends, to the decks of Sven's beautiful Aurora!" he booms in his thick accent, "Sven could not ask for more beautiful night or more beautiful people! Eat! Drink! Dance!" With that, the eccentric noble strikes up the band once more and swaggers down to join the festivities, pulling Cedric along with him.
It seems that most of the beings present are enjoying themselves, but there is a small knot of beings huddled off to one corner of the deck who don't seem to be joining in the spirit of conviviality.
"I told you... padding, in this heat? Even my tolerance has limits." Cedric says to Sven, shaking his head a little bit before the puma makes his small speech and drags him along to the festivities. Despite his obvious discomfort at all the frilly noble dress he's wearing, he seems to get into the spirit of things without too much trouble, waving to the beings in attendance that he recognizes with a friendly smile, and hoping nobody can tell what he's meant to be imitating.
Sveta winces the Puma's loud welcome. She'd been given ample warning as to Sven's eccentricities, but this is something altogether. Nevertheless, with everyone masked, folk are just slightly less recognisable - and perhaps her, too - and that takes the edge off having to be around this many beings at once. Still, there's no one she immediately recongises, not under all those clothes and masks, and perhaps a tall, cold drink would be nice...
Amaterasu Gives the Puma that annoyednglare of hers. Though, as much as she figured he was loud, boistrous and rowdy, she didnt hate him. Just hated being near him when he starts shouting. The snow-white fox, however swung her gaze over the crowd She seemed to notice a familiar bird, and walked over, her staff making light thuds along the deck. "You look like you could use a drink." She coughs, producing a flask and takig a small sip before storing it back within her robes. Judging by the birds response to the mage, she would determine whether or not she had a friend amongst the sea of careless faces.
Issi sighs, this is somewhat what she expected when she thinks of a noble party. Rather loud host notwithstanding. She keeps an eye on the rest of the crowd, not many she knew if any. That doesn't quite stop her though, the viper weaving through the crowd with ease. Even in a ball gown. First, map, then mingle... Er, hopefully mingle, silence usually doesn't help that.
Jera stumbles a little bit as he watches Sven for a while. It's not ladylike to stare at all, but he didn't exactly have the best training in a refined environment like this. He makes sure to get two glasses of red wine, one settled in each hand, before walking slowly over to the host noble and his companion for the night. "May I offer mi'lords a drink? A toast, for the night, and a wonderful party." Both glasses are offered.
Siyu hums a little as he steps onto the deck of the ship. Unlike last time he's dressed to the hilt. Since he supposes he's going to be keeping his clothing on this time around. The rodent is dressed in his heavy fine silks. Gold and silver drips from him in an ostentatious display of wealth. THe short pretty faced rodent just swishes his hips and tosses his hair, "Mmm, lovely looking party so far..."
Sven is ebullient, swaggering from one knot of partygoers to the next, laughing boisterously and complementing people on their "most excellent" costumes. He stops and grins at the unfamiliar fox offering drinks. "Ah!" he laughs, accepting the proffered drinks, "Da! To the beautiful night and to pretty ladies and prettier men!" he says with a wink, tossing back the drink in a way more suited to a shot glass than wine. The hefty cat laughs again, and wraps a brawny arm around Cedric and waves with the other as he spots Siyu coming up the gangplank.
Suddenly, there is a loud CRACK from the upper deck of the forecastle and sickly red smoke starts to spill over the deck as a being dressed in a fine red coat and tricorn hat steps into the lights. His face is obscured by a mask resembling the skull of a bone dragon. "Well, Lord Snowmark," comes a muffled rasp, "What a fine party you have here!"
The badger, disguised poorly as a skunk, enjoys himself during the party quite a bit. He's managed to pick up a drink from somewhere or other and tries to steer the captain away from trouble to the best of his ability. He greets Jera with a nod, not recognizing the fox immediately off the bat. Cedric also gives at big wave to the kangaroo rat as he makes his way up the gangplank, about to wander over to greet Siyu before being interrupted.
He looks around towards the upper deck and raises a brow in mild confusion. Was this meant to be part of the festivities, or was it something else entirely?
Sveta hesitates a moment, clearly not recognising Amaterasu, then grabs the drink and sips at it with a sigh, clicking her beak in satisfaction. "Thank you. I needed that. Well, who are you supposed to be? The costume, I mean. It's..." her words are cut short by the intruders, but she doesn't look too concerned right as of yet. With all the rumours of the Snowmark's boisterousness, it's not hard to imagine this is part of the festivities.
Amaterasu chuckles softly surprised at not beong recognized. She looked directly into Sveta's eyes "Does not my illness give me away?" she asks with a curious flicker "I have not had time to get a costume. These are merely my formal robes." she offers, the lilting melody of her voice for the time being unmarred by her illness. The frail mage must have gotten alot stronger to be able to overcome the visible signs so quickly.
Issi reflexively ducks behind a small knot of people, bad time to be caught out unprepared. Being literally black and white at the moment probably doesn't help her in the slightest. Maybe she's just being paranoid, maybe this was just some stunt pulled by a guest of honor. Which wouldn't be surprising really. Come on gems, click...
Toast offered, Jera wanders back to where the wine is being distributed and makes sure to get a nice, big glass. Not often he gets to mooch on stuff of such quality. Making sure to finish his own drink, he wanders back to the other face that he's sure he's familiar with, offering her a half-glass as well. "Drink some of that, Ama. It's good...and maybe it'll help bring some vigor to your step." He grins, though no recognition flickers when he looks at Sveta. Those gloves strike a bell somewhere in his memory though the name doesn't roll onto his tongue. "Both of you look absolutely stunning." He offers the other glass with a wide smile.
Siyu headtilts at the bit of mathmagic from the new guest. Red smoke? Hm, how did he get that color. His choice of hat and acessory also gets a sniff from him. A bit tacky but so far it doesn't look...too bad. He just lets the guest go about his buisness as s far there's no bother. Though he idly makes sure his coat his clear and his pistol brace is ready. No need to be rude, but no need to be a fool.
The masked pirate cackles through his mask, pacing along the forecastle amidst the still flowing red smoke. "You thought you could be rid of me!?" he shrieks, "Thought that I wouldn't catch up to you!" He stops his pacing and points melodramatically at Sven, the tips his head back and laughs maniacally as a flash of lightning and a crack of thunder rend the clear evening sky! r% r% Meanwhile, Sven stares blankly at the being in the skull mask before turning to Cedric. "Did Sven invite skull pirate to his party?" he asks, unfazed by the costumed being's outlandish appearance, antics, and accusations. Though an appreciative murmer runs through the crowd as they turn to what looks like some kind of bizarre floor show.
Cedric shakes his head in response to Sven, stating, "I"m not sure..." he says to the puma before looking back to the skull pirate with puzzlement, clearing his throat rather loudly. "I don't think he even knows who you are." Cedric calls out to the skull-masked figure. "Could you perhaps elucidate the matter of your identity?" the badger continues, at a loss for anything else to say.
"Ah, the eyes. Although those with odd eyes are strangely not that uncommon in Firmament...it may be that you might be someone else with similar eyes? Not unheard of, I suppose." At Jera's arrival, she stops and stares a moment, straightening her beak, and opens her mouth to say something - but is cut short by that rather loud spectacle.
Amaterasu accepts the prooffered drink with a nod. She could never forget a voice. "Jera, your looking... Well, I cannot say that this is normal for a male." She offers, her gaze drawn to the spetacle as she takes a sip of the wine. It burned slightly, and made everything feel all warm and stuff, but other then that, it didnt make her feel any different. The taste was excellent though. "Whatever could be going on there."
Issi takes a deep breath, note to self, prepare for /everything/. She takes a look at this skull masked 'intruder'. And she thought the host was porcine at times... [Parlor Tricks! Well who is this that needs such a grandiose entrance?] Thankfully a Scarf is a good hiding place for smaller needed items.
"Both your reactions amuse me~" Jera does a polite curtsey with a grin across his face. No stumbling at all, it's a well practiced, perfectly poised movement. "If you'll excuse me for a moment, I might need to prepare myself for this intruder..." He politely excuses himself and slides two fingers down the centre of his top and pulls out his soul pendant, a sheathed knife tied to it. So /thats/ how he was pretending to have a chest...the kit fox getting ready to switch souls if needed, but looking a little nervous without his usual bows with him.
Siyu blinks at the display and he notes the direction the pirate is walking, he simply turns and looks in the opposite direction, looking over the railing from opposite where the pirate is drawing eyes. Idly dipping into his silk clothing. Finding his gem. Though he's subtle, not wanting to reveal he's souless, slowly switching it out as he checks the railings and over it.
The strange figure on the higher deck shrieks in rage! Another crash of thunder and flash of lightning punctuating his outburst. "YOU DARE PRETEND TO HAVE FORGOTTEN ME!" his voice suddenly seems to come from everywhere all at once, the sound reverberating around the deck. Someone has put a lot of effort into this, if it is only a show! "NOW!" the cackling skull pirate cries, pulling a flintlock pistol from his coat, "YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR CRIMES, SVEN SNOWMARK!"
Sven just raises an eyebrow at the screaming pirate. He gives a small hand gesture, then tips his oversized hat out of his eyes. A pair of liveried servants nod and stealthily take to the rigging to climb up to the forecastle.
Cedric still doesn't know what to make of the loud pirate and looks over at the two servants begin to ascend the rigging. As the skull-masked pirate being draws his pistol, the badger steps forward and positions himself in front of Sven, shouting back up to the pirate. "You still have a chance to leave! I swear, you'll come to regret it if you don't take the opportunity now!". It probably doesn't help. In fact, he realizes he's probably just provoking the being, but he's quite irate at this point, himself, baring his teeth.
Hmm. So, this wasn't part of the party, after all, despite all the rumours. Sveta slowly sets down her drink on the nearest available surface, then begins fiddling with her soul gems. Instead of turning her attention towards the scene, though, she faces away from it, looking in the opposite direction for anything that might be out of place on a ship or otherwise suspicious, although she hasn't been on very many of them.
Amaterasu on the other hand, was watching with an intent gaze. She kept her soulgem in at all times, and her staff tapped lightly on the deck, her finger running along one of the equations, this produced a small flame which rested above the staff, waiting for her input. "This man seems to be not in his right mind. Makes me wonder what he will do."
A heavy gust of wind blows over the ship, focused on the mysterious intruder, buffeting him with enough force to stagger him and drop his gun in the process. Problem one delt with, the small viper starts moving forward, unarmored but now armed. Thankfully having hidden a dagger under her scarf.
"Sveta..." Even Jera's voice drops a little as his soul gems click into place, his fingers well trained to swap soul gems already, though his long, almost inflexible gloves make it a bit harder. He speaks in a hushed, afraid voice, afraid that the figure might hear. "We need to go and see."
Siyu grunts a bit as he pulls a pistol from his brace, tossing aside his jacket to reveal the leather bust underneath and the pistols attached therein. "Boarders! To arms! Watch the cannons! To arms!" he takes aim towards one of the three near the fuse and will try to get off a shot. At least to scare them away from the cannon for a moment while everyone else is getting ready.
The pirate, buffeted by Issi's magical wind staggers back a few steps as his pistol drops and his hat blows away, revealing his furry black ears! Sven's men take advantage of the masked being's situation and pounce, dragging him to the ground.
Meanwhile, Siyu's cry and subsequent shot set off a reaction among the guests, those who were preparing some mild applause looking around in confusion. A trio of party guests seem to have removed the decorations from one of the ships cannons hand have it pointed out across the Firmament Ship Yards! One of the masked beings yelps as Siyu's shot slams into the railing near his elbow, but another growls a quick, "Light it!"
The skunk-costumed badger had intended to maybe explode a lantern in the skull pirate's face, though it proved to be unnecessary as another mage aboard the ship seems to have called up a powerful gust to put him off his balance. Still, he notices the other three at the cannon who seem intent on firing it, and not one to waste magical preparations, he calls a wave of water from below to splash at the ones attempting to fire the cannons at the city.
Sveta quickly realises that although the others' first efforts might have slow, it's not going to keep them down permamently. Her clothing does hinder her some, but she sets off across the deck in the closest thing that approaches a full sprint, ready to take them on - or do anything that needs to be done.
Amaterasu meanwhile walked at a sedate pace to Sven and the badger. The coughing mage was rather annoyed at this interruption "Do take his mask off. Quickly. This is becoming much more dangerous then a simple party. We must know the antagonist." She was calm, capable, but she was, after all, frail. Anything could happen to her.
Issi moves with an almost unnatural grace, despite the limits of her clothing. She's headed right for the skull masked pirate, keeping her eyes locked on him. the moment his eyes meet to hers, she wins. The viper still has wind magic at the ready just in case, and her dagger(s).
Jera growls as he spots the cannons. He was already a little bit vexed that he even had to draw arms at all in such a joyous occasion. His gloves rip straight off his hands as ripples of air swirl around his hands, fiercely enough to slice his skin in several places even. "WATCH OUT!" He yells to get the attention of Issi and Sveta, enough force centered in him right now that even he can't hold it back for long. And then he slams the cannons with enough force to just slice them cleanly into several hollow rings, and then hiss as he nurses his bleeding hands and mourns his shredded gloves.
Siyu grunts a little as he drops one pistol and ducks down, "Make sure they don't fire upon the docks! There's enough pine tar and powder that it'll light like a candle." he pulls out a fresh pistol and waits for the others to join the fight, having done his job for the alarms. Waiting to see if anyone is wounded enough to need help. He looks at Jera and chitters, "Come here I'll tend to your hand."
Sven nods at Amaterasu, "Da, is good idea," he says, turning to his men who have dragged the struggling pirate down from the forecastle. He seems to be completely ignoring the scuffle toward the aft of the ship, leaving it in his friends' capable hands. The hefty puma reaches out and roughly jerks the mask away, revealing the defiant face of Aloyisius Blackback, the unruly noble who had embarrassed himself at Sven's last party. Sven holds out a hand to 1221 as she slips up to engage the captured pirate. "Take Lord Blackback to the brig," he says coldly, "We will deal with him later. See that he is bound."
The magical One-Two punch at the aft of the ship seems to have taken care of the threat. First a magical wave to douse the miscreants and stop their shot, followed by scything winds has brought the saboteurs to their knees. Amidst the tattered clothing and bleeding wounds, it is obvious that the culprits are a group of young nobles, a pair of Blackbacks and a hulking Strongheart bull. None of them look like they will be causing any mischief any time soon. With wounds like that, they will be lucky to be causing mischief again at all!
Cedric nods to Amaterasu in agreement and stands back peering curiously as the pirate's mask is removed to reveal the very same noble that caused a scene at the last party. The badger loosens his collar, chuckling at Sven with a slight smirk on his face. "See? What'd I tell you? I told you we should have 'misplaced' his invitation." he says, calming down a little as the dangerous situation is put to an end rather quickly. "How'd he even manage to round up that much help though, from the others? This could be a problem, you know..."
Sveta gradually slows down to a stop - it seems like she wasn't needed, after all. Well, all the better - no harm done in everyone else taking initiative, and perhaps this little incident will give her excuse to recuse herself from further social obligations. With a sigh and a glance around to make sure that no one's hurt, maybe the party can go on...
Amaterasu chuckles softly "Believing strongly in an ideal is enough to sway most young hearts. While oration is a skill taught young to those of noble blood. It would be wise to explain this affront to one of his house. It is unbecoming of a noble to make waves and fail." She offers her advice, her eyes glinting as shebwatched the young man escorted away "Sweetwater should also be informed. The potential for damage was high. If there werent quicker thinkers here, things would not have turned out as they did." she dispelled the flame above her staff with a breath and smiled "I see nothing good to come from the wake of this. Blackback should watch this youth much more closely."
Issi stops when Sven holds out his arm. Once she sees everything under control, she stows her dagger back in its sheath under her scarf. This is why she doesn't go to parties. Every time she appears, something seems to happen. The viper huffs, looking back to the drinks to find something less than alcoholic. At leas she knows she can fight in a dress? Not that it's going to be useful, ever.
Siyu will attend the wounded, all the stubborn stupid nobles too. He just gives a faint little huff as he takes his banadages and poultices and makes sure no one is going to die, "Dame foolish really. They have reputations and free time they shouldn't have done this at all. Find a more constructive use of their brains, what little they have. Bunch of lummuxoses, do you even KNOW how to fire a cannon, let alone know how much timber and gunpowder is in those docks?"
Sven nods thoughtfully at Cedric, "Is a problem," he says very quietly. He calls over two more servants and quickly instructs them to get the injured saboteurs to the brig and to have them tended to. "They are not to leave the ship," He says firmly. Then the hefty puma turns to face the rest of the party goers. "Is amazing show, Da!?" he crows loudly before starting to applaud, "Sven thanks his friends for their help! Please, eat! Drink! Is wonderful party!"
Some of the guests look confused and some even seem suspicious, but the overwhelming majority are more than happy to believe that this was just a show presented by their eccentric host. The music starts back up and the servants resume wandering the crowd with delicious food and drink from the Aurora's galley. Well, that's a Snowmark party for you.
Cedric watches as the saboteurs are taken to the brig with some satisfaction before returning his attention to the others, scratching his ear as he thinks about thinks. "Well anyway, might as well enjoy the rest of the party, no?" and returns to trying to enjoy himself and have fun.
Amaterasu chuckles softly. "You do that, I have buisiness to take care of." she gives before greeting him and turning on her heel. She had much to think about as she walked back home for the night.
Issi just takes a seat somewhere once she has a drink. [Almost another noble assassination and attack on the docks... Why did I expect otherwise? Noble Politics and who knows what else... Not leaving the armor at home. Not again.]
