rubyrubyruby

The Docks on the east side...the one with the 'weird' ships. You know the type. The kind that come from strange shadows and have limped into port. The vessels with strange hulls and sails. Those from Silver Circles and stranger seas. The kind crewed by humanoids that aren't quite the Amber norm. They all anchor over there away from the easily distinguishable caravels, galleons and frigates because something sets them apart.

One such not-quite-the-norm vessel is The Beast, and it surely belongs with the others. It looks like a frigate, but there's vines infesting the rigging, the source of such emanating from compartments built underneath the railing of the main deck. Where is anchors are many chopped off 'cuttings' of the vegetation. Sunfish love to nip at the briefly wriggling greenery. A long bronze gangway has been jury rigged upon a less traditional section of the hull, providing a less perilous way aboard the ship. If one does not account for the cargo boom used to take on or retrieve things from within the vessel.

Speaking of booms, there's a spot of commotion as the crew of the oddly adorned vessel try to get on with their duties. A disagreement about where to stow stuff, and the bleating of livestock meant for market. Odd bovine sounds mixed with plaintive bleating.

Gino makes his way along the docks, lowering his hood as he spies the beast. The Dybele lord tosses his cloak back to expose the silver hilt of his rapier, "Hail the ship" he calls in an accent that sceams Montevalno.

There's certainly a commotion going on belowdecks. Shouts of alarm grow, with more voices adding to it as would the panic from a fire. There's no smoke, no ringing of bells to signal such however. There shouldn't be someone in the crow's nest with the Beast being in port, but someone is carving on top of the slightly swaying mast. He yells down to the deck, "Matron aaaaaaft. Looks like she's early Cap'n..." Gino's arrival, and the flash of potential rank and command diverts the lookout and the individual hails back. "Beast of fleet Triskelion! If you've business the Captain will be found aboard." The voice of the Captain comes yammering out loud and disgruntled as if on cue, as she exits her cabin dressed in standard Minosian fare, with a stained napkin tucked at her collar. The first few words are garbled with a mouth full of soupy repaste. "What now?" She looks to the crow's nest, then to the side as she's directed towards Gino's earlier position. "What were you cryin aboot before? Can't I eat?! I'm starvin! You know this be gruel toime!"

Within the harbour, a matronly vessel bears down on the docks, and she's wide. A fitting name, though the full moniker it has carved upon her hull is 'Mad Matron', but has quite a sensible Minosian-styled figurehead of a lady bearing a shepard's crook in one hand, and a wailing babe in the other.

Gino mutters, to himself, "Comander Ginovanni Cassnova, coming aboard." he calls then starts up the rickity gang plank with the grace of a gymnast on a balance beam. "Oberon's balls, what the hell is going on?" he is looking about, "where is your Captain?" he asks whatever crewman is close.

It's the voice of Ruby that makes him sit up rather then all the yelling and strange noises. There are so many of those type things in shadow. People yelling. The dead yelling. Animals baying and howling. Ruby's voice cuts through the madness and causes the Alhambran to grin, a chuckle emerging right after.
He stands up and dusts his ratty attire off before making his way down the docks towards the strange vine-covered ship, noting the Mad Matron as she sails in.

A crewmember closest to Gino makes way for the Montevalno-accented Lord. After a sizing up of his rank and appearance, points towards the cabin where Ruby has exited, trailing her complaints and napkins.
"What in Bog's deep domain be so importa..."
This ship shudders underfoot. It's followed by louder noises of upset animals. Something has them spooked. Something in the air. There's definitely the smell of spoor and the raw scent of some sort of menagerie or zoo around. Hankerchiefs are tied around the noses and mouths of some of the crew emerging. They rudely butt in, interrupting before Ruby can engage Gino is proper greetings. One pulls down his bandana and looks exasperated. "They won't fuckin stay still in their godsdamned thrice-blighted pens!" His beard springs forth when unrestrained by the kerchief, and looks good and bristly. He knuckles his forehead to Gino. "Beg yer pardons. It's like they just seen their relatives slaughtered in front of their stupid eyes. And they've never liked those pus-bags with hundreds of legs!"
Ruby stares daggers at beard-guy and then turns to Gino. A tight smile that's very strained. "This ain't nuthin. There somethin I can doo for ya? Oh, aye...you're tha fella related tah Sye...Sye'n Flora, roight?"

The Matron heaves to and starts blasting out a horn in jovial greeting. Sounds like a teen with a trombone heralding their favorite team on the field. They toot toot and look like they're intending to take a berth quite close to the Beast. Some of the vines on the rigging twitch. Or perhaps that was just the wind. The Matron leans heavily to the right, their sails already furled so they don't ram into port.

Gaval uses the commotions, plural, to walk up the gang plank and aboard the beast without a by-your-leave. He moves over towards the strange vines, just in time to hear the last bit about pens and multi-legged beasts. He rubs at his chin and beard as he studies the vine.

"I am Her Highness's son, and Sye's Uncle" Gino glances toward the crewman, "pus-bags with a hundred legs?" he asks, "below decks?" he looks back to Ruby, "Do you have a cargo manifest?" he asks, "I was paying a social call, after our little jaunt to deep shadow, I heard tell your ship was in port and thought I'd say hello...Captain."

"Oh aye...course. This all legit-amite, Truth. Busy-ness...but we stuck while waitin on crew from shoreleave. Nuthin tah offload, just keep in tha 'old." Ruby yammers. She peers over towards a crew member. She rasps darkly, "Goo'n fetch tha Bosun, tell'm tah bring...papers."
"He's below with...y'know." comes the response.
Ruby smiles sickly, food still not completely clear of soup or sauce between her teeth. She sucks at her teeth. "'Ello. Not tha sort 'o 'ello I'd wish."
There's another desperate sounding thud and sounds of hooves scraping on deck, along with a waft of something altogether odd and spicy. Wafting from the Mad Matron. Ruby turns suddenly, her gaze falling upon the welcome and surprising sight of Gaval, towards the ship approaching. "Oh fook me..." She races to the side of the ship facing the oncoming vessel that moves like a portly merchant. She starts waving her arms to ward it off. "Reverse fookin coarse! Back! Not ~in~ tha bloody 'arbour you bastards!"

The vines closest to Gaval take an instant liking to Gaval. They like him so much, they lash out like vipers, with torns, mouth-things and little paddles. They have a limited reach though. They snap at the air between themselves and the Alhambran, their movements sounding like rope straining under pressure.

Gino watches the comotion withmild intrest, "You know...some times I get the idea, take a walk down to the docks." he looks toward the snapping vines, then to the hold area, "I could have just hit the driving range..." he glances to Ruby, "have you ever tried golf?" he asks in a pleasent tone, "shall I send for a squad of marines? Just in case?"

Gaval leans back as the vines reach out, inspeacting them at a very close distance with his hands behind his back and the bend as if in bow. "Ruby." He calls out to the beleagered captain. "Your plants seem to want to eat me. Well, eat anyone? Not just me. It begs the question of why they're on your ship to start with. And then theres the whole 'what's in the hold' question that follows after. And then the 'where in creation have you been?' question." He turns his head towards Ruby and grins. "Did you need a hand with something, Ruby?"

Ruby shakes her head vigorously. "Does it taste good? Golf sounds loike one 'o those Kitezh travesties they put on a plate an serve warm." She gesticulates towards the ship wishing to berth next to her vessel, and the crew of the other ship wave back, happily. Missing the point. She turns her back on the Mad Matron and looks between Gino and Gaval. "Nah...nah. Busy-ness as usual, roight? Everythin calm. What would ~I~ need a 'and with?"

On cue, there's a terrific crash into the side of the hull. Originating down below. Crazed desperation and a unified effort to get the heck out, burst from the side of the Beast. Creating an actual hole above the water line and spilling overly large bulls onto the docks...and some into the water.
If that wasn't bad enough, the Mad Matron suffers an near synchronous mirrored event, though it thrusts upwards from their hold, bursting planking and sending a mast teetering at an odd angle. A massive roar follows, as canvas falls from ruined mast and rigging and temporarily obscures the source. Crew of that ship ~leap~ overboard.

Gaval straightens as the world seems to errupt. "Oh.. I don't know." He says blandly.

Gino tips his hat to Gaval, then glances over the side as the hull bursts outward, and the running of the bulls begins. "Buisness as usual?" he asks Ruby. "really?"

It becomes more evident that the foul smell of spices that's encroaching on the docks, is probably coming from the Mad Matron. It's a bit exotic and fetid, and has a similar effect on birds in the rigging, and rats in the bilge. They all run in a direction that takes them at the most expedient route from right here.

Gaval offers Gino a small bow and greets him. "Gaval of Alhambra. A pleasure to meet you." He seems not to hear the yells and screams and crashing wood and beasts as he speaks. He sniffs and makes a face. "Ruby? What are you two carrying that wants to.. mate? Or is it kill one another?"

Ruby winces and lets out a long mournful howl, like she just bet it all on a hand of cards, and the dealer just dealt a doozy. "They cost a bloody fortune!" Ruby quickly tightens her attire and tries to decide what to do. "Just steaks tha don't know they meant for tha dinner table! Food. I can't loose these things...They not supposed tah be 'ere yet. Fook'n deliveries!"

The herd that managed to leap from hull to dock, scrabble to get their legs beneath them, and try to make a break for it. There's quite a few bystanders. Thankfully not as many at the more popular berths, but enough. The horns of the males in the herd are a strange hue, and flood with colour in their panicked state. Carts and barrels don't look like they'll stand a chance if they could get through a hull.
Sensible folk are already trying to get out of the way. But there's a mob of folk, lower-city by the looks of them...that are gathering, and even advancing on the misfortune. They hoot and hollar at the sight, grinning widely and zealously. They're shouting out something that's full of glee and expectation. Something about '...provides again! A bounty!'

Gino sighs, "they are food?" he askw, "So you don't need them alive?" he tugs his scarlet cloak from his shoulder, and draws his glittering rapier. "I've only ever done this one at a time before" he mutters, "you sure you don't want help?"

Gaval looks at the mass of escaping .. steaks on the hoof and sighs. "Well. What is the goal here, Ruby? Shall we stop, re route or prepare for cooking? I admit I'm somewhat at a loss here. I've never tangled with a herd of creatures before."

Ruby grimaces. "Alroight! I need ~do~ need some 'elp. Kill what can't be captured. wanted tah delay tha slaughter." She peers over towards the Matron as it drifts closer. "Fook...I swear, I cursed. I gotta keep tha thing from gettin on land. This gone tits oop." She seethes and yells for someone to seal the breach while she runs to the railing. "Tha carnivore on tha ship can't reach tha docks or this'll be ten bloody toimes worse. I know what I need tah doo..."

The oddly excited mob of bystanders look like they're itching to do something, and after sharing cheshire grins, head into the paths of the bulls. Some even start to entice them and torment the animals. Taking dire risks to try and run with them, evade them, and even challenge them. it's ridiculous, suicidal behavior. They all have tattoos of a similar design, marked upon neck or wrist or visible skin.

"right then, don't supose we can turn them away from the city?" Gino asks already moving for the gang plank. "Block the end of the docks!" he shouts as he makes his way down the gang blanks, he whistles sharply trying to get the attention of the bulls, or whatever bull is close.

Gaval shrugs lightly and then ponders the distance between his spot on the Beast and the end of the docks. "I may be able to pause them for a moment. Perhaps. Maybe. I'm not sure how long it will work though."
He reaches out a hand towards the end of the docks and clenches his hand. He looks to be straining somewhat, teeth clenching and then somethign strange happens. The shadows at the that spot seem to bend and stretch and pull together into a shadowy hazy sort of wall. A wall that hen errupts in a cacophany of noise like a brief roar.

There's disorganization on the docks, but there's a response in sensible folk trying to erect barricades quickly with whatever is at hand. It's imperfect, but will have an impact or coralling the chaos. It will take some time, and rampaging animals are delaying the effort. Hampering this, is the getting-up-in-your-face actions of some of the mob that are enjoying the strife. They move towards those just trying to follow Gino's orders. They don't look helpful.
Gaval's magical manifestation of dark wall and the subsequent roar from it has an excellent effect on the animals. Those that are close, go almost paralytic with fear. Fainting in place like startled goats, others slip and go careening to rush away from that.

Ruby takes one last look behind her, eyes narrowing and lip curling over those in the crowd that are taking a decidely strange approach to the troubles. Turning back to the railing, she makes a tremendous leap, clearing a great distance before splashing down into the water and thrashing her way towards the hull of the Mad Matron. Abandoning Gino and Gaval to their efforts on the Docks.

RPG: Gino challenges a difficulty of 10. Gino chooses Grace and the gifts BLD-OB, FGT-RE, SKL-WS, and STY-SW. Gino succeeds.

Gino leaps from the plank in amoung the crashing herd, his blade flashes the point driving neatly into the spine of a large bull sending the creature crashing to the dock dead, a second follows, Gino's seeming to do some sort of odd dance, his cape flashing to attract the attention of a bull, when the thing charges it finds only air, or as often as not another bull, soon chaos reigns, the bellows of that animals filling the air. As to the tattoo'd trouble makers, they seem only too hapy to drive animals towaord the Ambrite Royal as he is about his work. Their act of kindness is returned, Gino shifts, dodging and weaving, the tip of a horn manages to rip his doublet opening a think crimson line along the man's ripped abs. It is too late that one notices that red cloak being swept aside to reveal a pair of charging bovine He is dead before he, and the bulls go over the side of the docks, into the filthy waters below the docks. "Here bull!" he shouts out, again dodging letting the bull he was taunting slam into another of the tattoo'd men. "You need to get out of the way" he calls to the broken body of the man. He works his way toward another, "You there" he calls out, "we need to talk!" he whirls and a bull knocks itself senseless against a wall.

Gaval seems preocupied with the wall he's made. He walks serenely down the gang plank and closer to the end of the pier, scriting to the edge of the dock where a missed step could end one up in the water. A fact he makes use off once when a bull chooses him for goring practice. One moment the man is there. The next he tumbles forward out of the way while the bull falls into the water.
His dark wall bellows out again as too many of the animals get close.

The vine-covered railings aren't letting an opportunity like this to pass by. A collection of the horrid things actually snares one of the fleeing herd, catching it mid-flight out of the hull. Far from altruistic, it operates on a primal level and curls tightly around the screaming animal. Some of the Beast's crew moan in a way that says 'this may have happened before, with other living things'.

The tattooed men trying and attempting to make things more wild, are more apt to get injured, the way they're throwing themselves into the sport. They absolutely lack Gino's consummate skill. Those unlucky to be wounded or crippled, cry out. This is followed by gasps or sighs. Not altogether the sounds of those in pain anymore, even as they may twitch and clutch gaping wounds or broken bones. Trampling happens, though there is some self preservation, but it's woefully slow compared to someone wisely scared out of their wits. Gino is cheered for his flair and efforts and at the same time, charged with clear intent to engage in melee with whatever they have to hand. Swords, cudgels or bare fists. They aren't multiplying, but people are being drawn to what is occurring here, and some are tattooed similar and spoiling to get involved. A swarm mentality is closing in on Gino, when there's a break in the charging herd to allow foot traffic. Perhaps even in numbers that would give the Montevalian pause.

Gino pauses, my there are alot of them aren't there "What you need to understand" he says calmly to them as the mob gathers, "When the Gulls get here, and rest assured they are on the way...those who aren't killed out right will end up in the Palace dungeon." he settles into a defensive stance, "were I you...I'd run, and run quickly..." he glances around looking for support, Gaval is holding the herd...Ruby does not seem to be about...and her crew is busy with the ship. "this is not good" he murmers.

Ruby is still enroute to the Mad Matron, that ship have a wild rudder, but at least it's careening in an arc that won't have it run unguided into the Docks. The thing trying to claw its way out of the hold trumpets again, making the surviving masts shudder. The groggy way it roars, might speak of it having been roused from slumber, drug-induced or natural. It's got the scent of food now, and it intends to let everyone know it's a grumpy waker.

Gaval peers about the mass of humanity and animals on the peer and sees Gino being enveloped by the human herd. There is a frown and he lifts his hand to wave attention to Gino and then a motion to join him.
His other hand lifts at the same time and the clenched fist makes a pulling motion at the shadowy 'wall' which response by sliding closer to the animals and roaring again. Then it starts to move in ernest, first as a walking pace and then at a troting. Then a run. The dark wall looms up and roars again.
The beasts on the pier seem to want no part of this odd thing and turn. A few slip off the sides of the pier while most spin one eighty and rush back the other way, mooing and lighting up their horns. The stampede is suddenly on.

Gino makes his way quickly to Gaval "that is a hand trick." a compliment, "Ruby is gonna have some explaining to do...she broke the docks, my Uncle Gerard is gona be ticked....and who the hell are the guys with the ink?" he asks, setting up to offer Gaval some inclose protection while he works his mojo.