faderift | Bae-Watching

Entry tags:

Bae-Watching - Closed

WHO: James Norrington, Korrin Ataash, Prompto Argentum
WHAT: Three heroes in a boat being ... well. Heroic.
WHEN: Late part of Justinian
WHERE: The Wounded Coast
NOTES:A Sea-Faring Adventure, brought to you by your Naval Presence Crew

James had never liked the Wounded Coast. The name was far too apt for all the dark corners that the inlets and caves that this stretch of sand and hills hid. Far too many slaver caves, far too many blood mages. Which, really, was why they were here. He steered their small sloop - his, Korrin's and Prompto's, around another jut of rocks, his green eyes kept on the water before them.

He knew that if Korrin, or even Prompto, saw something that they would need to investigate for the safety of Kirkwall, neither one of them would be quiet about it. As it stood, he was more worried that they were going to be sailing around here and get attacked on the water than anything was on the shore.

However, considering the unpredictability of ...everything these days? They had to at least try.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A little sailing doesn't bother Korrin, of course. She's doesn't have the talent of one born to it, not like Araceli, but she's spent considerable time training. In addition, the Rivaini-style ring on her hand has her confident that she'll be able to contribute one way or another. James's competency isn't in question, and she wouldn't have selected or allowed anyone fitting that description. So, she's reasonably optimistic but not unguarded. Between the bandits and beasts that roam the cliffs, along with any number of risks that come with sailing on any vessel, there is always a decent chance that they will be out for more than a pleasure cruise.

Suddenly she straightens and frowns, gesturing to a point off the starboard side. "There's something among the waves, isn't there? It's distant, but...a boat? Or part of a boat? We should get a better look."

Prompto freaking loves boats. He doesn't get to go on them often enough. And it's nice to be on one again, since his last major incursion on one resulted in being attacked by a sea monster. Not Fun. Growing up in a veritable desert (well, in a huge city in a desert but the point is:) he didn't grow up near the sea or around ships or boats or anything of the sort. So it's all rather novel for him, is what he's saying. So when offered to come along on this patrol thing of sorts, he jumped at it.

While he's keeping an eye out as well, he's a bit more relaxed than his companions. Just enjoying the breeze and all. At least until Korrin remarks on something she spots in the water. Prompto moves over to her side of the boat and leans over a bit, trying to get a good look. "Yeah, definitely a boat. And it's not moving much. Can't hurt to at least swing by."

James followed both Korrin and Prompto's looks, and caught sight of a small bobbing blip out of the corner of his eye. He turned the rudder, nodding to Korrin to pull the sail taut so they could catch the wind and get over there faster. As it was, the waters were a little choppy this close to the shore and he had to keep his full attention on sailing the boat itself.

"Can you see anyone?"

Doing as requested, Korrin doesn't immediately reply. When she can spare a moment, the Vashoth woman narrows her eyes at the horizon. "I...can't tell, it's still too far. And if we want to make it there it one piece, I'll have to concentrate on the getting there part."

Maybe Prompto would have better luck, though. She'll leave it to him to be the lookout.

Prompto's still squinting himself. As they begin to draw closer, he sees two distinct figures on the boat. They're both waving their arms, desperately trying to flag down their boat and draw their attention. "They're waving at us. I think they need help. Their boat's... yeah, that's not moving at all. We should help them, or at least see what's wrong."

"All right, we are on our way." James made sure to catch the current and adjusted the rudder to the direction of the two - ah yes, he saw them now. He nodded over to Korrin. "Can you swim out to get them if I get close enough?"

As they approach, Korrin's able to better see what Prompto's talking about. She frowns in concern at the sorry state of the vessel, but nods upon looking over to James. That was on her mind anyway, and she's glad to see they're thinking along the same lines. A coordinated team means a smooth rescue...at least, in theory.

"I'm a strong swimmer, so even if they aren't, it shouldn't be a problem. But either you or Prompto keep a lookout, it's a miracle that bandits haven't claimed this already and now we're drawing attention to it." Even if all seems calm for now, she doesn't trust it to last. Preparing for the worst has never steered her wrong, so she won't stop now. "Maker, no wonder it's not moving. Look at the storm damage...."

Edited 2018-07-30 00:30 (UTC)

And now that they're close enough to make out some details, Prompto realizes the two stranded people are women. In Thedas, that's something of an oddity. He frowns a little. "I can keep a lookout for sure. We're kind of out of the way, so hopefully no one's gonna come by? I mean, I can swim okay if needed." He rubs the back of his head. "Man, why are they all alone out here? Where's the rest of their ship's crew?"

Two stranded women in a boat says something along the lines of - this is a noblewoman trying to run away to meet a lover. Or, their ship went down. James is frowning himself, but he knows how to manuever the sloop along the winds so they can pull up along side.

"I imagine some sort of ... dramatic poetry, but I am unsure." He states simply, "For there is no other reason for two women to be alone out on a boat if not for some sort of dramatic reasoning." He then shares with his companions, "You know - running off to a lover, ship went down, that sort of thing."

Korrin nods, that sounded likely, but this isn't the time to make bets or she'd be all over that. "Could be, but we won't find out just standing around and speculating. We'd better grab them before our presence draws attention from the local assholes."

Once they're close enough, she glances back. "Toss me a rope, I'm going over." The rope isn't for her benefit, but the ladies in question...and anything that might need hauling up.

"Maybe they're running off together." Man that would be something, wouldn't it? And romantic and sweet. Minus the whole getting shipwrecked part. That, admittedly, sucks a fair bit for them.

Prompto nods to Korrin, grabbing the nearest rope he can find (that isn't attached to anything super important on the ship) and tosses it over to her. "Let's get them on board first, then worry about their stuff. If... anything's left." Their ship does not look good, and he wouldn't be surprised if they lost their belongings in the process, as much as he hopes otherwise.

James glances over at Prompto, his head tilting to the side. He ... well he supposes it is done. Perhaps it was time for him to consider doing the same thing. Either way, he is going to keep this particular moment in focus. With some deft pulls on the rudder, and one hand tugging the sail, he manages to get them along side and call out to the women.

"We are with the Inquisition! We have come to help you!"

For after all, it is a Templar, a Qunari and a strange man from a strange place. They might be notably ... concerned about their appearance.

"Thanks." Flashing a smile at Prompto, Korrin takes the rope and secures it before jumping down into the chill waters. With the long-suffering pair ahead, she doesn't complain loudly about it as would be her usual inclination, instead covering the distance with some firm, swift strokes.

The visibly relieved pair -if they cared about appearances, that time is well past- wave back, and the one in stained and torn finery speaks up in an Antivan-accented voice. "Bless the Inquisition! We have been hanging by a thread for too long, did our crew send you here?"

"Nope, we were just patrolling." Korrin doesn't want to say it, but most likely bandits got them. "C'mon, let's get going. You've been stranded long enough and this really isn't a good place to linger."

The women seem all right, albeit a bit shaken up (of course). Prompto's glad they don't seem seriously injured, as they only have so much in terms of medical supplies on board. A serious injury would mean a hasty return back, with the fear of not making it in time.

He makes sure the rope's tied securely on their end before he glances over at the surrounding area, looking to see if anyone else was nearby. So far, so good.

James is busy keeping the sloop steady with the two women climbing aboard, so his gaze is free to cast about, looking for any possible currents that might be trouble. That ... was how he saw the bandits.

His green eyes widened, and he called out to Korrin, "Portside! Incoming!"

"Fuck." Of course their timing couldn't be any worse, that's always how these things go. She rushes to finish getting the ladies aboard, focusing more on speed than delicacy, and ignores protests about wanting to retrieve their goods from the stricken vessel. Once all are aboard, she glances over to the incoming ship and frowns, shaking her head.

"No time for that! This isn't a battleship, our only hope is to outdistance them. James, Prompto, we're ready. Let's move it!"

James beat him to announcing it just seconds ahead of Prompto. As soon as Korrin hits the deck, Prompto's pulling in the rope as quick as he can. This is a whole lot of Not Good. He's got his bow and arrows, of course, but shooting baddies on a moving ship from another moving ship wasn't going to be easy, not even with his good aim.

"Ladies, you might want to get below deck! This could get hairy!" Once the rope's in, he tosses it aside and grabs his weapon. "I'll shoot and see if that doesn't, uh, dissuade them. But get ready if they're faster than us."

James lets out a low curse, before he slides his shield over the two women as they move into the very small hull of the ship. Sloops are not ... known for their roomy accommodations, but at least they will be out of immediate harm. He grimly motions to the other two to toss him the ropes, as he mans the rudder.

"I am going to try to weave us through the coves!" He yelled to the other two, "Try to see what you two can do to discourage them following us!"

Korrin nods in encouragement at Prompto's suggestion, gesturing for the ladies to take cover. It's not comfortable, but it'll do. That done, she turns back to the approaching ship and nods grimly. "I haven't actually needed to do this before, so here goes--"

She falls silent, concentrating as she taps into the part of herself that can move mountains with the Fade's help. In this case, it's not mountains that move but the wind. A little lackluster before, it begins to pick up, pushing their vessel along at a significantly speedier pace than before. They're not out of the woods yet, but it's a boost...admittedly a boost that Korrin must continue to focus on, so no picking off pirates for her.

James is steering and Korrin's giving them a desperately needed headstart. With the women safe, that just leaves Prompto to deal with the bandits, who are after them with gusto. The artificial wind Korrin's making helps them stay ahead of the bandits, but not quite enough to deter them from giving chase. If speed won't do it, then perhaps pain will.

Prompto moves to the back of the sloop, arrow notched. Aiming with all the movement of the ship and waves, not to mention the movement of the bandits' ship, is going to be a nightmare. But Prompto does his best to take aim, kneeling to steady himself. The first arrow flies. It's a warning shot that hits the hull of their ship. He pauses a moment, waiting to see if they turn around and back off.

It's quickly apparent that they won't. So notching another arrow, he aims again, this time less in warning and more in 'okay now you've brought this on yourselves'. He fires, the arrow flying just past some of the bandits.

"Wow are they determined," he mutters as the ship presses on after theirs.

James gritted his teeth as the wind kicked up, tightening his grip down on the rudder and sails as the ship jumped forward. Not that he didn't appreciate the breeze, and the headstart. He just had to make sure they didn't ram first into the cove.

He looks over to the horizon, seeing if they sweep up along the coast they could lose them before making a run for Kirkwall. Dangerous, but possible...

Edited 2018-08-08 13:58 (UTC)

"Keep doing what you're doing, guys! We'll make it work!" Korrin yells above the wind that flares around her and the vessel, taking out a lyrium potion to down should she need to maintain concentration longer than thought. She knows she can't push them that much more, or James might lose control over the ship, and then they're all screwed. Now it's time for patience on her part, leaving it up to the others. She hates being patient.

The bandits still aren't deterred, and Prompto's still firing arrows at them. One lucky shot manages to pierce the guy driving their boat. Their vessel lurches to the side, almost hitting some rocks before another man manages to get it under control. It does, however, put them farther behind. And a resident archer on board their boat finally begins firing back, though his arrows land harmlessly in the water, for now. "They fell behind a bit! Now's our chance!"

James glances behind for a moment, long enough to see their pursuers ship languish behind them. He nods at Korrin, then at Prompto, before yelling at both of them, "Hold onto something!"

Then he is standing up, yanking the sails in as tightly as he can as he jerks the rudder right through the cove, the ship gliding along the edge of the reef like it is dancing on a knife's edge. To do this, he's nearly got the ship tipped sideways for a few breathless moments, before he rights it once more.

Korrin doesn't ease up on her manipulation of the winds, at all but she takes James' warning to heart. Gripping the railing, she stares back out at their pursuing boat, smirking as she can see Prompto's news is accurate. But that smirk falls away quickly, caught up in their own perilous situation.

"Shitshitshitshit--"

And once James's rights the ship, she lets out a breath she didn't realize was being held. "...that was close."

"Huh - AH!" Prompto barely registers the warning before the ship is tipping. He's gripping his bow in one hand, so he only has the other to grab onto the gunwale. It's a tenuous grip, and his fingers begin slipping rather quickly. In but a moment, he loses his grip and he slides towards the side of the boat tipped towards the reef. Luckily, just as he does, James rights the boat. The good news is, he doesn't go into the water. The bad news is, he crashes into the side of the boat in a tangled mess of limbs and bow. "Ow."

James exhaled slowly, as the ship was righted once more, and only then he glanced behind them. Then he jerked his gaze forward again, "We lost them! ... Prompto, are you all right?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Bae-Watching - Closed

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

So sorry, I got no notification for this!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject