The Golden Hunter: Aiming For A Punch In The Nose
Dirk is playing captain as he waits on his unusual ship. He stands near the gangplank to welcome people aboard.
Quinlan is the first to step aboard. And looks, first, for a high place to get to. "Sure you're okay with this?" he asks. "I mean...wood, shark teeth..."
Dirk nods, we sit high in the water. its a catamaran.
Justin arrives with his usual sense of being there at the right time and place except when it probably isn't going to go well. He has with him the very same huge travel carry-box he had the other day and looks totally unprepared to be on a sea-voyage or any kind of adventure. "Lord Dirk." He smiles at the Captain with some trepidation. It would be the first time he's set foot on a boat, too. He eyes the vessel with a little bead of sweat and wide eyes. Ehn... He might be wishing he was back in the wine cellar.
A figure, cloaked against the eyes of dock workers and stray cats, moves down toward the appointed berth. Stepping up onto the gangplank, Harper lifts her head and lowers the hood that shrouds her features. Sunlight glimmers from the scales that cover her craggy, bark-like skin. She draws a smallish wagon behind her. Quiver upon quiver of arrows have been strapped to the contraption. Nictitating membranes flicker over extremely blue eyes as she nods to Dirk, "Captain." She waits quietly for Justin to step on up before going up herself.
Dirk says" I would like to welcome you all to the Golden Coconut. "
Striding quickly down the dock from the harbour master's office, Maggie darts up the gangplank. She nods a smile to Dirk, "Hey, there. Ready when you are, Captain." She glances at Harper and Justin, offering each a smile. Though Harper's appearance gives her momentary pause, she moves on quickly enough, "Hey, Quinlan. Kerf is getting set up in the Solar Flare. Want me to trump him to let him know when it is time?"
Ruby arrives at the dock armed for bear. Pistol slung to her side, ridiculous sword at her back and a bent knife strapped to her calf. She gives Harper a long look and then navigates the gangplank once there's an opportunity. The big gal is distinctly uneasy. Sidling over beside the railing, she kneads her toes against the decking as if it could provide the same feel as luxurious carpet.
Miriam accompanied Maggie onto the ship, following from the office. Being above the water rather than under it, she's more dressed than usual. She's in her pirate duds again, a red blouse under a tightly-laced black corset, and black pants and boots. Her silver hair is held a little at bay with a red bandana, and she wears a sword at her side. She looks around at the others, smiling to those she knows, and looking at those she doesn't with a polite smile.
Quinlan gives Dirk a nautical map with an area and route clearly marked. "We'll likely encounter him - and the Hunt - along this line," he says. "You've got to get as close as you can, and then ...get his attention, his *direct and undivided* attention, any way you can. Spit in his eye, kick him in the nuts, give him a penguin, whatever works. And once he's good and mad at you, we've got to get this ship and everyone on it to Alhambra as fast as we can. Okay? You can do that part?"
Justin looks positively relieved upon seeing Ruby there. He boards the boat in kind of a shuffle, his staff poking the way to make sure things are steady. He sways slightly once on deck as he attempts to get his footing.
Dirk laughs " a4 foot tall penguin to peck him in the nose. since we don't have a bomb to shove up his nose yet."
Harper slides a glance over to Dirk, a slow grin touching her face, "Is that what you have been working on? That is pretty great." She nods toward the front of the ship, "I'll just set up over there, if that is okay?" She does trundle-bump her wagon up onto the ship, then eases around the others to head to a 'likely spot' to shoot from.
Ruby runs her tongue along her teeth and finds a small whatchamacallit from her previous meal. She leans over the railing and gives back to the sea. She tries to follow it down the high sides of the Catamaran. Pushing herself back to face those gathered, she notes Justin, and a lopsided grin contorts the left side of her mouth.
Dirk looks at Harper, "sounds like a plan Stan."
Quinlan smiles toward Justin, Harper, and all the others. "Some of you know what's coming. Some of you are about to find out, but here's the upshot. We're going to be sailing into the heart of a living storm. Every predator of sea and sky is going to be between us and the target, a golden god - you'll know him when we get in view, he's really hard to miss. Before that, though, the sky will be full of birds that normally wouldn't give you a second thought but tonight they're going to try and eat your eyeballs. And the water will be full of every sea creature you know and a lot you don't, trying to rip this ship apart. I'll summon lightning to stun the fish, but that's going to result in a feeding frenzy - it'll spare the boat itself, but if you fall overboard I hope you've set your affairs in order or have a magically impervious skin. Ranger Harper," and he nods toward her, "Has brought arrows. Lots of. If you can fire a bow, or otherwise take out the birds, please do." He pauses. "You're going to find out if you're a predator or you're prey. Try not to take it personally. And if you hear the Hunter's song...*really* try not to listen to it."
Liya sticks with Maggie, still not quite sure what she's doing here. Course the Sukhoti woman has been very scarce of late, for some reason. But she is here, quiet, and simply at the moment watching thoughtfully.
Justin's eyes are rather huge. He clutches his bag to his chest and quickly finds somewhere to stow it. He pockets small pouch and clears his throat as he stands steadfast. "Unicorn bless and keep you all." He makes a small prayer to the light of the great lady.
Miriam gives her attention to Quinlan as he explains, also staying near Maggie, and her milky eyes widen a lot. At the comment about being either predator or prey, her pale cheeks darken though she doesn't look inclined to explain which one she expects. She says to him "I have wind and wave at my command. Wind can help against the birds, but can also throw arrows off-course. I can keep the winds to one side of the ship?"
Harper turns a grin back over one shoulder at Dirk. Seems she does not mind being 'Stan' so much. The grin dies when Quinlan speaks. Nodding, she adds, "If anyone else can shoot, please join me. I have bows to spare." She settles her own bow to one side for a moment. Unslinging her cloak, she pushes it out of the way. There are bows lashed to the sides of the wagons. Looking over at Quinlan, she nods, "Already know which I am. If I start going bibbly, knock me out." The mage is given a smile, though her eyes turn to Ruby as though giving the larger woman the same permission.
Pausing at the top of the gangway, Maggie waits for Liyandra. When the other makes it, she offers a quick hug, then moves away from the plank. "I'm going to set up near the sails, if you want to join me? I'll need to gather the wind." Looking up, then around the ship, she muses, "Different shapes... Different mass. It may be a bumpy ride until I get a feel for it."
Liya returns Maggie's hug and moves forward, light footed and at ease aboard ship. She listens to Quinlan and her eyes widen. "I think I've seen this before," she murmurs, finally speaking. She recalls a begman water breathing apparatus among other things.
Mab boards the ship at the head of a long column of heavily cloaked figures. While the occasional tail, horn or hoof protrudes, efforts are made to keep their natures relatively less obvious. The mildly concealed Formori spread out across the decks of the ship, spears and axes held grimly ready. Mab herself is similarly hooded and cloaked as she presents Captain Dirk with a nod and a smile. "I am here as Prince Gerard requested. To aid you against the Hunter."
Dirk is starting to give orders to his crew to prepare for liftoff.
Dirk turns to Mab, " your presence and assistance is most welcome and appreciated. "
Quinlan nods agreement, bowing toward Mab - though a bit carefully, nose twitching not unlike a rabbit's. "Um. Hi. And yes. Every bit of help is really appreciated."
As the vessel sails out of the docks and into open water...well, it almost seems normal, if it weren't for the crowded deck.
Justin eyes all the people, finds a good place to stand and looks a wee bit queasy. All these people.. not enough wine. He takes a flask from within his robes and quickly drinks from it.
Ruby makes her way over to the spare bows. Harper's unique qualities snare her again. She makes an effort of returning the smile and then directs her attention to the bows. The comment was heard, noted, but she's a little uncertain at what was hinted at. She takes one of the weapons and notes the quality and make. "These be...noice." she rubs the bowstring between finger and thumb but doesn't string it to the weapon just yet. With a sniff, she shoulders off her tunic. The bindings underneath are unwound to temporarily expose herself for a more efficient re-wrapping.
Dirk busies himself with the things that Captains do when they do the things that captains do.
Maggie glances over toward Mab and waves, a cheerful smile on her face, "Hello! It is good to see you again." As the ship pulls from the docks, she turns forward and lifts her hands briefly. Concentrating, she begins to build up the wind filling the sails. Every now and then she turns a glance to the sea around them.
Liya watches as Ruby goes over to the bows, and she then heads that way as well, pausing to nod politely to the arriving Mab. "Ranger Harper, it is good to see you again," she says. "Are you loaning out bows? If so, I should perhaps borrow one?"
Harper looks up as Mab comes aboard. She inclines her head in greeting, but does not smile. Her gaze lingers, harder, searching. Distracted as Ruby comes forward, she looks up at the woman and nods, "I am glad you like it. If it suits you, you can have it." Gesturing to the wagon filled with quiver upon quiver of arrows, she adds, "Help yourself. The Rangers of Arden made these, so they will fly true." Looking down again, Harper offers Liyandra a smile, "You as well and yes. Please help yourself, Liyandra. Or is it Ranger now? I fear that I have lost track."
Miriam finds herself a place where she isn't in the way of people coming and going, and it's probably a good thing. No sooner have they set off than her expression fades and she seems to be watching something far away. Those that know her will have no trouble telling that she's having a vision. Then again, she has a lot of those. Her forehead wrinkles, and there's a slight frown.
Quinlan obligingly clears a little space on the deck by taking his staff in hand and flying lightly up the mast, to find a spot to stand on a beam where his free hand can hang on to the mast for support.
The vessel's making good time; with this many wind-mages around, that's probably not a coincidence. The silhouette of Amber recedes, and the stars dance gently as Shadows shift.
Justin looks at Miriam curiously, "What are you... are you alright miss?" He can't help but wonder as he stares at her and everything else. All the wonderful things around him he's only ever read about in books. He looks also over at Ruby. "Miss Ruby.. that looks painful, perhaps I can help you."
Rising from the wave crests and creating her own furrowed wake, the massive sea horse head off to starboard matches the Coconut's wind-fueled speed, and even swivels her serpentine neck to give the catamaran a fascinated look with her great big crystal eye-spheres and her fluted 'Oooh!'-shaped snout. A hollow thump emanates and squeals briefly from the sculpted metallic creature before Merrisol's voice resounds: "Ahoy the Golden Coconut. Captain, you are cleared to pass through the Rebman Triangle as needed on your way to the target's coordinates." Those with especially attuned hearing would notice the amplified sound emerges from the creature's ear-fins instead of its schnozz. With that, the Solar Flare trails then dives again to head towards that pre-calculated Sea destination by her own power, unless she is towed along in the shadow-shifting wake.
Mab likewise nods to Quinlan, Liyandra, and others present, M&M also get a smile, while Ruby gets a wink added on. Harper a solemn nod. She then moves to stand on the aft quarter deck, eyes searching the waves as her cloak flaps in the wind.
Liya blinks, and then shakes her head, blue eyes dancing. "I am still just Liya," she says. "No ranger here." Quinlan's flight catches attention and she glances that way, waving briefly. And then she examines the bows, picking one that seems suitable, as well as a quiver of arrows. "Thank you, I expect this will come in handy." She has her shears, those made by a certain glass-forger.
Harper's gaze returns to Ruby as she unwraps. A blink and she lifts both brows, "What happened to you?" It is sort of blurted out, then half swallowed, "Uh. If you are okay with the question." Her voice stills as a massive sea horse head rises from the ocean. She takes up her bow and notches an arrow, quick as anything. Taking aim, she studies the target for a moment and then? It... talks. She lowers the bow, frowning, "I... What is that?" Because then? It is gone.
Dirk takes the most direct route to his goal and is curiously focused as he give orders.
As the stars come out, their light reflects below through Miriam as she glows softly. She continues to stare off, pale again, though she also speaks quietly. "So much blood and fury... feathers and wrath..." She gasps softly, and adds "The Hunter. Feeding them and fed by them..."
Though she is paying attention to the wind she is gathering and feeding to the sails, Maggie takes a moment to blow a kiss to her husband via the Solar Flare's head. Her gaze follows the Flare as it sinks into the sea. If Merrisol somehow saw the gesture, that is great. If not, she will find a way to let him know about it later. With that, she looks forward once more and her attention is caught by Miriam's glow. Such a lovely sight. With such... horrifying words. She reaches toward the Tir Princess, but does not touch her. Don't want to muck up the vision...
From above, on his perch on the mast, a few can hear Quinlan's regretful muttering. "Could've asked Mom to train me, but *oh, no*. Not me. No, I had to volunteer for the post-graduate practicum. And why? Because I'm an idiot. Yessir. Just like great-uncle Yoshiro said. Not got the sense to keep my paws out of the snares, he said. Bigass snare ahead, paws going right into it, yessir, not gonna *live* to see nine. Because I *volunteered* for the *post-graduate practicum*..."
Ruby turns to face Justin, all nekkid from the waist up. In her hands she's got her linen wraps, the wind catching them and flapping them about. Maybe helpfully distracting with all that whipping movment. She eyes the Friar curiously. "Whut?" Apart from superficial scratches and healing wounds, there is no major wound upon her flesh. She's a damned exhibitionist! She holds forth the wraps to Justin slowly as he seems to want to help. She is distracted by the sight of Mab before regarding both Harper and Justin. "S'alroight. Just gotta git...com-pact. Don't wanna catch fletchin or...snag. On nuthin." Her head swivels over towards the appearance and disappearance of the Solar Flare.
Dirk is getting a trump call?
Harper lowers her bow, head tilting to one side just a little. The wind that fills the sails and flapps Ruby's bandages do nothing to distract her though they tug at her clothing. Turning, she frowns over the sea, "It comes. Or we are getting closer. Or both." She stands near the pile of arrows, the bow rising into position. Now, this bow is a special one, different from the others.
Justin gazes up to the mast where the man is muttering and just takes everything in at once. He swallows nervously when Miriam speaks. "Not that bad... surely not. Unicorn have mercy on us..." He makes the sign of the unicorn and whispers a little player. "Here let me help you with that." Justin looks over to miriam for a moment to make sure she's ok. He takes the wraps with an experts hands and studies the wounds. "You need to be more careful." He tells her sternly. "Those scars could get infected. But let me do a little something here.. and I'll give you some ointment for them later." He gently begins to wrap as she needs.
Miriam blinks a little, her focus returning. For a moment, anyway. She starts to say something, and then her attention again goes off into a somewhere else. This time, she starts to look unwell and shivers a little before saying quietly "So much blood..." That can't be good.
Kincaid appears suddenly, grasping Dirk's hand.
Dirk gives Kincaid a *look* and nods" welcome to the crazy crew of the Golden Coconut. "/
Maggie is keeping the sails filled with wind, though her attention lifts to look out over the waters. "Uh. Yeah. That's the same haze we saw before the attack last time." She might go on, but Miriam takes her attention. Stepping forward, she does take Miriam in her arms, wrapping the other woman up in a hug intended to be comforting or supportive rather than distracting. She glances over as Dirk gets a trump call, then smiles on seeing who it is. Relief is writ large in her gaze, "Kincaid! Good!" Then? She has to return her concentration to holding the wind to give the ship speed!
Liya's gaze is on the distance, a thoughtful look on her face, as she checks out her new bow, making sure she is as ready as she can be.
Dirk smiles and the ship lifts out of the water a bit and skips along as she picks up speed so things get a little bouncy. Oops.
The Song is now clearly audible, for those with hearts to hear it. The Song of the Hunt; join, pursue. Track down your prey, rend it, devour. Revel in survival. For those using the normal five senses, the cries of a million angry birds can just be heard.
Ruby notes Harper's warning and quickly tries to follow her lead, getting her lent bow ready. "Toight. Make't toight." the big woman rasps, feeling the effects of adrenaline and anxiety threading through her body. A quick glance to the available arrows and she looks about herself for a good place to stand and draw and not impede Harper or Liya. "Ooooh, fook."
Dirk starts to bounce and grin.
Miriam shivers again, muttering something not quietly enough about winged death, though when Maggie take her in a hug she suddenly wakes from the vision and looks around her a little wild-eyed. Then, she returns the hug tightly and whispers something to her friend. Then there's another sort of shiver though, and her eyes sharpen a little as she tenses. Yes, she clearly hears it.
Quinlan winces, and raises his shiny-crystal-tipped staff, shouting a spell skyward. The stars, the pretty stars, soon disappear behind gathering clouds, and the sea air carries an ozone tang.
Dirk yells "can we go.faster?/this is fun !"
Liya quietly gets set, a calm expression on her face, whatever she might be feeling. It doesn't show. She frowns at the incoming cluds, arching a brow, as she glances briefly over at Quinlan, and then to Maggie. A pause and she rubs her arms briefly, muttering something in Sukhoti, the language lyrical and flowing, even if she's just cussing.
Oh hey look, ruby... Justin conviently stands behind her.
RPG: Justin challenges a difficulty of 9. Justin chooses Wits and the gifts FTH-DA and STY-LK. Justin almost succeeds.
RPG: Harper challenges a difficulty of 10. Harper chooses Resolve and the gifts BLD-LY, BOW-AW, BOW-WG, STY-MH, STY-RG, and WIN-WS. Harper succeeds.
RPG: Maggie challenges a difficulty of 10. Maggie chooses Resolve and the gifts BLD-OB and STY-PI. Maggie succeeds.
RPG: Dirk challenges a difficulty of 10. Dirk chooses Wits and the gifts BLD-OB, BLD-ST, PHY-KS, SKL-DS, STY-PI, and STY-SW. Dirk succeeds.
RPG: Miriam challenges a difficulty of 10. Miriam chooses Wits and the gifts FTH-DA, SEA-ST, SKL-DS, WIN-AH, and WIN-WS. Miriam succeeds.
RPG: Merrisol challenges a difficulty of 10. Merrisol chooses Resolve and the gifts SKL-SC and SKL-TD. Merrisol almost succeeds.
RPG: Consumed Mab's token DNO 'Winter's Bite' for a +3 bonus.
RPG: Mab challenges a difficulty of 10. Mab chooses Resolve and the gifts PAS-MH, PPL-MI, and SKL-GU. She expends token DNO. Mab succeeds.
RPG: Liyandra challenges a difficulty of 10. Liyandra chooses Resolve and the gifts PHY-KS and SKL-DS. Liyandra succeeds.
RPG: Quinlan challenges a difficulty of 10. Quinlan chooses Grace and the gifts ARC-BM, ARC-FT, ARC-MA, ARC-SM, and BLD-OB. Quinlan succeeds.
Miriam nods to Maggie, then once she's let go turns her gaze towards the oncoming avian storm. Her hands rise as though preparing a spell, and while some of her glow dims as the stars hide behind clouds, it isn't gone entirely. Her attention is both above the sea and below, though she can't see the sea creatures. What she can do is force the current to bend to her will, to keep the creatures there that aren't stunned off the hull as much as possible. And then there are the birds, and her other hand is sweeping broadly to use the wind against them.
RPG: Harper declares that she owns this token:
-------------------------------------------------------------------[ dwb ]----
Author: Harold Held By: Harper
Date: Fri Nov 15 10:27:34 2013 Focus: 3
Title: Heart Seeker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Created via Yeoman's Bow (REC-YB): power-token rechargeable special token-3 type-magic
Gift description:
Explicitly a bow, made of strong yew wood. Without expending the token, all arrows shot from the bow fly swift, true, and with great power such that they can pierce armor even at their maximum range (about 400 yards). Additionally, the draw is supple, such that one needn't possess great strength to use the bow to great effect.
By expending the token, the power of the bow is greatly increased; the force with which they strike can unhorse riders, pierce stone, or even pass through multiple opponents if they line up right. The arrows are mystically hardened until just after they strike, potentially creating puzzling scenarios.
Any gifts which apply to bows in general also apply to these bows, greatly increasing their utility in the right hands.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Token Description
This weapon speaks not of poetry or grace, but of the power of the archer. The bow is around six feet in length made of the polished heart wood of the sacred yew tree. The staff has been carved and lovingly polished until the grain of the wood stands out as if illuminated. The string is sinew or gut of some sort covered in resin to offer protection from the elements. This does not seem the weapon of a novice, no this seems to be created for the hand of a master of the art of the bow.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RPG: Harper used the following +declare targets: Golden Coconut
Harper hears that call, that invitation. Hears it and knows it for the call of evil. Indescriminate hunting, wanton death. These are the hallmarks of the sort of foe she revels in fighting. Revels in hunting down and ending. No, she won't be joining the hunt but will try to turn it topsy turvy until the hunt becomes the hunted. Before the birds are on them, before they seem to be in range, she draws the string of her bow and begins to let arrows fly. One after another after another. Why? Well... The arrows sail in quick succession, lifted by a friendly breeze. They do fly straight and true.
The Hunt breaks over the vessel like the living storm it is. A swarm of birds, big and small and every one angry and going for the kill, trying to rip the sails and the people on board. And below, the waters churn with the numbers of sea creatures, shark and octopus and creatures unnamed in any surface tongue. As Harper's arrows take out the first targets they fall to be devoured by creatures in the water.
Justin knew coming on this adventure may have been a bad idea. The IDEA of combat is grand. One can prepare for it every day and learn about everything you need to do but when actually faced with it.. faced with a dirge of birds and things and ... it's all coming at once in a brand new terrain is a completely different story. The reality of combat catches him nearly completely unawares and instead of being the competent protector he had envisioned in all those stories and songs in his head fueled by wine he in fact almost bumps into Ruby trying to protect her when a bird dive-bombs him. He only manages to protect himself by throwing up his hands in front of his face and holding one of them out in random hope. The bird makes contact and... fizzles. Into nothing and he tries to orient himself dodging and slamming his staff against the heads of the things. Every so often one gets close enough to him but it's all he can do to stop the things from getting to him. He's pretty good with that staff though, swinging it here and there expertly. Bonk, thunk, fizzle. Bonk, thunk, fizzle. Woosh! Watch out for that staff behind you, Ruby.
RPG: Justin declares that he has the Dissolving Aura (ALC-DA) gift. Use '+gift ALC-DA' to view the gift description. Last edit: 12 months ago.
RPG: Justin used the following +declare targets: Golden Coconut
Dirk bounced towards the bow of the ship drawing his sword.
Liya hears the song, that call, and her expression changes, face darkening as her spine stiffens for a moment. Her attention focuses on herself first. Join that - No. No such unnatural - no. Outrage shows, and then she starts with the bow, and arrows. She's not the world's greatest archer, but with this mass of flying things, she doesn't have to be. She also starts to feel out the animals nearest the Coconut, the birds and such in the sky, using her empathy to push them to attack each other, where she can. Where there's an inch of greedy hunger she can latch onto. This means her arrows fly slower than others, but they still fly through the air and off the ship.
Ruby nabs an arrow and pulls it back. The creak of the string and the bending of the bow loud in her ear. But the call of the hunt is having its effect. And it's not without a certain siren call. Yeah...Yeah...Why not. Her arrow wavers in position. Her fingers slip on the fletchings and her first arrow arcs out managing to steal only a feather in the bird-storm. She curses and nearly swings into Justin's arc of staff waving. It's almost a disaster. She gives her head a shake and a bird catches her on the shoulder and careens solidly off her head. She nabs another arrow, well behind the quota of the others similarily armed. A beak tears into her abdomen and the pain flashes sharply through her muddied thoughts. With a shriek she starts grabbing and firing arrows faster and more accurately, though not every shot is a kill. Nothing is very clean, even as she swipes at another inbound target with the actual bow when she doesn't have a chance to use an arrow.
Miriam breathing is hard as she moves sea and air, though her eyes are bright and very sharp. As much as anyone can tell given they cannot really be seen. Her face also shows a darkness that is usually hidden as she contends with the song of the Hunter, but she keeps that darkness focused on striking at his frenzied minions. As the lightning makes her need to protect the ship less, she focuses on having the current help propel the ship forward and through. Meanwhile, the hand directing the air moves fast and hard to strike at the birds coming too close, smashing them into the deck when possible. Though, it's those coming too close to others. For some reason, she is not proving to be their target of choice.
Frowning in concentration, Maggie twists her hands in front of her, then brings them apart. She might not need to use the visuals, though she frequently does. Maybe she should consider getting a staff. Anyway. The wind she calls pushes the ship faster, though a pair of branching blasts circle around the sails, around Quinlan's position, whooshing to catch as many birds as possible in a mini=whirl that then tears apart to fling them off into the sea. One hand lifts and she begins calling sparking flames to her fingertips. These lance out and up, landing in feathers and growing. Diverting a bit of her attention from keeping the wind in the sails, she spares some attention to keeping the burning birds from falling onto the deck or crashing into the sails.
Mab's face is a pale mask, appearing unmoved by the Hunter's pounding call, then she makes a casual flick with her left hand and the Fomori, as one, allow their hoods to drop and cloaks to fly open, stretching and stamping as they leap to rend anything coming close to the ship with claw, tooth, horn and weapon. With her right hand, she reaches out, as if to cup the skies with her palm, and as she closes her fist a bone-deep chill descends upon the ship, while across the area /beyond/ it's decks...icy death. Countless feathered bodies freeze solid in mid-flap, then plummet like stones into the swirling sea.
Harper is vaguely aware of the movements of the others, though she does not stop in her movements. Shot after shot is sent into the cloud of birds or down into the sea. It is Ruby's hesitation that draws her attention from the job at hand. Glancing over, she notes the other woman's first shot and offers her a quick smile of understanding. It's hard. Ignoring that call. When Ruby comes around and refocuses on the here and now rather than the Siren's song, Harper's attention refocuses and there is relief in her expression.
Although it cannot be readily heard above the waves, the Solar Flare is broadcasting as it goes along, calling out to all the nearby schools of foraging fish, herring and capelins, and a crowd of sardines too. Just for the halibut! Like a great silvery cloud undersea, the flock darts fluidly around the submersible, lured by Merrisol's apparently dulcet bubbling and the strobing pattern of the propulsive elements along the vessel's hull. Chasing the underside shape of the allied ship from deeper below, the Flare's onboard sonar capabilities pick up the incredible disturbance in the waters ahead, and her crew quail at their stations on the bridge at the sight of a wide froth coming at the Catamaran. Standing at the periscope controls, Merrisol gives the order to rise at the current racing speed, until the sub and her globulous forcefield crash headlong into the lower portion of The Hunt. The large glass viewport is immediately darkened with squirming spatter as the prey fish are set upon by ravenous critters, and the scaly bodies are plowed and bunted by the SF's headlong careening. "Follow!" Merrisol commands through the externals, pouring all his efforts into reaching out for those gnashing predatory animal minds around the sub as the SF descends blindly at a gradual angle.
His Begman sonar operator cries out a warning as a particularly large bullshark suddenly rams the viewport, great jaws scraping and scoring the tempered glass, and the SF reels sharply off course and heads surfacewards, while crazed marine hunters pursue. The Solar Flare breeches the Sea's surface like a humpback, turning in a horribly slow-motion pirouette, before crashing back down into its own surf, oar-fins pointing in all upwards directions. Flail!