Blue Skies

The man in the middle of that spectacle at the tavern was amongst the men left in the room. The number of bodies occupying the space was rapidly decreasing, much to Tommy's dismay. Thoughts ran through his mind about what was happening to those taken away. He hoped the women weren't being victimized somehow.

"So... what do you make of our situation, sir?"

 

"So... what do you make of our situation, sir?"

A new voice came behind me. I looked up from my pocket watch and up at the new man. I paused for a moment, thinking of what I wanted to say. "Well, I don't really think we're ever going to be let go." He said softly, looking back down and gathering the tools he had been using and packing them into one of his pockets, shoving the watch into another.

"Um, what about you?" He asked standing up.

 

The words came out soft, he had little to no faith in freedom. Tommy had never really known freedom, as he was a slave to circumstance all his life. He pondered what was said. The man might very well be right, there was a great possibility they wouldn't make it back.

"Um, what about you?"

"I'm not exactly certain of my take on this matter. I must say this is my first kidnapping. I don't think I can honestly call myself an expert on hostage situations. But it isn't in me to give up hope so easily. How do you do? I'm Thomas Adams."

He flashed a smile and extended his hand to the man.

 

Sam removed a glove and took the offered hand, and shook it, not quite sure what to make of this man. "Sam Fredricks, call me Sam, please." He said softly. He didn't really like the man, seemed the type to cause truble, and Sam had been shaken enough for one day.

 

"A pleasure. Thomas will suffice as far as I'm concerned."

Something about Sam didn't seem quite right. Perhaps too much was being read into the glare, but it seemed that Sam had some sort of issue. Whatever his boggle, Tommy wasn't one to pry.

He looked around after fixing his hair. There was nothing really to discuss. He grabbed his pocket watch to check the time. He forgot all about his brother Randy. The two might not be able to see each other in the two days they scheduled. He would have to sit back and take the events as they come for the time being.

 

The boy was bright, witty and arrogant. A dangerous combination in any situation, even more so now. Never the less Desmond didn’t flinch at the man’s words. He had expected the boy to be scared, instead he seemed to be… enjoying himself. Although perhaps enjoying wasn’t the right word. “As long as no one tries anything stupid, I am sure I can.” He drank the last of his tea before putting the cup away. He turned to the women.

“You already know my name, so I believe it is only fair for me to know yours.” The smile was back on his face, but it was difficult to retain it. He was feeling weary, and there were plenty of things he still needed to take care of.

 

Danny sensed that the man didn't think much of him. It was obvious that Desmond thought that he was just a child. He didn't know the horrors that Danny had already experienced. How could he? Danny felt offended by the man's demeanor. So he decided to cook up a convincingly afraid "I just want to go back home." He even managed to force out a few tears. He felt it sounded convincing enough, as he made sure a lot of fear went into it. The man was obviously not going to break so he felt it best to play every card he could. With his eyes wet and his voice choked, Danny felt overplaying his fears was the safest thing for him right now.

 

“You already know my name, so I believe it is only fair for me to know yours.”

Catrin hesitated, glancing round at Rose and Myra. She could see no real harm in telling Monroe their names, but still part of her was reluctant to give away her identity. But perhaps she was just being foolish. It wasn’t like refusing Monroe’s request gave her any more power.

Finally, she turned round and shrugged.

“Catrin Thornton,” she introduced herself.

 

"Rose Daughney," Rose replied after Catrin did, politely but with a clear disdain as though she had flicked a coin to a beggar.

What was wrong with her? Rose knew it would probably get her much farther to play nice with this man but she couldn't seem to do it. She was offended to the pit of her soul that he had taken her freedom so easily and spoke of the regrettable necessity of hurting people. On top of it all, he didn't even have the grace to be bad-looking.

 

Rory listened to the conversation going on around him. He wasn't sure if the question had been directed at him but he thought he'd throw in another dash of pessimism.

"This is a good ship, they won't catch us before we cross the border. If we haven't already, I'm not sure to be honest on our posistion. Once we're past the border unless the guild intervene we won't see our home again. Then it fall's down to if they're willing to bargain for us. They won't have give in, it will be a matter of pride and unless you know something about this group I don't i don't think we will be deemed "valuable" enough. We're probably stay alive for at least a month then it will depend on if they see any use for us... assuming they don't already have one."

Couldn't make a much better first impression if he tried. Just dash their hopes straight away. The woman and boy weren't here it didn't matter about hitting people with the reality. Some people seemed to be taken it in their stride. Like an adventure.

 

Rory listened to the conversation going on around him. He wasn't sure if the question had been directed at him but he thought he'd throw in another dash of pessimism.

"This is a good ship, they won't catch us before we cross the border. If we haven't already, I'm not sure to be honest on our posistion. Once we're past the border unless the guild intervene we won't see our home again. Then it fall's down to if they're willing to bargain for us. They won't have give in, it will be a matter of pride and unless you know something about this group I don't i don't think we will be deemed "valuable" enough. We're probably stay alive for at least a month then it will depend on if they see any use for us... assuming they don't already have one."

Couldn't make a much better first impression if he tried. Just dash their hopes straight away. The woman and boy weren't here it didn't matter about hitting people with the reality. Some people seemed to be taken it in their stride. Like an adventure.

 

Miles sat in silence, hearing the conversation around him, but not really listening as he continued to draw. He had gotten up only a few times in the course of the time he spent there; to go sharpen his pencil on the jagged edge of a metal box. It was a crude job, but it allowed him to continue.

A small stack of papers had begun to accumulate beside him, and still he kept drawing. The others discussed escape, and informed one another of their opinions, but the future would come despite what they said. And it appeared at the moment that there was precious little they could do to change it.

A formless white sheet once again became art...

 

Danny pushed his tears aside, intentionally slowly so he'd be convincing. He said to Desmond, "Knowing our names, will it change anything? Will it finally make us people to you." Danny took a deep breathe. "I'm Danny Hale. I apologize again for any grief I've caused you. I just want to go home." Danny kept his demeanor free of emotion.

 

“Well then, Miss Thorton, Miss Daughney. Danny Hale. Welcome to the HMS Humility. You will be brought to your sleeping quarters now, I’m afraid I won’t be joining you. I have some vessels to outrun and a Guild to avoid.” There was no need to be snide, but perhaps the boy had put him on an edge more then he was willing to confess. And there were a hundred things to do. He walked to the door, peeking out just in time to see two crewman pass by. He signalled at them. “You two, follow him,” he pointed at the armed guard that had sat quietly throughout the encounter, “And escort the ladies to the sleeping quarters. And if I get any complains about indecent behaviour, you’ll have to answer to Sara.”

The men grinned, then saluted. Desmond started heading down a pair of stairs, heading for cargo hold C1 one last time. He nodded at Terence and opened the door. “Everyone, get your feet. We are moving you to a different location. Something a bit more hospitable.” The remaining men got to their feet, and Desmond wondered if he made a mistake by not talking to these people in private. Then again, there simply wasn’t time.

The trip to the sleeping quarters was short and uneventful, and as the last of the civilians were moved trough the heavy steel doors, Desmond let out a small sigh of relief. So far so good, everything had gone according to plan. “Have someone bring food up. Two guards at both doors. One guard remains at the door at all times. If something comes up, inform me or the Second Lieutenant.” He turned on his heels and started heading towards the bridge. Muffled voices could be heard trough the metal walls. He wondered if they were planning their escape yet.

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*Everyone is now located in the sleeping quarters.
*Feel free to interact and NPC any guards where necessary.
*Please, now major breakouts while I’m asleep
*For more info/a map of the area, see the discussion forum.

 

Monroe surfaced again this time with orders to get to their feet. He casually obliged. There was little reason to stay here and resisting would gain him nothing but some more injuries as they wound through the passages he noted the area with interest. It was a shame they wouldn't be getting their own private chat he would have liked to enquire about the ship. He knew a captain never passed up a chance to discuss his ship. It wasn't exactly the right situation but hell he'd had no conversation so far and getting in with Monroe wouldn't have been a bad thing.

He entered the room and was relieved to see they were re united with the others. So they were all safe, that was good at least. Food? How very hospitable. The door closed before he got a chance to say a joke. Hell he'd say it anyway. "So when do we get the menu? Tell me is there a vegetarian alternative by any chance?"

 

And then Desmond dumped them in their quarters and brushed them off, just like that.

What did that bother her? Rose sniffed, feeling unsettled as she wandered deeper in to their quarters.

Of course I'm unsettled, I'm a prisoner!

These surroundings were much better than the cargo hold. Actual beds and some light. With any luck they would be fed as well. A wave of homesickness hit Rose and for a moment all she could do was wish intensely that she was back home. Even if it meant hanging around with Richard, Carmine, and Wet Ben. She missed Amy and hoped her cousin wouldn't worry too much.

 

Luke sat in silence, drifting in out of sleep. Each time he woke the numbers of the group had diminished.

“Everyone, get your feet. We are moving you to a different location. Something a bit more hospitable.”

The voice woke him and he stood, glancing at Monroe darkly as he passed. Was the man playing games with him? The sooner he got to the point and asked for money, the sooner Luke could buy his freedom and go back to his life. He walked down the corridor in moody silence with the other men Monroe had not deemed worthy of his time, hands buried deep in his overcoat pockets. The alcohol was wearing off now, exposing him to the harsh reality of his situation.

The sleeping quarters looked a slight improvement from the cargo hold. It was still not his four poster bed in his luxurious apartment where he should have been.

"So when do we get the menu? Tell me is there a vegetarian alternative by any chance?"

Luke snorted. “Ask for the wine list.”

He pulled his collar up, feeling the familiar luxury brush his neck. He walked to the bed in the corner and wrinkled his nose as he picked a piece of fluff off the cover before stretching out on the surface and trying to get comfortable.

 

Sam sat down unhappily on the lower bunk of one of the beds and looked around. He spotted the window and got up to looking out it. Only a moment of longing to be in a real craft, free and ready to go. "Are you all really just going to sit around and let them do what they like?" He asked in a soft voice glancing at the hinges. He could pop them easiliy enough with his tools. The only problem would be the gaurds. Of course ventilation was always availible. But still gaurds would hear. He wasn't one to fight, but he just wanted out of here. He was used to freedom and this place felt like it was draining his soul. He scowled knowing that no one had listened to him yet.

He returned to his seat and sighed. He slipped off his coveralls, underneith he was wearing a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt. They were clean in comparison to his coveralls and face. He folded his coveralls nicly, knowing that the tools in the pockets might come in handy, and then slipped off his gloves and laid them on top of the pile at the end of his bunk.

He sighed, sat back on the bed and then flopped down wondering if he should just go to sleep.

 

Danny was escorted to a sleeping area. His room was with Jens. Apparently Desmond wanted to give Jens some incentive to not plot. Danny returned to his terrified state now, his need to impress Desmond past. He sat down on his bed gently, glad to feel something at least semi-comfortable.

 

After walking around all the rooms, Jens went to the room farthest from the dining room and lay down on the top bunk of the bed against the outer wall. He placed his hat at the foot of the bed and lay down.

Sometime later, the door opened, and he heard the women come in and then Danny came into the room and sat down on the bottom bunk below him.

He leaned over the top, smiled, and said "Hello Danny. Did you get to talk to Mr Monroe too." He was happy that Danny came in here. Jens liked children. His oldest daughter was a few years younger than Danny. He missed his family.

A few minutes later it sounded like everyone else from the cargo hold arrived and then he heard Mr Monroe say food would be sent up and some fellow sarcastically wondered if there would be a menu and another wanted a wine list. Jens doubted they'd get any wine. Not that he cared since he didn't drink.

 

"Hello Danny. Did you get to talk to Mr Monroe too."

"In the literal sense, I guess so. Although him just dictating how it's going to be and giving evasive answers to all of our questions seems less like talking and more like taunting."

Danny thought Jens was one of the cool ones on the ship. Aside from Mr. Lancaster, he was the only man who didn't creep Danny out or outright make him want to punch the guy out(if he could). The women were safely in another room now. Danny heard them vaguely. At least he had a bed. It was actually more comfortable than his bed at the boarding school, so at least he might get a good night sleep tonight.

 

Jens nodded, "Yes, he seems to have his own plans for us and is not much interested in what we think. I'm hoping we can find a safe way to change his plans for him."

 

"Yes, he seems to have his own plans for us and is not much interested in what we think. I'm hoping we can find a safe way to change his plans for him."

"I hope we can too. It just seems so hopeless right now. I don't know, I just have a feeling there is no safe way out of this."