But grim thoughts are inturrupted and Epuri cries out in pain, holding her head with both hands to keep it from splitting. Anger, urgency, and a poisionous snarling sound pummel her mind, making her panic for a moment. And then, as quickly as it came it's gone, leaving her wide eyed and gasping, but not wondering what it was. *CURSE IT! You don't have to break my skull open to get my attention!* The voice-thing is definately back, but as loud and angry as it seems there's still a tint of loneliness to it, as if it's backed into a corner, which makes her glad it couldn't hear her outburst. At least, she doesn't think it did. *I'm coming, alright? My word.* Epuri tries to somehow communicate to the thing that she's coming. *Although I don't know how I'm supposed to reach something on land.* With another sigh she shrugs her wings and starts trying to track it down again.
Luckily, the tide seems to have brought her in the right direction rather than farther away, and after only about an hour of swimming Epuri can feel that whatever she's after is near again. *Funny... It seems... closer than it was before?* She rises to the surface for a look around. Sure enough, the land is farther away than it was when she first stoped searching for the voice, but the thing feels closer than ever. With a furrowed brow she scans left, right, trying to pair the direction in her mind with a location. There! A black dot, about the size of a hand, in the shallow water near the coast. She frowns. *It must be awfully large for me to see it from this far off.* She hadn't really put much thought into wondering what the voice thing was before, and now images of great whales and sea beasts come to mind. Catching herself worrying, she chuckles. *And I've got what to loose? Onward!* With an arching dive and a splash she follows her own advice.
Finally Epuri gets close enough to see the thing clearly- a great ship, with wide sails, deep holds, and quite a few sleeping-quarters on top. Rather than feel more intimidated, she laughs outright. *A boat! The thing between me and the poor thing, whatever it is, is a boat! Exiled or not, no boat but one has won against a siren, and that was long ago.* She chuckles again. It was all she could do not to play her songshell in a playful taunt as she came up on it. Eventually though, as it loomed closer and closer, caution returned.
I don't like the feeling of that thing... she thinks, not realising that she doesn't want to speak outloud near it. Even in the full sunlight now, little stars flickering merrily on the tips of waves, an unseen shadow hangs heavily about the ship. It's obvious that the creatures on it do not laugh or smile, and that such things wouldn't be welcome there. The feeling makes Epuri shiver. She slides down to swim below the surface a bit, making her that much harder to spot, although it offers little comfort. Finally though, she draws close alongside it, near enough to touch. This close up the side appears to be a great and strong wall. Intimidation was only delayed, it turns out, and finally sets in. With an almost insulted 'hrmph' sound she falls back into the ship's shadow, lifts her head above the water, and listens.
Several thudding sounds like heavy steps, more than one person, more than a few. Then, a voice- so near the side that Epuri flinches, hoping they don't look straight down.
"Quit bein lazy you lout. You're supposed to be cleaning up the burnt things."
Muttering. "I am, I am. Keep a mind ta yer own buisness." More plodding footsteps, a grunt- and a charred half of a barrel sails from above, missing Epuri by inches. Luckily for her the splash covers her cry of suprise.
More stomping. "How'd all this happen, anyway? Ever'ones been too busy ta tell me." Epuri decided to think of this slow creature by the name of Lazy.
"And you'd be too busy to ask, if you were doin your job. Not to mention you would've seen it yourself if you hadn't slept in." Epuri would name this rough-voiced one Grouch. It was a fight not to chuckle at the idea.
"Aw just tell me already, you great grouch." A loud choking snort from Epuri, drowned out by the splash of another blackened board.
Grouch growls, but answers. "One of the fire creatures broke out of the hold, some kinda equine. Blasted thing. It's still trying to get out again. We've had to put triple guard around it. Which is why you gotta clean the deck up yerself." Grouch's heavy footsteps start to thud away. But Lazy mutters something, and the footsteps stop. "...What was that?"
A hissing sound as Lazy gasps through his teeth in suprise, but he repeats himself. "I said that this whole trip is cursed on with bad luck. That dragon and the way we got it, it just don't-"
"Well what do you know, you do have a shred of sense. Of course you don't like it, as well you shouldn't- we're on the oppsite side of someone managed to convince that vicious new dragon guardian that they were good enough to care for a little one. But the thing you gotta remember is that it was hardly an effort for the master to git them killed and the You-Know-What to us, so we can get it to him. And if anyone here messes things up you'll have more than bad luck to worry yourself with. So how about you focus on cleaning up before you throw yourself overboard in terror." A slapping sound like a hard thump on the back, a sharp laugh, and Grouch's heavy footsteps finally thud away. Lazy grumbles more, but burnt objects continue to fall every now and then.
Epuri sneers angrilly to herself. The rotten filth. Poachers. Hrmph! So, wait... the voice thing might be some kind of dragon? A vicious dragon even? She falters a little at the thought of trying to free a snarling dragon while convincing it not to eat her at the same time. Oh well. I'm in too deep to back out now. But as badly as she wants to give the poachers what-for, keeping up with a giant ship is wearing her out, and tail muscles begin to cramp. She groans, trying not to notice the burning feeling. But her prayers are answered, and by a very unexpected source.
As she's begining to fall behind a little more than she'd like, Lazy stomps back from the other side of the ship. Carrying something by the sound of strain in his muttering. Epuri braces herself to get out of the way again- when a length of somewhat charred rope drops down the side of the ship and hangs there. With a deep breath, trying not to be too hopeful, Epuri leaps forward out of the water and grabs on- it holds! The other end must be caught on something above.
She grins widely to herself. Now I'll show these kidnapping filth not to fool with what they think are only 'mythical' creatures. I'll find a way to let the voice loose, and THEN they'll be in a right fit of trouble! But.... She blinks, feeling as if she's just run into a locked door. How can I get up with Lazy going back and forth? She groans. Too good to be true! I should've known. Before her arm muscles get too tired she ties the rope around her shoulders like a harness (which is difficult, considering the wings), keeping the knots loose in case she needs to get free quickly, and thinks. I could make a distraction, but then they would come here. The voice thing could maybe get loose then... Voice?, she thinks to it. Can you break out when I signal? She gets an irritated and slightly confused feeling back from it, as if it can't figure out what she wants, and sighs. Suppose not, then. So Epuri hangs there and thinks, getting colder, more edgy, and less happy with her situaion by the minute.
Eventually she's jerked out of her wind numbed thoughts by many men shouting, then an earth shaking neigh, folowed by extremely loud and angry thuds.
"ALL HANDS! IT'S BREAKIN LOOSE AGAIN!" Epuri pumps a triumphant fist in the air as several sets of feet stomp away, leaving the deck silent.
Now, and be quick about it! There's no time to come up with a better plan, and Epuri unties her knots and pulls herself up to the deck. She takes a moment to look it over- no men, several closed sleeping quarters in a U shape, a very large square tank full of too many exotic fish in the middle of it, and a downward stair. She grins and silently thanks the fire equine before pulling herself all the way up and flopping over the railing onto the floor.
Well, now. This is a little farther than we planned. The wood feels slimey and nasty to her skin. The voice thing seems to urge her on; Epuri smiles recklessly. Only one thing to be done! Slowly, listening for footsteps coming upward, she drags herself with her arms to the downward stair and peeks over the edge. Many rows of metal bars section off the vast space into squares, each holding some kind of creature. Most have smartly backed to the corner of their cages farthest from the enraged fire-horse, which rears again now and breathes a spurt of flame, lighting the hair of the nearest man. Even so close to danger she has to cover her mouth with a hand to smother a laugh. But then one of the men gives a shout- Grouch, she thinks- gets an idea, and grabs one of the other creature's water buckets, throwing it on the equine. The horse gives a fizzling shreik, and quietly steps to the back of it's enclosure, peaceful again.
Epuri cries out softly as several of the men turn away from the cage and back to the stairs. Fool, fool, fool, hide. She drags herself away as quickly as she can, thinking to throw herself back over the side until she can come up with something better. But just as she comes even with the edge of the sleeping cabins, she can hear the men reach the top of the stairs. The side is still too far! Curse it, curse it! At the last second she rolls behind the wall, out of sight. A dirty tarp lays there, and she yanks it over herself.
Great. SPECTACULAR. Curse it! She watches from under the edge of the tarp with great dismay as several men walk around, often passing between her and the side of the ship. Worse, the corner of the sleeping cabins blocks her view of the rest of the deck, so she can't see if someone is comming until they're in front of her. And after the last incident Epuri would really rather not get in Grouch's way. Well, isn't this just a glorious spot to be in. She drops the edge of the tarp to the ground and bonks herself in the forehead with a hand. *Wonderful...*
Eprui waits and waits for what seems like hours. It gets quite stuffy and warm under the tarp, once noon comes near. Full noon finds a very miserable, clammy, cramped, edgy Epuri, still laying under a tarp.
Alright. That is simply enough of that. She listens- yes, footsteps are coming closer. She waits... there, they're leaving again. Heartbeats begin to drum in her ears as blood pooled from lack of movement begins to pound, covering up anything else she might hear. She lifts the edge of the tarp- no one. Raising the edge a little higher for a better look she tries to peek out to one side- which is when Grouch, whom she didn't hear had stopped nearby, yells in suprise and knocks her unconcious.
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Epuri wakes in water, slowly and with a groan, putting a hand to the side of her head. She winces- definately a good sized lump there, and sore. She keeps her eyes closed, letting the throbbing fade, and takes in her situation. Well, I'm alive. She moves arms, tail, and wings slightly. Nothing broken. I still have my bag. A fish brushes past her. Curse it! They threw me back into the water! I'll never catch up with the thing now. Fool! More fish bump into her, making her frown and slowly open her eyes- it's twilight dark, and she's surrounded by fish. Bizzare, exotic fish. And around that, glass walls. She's in the tank! YES! She grins widely, but keeps herself from moving more than that, not wanting to draw attention. They think they have me She can't help it, she laughs through clenched teeth.
*Ah!* It feels as though someone bumped into her bruised head. An impatient curiosity pokes at her mind- the voice thing again. Hey, don't come and go, all right? It hurts. It goes quiet again, and Epuri sighs. The pain has faded to an ache, and she slowly floats herself upright for a look around.
It's definately not what she expected to see. The ship is stopped at a dock, hiddden from view by the general mainland by a natural stone shelter. Men are all over the place, tying things, carrying things, yelling at people. She sighs. Nothing is going to be easy about this, huh? Two men carry a cage full of a feathered something up from the stairs, which are to the left of the tank, and pass in front of the tank to walk down from the right side of the ship to land.
Epuri watches intently, thinking. Well, I can bust this thing when I need to, but when should I? Another pair of men walk down the stairs and come back up, leading something by a harness- and followed by a somewhat angry looking Grouch. He turns away from the stairs and walks towards a door in the sleeping quarters. Epuri cracks her knuckles in anger as he gets close. Kick me in the side of the head will you? Rat, you're glad I don't shatter this thing now. But intrest overcomes anger, and she drifts over to press an ear to the side, mostly hidden by swirling fish.
Grouch bangs on a door, more like punches than knocks. "Git yerself out here you lazy beast! If I have to remind you another time you'll ride the next trip in the hold!"
"Ay, sir, I'm coming! Just give me a minute..." Epuri grins. That groggy voice is definately Lazy again.
Grouch looks tempted to break the door in, but just shakes his head. "I'm goin below to get it. Don't you forget the book- the master spent months makin that, researching, drawing, putting protections on it. He'll set your innards on fire if you mess that book up." With that menecing message he turns stomps back away and down the stairs.
Going to get it? What's this It? And what's a book? She crosses her arms and frowns. Are you It, voice thing? She gets a puzzled feeling from that; if the voice is It, no one aparently told them that. A banging sound and Epuri jumps, but it's just Lazy busting out of his room, looking rather flustered. He's trying to carry a large, thick, square thing (That must be a book, then.) and strap a belt with a dagger on it around his waist at the same time. He drops the book with a heavy THUD, yells in fear when he realises he's dropped it, and falls down in his haste to pick it back up, getting his belt tangled on an arm.
Epuri chuckles to herself, deciding these poachers deserve what they get. When Lazy starts getting back up she waves her arms and wings to scare the fish away from between herself and the glass, and makes a face at the man. With an even bigger yell he falls over again, and Epuri cracks up to herself behind the renewed curtain of fish.
*Oh, oh, too easy. They- OW!* She holds her head with both hands as the voice makes an awful hissing snarl and presses thoughts at her frantically. Calm down! It's ok, alright? Don't you worry a bit. Feeling her confidence doesn't seem to effect it, although it does turn from outright rage to smouldering. She swims forward so she can see the stairs, keeping fish out of her way. Lazy scuttles over to the top of the stairs with the book, dagger still loosly tangled around an arm. Sure enough, here comes Grouch, carrying...
An egg!? You're just an egg!? But there's no doubt in Epuri's mind that the thing is an egg, although it looks for all the world like a dark blue rock, and that it's the source of the voice. The sight of it is like ice water in her face, and she snaps out of her shock. All right, I've got you. Just hold on another moment. It seems to want her to hurry up, it doesn't like being handled by these men at all.
Wait for it... wait for it.... The men are just about cross in front of the tank, and she braces herself, taking a deep, deep breath. Opening her mouth wide (smiling somewhat) and clasping her hands together, she lets out a high, piercing note, and holds it. The fish stay as far away from her as they can as the water starts to beat and pound against itself. The men stop, puzzled, in front of the tank, and freeze in fear as they see where the sound comes from. Grinning right back at them, Epuri rises the note to an unbearable pitch, and the glass surrenders, shattering into bits the size of sand.
The water from the tank -it really was quite huge- wooshes out in a tidal wave, which Eupuri rides, laughing and generally having a great time dealing out revenge to someone who deserves it. *I'll handle those for you sirs, no need to strain yourselves!* As the wave sweeps into them Epuri wraps one arm tightly around the egg and grabs the book with the other. Behind her the wave knocks them down and continues to wash toward the side of the ship, sliding her overboard and back into the sea with a splash.
The simple feel of clean, free-flowing water over her skin has never been so welcome, and Epuri lets herself sink, smiling joyously. A final feeling of indignation mixed with relief comes from the egg, and then it goes 'silent'. *Oh, your job is done, is it? Well go ahead and nap then, whatever you are.* She rises to the surface one more time, throwing a wink to a very upset looking Grouch and sputtering Lazy, before diving back down and swimming away quickly, wanting to get herself the egg away to somewhere safe.
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