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Post by Becka Pone on Aug 2, 2006 14:17:32 GMT -5
(Continued from dvrebirth.proboards20.com/index.cgi?board=outside&action=display&thread=1140070479&page=4) Kail sighed to herself, mentally wishing she had never called Razz to gather the rest of the Champions. She could have just grabbed some of her mom's old weapons (she probably didn't give Kail everything, just in case), flown out to the boat, and stolen the necklace back. But who knows what would have happened in that case - she hadn't know Rascal was the captain, and the logical choice had been to gather the rest of the protectors of the Rainbow to help. Still frowning heavily, Kail looked up as a heavy drop of rain hit the end of her nose. Clouds were gathering overhead, and from the looks of it, a rather dark and serious-looking storm was on its way. Unphased by Dark Rainbows, Old Gods, and most forms of weaponry, Kail was a mite bit nervous around big storms on the water, two such storms having nearly killed her mother when she was younger. "We may want to move this gathering inside," she said and nodded towards the clouds. (Might as well start the storm, or we'll never get off this boat)
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Post by Crescent on Aug 3, 2006 3:36:17 GMT -5
Hollow looked up when Kail mentioned the storm. His tail swished a little and he furrowed his brow. "I don't like the looks of those clouds," he murmured. "We had best inform the captain as we go." Rain looked up, unphased by the thought of a possible storm. She had been through a storm on the sea once during her travels, and nothing bad had really happened. Of course, the storm had not been especially bad and she had had Skydancer looking after her, but these details didn't cross her mind. [[Okays ]] But it turned out there was no need to inform the captain, for Sea Tiger was at that moment coming up from below the deck, satisfied that the crimson stallion would take care of the little prince. As he stepped out, his eyes caught the approaching storm immediately. His brow furrowed and he leapt up toward the upper deck where the helm was located. He chased off the boy that had kept course so far and set his large hooves on the helm. His eyes searched the skies and his nostrils dilated as he smelled the air. This didn't look good at all. Tiger's eyes went down to the little gathering of Champions below. "You there! Whoever of you's in charge... we've got a problem! There seems to be a storm rising from the direction we're going." He paused a little and his eyes searched among the "Rainbow Ponies" until they settled on Kail. "We'll have to turn off course." [[Hope that's okay that the storm is ahead of them. Thought it might bring up some nice spices to the situation. ^-^]]
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Post by Becka Pone on Aug 9, 2006 10:05:37 GMT -5
(That's perfectly fine.)
Kail caught the Captains eye, recalling their conversation the day before about staying on course after the ship, and going to Course if they lost it. They'd most certainly loose the ship in this storm, and although it would put them even further behind on their way to Course, she couldn't argue with trying to evade the storm.
Nodded perceptibly, Kail stood up, stretching her wings once before tucking them back into her sides. She didn't move towards the stairs to the below decks, however, until she was sure the others were following. Kail had learned her lesson about going anywhere alone.
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Post by silverfall on Aug 9, 2006 16:52:11 GMT -5
Razzaroo appeared on the deck. He strode forward, eyes on the growing darkness. He was at the rail, standing still, swishing his tail. He hadn't said a word to anyone.
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Post by Becka Pone on Aug 9, 2006 19:47:29 GMT -5
As Kail turned back towards the stairs from the group she noticed the purple stallion, and her heart jumped up into her throat. But he passed by them all and went to stand at the rail, looking out into the water and the coming storm. She swallowed, wondering when he'd woken up and why he wasn't acting like himself before giving the other Champions a look she hoped they understood.
She walked over cautiously and stood next to him, looking at him out of the corner of her lavendar eyes. She was worried, but didn't know how to breach the subject, so she settled simply on a sober "good morning" and waited to see if he'd even reply.
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Post by Crescent on Aug 10, 2006 0:22:58 GMT -5
Sea Tiger took Kail's response as an agreement to what he had said. He raised his head and shouted several commands to his crew even as he started furiously to turn the helm. He wasn't sure if they could outrun the storm, but he was sure as sea going to try.
The ship was rising on a wave now, and turning - painfully slowly - off its previous course. The storm clouds above and ahead swallowed the sun and they could all feel the cold salty wind as it blasted on their faces. Tiger realised that they might have been too late all ready.
"The Great Sea help us," he muttered under his breath, "there's a darkness in that storm."
Hollow froze as well when Razz appeared on deck. He had not got much of a chance to speak with the Purple Champion, and now he seemed not like himself. Hollow stared quietly as Kail made his way to Razz. He, too, was now worried. For several reasons. He looked at the purple stallion, but from him his eyes moved to the horizon and the darkness that was spreading over them from there. The wind felt cold and the dark corn coat of the Yellow Champion became the colour of dirty mustard in the growing darkness of the storm. He moved closer to Jewel, and looked at the Indigo Champion with an intent expression in his eyes that were now the colour of unpolished gold.
"Jewel... this storm... do you have a vision of it?" he asked with a low voice. He recalled how she had zoned out earlier, but had not wanted to talk about what she had seen. He knew she feared the sea. Had she seen this storm approaching?
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Post by Jewel on Aug 10, 2006 15:29:44 GMT -5
As the first piercing drops of rain began to fall, a tingling sensation swept over the Indigo champion's body. The others were talking amongst themselves, but Jewel could only stand stock still on her feet, staring with wide eyes into the oncoming darkness.
Her vision only days ago quickly flooded her mind a second time:
..."She's comin' up fast!"
"Lower the sails!"
Monsterous waves tossed the ship as if it were naught but a toy. Strong gusts of wind whipped over the deck, and ponies scrambled for safety. Rain felt like small cold needles upon flesh, and wave after wave washed across the now-slippery wooden deck.
The ship was steered into the waves, to keep it from capsizing. In the descent after rising over an oncoming wave, the pegasus found herself in a rearing position, trying to balance. The wind easily caught her open wings, and she skidded across the deck at the mercy of the storm, hooves scraping in an effort to grip...
In a natrually equine nervous manner, the gold pegasus began to shift her weight nervously between her front legs, small whickers and other anxious sounds escaping her throat as she tried not to panic.
If only it wasn't the sea...
"Jewel... this storm... do you have a vision of it?"
"Yes," She breathed.
Like the sound of thunder itself, Cutter clambered quickly up the steep stairs, hoisting his large form up onto the deck. His emerald eyes were sharp and alert, familiar with the danger of the situation.
Within seconds, he was by his captain's side, using his strength and weight to help steer the ship. As the winds quickly began to grow, Cutter nearly shouted, "What're yer orders, Cap'n?"
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Post by Silver Shadow on Aug 10, 2006 21:44:15 GMT -5
Moon Crystal had been doing what she did best during Hollow and Roxy's talk; standing by, saying little (none in this case) and observing the others with small interest. She was still in her fluffy cloud of confusion, and her wish to be part of the team spirit was still relatively pathetic. Although she was aware she was at fault also due to her inactivity, she couldn't help it and didn't feel willing to make the effort.
She smiled though as she listened to Roxy speak - the mare had such a nice aura about her that Moony just couldn't help but smile - and the unicorn was close to chuckling when she heard the grey stallions little input, something along the lines of alcohol and mares.
"We may want to move this gathering inside,"
Blinking a little when she heard Kail speak, Moony looked up at the sky and felt a sensation of dull surprise at the sight of the dark threatening clouds looming above them. Frowning a little, she chewed her lower lip and danced on her hooves nervously as drops of rain began to come forth.
Oh oh oh, I don't know that to do! Moony thought, feeling rather silly. Maybe I'll just stand here and - er - see what they do. The unicorn looked around, slowly turning her head side to side and looking to see what the other's where doing. It appeared that Razzaroo had once again reappeared from wherever he went, but there was something noticeably different. Not able to understand what was going on, she turned her attention elsewere.
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Post by Crescent on Aug 11, 2006 6:38:41 GMT -5
[[Note: I know next to nothing about sailing, so I'm winging it. XD]]
Sea Tiger was happy when his old friend appeared on deck and grinned fiercely to Cutter.
"We'll try to run for it, old friend!" he called out. "Turn the sails."
He was taking a great chance - deciding to keep the sails up until it became evident that they couldn't get away in time.
Hollow moved next to Jewel and offered his body to her support and nuzzled her neck, then arched his own neck over hers in a hug of sorts.
"Keep calm, Jewel," he murmured.
The waves were rising higher and higher and a lightning flashed in the distance, and they could hear a rumble of thunder. Cold wind was beginning to beat down escalating amounts of rain and the ship started to turn against the waves, rising high and leaning a little to one side as Tiger tried to guide the ship in between the waves.
"Everyone!" Tiger bellowed when he realised that he had misjudged one wave and the ship was beginning to capsize to its starboard side. "Move to the port side of the ship! Now!"
Hollow realised at once what was going on and pushed Jewel and Moony, who were the closest to him, forward to run toward the port side of the ship. Rain let out a little "eek" and rushed into action as well, running as fast as her delicate feet could carry her. The flutter pony was too small and light to fight well against the wind that was blowing against them now, and her hooves started scraping and sliding on the deck.
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Post by Jewel on Aug 11, 2006 12:30:39 GMT -5
(( lol, all I know is what I've seen in movies )) "Aye!" Cutter barked heartily in reply, encouraging his Captain. At his orders, the large stallion leapt from the steering platform, landing with a crack as loud as the thunder overhead. Down on deck, he yelled the Captain's orders to the crew, who scrambled to carry them out before it was too late. The large stallion herded the crew on deck onto the Port side, his own weight helping greatly to balance the ship. His stance showed no sign of fear, even daring to bear his teeth threateningly back against the raging storm. As they all moved toward the Port side, it was almost too much for Jewel to grasp all at once. With wide eyes, she pranced on her feet, body nearly trembling in light of what was happening. As the pegasus, with Hollow's help, managed to keep her grip on the deck, she noticed a small gray form start to slide away from her. In a moment of forgotten fear, Jewel swung her head around to catch the small flutter by the scruff of her mane, drawing her back toward the group. When they reached the far side of the ship, she wordlessly took rain under one of her large wings, keeping her close so the lofty form wouldn't be swept away.
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Post by roserebellion on Aug 11, 2006 19:46:40 GMT -5
Coon's ears turned down, at the mention of the brewing storm, and all of her previous humor had seemingly slid from her gray face. There had been many nights, sleepless nights, that Coon had spent alone inside that of a mere tent in various storms. The experience should have made her used to such things now, but it only gave her a learned respect for the more aggressive part of nature.
And the fact she was not in her tent but on a boat instead did not warrant any warm and fuzzy feelings.
She stood with the others, planting firm and steady hooves to the wooden planks, golden eyes squinting in the approaching darkness. The thief watched and waited in patience, eying the Champions around her, trying to account for all of them. Coon wasn't a fool, she may not be friends with all of them, but they were valuable to the entire mission. Should one of them slip off...
No! Coon shook her head to clear her mind, now was not the time to let any emotions slip in the way of judgment. Her wit needed to be about her here.
In a moment of forgotten fear, Jewel swung her head around to catch the small flutter by the scruff of her mane, drawing her back toward the group. When they reached the far side of the ship, she wordlessly took rain under one of her large wings, keeping her close so the lofty form wouldn't be swept away.
"Here!" Coon shouted, rushing up beside the yellow peg, lending some of her girth as a means to block any more wind capable of sending the smaller one back off.
Grimly she looked back to Jewel and shook her head, "I might be a little presumptuous in saying this, but can't one of you, I don't know, clear this up?"
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Post by Crescent on Aug 12, 2006 3:57:13 GMT -5
Rain squealed a little when she felt the teeth grab her mane, but it hurt a lot less, she was sure, than falling into the water and being drowned, and so she looked at Jewel thankfully when the pegasus held tight to her. She grasped for a hold of the railing and when Coon appeared behind her to hold her, she managed to sink her teeth into the wooden railing and then pull up enough to wrap her hooves over the railing. Her eyes went very wide when she saw the surging sea below. The ship was still rising on the wave; though the added weight on the port side kept it from capsizing, it did not stop it from tilting dangerously. The starboard side swallowed a good gulp of water and the deck was washed with salty sprinkles. The mast was trembling as the wind tore at it, and the large sails were now bulging, pushing the ship almost backward. Tiger realised it was too late to turn the ship. He grit his teeth as he held furiously onto the helm, refusing to let it slip from his hooves. Hollow tossed one hoof over the railing to hold on better. The storm was building up fast, almost too fast to be absolutely normal. He tossed his head a little to get his black forelock off his eyes as he looked at Coon. "We're the Champions of the Rainbow," he growled as an answer to the thief's question. "Not Gods! And besides... we don't have the Rainbow!" [[to me, this would seem like the perfect moment for Jewel's vision to become reality... I was thinking Cutter could be the one to shout the first line. Just a thought.]]
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Post by Jewel on Aug 13, 2006 2:37:43 GMT -5
[[surely!]]
The gold pegasus was slightly relieved as Coon offered her body to help shield the small flutter. Perhaps it was their similar ancestry, or simply their time spent together, but Jewel felt a small bond to the younger princess.
Holding tightly to Rain, and trying to stay near Hollow, the pegasus narrowed her eyes against the piercing rain. Calls to and from the crewmates could barely be deciphered amidst the crashing waves and wild thunder. But one mate's voice rung out among the rest.
"CAP'N!" Cutter called, leaning against the mast for balance, "She's comin up fast!!"
The gold pegasus saw instantly what he had meant. A large wave, directly in front of them. And it seemed Tiger was going to steer them straight into it.
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Post by Crescent on Aug 13, 2006 7:49:06 GMT -5
"CAP'N!" Cutter called, leaning against the mast for balance, "She's comin up fast!!"
Tiger shook his head to chase off raindrops that beat down his face. He saw the wave as clearly as the rest on board. He held tight on the helm but decided now that it was useless to fight to escape the storm.
"Lower the sails!" he called out as loud as he could as he steered the ship straight against the wave, abandoning his former plan and now just struggling to keep the ship from capsizing. The massive wave threw the ship up, up, and then down over the wave.
Rain screamed and squeezed her wings shut, still holding on to the railing.
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Post by roserebellion on Aug 13, 2006 19:50:40 GMT -5
"CAP'N!" Cutter called, leaning against the mast for balance, "She's comin up fast!!"
Coon's golden eyes widened as her sight seemed to follow the direction of cutter's voice, seeing as everyone saw the monstrous wave that seemed to be lunging towards them. Her mind blanked at the sheer size and force, for the first time in her life truly unable to decide what to do. That was, until the command of Tiger roared above the waves.
"Lower the sails!"
Finally Coon had something to do that would be of use. She wasn't a Champion, and sure she was a hired thief. But dog gone! If she was gonna die in the middle of some body of water, than at least she was gonna do it fighting!
The thief began to push against the fierce winds to head back towards the front of the ship, but before she went too far, she grabbed hold what appeared a spare rope and slid it back towards Jewel.
"Here!" Her voice was hard to make out through the storm, "Tie yourselves to something!"
Then she lowered her head and pushed onward. Black and white strands of main billowed around her face, obscuring her vision. The masculine mare only glowered with determination and continued. Upon the first sail mast she reached, Coon began to offer her help to the two crew hands all ready there.
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Post by silverfall on Aug 14, 2006 23:36:31 GMT -5
Razzaroo's eyes found Kail's, but only briefly, after which the corners of his eyes crinkled and he smiled. It wasn't his usual goofy smile. It was far more quiet. Almost scary with its simplicity, yet it was anything but simple. His eyes drifted to the horizon again.
"You know, she left a part of herself inside of me," Razz said to no one in particular, though the words may have seemed meant for Kail. He worked his tongue as if savoring something sweet. "I feel it. The storm. She could have carried it away in her teeth.
"We won't be so lucky. No, sire, as sure as red is first and violet last." His eyes darkened and he turned back to Kail. She was the only pony he could see. Surely, there were others, but they were like phantoms, faint ghosts flitting about the deck. He met Kail's lavender eyes with a gentle look. "You cannot outrun it."
And then it was upon them. Jewel's vision had come to life.
"There is danger in the water, Kail." Razz's body slid away from her and across the deck, like a skater on ice as the boat began to tilt. "It has a voice I can hear. It hungers for us."
Water crashed down. Its weight dumped heavily against his back and shoulders, causing some strain, but he was unconcerned. It had soaked his fur to a dark, deep violet and turned his hair into stringy ringlets. There was a salty tang in his mouth. Again, he worked his tongue as if to savor it.
He slid near Kail. "The rainbow knows we're coming." He slid away, then back. "It is ready." He slid away. It was unclear how he was even succeeding with this manuever without tumbling over the nearest rail. He slid back. "It is waiting. It's a touch bit impatient, if I do say." Away again he slid, with awed mouth and sudden distraction. "By its holy colors, are you always this beautiful?" There was a touch of himself in it at last.
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Post by Becka Pone on Aug 15, 2006 20:31:43 GMT -5
When Razz was serious it always seemed like the end of the world to Kail, and this was no different as he smiled at her. She bristled at the mention of Silverfall, although she knew quite well that were it not for the silver unicorn, Razz would not be alive. A quick pang of guilt followed on the hooves of that thought, as she remembered why he had died.
She reached out to grab him as he started to slip away, but began slipping herself and reached back for the railing to stop herself from falling towards the dark water. A wave splashed against him before he came sliding back in her dirrection, and she reached out with one hoof, trying to grab him before the ship tipped again.
"The rainbow knows we're coming."
"I know it does!" Kail yelled as he slid away again, but it did no good, he continued on every time he slid closer to her, as if he were enjoying a nice ride out on a speedboat. "Razzarroo!" she finally chided as he slid away a final time, distracted past his brief foray into the Rainbow's desires.
"By its holy colors, are you always this beautiful?"
She grabbed him with her hoof as he slid forward the final time and frowned angrily at him. "Please, Razz, stop acting like that," she said quietly, trying to hide how fearful she'd been. "No more sliding around the deck... please." Rainbows how she prefered him goofy and well-meaning to prophetic She looked him in the eyes and said a little prayer, Rainbow, please don't let him get hurt again.
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Post by silverfall on Aug 16, 2006 15:18:05 GMT -5
"Hoo-hoo-hoo, yeah!" Razz slid into Kail at last, attempting to pull her close and nuzzle her neck. If he had his way, he'd probably squeeze her as one squeezed a favorite teddy bear. He gave a great, peaceful sigh. Then he blinked and startled. "Wait, what did you say?" Another wave came crashing up against his back and over his head. His jaw went all twisty and his eyes rolled back. "Great Rainbows! That's friggin' cold!" He tried to steady himself as water sloshed all over the deck and he nearly lost his footing.
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Post by Jewel on Aug 16, 2006 16:44:35 GMT -5
With hooves long worn and roughened by the salty sea, the heavy red stallion kept his balance and footing as others slid about the slippery deck. In a hearty, unmistakeable voice, he barked out Tiger's orders, trying to keep the chaos to a minimum if possible.
Emerald eyes glared at Kail, "Tell yer friend this ain't a game, lassie!"
The whipping wind made it difficult for the gold pegasus to stay any semblance of still and composed, often catching beneath her wings and pulling her to and fro. As tightly as she tucked her wings to her body, the wind managed to pry them away on more than one occaision.
She realized, if anyone was going to protect Rain, she wouldn't make a good candidate. As Coon pulled the length of rope to them, Jewel assisted in securing the small princess to the larger mare, who didn't have wings to get in the way. Not waiting for any sort of protest, the gold mare, unable to really tie a successful knot, shoved the rope into the masculine mare's mouth, briefly brushing her muzzle with her own.
It was soon after that the boat took a steep ascent over a large wave, resulting in the pegasus pressing herself down onto the floor of the deck. Upon its descent, however, the mare's legs straightened beneath her as she felt herself momentarily suspended by the downward plunge. Her instinct was to spread her wings for balance.. however, the wind soon carried her to the far side of the deck, where only the opposing railing prevented her from falling over. Gasping and coughing sea water, she fought to free her legs from the open area where excess water drained from the deck.
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Post by Crescent on Aug 17, 2006 4:47:50 GMT -5
Tiger struggled to steer the ship through wave after wave. He didn't have enough hooves to wipe away the water that was beating down his face, but he didn't care. He knew that he had the survival of his entire crew - and of course these other ponies - in his hooves, and he wasn't about to let them down. He called out whatever orders he saw fit at any moment but trusted that others would take care of themselves. He heard Cutter barking at one of the passengers and frowned down at them.
"Get them landlubbers off the deck!" he shouted angrily when he saw several ponies sliding back and forth on the deck.
Hollow had been trying to make sure that Moon Crystal stayed on the deck when Jewel and Coon struggled with the rope. Rain screamed now and then when wind tugged at her light body and nearly tossed her overboard. She clung to the rope desperately. When Jewel suddenly got torn off by the wind, Hollow turned swiftly, trying to grasp a hold of her - too late. He didn't even listen to the Captain's call when he dashed off across the deck after Jewel, his heart ice cold with fear that she would be flung overboard.
"Hang on!" he called out to her as his hooves hit the deck right next to her. He grabbed her mane with his teeth and wrapped his forehooves around her, starting to pull her free. His black wet mane mingled with her brown and purple, and he could feel the warmth of her body under his skin. It gave him strength, and he pulled her free with a great yank so that they flew backward on the deck, she on top of him, his hooves still tightly wound around her, their heads colliding. "Are you all right?" Hollow gasped.
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