~bellatrix~ (reboot)

Karma stood up, needing to go for a walk after realizing that possibility. After attempting some transmutations, he found out none were successful. Leaving his pile of supplies, he carried his Vocale Violin and was about to carry his air-like sword,. If he were to let go of it in a wind, it would be blown out of sight. Walking in the inland a bit, he chose a route parallel to the shore, before noticing two people. He slipped behind rock, and waited for them to pass by. Sensing something suspicious, he stealthily crept behind them. Coming up behind the man, Karma brought his weapon against the man's throat, while simultaneously pointing his other weapon at the woman's throat. As dark as it was getting, they would hopefully not know that his "weapons" were really the bow for the violin against Donavan's throat, and the oddly-shaped Vocale Violin at Lorena.
"Halt."
Realizing that his violin was his speaking tool, and that Karma could only utter a single word thanks to his restrictions, he hoped the two pirates would comply on their own and make some sort explanation until they figured out he was not using real weapons. Looking down, he could make out the outline of weapons on the two people.
What did I just get myself into...

 

Aboard the Ultimate Golden Sea Dragon, the majestic vessel of Captain Leon Dragonfang, two crewmates were keeping watch on the deck of the ship. Well...they were supposed to be, but they weren't the most disciplined "pirates" and they ended up screwing around for a while. Hence why they didn't even notice a pirate vessel in the distance. Fortunately, the pirate holding the telescope finally noticed two figures walking along the beach. He was watching them in complete silence for a while until the other pirate spoke up.
"What are they doing?"
"What?" The other pirate responded, sounding slightly irritated. This wasn't the first time he was asked this particular question, much to his chagrin.
"I said, what are they doing?"
"They're doing the same thing they were doing two minutes ago, just walking down the beach and talking to each other. In fact, they're doing the same thing they were doing three minutes ago, just walking along the beach and talking to each other. And two minutes from now, when you ask me what they're doing again, chances are good that they'll still be walking along the beach and they'll still be talking to each other!"
There was an awkward silence.
"...What are they talking about?"
Another awkward silence.
"You know what? I really hate you."
Soon after, they had the presence of mind to inform the rest of the crew and Captain Leon about the two strangers.

------------------------------------------------------------------

"Two strangers walking right towards us, you say? And they seemed to be dressed like pirates?"
"Yes, captain! What should we do?"
I take a second to think. That's a good question, actually. They're probably not looking for a fight if there's only two of them, so I guess there wouldn't be any harm in trying to talk to them. I smile confidently and reply.
"Ain't no use tryin' to stir up trouble where there ain't any brewin'! We'll try to parley with these pirates, see if we can talk 'em into seeing things our way. Leif, grab a couple of these old sea dogs and follow along. Make it quick, time's a-wastin'!"

Leif tilted his head a little, a look of utter confusion plastered all over his face.
"...What are you doing?"
"I'm speakin' like a pirate, ya blasted landlubber! 'Tis only appropriate when greetin' our fellow sea folk!"
"You're serious about this, aren't you?"
Meanwhile, Leon's closest crewmates were absolutely starstruck when they heard him use his pirate voice.
"Ahh...it does me ears good to hear ya speak like that again, Captain! Ye most certainly are the most magnificent captain to ever sail the seas!"
The other crewmen eagerly agreed, showering Leon with praise as Leif looked on, too stunned for words.
"I...I can't believe this is happening right now."
"And I can't believe we still be standing 'ere when there be work to do! Come along, ya dogs!"
With a triumphant shout, I take Leif and three other members of the crew with me to meet up with the pirates!

------------------------------------------------------------------

When we make it over to the pirates, well...what we see if just...it's too much for words.
"Karma..."
I rub the bridge of my nose. Already, this is going horribly wrong.
"Much as I can appreciate yer enthusiasm, lad...I have to ask. What in the blue blazes do ye think yer doing?!"
Well, thinking about it rationally, it seems that he's threatening the two of them with musical equipment. On second thought, there was nothing rational about that at all.

"Can this get any worse?"
Leif, who had has palm firmly planted on his his face until now, finally spoke up.
"You know, I never thought I'd have to say this. Karma, please put away the violin and back away slowly. There's no need for such violence."
"It be like me first mate said. We wish to parley with our fellow sea folk, not threaten 'em!"
Leif blinked in surprise.
"When did I become a 'first mate,' exactly...?"
He kept this thought to himself, not wanting to make their current predicament even worse.

"Let them wonder. If something important were to happen, I am sure they would let us know."
However, just as this happened, there was a loud commotion going on outside that caught Mordred's attention.
"Ah. Unfortunately, I believe that is our cue. We should see what is happening. In the worst case scenario, there may be an elven attack force approaching."
Though he was reluctant to do so, he pulled away from Trinity and grabbed Apocrypha from a nearby table, fastening it to his waist. He then looked over to Trinity.
"Are you ready to go? Naturally, we can...continue where we left off later on."
Under close observation, one might notice that he sounded ever so slightly embarrassed for just a moment.

 

Donavan stopped in his tracks, while somewhat reckless he wasn't stupid enough to continue with a sword to his neck. Without being able to turn around and see the attacker he simply looked down at the weapon. He became filled with rage the instant he saw it, simple bow string to some sort of wood instrument.
Ye think a simple threat is gonna stop us....no ye did top us ye trickster! I'll have yer hide!!!

As Lorena laughed his anger grew even more just as he was about to make a move a group off men approached them.

It was at this time Donavan struck Karma several times, once in the gut, then the groin and finally drawing his cutlass and using the hilt ti strike his head knocking him down. He then pushed is cutlass against the man's throat so even the slightest twitch would cut him. Brimming with rage Donavan yelled
"Ye try something that hair-brained, that stupid again Bard I'll Cleave ye in half and sew ye up with yer lute strings!!! Ye be playing yer songs on ye scar for holding a man up with a bowstring!" He then directed his murderous rage to the group.
"Hell of a way to parley lads, if that's how ye does it then i think this would be appropriate" Donavan pulled out a small clay bomb from under is coat "And just who exactly are sea folk, the lass look like a mermaid to you?"

At Lorena's words he began to calm, he turned to her and spoke.
"Well same as I said before, we see how it goes. I won't even blame ye if ye deem shooting appropriate given our welcome" He then grinned before hinting to Lorena "Or using that..." He had hoped she would understand he meant her curse.
Turning to the two that spoke up Donavan took a slightly calmer tone.
"Ye the captain and mate of these vessels then?"

 

"This is going well."
I frown at Leif's sarcasm, but I can't really argue with it.
"I don't know, it sounded right in my head!"
"Just talk to the man, will you? And try talking to him like you normally would, not with the fake pirate accent."
"It be genuine, lad."
"It be a load of bullsh--"
We both stop whispering to each other immediately when the captain speaks up again.

"That we are! Yer speakin' to the one and only Leon Dragonfang, captain of the Sea Dragon!"
I can hear Leif groan, but I continue on without paying it any mind.
"Despite what me crewman here might have ye thinkin', we don't mean ye no harm. The lad's a bit trigger-happy if ye catch my drift! But the truth of it is, me crew and I are the most honorable and heroic pirates to ever sail these seas!"

Leif pretty much gave up at this point, subtly shifting towards the back of the group while holding his face in shame.
"Somebody needs to get him a book. I don't think the word 'pirate' means what he thinks it means."
His humiliation was only made worse with Leon's crewmates agreeing with everything he said and cheering him on.

"We've done ye a mighty great disservice by giving ye such a shoddy welcome to the isle, there be no denying that."
I throw my arms wide as a sign of friendship!
"Let me make it up to ye! I hereby welcome ye and yours aboard the Sea Dragon fer drinks and revelry! I know it be a lot to ask, but give us another chance and I be sure that we can all come to an understandin' with each other."

Mordred left the room with Trinity following behind. They made it up to the deck where Mordred caught one of the pirates passing by.
"You there. What is happening?"
"Well, sir, it seems that a couple of strangers have shown up on the shore."
Mordred's face darkened.
"Elven scouts?"
"No, sir. Pirates, it seems."
Mordred's expression returned to normal and he waved the pirate away.
"I see. Move along, then."
When the pirate left, Mordred turned to Trinity.
"An encounter with some wandering band of pirates should be painfully mundane, but you never know with this group."
He looked out to the ocean.
"I wonder...with those keen eyes of yours, can you see anything out on the waters? Surely the pirates' ship must be somewhere nearby."

 

Donavan hadn't heard of him either but wasn't about mock then man. Many of those wishing to make a name for themselves usual acted as such. As he offered rum and revelry Donavan's face gave a worry. While the rum sounded good he wondered what mischief he and lorena would cause being offered another crews rum.
More than likely we will drink them dry and fleece them in bets....
"Lorena! If ye be shooting shoot the Bard, he be the one who started this" He put away his clay bomb and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Besides, ye turning down rum? Of all things I'd think ye would at least listen to em for a bottle'
Donavan saw the first mate leaving with his head held in his hands.
"Oy Lad, ye never did give us ye name, yer captain was kind enough. Now tell us mate, and get the barrels ready for that revelry"
Turning to Leon he spoke
"So Leon was it, Which ship be yours? And how did it get such a name?"

 

What, did I say something funny? Why is she laughing?
"Any idea what she's laughing about?"
I turn back to Leif for answers, but he just shakes his head. Does that mean he doesn't know, or he doesn't want to say...? And why is he hiding behind my crew? We're right in the middle of introductions!

When Lorena started swinging her gun around, Leif, Leon and the other three pirates stared on in wide-eyed horror. Leif was the first one to speak, whispering to Leon.
"She doesn't believe us! Come on, you gotta do something to prove it to her!"
"Like what?! It's not like I have a pirate license on me. Wait, that...that's not a real thing, right?"
"Of course it's not! Okay, here's an idea, can you show her something with the crew's emblem on it?"
"We, uh...we haven't gotten that far yet. We were gonna have a meeting about it once we got off the island."
"WHAT?!"
Thankfully, any potential disaster was averted when the captain spoke up.

The other pirates parted to make room for Leif, much to his chagrin.
"Well, I'm already stuck in this situation, so I guess I'll just have to make the most of it."
He cleared his throat and gave a gentlemanly bow to the captain.
"Of course, my apologies. My name is Leif and on behalf of the crew, it will be our distinct pleasure to host a wondrous banquet for you and your crew today. We only hope that this will clear up any remaining misunderstandings concerning our crew and our intentions here. If you will excuse me, I will begin making preparations immediately."
With that, he bowed again and started heading back towards the Dragon.

Huh. He handled that pretty well! I didn't even know he could be that formal. Still, there was just one problem. I turn back to the captain after watching Leif leave.
"Ye'll haveta pardon his funny way of speakin'. The lad just joined up recently, 'asn't quite gotten his sea legs yet."

"Well, the full name's a might bit long fer casual conversation. Oh, er, that probably ain't what ye meant."
I think back fondly to the very first moment I saw that beautiful vessel that I've come to call home.
"Ah yes, the very same moment I seen that wondrous vessel...the name just sorta popped in me head, it did. 'Twas fate, I tell you! 'Twas destiny! 'Twas as if I was beholdin' a sculpture o' the gods right before me very eyes! So I gave it the only name the seemed fittin'. I christened it the Ultimate Golden Sea Dragon-- or just the Sea Dragon for short-- and it been keepin' that name ever since."

One of the other crewmen chimed in.
"Aye, we got a great deal on that gold trim, we did!"
Then another.
"And it's got enough cannons ta put an army ta shame!"
Then the third.
"And the interior decoratin' be quite spot on, very Feng Shui."
Then the first again.
"And how about 'em beds? Very comfy, top o' the line!"
Then the third again.
"What about them sculptures? Absolutely divine, they are!"

"Alright, alright! They be gettin' the picture, I'm sure, so quit yer jabberin'."
I have to cut them off. Even though I like bragging about the Dragon as much as anyone, we can't go too overboard.
"Besides, they'll be seein' it fer themselves soon enough. Now hows 'bout ye make yerselves useful and help me first mate with the preperations?"

The men saluted and gave a shout.
"Aye aye, Captain Leon!"
Then they made their exit, looking quite excited about the feast to come.

I turn back to the captain and motion towards the Dragon.
"Would ye like ta join us now or will ye be checkin' in with yer crew first, captain..."
Uh...whoops. Awkward.
"...Come to think of it, I don't think I caught yer name yet. What should I call ye?"

 

Karma figured that his attempt would not work out. Before he could move away and let Leif and Leon take over, Donavan had knocked him down. The sucker punch to his gut did nothing, but the kick to his crotch and the blow to his head managed to bring him down.
"Heh."
Not big surprise.
His light laugh was enough to cause the cutlass to cut into flesh, making a trickle of blood dribble down his neck. He waited a while, making talking hand motions as if to say "Blah blah blah". Letting everyone else talk for a while, he decided to finally cut in himself. Since his hands were still free, he began playing out his next words, smiling and revealing jagged crystal that glowed violet in the darkness.
"Nice kick. I think I might need to pop my balls back into place later. As for what I did, that was rather ridiculous and hare brained, me trying to stop you with my violin. But it if you don't mind, take a look at that boulder."
Karma pointed to his left at a large boulder. In the next moment, he hurriedly played a tune that created a dozen or so hissing violet threads to materialize in the air around it. In the next instant, threads lashed and converged into the boulder and vanished. Karma stopped playing, and after a few seconds, the boulder slid into dozens of pieces.
"It was either this or that. You saw what I did to that rock in just a moment, with a blade to my throat. Imagine what I could have done to you both if I took the time to slice you people to pieces. Hell, I could have shredded you two instead of that rock even now. But I don't feel like it. I probably would have done the world a favor if I did though."
Then, at the gun-toting, grapefruit-breasted woman, he made another statement.
"Those guys may know me a bit, but I operate entirely on my own, meaning they have nothing to do with me greeting you guys like this, so they wish you no harm, if you wish them no harm. So like the man said, go ahead and shoot at me if you really want to scratch that trigger finger. Just don't shoot my crotch or head, those I would like to leave untouched."
He thought of other things he did not want shot.
"Or my violin. Trust me, hurt that, and I will do something very, very drastic."
Though he had been smiling most of the time, when he mentioned his violin, he became deadly serious.

 

Karma felt a great sense of devastation at Lorena's lack of interest and surprise.
Screw it. Wait, was I actually getting excited about getting shot? Ugh, I need a psyche evaluation. Wait, I evaluate psyches!
"No, not really. No name for it. But you can come up with one if you ever end up on the receiving end."
He began tapping at the cutlass that was still pointed at his throat.
"Uh, could you get that off now? It's not too much of a health hazard, but it is getting annoying."

 

OoT: YOU GET A QUOTE, YOU GET A QUOTE, EVERYBODY GETS A QUOTE !!!!

Lad is learned in the way of court practices, seems they have a nobleman among them, at the least a squire....

Donavan tapped his chin before speaking "So a trophy ship, but ye have enough to defend ye selves, about like the treasure ship we boarded a few months back. That was a good haul that was"

"Name's Donavan, Donavan MacGreggor and..." As he spoke lorena began whispering in his ear

He eyed her at her remark of rum, she would be the one more to find her doom at the bottom of a bottle.

A grin came across his face as he leaned in and softly whispered into her ear.
"And her lies sweet Lorena, died by stuffing her face full of meat and rum without her mates to help her out of a trap" He nudged her while winking
The then turned back to Leon and spoke.
"Ye be looking at me crew, tis just me and the lass and i do believe we will join ye. Lead the way" Donavan gave a wave of his free arm.

Donavan yawned at karma's display and raised a brow at his comments,
"Is that so Bard boy? Well means I can have some fun without hurting relations then" Donavan slightly raised his cutlass while nimbly moving it just above karma's flesh.
"As long as I've been around the arcane don't scare me lad so that empty threat of yours 'not feeling like it' don't even budge us, in fact i'd treat ye about how I an elf..."
Donavan the plucked a string of the violin with the dull side of his cutlass, before speaking to Karma again.
"Ye ever gone swimming tied to a rock? It's rather interesting watching someone who can't die, gasp for air, at the bottom of a trench...." He growled his last words.

 

When Donavan strummed Karma's violin, his eyes widened, anger beginning to creep up on him. Karma did not mind being insulted. Karma did not mind being beaten. But Karma did not tolerate anything done to his violin, or something almost being done, for that matter. Dragging the bow across the violin, a thread looped around Donavan's wrist, ready to slice it off should the cutlass move in any direction. The thread worked as a type of area denial action, forcing an individual to avoid moving.
"If you wish to remain being known as Captain Donavan MacGreggor and not Captain Hook, you will never, ever touch this instrument without my permission."
Karma slid out from under the edge of the blade and stood, answering the question but not dissolving the void thread.
"Swimming with rocks isn't as bad as you would think, especially when you don't need to breathe."

 

Blast it. I screwed up again, didn't I? Think quick, Leon, I've gotta recover! I let out a hearty laugh.
"Nah, of course not, that be ridiculous! It just be an old sayin' from back where I'm from. Pay it no mind."
Nailed it.

A trophy ship? I...never thought of it that way. Is that a good thing? I'm taking it as a good thing. Still...I don't like that look in his eyes when he talks about the "big haul" he got from that treasure ship...

I'm just about to turn towards the ship but I don't get very far. In the next few minutes, things went from bad to worse very quickly.

AAHHHH!! I can't take it anymore! Karma, stop screwing everything up, why are you stupid all of the time?! Okay...just calm down, Leon. Deep breaths, in and out.

...

Alright, that's better. Now that I'm thinking a little more clearly, I know what needs to be done. I turn to Karma, my left eye twitching slightly.
"Karma...I'd just got done tellin' Captain Donavan an' miss Lorena here that they be honored guest aboard my ship. Right now, ye be makin' a liar out of me. There be a problem with that, ya see, a big problem. Ye be makin' a liar outta me. And a Dragonfang never-- never-- goes back on 'is word."
I raise my right hand to the sky and a magical aura starts to surround it. A moment later, five very large greatswords appear in the sky above me, each about six feet long. Right after they appear, they slam to the ground around Karma, landing in a pentagon pattern around him. They weren't close enough to cut him and I made sure they avoided his strings, but they were close enough to make a point. I then glare at Karma, making sure that my point is perfectly clear.
"Are ye goin' ta back down, or are ye goin' ta keep makin' a liar outta me."

Mordred waved his hand dismissively.
"As I thought, this should be relatively easy for them to take care of. I see no point in us getting involved unless the situation takes a turn for the worse. If they cannot handle a lone pirate with a gun, our efforts would be doomed from the start."
He sat down on a nearby rock and gestured for Trinity to follow suit.
"Still, we should wait here for a while to make sure nothing else happens in the meantime. One must always remain vigilant, especially in enemy territory, which I cannot entirely trust this ragtag band to do. Come to think of it...however did you become involved with them in the first place?"

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Leif and the three other pirates soon returned to the Dragon and began making preparations for the feast. Despite being appointed as first mate rather unexpectedly, Leif took to the job quickly and he soon had the entire group of pirates working like a well-oiled machine. He might be even better at leadership and organization than Leon, though it's not like the pirates would ever admit to such a thing if it were true.

 

The void threads harmlessly vanished on a bad note as Karma threw his hands up frustration. Gripping one of the great swords that blocked his way, he threw it over his shoulder and into the water. With much annoyance, he did not bother looking back at the group as he walked away to retrieve his gear and real weapons.
Screw this. There are better ways to waste my time.
After a few dozen feet, he realized he was going in the opposite that he was supposed to be going for his gear. Awkwardly, he turned around and walked past the group towards the fire where he left his supplies.
Maybe if I brought some weapons these fools could understand, this could have turned out differently. No matter, this is going to spoil conversations for some time to come.

 

Vixie watched as Karma walked away. Her ears pointed forward, as she tilted her head slightly to the left. She found herself wondering how Karma did such a thing to himself. She looked over to Leif, then to the pile of driftwood. She moved towards the driftwood, and continued to pile it.

OOT: Sorry for the short post

 

Before Donavan could respond to karma's threat Leon had seemed to take care of it for him. Not wishing to antaginise him and have him switch sides Donavan decided to drop the matter.
"Ye know trying to intimidating one another just doesn't quite work, we both have made it clear we'll kill each other at a drop of a pin so it becomes rather pointless.... And as a side note, ye do know what a pirate is lad? We don't really listen to any rules so I think if I feel like playing me a nice shanty with ye 'lin I grab it and start dancing" Donavan gave a laugh and a smile.

It was at this time Lorena whispered to him while karma began to walk away from the group and ships.
Leaning in and whispering Donavan answered her
"I expected as much, seems their captain be the loud and proud type.... if he is a captain. But we'll keep ours somewhat secret and Our numbers hidden. Unless ye wish to show off that kiss"
After he finished he noticed karma turn around walk back toward the ship and then past them. Did he forget where the ship was.... I can understand getting lost in the island but on the shore.....
"Well Leon, i do believe with that display we should begin the festivities don't you agree?" Donavan began walking to the ship waving for Lorena to join him

 

OOT: No worries, @Shinimagami . Just means you are alive.

After arriving back at where the fire still burned, Karma gathered up his supplies and tossed pieces of driftwood into the fire to make Vixie's job easier. After finishing up with helping her, Karma left the group and made his way inland, leaving behind a note stating he would be away from the group and go back near the cave's destroyed entrance.

Spoiler: Note

I need to refine my skills. Don't worry, I WILL be back, even if I am left here, that you can count on. I will be heading back at the cave. Should anyone need me, fire a flare or some other signal. Or just come for me, but be careful nobody is caught up in anything I am working on.
Simply put, I am not yet good enough.
PS: And tell that one guy he can go screw himself!
PPS: And that one lady, too!

After reaching the cave and being isolated from everyone else, Karma began to try new methods of using his Vocale Violin. He intended on improving his use of the Void powers he learned about in his time within the Void. While he was able to master his use of the Void threads to banish slices of objects to the Void, that was all he could accomplish. On his way to the cave, he had been bothered by the lack of interest Lorena and Donavan showed in the threads that could have destroyed them several times over. As a result, he considered something more flamboyant and useful to learn, as well as a way to increase his traveling mobility and speed, another, would be absolute area denial by using an unrelenting attack of void shots. But if that was even possible, Karma would have to find out.
As he played, he tried creating a larger version of the Void threads. The average void thread made a hissing sound, meaning that air was being sucked in at an incredible speed.
Perhaps, it is from a vacuum of some kind.
Exploiting this feature, Karma began creating larger void threads, merging them into a portal. He altered the micro portal to a position two inches above the ground before the dirt began to get pulled into the vacuum. While the portal itself could pull anything that enters within its borders, Karma wanted to make use of the vacuum, though it seemed rather week.
A six-inched portal for the vacuum pulls in debris from two inches away, and that debris can weigh a maximum of... a gram? Meaning I will need a... really big vacuum to get what I want to do done.
Karma continued on, making calculations and bigger portals and improving his speed at how fast he could make larger portals. He avoided accidentally entering the portals, since this would banish him back into the Void, keeping him from easily returning. A roar filled the air from each Void portal he made, and he continued making the ominous, violet portals throughout the night.

OOT: Don't worry if you guys actually leave him alone on the island. After seeing some Touhou animations, I decided to implement some similar things to him.