The tides had stole her grace [Intro]

“There be monsters everywhere lass….Not just in my crew…Even in the fortified cities of the land lovers there be monsters there… In fact… something tells me you might be a monster as well…” A disembodied voice echoed, deep and raspy in its cadence. A chuckle filled the darkened skies as if it was one with the storming winds. The shadows began to coalesce and form until a humanoid figure revealed itself. A mass of shadow with human like appendages began to form at the side of Maven. The figure was dim, it’s face obscured by the constant shifting of the miniature storm that cloaked the figure. The figure was like a ghostly figure of sorts an embodiment of the hurricane of shadows that danced around the deck of the ship.

“Your don’t seem to be the pillaging type…so what brings you to my ship lass?” The figure spoke as a dim glow began to pulsate from underneath the churning black clouds. The figure solidified finally showing it’s ghostly visage. A burning skull draped in the cloth of a marine officer. Hellish flames flickered around it’s burning skull. It’s toothy maw clamped to a perpetual grin as it’s eye sockets burned hotter than coals. Ash began to fall from his cindered coat as he walked around Marvin. As the ash fell the floated remaining suspended in the air like debris floating in the ocean abyss. The figures burning skull tilted as if expressing curiosity and eagerness as it’s tricorn hat tilted cast an ominous shadow over it’s smoldering skull.

“Tell me lass… what is it you seek?…. Treasure? Adventure?…. Blood… or perhaps…” a pause as the figure stopped behind Maven. It’s jaw opened revealing it’s mouth that flickered with flames and shadow. A laugh once again that was accompanied with the crack of lightning in the distance. “HehehHAHA!….Perhaps… you’re here for Chaos?” The phantom Admiral’s tone was filled with glee, like a child prodding an insect with a stick.

“You reek of it… blood… the smell of hate and anger… so… soooo many people hold a grudge against you Lass… what have you done to warrant such hate from so many people?” The admiral mused in genuine curiosity. It was a first time someone so cloaked and hidden had appeared before him. Usually the Andromeda could offer him some insight of those who walk on her deck. But… This girl was different… something about her was old… and indescribably evil and sadistic… he mused how she would make a fine addition to his crew of the damned…

______________________
426 Words

@Mythica

Gabriel could feel the disturbance as soon as it set foot upon the deck. His stomach roiled with the absolute desire to... something. He wasn't sure if his stomach was sick or wanted to feast. His powers tended to clash at the worst of times. Regardless, he wanted to investigate the source of his discomfort. Perhaps he could visit some of that discomfort back toward them. Gabriel took a step, letting his magic carry him to the deck. Too late did he realize he might want to put on some pants.

The blue haired mage appeared on the deck some distance from the Admiral and the newcomer. He looked down at his shirt. It whipped about in the wind. Fine, he wouldn't step that far over the line. This time. Gabriel pulled pants from an extra dimensional space and dressed. It caused him to miss the Admiral's words to the newbie.

Plastering a wide cheery smile upon his face, Gabriel charged toward the pair. He launched himself toward the newbie intending to hug her. Let her touch magnificence once and despair that she woke it early. As he passed a threshold, an untold amount of dread crashed into him. Gabriel casually brushed it aside with a small laugh. Oh this one would be fun. It'd been a long time since something had wrung that amount of emotion from him against his will. Well, other than his father.

Gabriel's arms wrapped around the woman. "Oh. M. Gee! New friends! This is fantastic! A peculiar scent touched his nose. One that he would recognize anywhere. His expression turned sinister. "One that apparently likes to mess with time. I'm sure we'll have great mischief so long as you don't injure the timeline." All this was whispered in the woman's ear. Then the bluette spun away from her with a delicate laugh. "Darling Admiral! I didn't see you there. This is a new crew member, is it not?" His gaze swept down the woman critically. He worried a thumbnail with his teeth, the other hand placed cockily on his hip. One might have pegged him as a model or artist in that pose if they didn't know better.

The sudden entrance of Gabriel was a surprise but something not unexpected judging form the blue hair mages ostentatious personality. Although he was yet to be fully accepted as one of the abyss walkers, the personal crew of the Andromeda, the admiral respected Gabriel's abilities. Seeing the awkward exchange between the girl and Gabriel, the Admiral couldn't help but chuckle as the young ladies face bloomed a red blush upon receiving the impromptu embrace.

"Gabriel... try no to pressure our.... guest..." the Admiral spoke in his usual charred and grainy tone. The smoldering bones tilted its head in a manner that would indicate that his words leaned towards it being an order rather than a suggestion. The Admiral watched silently as the young woman walked past them, he mused at the possibility of her joining his ranks. The Admiral could not help but think of how the mysterious lady could be a great asset to his goals.

The young woman would waltz into the depths of the Andromeda's hull, the Admiral gave no chase. He simply allowed the woman to explore to her hearts desire, he knew she would find nothing unless he willed it. After all, the Andromeda was alive and her halls and structure can be changed to whatever the Admiral pleased. The Admiral and the ship was one, anything on the ship he could know at a moments notice. He listened intently to the woman rant, as she lay her inquiries on the metaphorical table like a bunch of playing cards.

The Admiral began to sink into the depths of the ship. His visage returning to ash and shadow. The Admiral would materialize before the female mage, his body phasing through the walls. His burning skull adorned with his tricorne hat turned towards the time mage.

"Aye...this ship... she belongs to me... and I belong to her... I am her captain... and she is my vessel..." The captain mused as he confirmed the obvious.

"Tell me... how does my ship speak to you?...." the captain inquired as his burning hand gently touched the walls of the ship. The storm outside silenced, almost as if responding to the gentle touch of the Admiral.

"....If you are curious... I do not mind a inquisitive soul... however... if you plan to harm my ship... or my crew... I'm afraid I cannot continue to be cordial to you lass...." the Admirals voice darkened as his flames intensified slightly, the storm outside brewed and rumbled again once again untied with the Admirals tone and cadence.

______________________
423 Words

Gabriel moaned in delight as a painful sensation invaded his body. He shivered happily, squeezing a little bit more. "Hurt me more, mami." The bluette cackled in the woman's ear. Pain, dread and one that messed with time caused Gabriel to feel curious. Could she be manipulating the timestream around herself to ward off others? How many had breached those iron walls? The possibility of such a challenge sent another shiver down his spine. Perhaps he'd endeavor to befriend this strange one.

At the woman's question, Gabriel flashed a wide smile. His finger tapped his nose. "One of my status can smell their meal." He said cryptically. An off the cuff test of the woman's intelligence. After all, to be friends with someone like Gabriel, one had to show at least a modicum of intelligence. The Admiral's chiding voice had Gabriel's head snapping back. "No pressure here, Admiral!" He said with a salute. "Besides, this minx could snap me in two. Not to mention the lover I smell on her. I doubt she'd bed with a weakling. So again, no pressure here!"

The bluette followed the crazy woman into the bowels of Andromeda. She seemed to switch rapidly between sanity and insanity. Something Gabriel could understand. Not that he'd ever been crazy, nope not him. Heh. A giggle bubbled from Gabriel's throat at the serious question the woman asked at the end of her rant. "Ah, the songs... The songs of the universe" He stretched his hands out to touch something invisible. A deep thrum spat visible notes into Andromeda. Gabriel laughed again as he caressed them. The Admiral's threat had Gabriel cocking his head.

"Darling Admiral. Sweetling Andromeda! How does one understand intent behind action or song or dance? Do you feel it? Simply know it? Or is it something you divine in a moment?" Gabriel asked. The Admiral had threatened him when he'd boarded. Andromeda as well. They'd teased him with the sweet release of death. "By the by, I didn't catch your name, Time Honey. Mind enlightening my mind with it?" He directed the question toward the woman. He should have a name for her other than crazy chick or time lady. "If you do not have one or shan't give me one, I shall bestow one upon you. My chosen name is Gabriel." The bluette swept off an invisible hat as his body bent into a bow. He did hope she permitted him to grant her a name. It had been such a long time.