when the sun goes down
#1
Blahhh, rambly first post with her. All welcome, though I'd really like her to meet a Corsair if possible! :3 Set at the Grand Lake.

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She'd thought all of the talk had been promising, but Andara had been walking for days and she had yet to come across another pack. The Ethiopian girl's heart sank with each further step, each moment becoming more agonizing as she felt the knot in her stomach grow tighter. She needed to eat again already, but she just had to go a bit farther. Nothing but her instincts told her that she would come upon something soon, but she trusted them nonetheless.


The rust-colored girl wasn't frail; she'd managed to catch enough small prey along the way to keep her strong, and several times she'd been taken in by a kind stranger for the night. They always fed her if they could, and some offered hot meals which she enjoyed even more. One had given her the cloak. It wasn't hard for Andy to find rodents to eat, but they had a lot of bones, and not a lot of meat, and she was always hungry again right after eating one. Every day she became more frustrated that she wasn't just bigger. If she was bigger, her mouth and teeth would be too, and she wouldn't be so hungry.


A thick brown cloak shrouded her small body, leaving only her head visible as she stepped through the strange wilderness. Bright lilacs swerved hungrily, taking in all of the scenery as she moved. Ethiopia had been nothing like this, and the view at sea was most often monotonous, blue water that went on forever. Around her were trees for some miles, and then later a valley, and then farther on still was a lake, vast and still. It was here that she chose to rest.


Andara carried little with her; the cloak only had a few pockets, and she had nowhere else to store any other belongings. Besides, there wasn't much that she did need. The young girl didn't know how to make a fire, though, and that was a comfort that she often wished for on those windy, chilly nights that she'd grown to know. Her fur and frame was not made for colder climates, and though the days tended towards warmth, it was later that she needed it.


Now, though, it was daytime. The mid-afternoon sun shone brightly in the clearing by the lake, and Andy slipped out of the fabric that covered her, happy to feel the rays on her skin again. Andara liked to think that she had passed childhood urges months ago, but even still she couldn't help but splashing around in the shallows. Lilac eyes quickly noticed the fish scurrying away as she ran past, and it was only then that she stopped playing. Dinner, she thought, reminding herself of her hunger as she stilled her posture, not moving a muscle. It was only a matter of time before one came close enough.


Moments later, a loud splash marked her triumph, and Andara held a wriggling fish tight between her claws. They were fast, but she was faster. Sometimes their slime got the best of her, but not this time. Happy with her catch, she rushed back to land with it. A small dagger was the only weapon she carried, and it was just as much a tool. She wasn't a picky eater, but the scales always got in between her teeth. Quietly, she began shaving the scales off of her catch, wondering what the evening held for her.

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#2
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Perci isn't very social, but I would really like to get to use him more, and if I ever want to get my other charrie on here, I must post post post! ;u;

Word Count → 493


The golden jackal hybrid huffed, water dripping off the tip of his nose, droplets traveling down the length of his long muzzle as he washed himself in the cool water. His sweat felt filthy, and the dirt and grime that came with his job was visible on his person, so the bath was more than warmly welcomed by the pirate.

His dark coloured trousers were rolled up to keep from getting too wet as Percival Teach stood in the shallow water. Aside from that, the male bore an off-white button up shirt with a loose collar under a tighter fitting maroon vest, the top few buttons of each undone, showing his chest to a degree. The sleeves of the shirt were held comfortably out of the way at his elbows by a set of black bands he'd tied around his arms, his limbs bare from the elbow down, revealing plenty scars and signs of labour.

Cupping his hands together, he brought another handful of water to his face, enjoying the feel of the cleansing liquid on his hot skin and matted fur. He gave his head a quick shake, black locks tied back hastily with a piece of leather he typically wore around his wrist. On it was a small metal plate with the initials S.T. carved into it neatly.

The hybrid looked out to the water, stunned some by the view; he'd always been able to see the seas, water on every side of his being, but he rarely ever took in the simple beauty of his surroundings.

Percival was unaware of any company, as he most often blocked himself from the attention of others, placing himself in a sort of trance as thoughts and memories stormed through his ever active mind like great wave, crashing, building, roaring over the sounds his large ears would otherwise detect.

He closed his eyes, relaxing after such an appreciated wash, the sun drying his now cleaner golden pelt.

Starting softly, as usual when he was alone and drifted off, Percival Teach began humming. He always sang sea shanties, melodies passed along from generation to generation. His family had never heard them, but he felt as if they could have been sang to him as lullabies, the lyrics pouring out so easily, the tunes coming to him naturally. The jackal-hybrid loved to sing, and did so since he'd ever heard his first shanty, floating about on that old ragged ship, the smell of salt water and fish filling his lungs, an old raspy voice ringing in his head...

"They say, old man, your horse will die..." He sang aloud, voice still soft and hardly audible, and as always with the man, monotonous, "And they say so, and we hope so... They say, old man, your horse will die..."

Percival opened his grey, hard eyes, his large jackal ears perked as a sudden sound caught his immediate attention.

"Oh poor old man..."

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#3
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wooo i slapped together a table! 8D

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The scales peeled away easily from the flesh of the fish, even with the shoddy dagger. Once the deed was done, she took off the tail and head, too. The morsel of meat that was left wasn't a lot, but it would fill her belly for a time. There on the cold, pebbled shore she crouched, sighing gratefully as she took a hearty bite. The flesh was still warm, and it was rich on her tongue. She savored the bite, and then had another.


Andara's chewing was interrupted, though, and she stopped dead, listening. Is someone singing? She couldn't quite hear, but she had definitely heard something. Andy stuffed the last, big bite of fish into her mouth and chewed as she crept around the bend, lurking quietly behind the trees. If she wasn't alone, she had to be alert; this way, no one could ever sneak up on her.


The girl had left her things behind her, and her shifted form was bare, showing her scrawny body. She clung to a tree, using it's trunk for cover as bright lilacs peered through the brush. It was a man the color of sand, with tall ears and long, thin limbs, like her. He had black hair tied behind his head, and his clothing was odd, but familiar. Andara squinted at him from her hiding spot, trying to decide if she had seen him before. There had been canines dressed like that in Freetown, she remembered, but had one of them been him?


Image courtesy of efleming@Flickr; code by the Mentors!

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#4
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It looks nice! Big Grin

Word Count → 317


Percival made himself aware of the obvious company; he knew he wasn't alone. But instead of acting frightened, threatened, or cocky, the predominately jackal male avoided confrontation with the other.

He was sure to keep suspicious of aggressive behavior, if any should be noted, but he figured if he left the mysterious stranger alone, it caused no harm to either of them. Besides, Percival greatly disliked socializing. Even the meeting potential crew members left him uncomfortable, and scrambling to the side of his only real friend, his captain, Tobias Roche.

For some reason, Percival felt completely safe with Tobias nearby. The captain was the one person to which Perci could open up to, explain his feelings with, dictate to him his troublesome past...

And in return, Percival remains always by Tobias' side if ever he needs the hybrid's company, assistance, or reassurance.

He sighed heavily, his mind shifting quickly from one thought to the other; it never slept. He'd learned to cope with his active remembering, using time for himself to sit alone and dwell on the past, from a couple years ago, to just a mere minute. In this time, he was completely engaged in memories, creating plans based off mistakes made, or formulating possible dangers from former experiences.

Percival had almost forgotten about the stranger. That was one downfall of his constant thinking; if he didn't attempt to turn it off, he caught himself lacking attention to anything around him. Unless he has his focus committed to something, he may as well be comatose in memories.

He cleared his throat, letting the other know that he was there, and aware, just in case he'd mistaken the rustling for somethings other than another being, or if the individual was simply walking, ignorance to his presence. Both he highly doubted, but Percival did it nonetheless.

Stepping out of the swallow water, Percival went on with his business.

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#5
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sorry, this week has sucked. it still sucks... and this sucks! >< lol <3 also sorry if he wasn't actually walking away... i wasn't sure. derp.

Word Count → ---


Andara wasn't afraid of the stranger; he didn't seem threatening at all. She was more curious of him. Her nose twitched at his scent, but she didn't know it. Annoyed, she realized he must not have been one of those men. Still, maybe he'd been there anyways. Maybe this guy had seen Terik, maybe she could still find him. And then what? she though uncertainly as she gnawed at an itchy patch of fur on her arm. If she found Terik, what would he do? Take her home? No, she knew, he would probably just confine her to Freetown or another town nearby, as her mother had wanted.


The petite girl took a heavy breath and stepped out reluctantly, posture forward and small ears erect as her feet carried her onto the rocky shore. "Wait," she called out, quickening her pace to reach him. "Sir," she started in mumbled tones, "Were you in Freetown, about three months ago?" Andy just had to know; even if it wasn't him, he could still know something. Andara had to ask everyone about that place, just in case. And he wore those clothes... "I've seen others wearing clothes like that," she noted. He even looks like a pirate, she thought, remembering stories that the captain had told her when she was younger. That all seemed so long ago now.


Image courtesy of efleming@Flickr; code by the Mentors!

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#6
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Perfectly fine. These past two weeks have been miserable for me, as well. And tonight's not proving better... Tummy ache. ;n;

Word Count → 202


His large ears perked, turning to the source of the sudden sound. Not just a sound, a voice. The stranger had spoken up. Percival looked around, as if there was a chance that the words weren't directed to him. He sighed heavily.

They were.

"Ah, well..." Percival cleared his throat, shyly shifting to catch view of the other. He frowned instantly, his ears laying flat for a moment, grey eyes staring the young one down. With a quick shake of his head, he'd forced himself back to Earth, swallowing hard.

"Not certain, miss, ah 'aven't gotten meself too well familiar with th' land yet..." the pale golden hybrid mumbled, voice low, but soft. "Me clothin' seems o' in'trest? Ye pro'ly seen th' rest o' th' crew, miss, we be tryin' t' gather some sailors after th' wreck... We not be plannin' t' cause ye any harm, we ain't..." He added, as if in attempt to reassure the stranger, as not to frighten her.

The speaking had made him nervous, and it was clear by his fidgeting and darting eyes. He cleared his throat again, giving a bit of a hasty shrug, "Sorry ah couldn't o' been o' any much 'elp, miss... Truly."

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#7
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awww :<

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The stranger was lanky even beneath his clothing, and without hers Andara felt oddly naked. Amethyst gaze tilted upward as he spoke a reply. It wasn't what she'd hoped for. Sighing, she looked forward as he continued. Gather some sailors, he said. At that, her mouth fell open in awe. "Sailors?" she asked brightly, excited. "I know about sailing!" Rusty, cream-dipped tail waved eagerly behind her, her tiny ears as tall as they could be.


"I'm not afraid," she went on, ignoring his nervousness and standing up straighter as if to prove her point. She was still heads shorter than the pale, dark-haired man in pirate clothing. "I could help!" Andy just knew that she could. Then, she wouldn't have to wander anymore; she could become a pirate, just like that. More life at sea wouldn't be so bad. Sometimes, she even missed the gentle rocking of the boat as she fell asleep.


Image courtesy of efleming@Flickr; code by the Mentors!

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#8
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Hopefully things get better for you, though!

Word Count → 252


He was take aback by her sudden outburst.

"Uhm... Aye, miss.... Sailors." Percival frowned, watching her movements now carefully, "Ye... Ye do? Oh, uhm... Miss, are ye really sure ye could be used about? Ye look young, an' the cap'n cares very lil' fer young lassies... 'specially if yer inexperienced..." He rambled. He had no idea what else to do. Percival Teach was grown and could stand nights in stormy seas, but a young lady comes to converse, and he would admit, with no shame, that he had no idea what to do.

He wanted... No, craved the certain company to get him out of this "mess".

"Miss, ah ain't be tryin' t' deny ye this privilege, but ah ain't th' cap'n. If ye really are in'trested in this, ye would 'ave better luck tryin' with somebody o' higher rankin'..." Percival said, looking around nervously. Cap'n, ah could really use ye right now...

He shrugged, "An', an'... T'ain't sailin', purely, miss... We be... uhm..." He huffed, clearly uncomfortable, and at a loss at what to say, "Pirates, miss. Nasty profession. Not fer th' weak o' heart..." Percival nodded quickly.

Giving away too much information was dangerous. But if he stated that he was a part of the less glamourous rank of pirate, perhaps the youngster would be frightened, intimidated, or at least bored, and be on her jolly way back home. The conversation was enough to leave Percival shifting in place, the lady's resemblance made the stay to chat even more difficult.

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