On Board 'The Animal'
-Fifteen Years Later-
Ichorlin walked along the wooden dock of Doggenbrass, her head held high as her eyes scanned the many boats around her. She was a much different person from the baby that had been found by the smiling Priggle. Her hair was long and sandy brown, tied with thick black ribbons into a neat bun atop her head. Her eyes were a brilliant, almost frightening pale blue and around her she wore a deep aqua proofed coat. It hugged her figure tightly and flared out at the hips. It was finely decorated with little black vines sewn around the edges and seams, and finished with three golden buttons in the shape of grinning bogles down her front. To any young man she was a shining beauty, and Ichorlin knew it well; swinging her hips whenever she walked around others. But she only did it to torment, for really she had no interest in men what-so-ever.
Smiling she focused her gaze on a shiny new frigate at the farthest corner of the harbour, nearly a kilometer from where she stood. The nameplate glittered in the sun, 'The Animal' showing clearly to her eyes. The boat carried many number of animals and performers, traveling along the coastlines to entertain the towns and cities of the coast with their antics. She wound her way through the maze of piers, her thoughts abuzz. She had kept a keen eye on the ship for the few weeks it had been at sea, and had noticed the smell of monsters upon the men at many of their performances. Now she was going to investigate for herself, and find the true desire of these rough-looking men. She walked hurriedly to the ship, as many crates full of lions, tigers, monkeys, ponies and more were loaded onto the ship. The crew had just finished a show at Doggenbrass, and were loading the ship in preparation for their next trip along the coast to Termagaunt.
Ichorlin had soon reached the gangplank, and calmly walked up it and towards the most official looking man she could find.
"I am looking for the Captain of the ship please?" She asked in a refined tone. The man looked her up and down, his eyes pausing across her chest. He smiled, showing black and rotted teeth.
"He's busy at the moment. Be here right quick he will. May I be of err… some service to ye?" He asked, his smile growing into a hungry glare. Ichorlin straightened herself proudly.
"May I ask where he is? I must see him as soon as possible." She demanded, ignoring the man's gaze. The man sneered in disappointment and pointed to the front of the frigate where a tall man in an oversized proofed jacket was coiling ropes.
"That'll be who yer' after." He said and walked away before further questions could be asked. Ichorlin snorted in disgust and walked over to the man. He straightened at her approach and cocked his thrice-high.
"Ello ello. What ove' we ere'? He asked pleasantly in a strong thick accent. Ichorlin suddenly held her breathing at the stench of his breath.
"I assume you are the Captain of this ship?" She asked expectantly, trying to use as little air as possible. The man's eyes glittered.
"Indeed oi am Lassy. Cap'n Thestle. What's a foin thin' like you doin' on a ship ere' like this'un?" He asked, withering the girl's nose hairs. She made to wipe her nose with her handkerchief, and took a deep breath.
"I am asking to join your crew sir. I have a fine talent handling animals, and I know I would make a great addition to your show." She said pleasantly, finishing with a great show of teeth. Captain Thestle looked her up and down, and nodded his head.
"I do believe you'd make a foin addition, that is if what ye say is true an' ye don mind to sleeping under a skin." He said, by which he meant a large sheet of leather that would be pitched upon the deck of the ship as a protector against the weather. The girl looked curiously towards the man.
"What is wrong with the hold?" She asked gently. The Captain blushed.
"Ooh, arr… I wouldn't want a pretty thing as yerself to be sleeping amoungst all the smell and mess of the animals now!" He murmured. Ichorlin smiled.
"That is fair enough. Where may I place my parcel here?" She asked, lifting her small leather case. Captain Thestle scratched his head, not sure if he'd actually said she was allowed aboard. He shrugged his shoulders almost to himself.
"Oh, I'd be puttin' tha boxy draggard amoungst yer sleepin things down the back o' the ship." He said and pointed towards one of the pitched skins. "You can have that one there ta sleep ana'. Now go'n get yerself all comfy an all. We be leavin' soon." He said before going back to his rope coiling. Ichorlin nodded and walked towards the skin. There she sat down her parcel, and did just what the Captain had said, and made herself comfortable upon the side of the ship, her legs dangling across the ledge. Many watched curiously, unsure how anyone might risk such an action of leaving one's limbs in reach of the sea dwelling kraulschwimmen and other nadderers, but she merely ignored them and watched the swells of the water.