Author's Note: The song that inspired me to write this chapter is called 'Rising Tide' by Majestica and is actually performed by one of the characters later on. I recommend giving it a listen, I think it fits well for the theme of this particular season. WARNING, ALCOHOL USAGE! Enjoy
Season of Plunder
"Make sure she doesn't drink too much." ~ Mithrax, probably.
. . .
But father, this is an opportunity to recover a lost section of history for our people. Back from the time of the Whirlwind!
I know Eido, but the old crews…you don't know what they're capable of.
I'll be fine! Mr. Drifter seems to know what he's doing and Tonitrus will also be with us! You know he's been a steward of our people ever since that incident with the Vex.
Eido. The old crews are ruthless and Spider's goons are not much better themselves.
It's not like I'll be by myself. Like I said, Drifter and Tonitrus will be there, and Sylaks too! He's proven to be one of House Light's most skilled engineers. He'll make sure we won't crash. Not to mention the Young Wolf and the Bane of the Shore…
Alright, alright. You've made your point. Just…please be careful.
Father, I'll be fine.
Let's get your things packed before I change my mind.
. . .
That was a day ago. Now, the scribe of House Light was standing on the deck of Baron Spider's (former) personal ketch. As the stars zoomed above her head, she bounced excitedly on her feet, a habit she picked up from the humans. Like most of her people, she was no stranger to space travel. But that was for the sole purpose of getting from point A to point B. Now however, traveling through space to recover artifacts with a deep history of their people was exhilarating. The situation reminded her of those human Pre-Golden Age adventure movies Tonitrus brought with him during his visits to the Eliksni Quarter.
Speaking of the Exo, he seemingly appeared right beside her, gently laying a hand on her shoulder.
"Everything OK Eido? You've been out here for a while now."
"I'm fine Tonitrus, I'm just excited about the adventure that lies ahead."
"I can tell," he laughed. "Is this different from the usual star travels your people go on?"
"Not really actually. We're still technically scavenging around, but now we have a permanent home to return to."
"I understand. So the Kell hasn't been bothering you?"
Some of her earlier excitement disappeared. "Ah-um…was it obvious?"
"Eido, it's almost common knowledge that Misraaks is very protective of you. I'm actually surprised he allowed you to accompany us."
"Father has always been like that, even before we became House Light. He never allowed me out of whatever settlement we set up and placed my protection as one of the highest priorities. Luckily, no one ever dared to attack us, I guess father's reputation does hold some weight after all…whatever reputation that is anyway." She said, mumbling the last part.
"I see." Tonitrus said awkwardly. Ever since he was assigned as a liaison between the Vanguard and House Light, he had witnessed several interactions between House Light's kell and scribe. Eido was basically the Kell's shadow, following him to every event, meeting, and social gathering that involved the new House. The way Meesraks carried himself in front of his daughter was typical behavior of a father but the way he did was different. Almost as if he was protecting her from himself. Now that he thought about it, everytime she inquired about his past, the Kell instantly dismissed it, like he was hiding something. Now, to him, Meesraks' past wasn't his business but he could tell that it bothered Eido to no end.
He quickly changed the subject. "So I originally came out here to let you know that I finished making dinner not too long ago and you'd better get some before the others eat it all. I've been told Spider and his associates have a…preference for human food."
She giggled. "Yes, I know what you mean. Here's hoping I can get a calm meal before the action starts."
. . .
Calm was not a word that could describe the ketch galley. While yes, the atmosphere was festive, it was rather chaotic since almost everyone was drunk. Drifter had decided that introducing their new Eliksni friends to rum without infused Ether was a good idea and the guardians that joined in the festivities only added to the chaos. On one side of the room the Young Wolf, Flux-13, was arm wrestling a Captain who recently came to House Light and was hired by Spider for this expedition. A large crowd of Eliksni was cheering them on.
On the other side of the room, Sierra was attempting to lead a dance number on top of a metal table. Two equally drunk Vandals were hooked in the Arcstrider's arms.
The only ones not participating were seated at the bar Drifter currently tended. Spider's personal sniper and House Light's top engineer, Halsiks and Sylaks, were passed out drunk. The Bane of the Shore, Vendrick-5, also sat at the bar strumming away on a yellow-bodied guitar while a fellow hunter, Jun, sat nearby sipping away at what appeared to be a Bloody Mary.
The Voidwalker and scribe shimmied against the galley walls to avoid the chaos, before finally making it to the bar.
"Drifter what the hell!? I told you it was a bad idea."
The Gambit handler held up his hands innocently, "Hey, hey. Take it easy brother. All they did was ask. I simply delivered."
"That's not what I-ugh, whatever. Get me a Mai Tai."
"You got it hero."
"Um." Eido nervously interjected. "Can I get something to eat? Tonitrus said he made dinner and I know Spider's crew loves human food. Looks like they ate all of it…"
"You're in luck little sister, I saved a plate just for you." He said as he placed her meal in front of her before turning around to make Tonitrus' drink.
Eido's eyes lit up (more than what is typical of Eliksni) in fascination at the food set before her.
"What is this? I've eaten a variety of meats in the Last City but this is new. Is it like those fried bird strips you made that one time?" Asked the scribe as she picked up a strip and took a bite.
"Sort of. This is a filet of barramundi, a type of white fish, beer-battered and deep fried twice with aioli sauce on the side." Tonitrus answered eloquently. "I wanted to do something more elaborate but with a crew of this size, I was pressed for time. Plus Flux and Sierra are pretty big eaters."
"Ohmygosh, this is amazing," Eido mumbled, her mouth full.
Tonitrus rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Thanks, but it's not my best work."
"What're you talkin' about brother?" Drifter chimed in as he placed Tonitrus' drink in front of him. "Your food's good and definitely better than some of the stuff I've eaten over the years. In fact this one time-"
"Tony's like that about his cooking, Eido." Vendrick quickly interrupted, not wanting to hear another one of Drifter's 'normally-disgusting-but-surprisingly-tasty-things I've eaten' stories. "He's an incredible cook but he's very modest about it. Just enjoy the fact he's willing to share his work with us."
Before the conversation could continue, a stray chair from the ongoing arm-wrestle came flying toward them. Apparently Flux and his Captain friend had opted for standing and literally threw their chairs away. Jun quickly sprang up and kicked it away, the metal piece of furniture clattering to a corner of the galley.
"Can I tether them?" He asked. "They're getting rowdy."
Tonitrus shook his head. "I'd prefer Spider not have any leverage against us should one of his guys get injured because we used the Light to stop a bunch of drunks."
The Nightstalker sighed in exasperation before turning to look at the scribe. "Fine. Eido, you've looked at the star charts, when do you think we'll cross one of these relics?"
The scribe finished the remainder of her meal. "I'm not sure, father told me that quite a few crews rallied under Eramiskel's banner. But since this is pretty recent, I doubt they've had time to fully mobilize. We just crossed into the Sea of Stars so I'm fairly certain we won't run into anyone this early on."
"I see. I'll take up nightwatch just in case. I'll be above deck if anyone needs me."
With that he disappeared, leaving most of the remaining bar patrons stunned.
"Did he transmat out?" Drifter asked.
"No, I still don't understand how he's able to do that." Tonitrus said eventually.
"Nightstalkers are weird," Vendrick answered.
The bar patrons turned their attention back to the chaotic galley. The arm wrestling match between Flux and the Captain had escalated into an actual wrestling match. This time, with Sierra's gaggle of Eliksni joining the rambunctious crowd.
"Maybe Jun had a point. Do you think we should stop them?" Vendrick asked.
"If you want to get involved with that," Tonitrus said as he gestured to the Captain who was now suplexing the Striker Titan, "then be my guest."
"Right…"
"You know, you could put those guitar skills to work brother," Drifter chimed in. "Methinks Spider likes karaoke," he said pointing to the stage and wall jukebox. "If you want to pacify our new friends you just gotta play a few tunes. Can you sing?"
"Uh, I can…"
"Then get out there hotshot!" Drifter exclaimed, pushing the gunslinger off the bar stool.
"Can I at least get a drink, it's been a while since I last perf-"
Drifter slammed two vibrant colored rum shots onto the bar faster than Shin Malphur could draw his Golden Gun, that ever-present grin plastered on his face.
Vendrick stared at the glasses before him. "You just want to see if I'll embarrass myself don't you?"
"Hey, we might as well enjoy ourselves before we go swashbuckling."
With a sigh, the Bane of the Shore downed the two shots before heading to the makeshift stage.
"Um, Drifter? What did you just give him?"
"Ah, those were called shots, little sister."
"Shots?"
"Yeah, they're like regular drinks but…more festive."
"They looked pretty colorful. Can I try a few?"
"I don't think that's a good idea." Tonitrus chimed in. "What Drifter gave you back at the Empty Tank had ether infused into it. We don't exactly have-"
"Ugh, Tonitrus. You're like my father sometimes. I appreciate your concern but I'm not a hatchling, I think I can handle a little bit of regular human alcohol. Besides, aren't you the one always trying to get me to experience human culture?"
"Well…yeah but this isn't exactly-"
"Tony. I'll be fine."
"Okay." He sighed. "But don't come crying to me when something goes wrong."
A few moments later.
"-then he said, 'It's always belonged to you; Will you keep it safe!" Eido cried into Tonitrus' shoulder, all four of her arms tightly wrapped around him. His own arms pinned against his body.
"Uh-huh, yeah…"the warlock choked out.
The scribe had exactly one and a half shots before being smashed. As it turned out, she was in fact a weepy drunk. Currently, she was telling him about a certain pirate-themed movie she saw recently.
On the plus side (if you could call it that, since it didn't really help him), Vendrick was jamming out on his guitar. Making full use of the makeshift stage, he sang along to an upbeat song playing from the jukebox. The entirety of the galley's occupants had gone into full concert mode, cheering on the gunslinger, Drifter included. This meant that no one took notice of the predicament Tonitrus was in.
The bound warlock tried to shimmy out of her grip, but the scribe was surprisingly strong. Granted, she was at least head taller than him but that's not important.
"Eido, can you let me go please? It's getting hard to breathe."
"Mmm…no. You're soffft." She slurred.
"I'm literally made of metal."
The scribe said nothing in response. Instead, she started rubbing her cheek against his face. So not only was she a weepy drunk but also an affectionate one.
"Alright, time to go to bed." He attempted to get up from the bar stool but because the scribe had her full weight pressed into him and that he had no room to move his arms, he ended up toppling to the floor, with her still bear-hugging him.
"Eido, come on! Get off!" He protested.
Again, he got no verbal response. But he did feel slow, rhythmic breathing. She fell asleep on him!
"Hey!" He shouted. "Help! Anyone!?"
His requests drowned out by cheering and guitar chords.
He submitted to his fate; smothered by a sleeping scribe laying on top of him, using his frame as a body pillow.
"This is going to be a long trip."
