A/N
Sorry for the no updates, I got swamped in school work again. However, this is the last week of school, so I should be having more updates starting next week, hopefully.
Pitch: The relative acuteness or gravity of a tone, determined by the number of vibrations which produce it; the place of any tone upon a scale of high and low.
The night air whipped through my hair as Kitty and Rahne sat behind me, the former clinging tightly to my shoulders, afraid of falling. Crepuscule wasn't even flying quickly. I made him slow down so Jean and Mr. McCoy could keep up with us.
"Are we like, there yet?"
I felt Crepuscule wince. Kitty had that effect on some animals. Her voice was just a little bit above a comfortable pitch. He'd get used to it, they all did, but it would take a little time.
"Soon. We just have to find the docks and the Black Sun." I said, staring straight ahead. I have a normal person's night sight, so trying to look around would be futile. It would be better just to leave it to the scaled creature that was chauffeuring us.
To say that it hadn't taken a little bit of convincing on my part to get the others to come with me wouldn't be true. The story had been met with raised eyebrows and the assorted snorts of disbelief. They had all been a little apprehensive about jumping onto a ship with a complete stranger, of which only I and Crepuscule had truly met. Mr. McCoy had said that in the commotion he had not seen the man I spoke of but for a few seconds, and didn't know what to make of him. Jean had been the biggest objector, bringing up the fact that I didn't even really know the guy, and I just knew his cat. I tried to counter that pets resemble their owners, but then realized that wouldn't be the best argument.
Maybe I do need to work on my people skills more.
Instead, I countered with the fact that we were all mutants with special training, and this was the best chance to take a ride across the sea. Jean asked me why I was so eager to go, and I found myself a little tongue tied, so I lied and told her I sensed someone over there. I didn't say who.
When it all comes apart at the seams, which I know it will, I'm going to have a hell of a lot of explaining to do.
Just once I want to go on a trip and come back and explain the wholesome activities my group did, not explain how I managed to get everyone in trouble or why I keep bringing home bigger and badder monsters.
If I do bring Crepuscule home, I have no idea what I'm going to tell the Professor. No, scratch that. I won't have to tell the Professor anything because Mr. Logan will kill me for bringing him home.
But that was still far away. I'd cross or burn those bridges, take cover under the bridge, go around the bridge, walk the other way entirely…the point is I'd deal with the bridge when I came to it.
"The docks." Crepuscule's voice jarred me back from my thoughts. I heard the sound of gently breaking surf below.
"Alright! Let's get down there." I leaned back as he pulled a sharp incline and dove down to the wooden docks. Kitty screeched and dug her fingers in. Crepuscule jolted a little and almost growled, but landed flawlessly nonetheless.
"Can you tell him not to do stuff like that?" She hissed into my ear. I shrugged.
"He's the pilot, not me."
Mr. McCoy, who had been swinging and jumping on the rooftops behind us, landed easily by Crepuscule's side. Crepuscule turned his head slightly so he could watch Mr. McCoy out of the corner of his eye, but didn't shy away. Jean landed a few feet ahead of us.
"Let's spread out and find the Black Sun."
Why spread out when they can follow?
"We have a guide." I said before she could start tossing out orders. She looked at me puzzled until I pointed at the cat melting out of the shadows.
"Oh wow, that cat looks so cool!" Rahne exclaimed from behind Kitty. I rolled off of Crepuscule's back to go squat by Red Moon.
Is this everyone?
(Yes. Sorry for making you wait.)
You still have time, a few hours. Now we go?
(After you, my cat friend.)
He trotted off easily and I gestured for my friends to follow me. I ignored the looks of 'you have to be kidding me'. I get that enough to push it aside.
Crepuscule followed me immediately, much to the discomfort of Kitty who squealed and fell through him to run to Mr. McCoy. Crepuscule didn't take that too well and glared at her, which didn't give her any peace of mind. Rahne just sat on his back as if it was all good, and nothing was out of the ordinary, which considering our situation, wasn't.
Red Moon took us past several ships in the harbor, stopping at what looked like a massive shadow. On closer inspection I discovered it was a black ship, with its sails neatly folded on the deck.
"Who's there?" A young man, no the young man, the same man I saw in the chains with Mr. McCoy stood guard on the ship, looking at me.
"Gregory, good to meet you again." Mr. McCoy said, walking up behind me.
"Hank? What are you doing here?" He scratched the back of his blonde head and looked down at us.
"Apparently we need to have a word with your Captain."
"The Captain? What for?"
"Captain Ivan made me a deal that stated he would take my friends and me to the Northern continent." I said confidently as Red Moon curled himself around my legs.
"I'll have to speak with the Captain to verify."
"Please do so." Mr. McCoy said pleasantly.
Red Moon sniffed some of Mr. McCoy's fur as we waited, always curious.
He smells of your world but never have I seen such a creature come from it.
(He's like me. A mutant.)
A mutant he may be, but like you, he is not. Does he speak with the gift of the bestial tongue?
(Well, no, but he's really strong and really smart.)
Red Moon gave me a withering look as if I was missing the point. I didn't really understand the point. No, he and I weren't the same. We were all different. That didn't mean that we were any better than the other. The animals, I know, only like me because I take the time to understand them. They'd treat other people the same way if we all spoke with the 'gift of bestial tongues'.
"You got here before dawn. I'm glad I didn't make any bets with my crew." Ivan was standing above us all, having shed his vest and calmly adjusting his glasses. "I suppose now my part of the bargain must be honored."
"I suppose so." I returned just as evenly.
"Throw them a rope. Get them stowed before dawn Mr. Warrents." He turned on his heel, leaving Gregory to take us in.
"Hey, what kind of ship is this anyway?" Kitty asked as we began to board.
"I cannot believe this is happening." Jean groaned beside me as she set down her bucket.
I should have been far more precise in my wording. But then again, I don't mind earning my keep all that much. Ivan Korzenki, or rather, Captain Korzenki, had placed upon us the responsibility of keeping his ship clean.
Ah well, if it got us across the sea I wasn't too worried. I was more worried about Crepuscule, who seemed to be seasick, and lying out on the deck.
The sails of the Black Sun were a bright gold, which gave the ship an eerie, out of this world sort of look. The wind was behind us, and the ship was skimming across the waves so fast I could hear murmurs of protest from the fish that had to move out of the way.
It was fantastic, watching the ocean move, just a couple of hours after dawn and already the water was alive with the marine animals of the day.
"Scrub, animal girl." Rahne bumped me. Immediately I started cleaning a spot of deck with her, rolling my eyes.
They would probably hold this over my head forever, but it didn't really matter.
Just as long as we were moving forward.
Well, it took me awhile to update, but I hope you all liked it.
Asteria: Well, hopefully you won't have to wait long.
PtincessOfWildfire: I always liked the raptors too, but I also liked the diloposaurus, the spitting dinosaur. I thought she looked really cool. Hope you liked this chapter!
asp: Yep, everyone should have the opportunity to beat monsters in their own special way, and Kitty got her chance! Glad you liked the last chapter, hope you liked this one too!
Anon(girl) : What can we say? It happens, no? Anyway, glad to see you back reviewing, hope you like this chapter as much as the others, and congrats on finally ditchin' the dudes.
Herman will take the reviews yet again, before he takes off to give his answer to Julian!
