Impostors
It had been a few days since Shaad spoke to Raine and they hadn't interacted since. Forced to stay in the lions' den with no reason given, Shaad's character was the odd man out compared to Raine's social butterfly of the highest echelons routine despite her supposed straits. That worked out well for him, though. In fact, he liked when people underestimated him. People seeing him as unimportant meant he could move around unencumbered and undetected while the mistaken notion that he couldn't be discreet meant he saw and heard all sorts of intriguing info when people didn't think he was paying attention.
But, of all the potential targets, the pirate's wandering eyes always found the enigmatic navigator in his gaze, covertly watching her while 'other' lower tier nobles gathered to complain about the slights they were suffering and regale any who would listen with tales of their glory. It was an arduous task to listen to the droll conversation, but necessary as he couldn't very well post up in a corner alone.
Meanwhile, Raine flitted between conversation partners, smiling and laughing. It was fake, but Raine was good at it. Shaad, though, didn't care. Somebody on this ship made his navigator feel trapped. For that, they'd pay. But who? And how?
It didn't take too long to answer the first question. Tracking Raine for the past few days, only one person of note stood out: a broad-shouldered, barrel chested elder gentleman with distinguishing gray steaks running through his manicured beard. Of all the recurring characters in this play, his noticeable aversion to the limelight caught Shaad's eye initially. Raine's expression faltered around him, and the conversations never lasted too long or happened in the presence of others. It took some time for even Shaad to put a face to the deep, baritone voice. Vega probably could've helped, but the masked fighter couldn't very well have appeared in the crowd and pointed the suspect out.
Now, it was time for the second part. From what Shaad had gathered, the well dressed noble was only one level above Shaad's identity, in station and cabin floors. He was quite the loner, though. And, that made this worlds easier.
"To what do I owe this?" The Noble gentleman's confidence and nonchalant attitude remained even as a few hairs were removed by Shaad's blade at the nape of his neck. In one of only a handful of darkened hallways, the two were just removed from the bustle of festivities. A second sword pressed to the Noble's back encouraged the relocation of this conversation to a place deeper in the shadows. . . and quieter. "Will you answer my question now," the man asked when they came to a stop.
The man's demeanor was irritatingly unconcerned, but Shaad would not be so easily flustered. "Your ploy on this ship will stop."
Shaad's words were direct, and though vague, the man didn't even feign ignorance as to their meaning. "Words have meaning, young man. You say what will happen without the power or authority to ensure it."
Shaad pressed the blade precariously situated at the man's neck just firmly enough to draw a faint sliver of blood in silent objection to the assertion made.
"Violence. So juvenile and so short sighted. Consider for a second, you did manage to kill me, hide my body, and clean the area with nobody noticing our dual absence, you're still the only person who refused to forfeit his weapons upon entry; all eyes will instantly fall to you at my disappearance."
Shaad gave his sword another press to warn the older man to shut up, but the restraint he'd already shown informed the man's lack of regard for the warning as he continued to speak, just along a different stripe. "Oh; you must forgive me. The flaws in your plan were just so glaring, I couldn't ignore them and ended up burying the lead. . . You're this protective of that woman despite knowing nothing about her?" This time, a threatening press of Shaad's blade demanded the man tell what he knew, to which the nobleman coolly complied. "She's not who you think she is."
The matter-of-fact statement caught Shaad's ear and his arm relaxed from the surprise. It was only for the briefest of moments, but the older man's experience showed in how quickly he not only picked it up, but deciphered it as well.
However, while the man may have accurately identified Shaad's surprise, he was wrong on the reason for it. "I'll admit she shares a familiarity with the Lady DeWynter, but trust me when I say she is not her esteemed Majesty."
It was good for Shaad that he'd chosen to conduct this bit of coercion in the shadows and without showing his face. Even if his identity had easily been deduced, his facial expression now would've given the entire game away. Who was Lady DeWynter? This noble gentleman may have known more than most but he was clueless as to what he didn't know, made all the clearer as he continued.
"In fact, I used my influence to look into who she really is." Shaad's grip tightened on his sword. Too many people already knew his true identity on this ship. If this man's name were to be added to that list, he'd remove it himself, consequences be damned.
"Last warning," Shaad declared, his tone now cold. "Your plot concerning . . . Lady DeWynter ends now."
"Young man," the nobleman responded, straightening his posture to ram-rod straight with shoulders back and chest out as much as Shaad's blade would allow. "I have entertained your folly long enough. I will at least inform you that the object of your infatuation is nothing more than a two-bit pirate, traveling with a low grade ruffian for the past couple of months. Now, this is the end of this conversation as well as any future interaction between us."
Shaad resisted the nagging urge to decapitate the man before him, taking a few deep breaths while the nobleman smoothed himself out and pushed aside the pirate's blade. 'Low-grade,' Shaad fumed inwardly. "You noted a lack of authority on my part, but the extent of my network is just one of many things you underestimate," the pirate captain called after the retreating figure, sheathing the black blade if only to resist the lingering temptation to kill the older man. His warning would deter nothing, but at least he now knew what was hanging over Raine's head. But, given her outsized reaction earlier the question was did she.
Dinner time in the Grand Ballroom. Grand? That was an understatement, but Shaad lacked the vocabulary for a more apt descriptor. To say Shaad was seething, though? Now, that was an understatement. Two days had passed since Shaad's threats, and that arrogant noble had only gotten more open with his behavior, taunting the pirate captain with the increased frequency of his shadowy rendezvous and illicit interactions with Raine.
'Option 17: Kill him in the ballroom during a bit of turbulence, making sure he 'slips' through the window. Maybe 'bite marks' on the neck to sell it?' Shaad mused ways to rid himself of the newest thorn in his side while picking at an unappealing salad. Unfortunately for the outlaw, actual good options were nonexistent. No way to escape. No way to not be implicated. Even his secret weapon wasn't such a secret to the person he needed to keep in the dark.
A lull in the banal conversation punctuated by someone pointedly clearing their throat over his shoulder pulled Shaad from his sinister thoughts enough to actually look at the attendant as the message was repeated. "Mr. Arturio Braddock, your presence is requested at the Captain's Table."
Shaad dutifully rose from his seat, eyes roaming around to try and catch some clue as to what was going on. The blank and furtive stares certainly did nothing for his confidence and the smile on the face of the Noble he'd threatened only made Shaad want to kill the bastard more. But, it was Raine, being guided by another attendant, that made his stomach drop. Locking eyes across the room, the message was clear: she could in no way be certain, but this was definitely Shaad's fault.
Upon the both of them being handed off to a couple of guards just outside the Grand Hall, they finally got a chance to talk as Shaad fell back a step while Raine put a bit of space between her and the guard trailing them.
"What did you do," Raine hissed accusatorily.
"Relax," Shaad answered over his shoulder. "It's nothing; the pompous bastard knows -. Wuaaa"
Before he could finish the statement, Shaad was picking himself up off the floor, Raine's foot expertly slipping between his own to cause the stumble. Raine then 'helped' him up, her nails digging into his ribs. "You idiot. . . There really are no easy paths in this life, huh," she spoke more loudly, a faux smile stretching her full lips as she threatened to draw blood with a final squeeze on Shaad.
With Raine falling back and no other delays, Shaad was left with just the pain and Raine's words registering in his mind.
"Enter," a commanding, distinctly feminine voice called out. Shaad hadn't realized they'd arrived until he heard the new voice.
Stepping past the sturdy oak door, Shaad surveyed the open, oddly intimate room cautiously. Despite the aquarium filled with tropical fish encapsulating the room, Shaad and Raine both felt a heavy atmosphere. Shaad felt particularly nervous, and not due to few pirahna, the red lionfish, or any other animal swimming behind that glass. It was the people that made his hair stand on end. The presumed captain, an attractive female of uncertain age, eyed them evenly from the far side of a rounded table with Valentino Rozzeg calmly sipping wine to her left and an unknown gentleman dressed in a fine, deep purple vest over a wine colored mulberry silk shirt and cravat combo to her right. Further to the left, the Tenyruubito's two adult children sat with deepened scowls, a forkful of some sweet dessert held before the portly son while two imposing Marine Vice Admirals stood guard behind them.
The gentleman, whom Shaad hadn't seen on the ship previously, possessed smooth features and silky, black hair that flowed down his back, but despite his refined, almost soft looks Shaad felt pressured under the intense, unwavering gaze of his spiraled eyes the color of twilight. "Who are you," the man asked them directly though with little actual interest as soon as the door shut behind Raine.
"It matters not," the Tenyruubito's daughter declared. "Remove the vermin this instant."
"Wait," her brother interjected, swallowing the bit of food from his fork, unconcerned with the bit of crumbs left around his mouth. She looks appetizing, and he looks strong enough. . . I'll take them. She'll be my new concubine and he'll be my new slave; I'm sure they can both provide a moment of fun."
Whether at the consort comment or the slave remark, Shaad reacted more out of instinct than conscious intent, shooting a toothpick hidden within his sleeve at the grinning lout. The pirate's impetuous proclivities had never been favorable for him. That's why he worked hard to bury it. But, if it was going to get him in trouble, at least it was wholly ineffective. While everyone else in the room shot dagger-filled glares at Shaad, the presumptuous World Noble sat with fresh cake decorating his face, the projectile pinging off his fork instead of burying in his brain. Even his sister seemed to at least feel the flash of killer intent, though she seemed strangely amused by the act.
"Friends, please. Calm down," Valentino smiled, somehow getting the two Marines to not ring Shaad up by the entrails and hold a public execution. "These are the special guests for our little game."
"Games," the female Tenryuubito sneered in disbelief. "We haven't lowered ourselves to breathing the same air as mere humans to play games. You promised our father the L'Incomparable."
"And I'm only here to ensure you deliver the Nature's Trifecta for my Games."
"I understand your hesitancy, and I will gladly provide all that has been promised," Valentino assured his guests with a slight smile. But it's so rare that friends come together in these trying times. That's the reason I started. . . eh, sponsored the Suny family in this praiseworthy venture: to bring Noble houses together that they may foster goodwill and aid among the nations." The stranger none too subtly rolled his eyes, but Valentino was unperturbed, continuing, "I thought we might celebrate our blessed fortune, and I'm sure each of you would enjoy the chance to increase your bounty."
None at the table cared for Valentino's world peace falsehood, but his last line did stoke their respective greed. Even Raine had a covetous gleam in her eyes while Shaad looked on with consternation.
"I'm interested," the portly Tenyruubito smiled a gap tooth smile. "But, if they're not gifts, why are they here?"
"For the game of course." Everyone donned a confused expression save for the two unflappable Vice Admirals. Even the captain, who'd been silent throughout, looked like she might say something. "If I'm right about who they are, they'll be participating in our game, otherwise they'll play an even more important role."
"And, what sort of game do you have in mind? Poker," the stranger questioned, steepling his fingers on the table.
"Nothing so base, Long Hei," Valentino assured, a look in his eyes that intrigued the interested parties but only further worried Shaad. "Instead we'll have a bit of competition. And, for that, I decided to assist our dedicated Marines a bit. Could you call them in, Marie?"
Without a word, the ship's captain, Marie - moving almost imperceptibly - pressed a button just below the table. Moments later, there was a knock on the door, and she unflinchingly bade them entrance.
With each new minute that expired, Shaad's mind seemed to sprout a fresh new question. That pattern certainly continued as the door opened and a beaten, scraggly haired scoundrel was nearly pushed into him, loose bandages around the man's left eye while the scarlet colored right eye glared madly and a gag certainly restrained colorful criticisms for the accommodations. More compliant were the two that followed after: a young blonde that looked like she'd seen her share of scrapes and a lean youth dressed in baggy clothes far too big for his small frame.
"May I introduce the upstart pirate trio making waves in the tranquil West Blue: "The Little Hellion" worth 62 million beli and his merry band of thieves.