First Mate's Journal

Crew Needed!

2008-12-06T16:28:33Z

Tacked up around the city are fliers that read:

Crew Needed!

Looking for a new job?
One that possibly could involve high seas adventure?
Look no further!

The Nightfall Serenade is looking for a crew!
All interested parties are to come by the docks,
ask for Callisto of Minos.

(Will train if needed, no experience required.
No promises of adventure...or lack of adventure.)

Journal Entry: Nightfall Serenade

2008-11-15T13:55:10Z

She's going to be a good ship, now just to find her a good crew. Still need to make the trip with Dinah to Minos before I can Captain the Serenade. But, that should hopefully be happening soon, and hopefully, I'll pick up a crew in Minos while there.

Deacon seems to be excited about the prospect of getting the ship sailing. We've not yet discussed what the first cargo will be. Birdie also seems to plan to tag along with me. Atleast the first time out.

Dear Diary: People are Idiots

2008-11-04T09:43:37Z

Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I skewered every stupid person in Amber...then I remember I'd most likely be alone when it was over. Sometimes even smart people do stupid things.

Take this Deacon situation. I would assume his sister is reasonably intelligent, but her actions don't state that. Instead of getting facts, she acted upon idle gossip by servants and staff. Accused someone, i.e. me, of sleeping with him when I in fact never did. Then gets huffy because he lent a friend his room to hide out in while recovering from something terrible that occurred to them recently. All of these, to me, are the actions of a closed, paranoid, nasty little mind.

Sure..I'm a pirate. Sure I've killed people. But mother and father always tell stories of how our family is related to Queen Rilga. While I don't believe that to be true, and in fact believe it to be nothing more then a story, it does point to the fact that its never safe to assume anything.

As for the doctor..well..I saw her that night she came to a friend for help. She looked...broken. And now his sister's gone and made being nice to someone a bad thing. Pathetic.

Oh, but its okay to auction him off like a common whore. What sort of logic is that?
I just don't understand Amberites. Minos makes so much more sense.

Letter Home

2008-11-03T04:02:32Z

Dear Mother,

Of all the things I've done in my life, this has to be the first time someone's accused me of doing something I didn't do. It does remind me why I usually just stay on the ship when in port. It's safer.

I wont be bringing anyone by for a visit like I mentioned. In fact, don't send any more dumb dresses. Or hats. Unless you want to send some to Molly. Or the captains. Mags is still not feeling good, maybe you can send of your chowder.

Give the siblings my love.

C.

Mid-Sized Letter Home

2008-10-29T14:43:28Z

Mother,

Still, the compliments on the dresses continue. I still would never have thought I'd find a reason to wear them. But, I have. Even wore one to a fancy party that turned into just four of us playing poker. Then five. Didn't win anything, but it was still fun. We're going to do it again in a few weeks.

The Baron offered me a ship. And I want it. But I can't rightfully take it until I've proven myself worthy of being a captain. Whenever that may be. I'm running the Rose for Mags currently, but that's not really going to help win me a name. Hopefully, something happens soon.

Short Note

2008-10-22T13:07:36Z

Mother,

I've got at least ten more dinners to attend. One for each of those dresses you sent. Why couldn't you have sent less?

Calli

P.S. May come to visit soon.

Letter Home

2008-10-18T15:04:25Z

Mother,

I've met someone that loves your dresses. Thinks they're the best things in the world. He even conned me into wearing them finally. He wanted me to send you his compliments, so here they are. Do you think perhaps you could send him something? He's a fancy Baron here. I think one of your fancy, dandy outfit would look fetching on him. Complete with the fringe and bows.

Love,
Calli

Dear Diary: Saying Goodbye

2008-09-17T15:36:40Z

Dinah's ordered us to prepare to defend the harbor against a giant mythical beast that eats entire fleets. I'm fine with chopping up the octopus men..but I don't see how we can win against the big daddy. So..I'm going to send goodbye letters to everyone I ever knew. Mother, father...my brothers. Just in case I don't make it out alive.

I don't think I made the best of impressions on Stinky's friends. Didn't get my sense of humor at all. Oh well...their loss. Need to see if I can't track down Lysias. Maybe that damn nightmare was some cosmic big guy out there telling me I need to apologize for trying to kill him that day. I wonder if my brother knows where he went off to...

Should I divide my treasure now? Or just let someone pick through it if I die?

Dear Diary: Strange Evening with His Stinkiness (Who wasn't Stinky Tonight)

2008-09-13T03:34:56Z

I went by White's to see if Caine was there...he wasn't there when I first got there, but showed up. I even got a free drink!

That's not the odd part though..who'd ever have thought I'd end up giving odd romantic advice to him. Amusing..certainly. Very very amusing. Not sure there was much of a point.

He has agreed to helping me find what I need to find. Since he owes me a week. Hopefully it's where I last heard it was.

Winning The Bet

2008-09-01T05:49:22Z

So, I won the beat I made with Caine..first to draw blood wins a week or a wish. Now simply to decide which I should choose.

I asked Molly..she couldn't help make a decision either. This requires alot of thought.

Dear Diary: Released from Hell

2008-08-30T04:30:35Z

Finally! I get released from the hospital. You know the first thing I do? Of course..find rum. The second? Look for companionship that isn't a shark, an ex or a dead prince.

Instead, I was quickly abandoned by one blond youth, and then soon offered company by a girl that became a bird. I think the drugs those doctors gave me are still affecting me.

LOG: Killing Caine...

2008-08-29T03:06:56Z

A fine ballroom, late in the evening, the last party goers seem to be drifting listlessly about. Those present, while all of good breeding, could easily be considered the 'black sheep' of whatever noble house they are part of. Except one. One is clearly not of high birth, but despite that has been dressed in the manner of one that is. Callisto is standing off to one side, dressed in a fine, rich green gown, with a jaunty green hat perched on her head.

Like a latecomer worried about wasting yet another precious minute in his tardiness, Prince Caine practically stumbles out of a door and into the ballroom. He's dressed in the same greens as his family trumps, minus the hat, and his hair is longer and wild. Pausing, he peers about suspiciously, as if uncertain of where he is.

The green is purely incidental! It compliments her hair. But, in that strange way that dreams often are, situations suddenly appear, instead of being walked into. Such as the fact that instead of walking across the floor, Callisto's simply beside the prince, looking vaugely confused herself, "Hello..." She then leans in, voice dropping, "Where is this?"

"Never mind that, where is the..." Caine looks down at the polished floor, anxiously. Even odd things like the prince acting actually terrified at something are possible, though he calms quickly. "This floor doesn't eat my flesh," he remarks thoughtfully, before looking up to eye the woman suddenly next to him.

"Is it supposed to be doing that?" Callisto asks, stamping on the floor a bit, her shoes making a faint clicking sound, "Looks fairly solid tah me."

Caine studies the woman some more, then the ballroom. "It's... a perfectly harmless ballroom," he admits, sounding somewhat embarrassed. "And I have no idea where this is."

Callisto smirks faintly, "Seems we're both in a strange place then." She then offers a hand, "Name's Callisto, First Mate of the Tempest Rose. Welcome to the party...it's been like this for a while."

Caine shakes the hand firmly. "Not much of one, there doesn't seem to be food and drink. What are we doing here? Together," he adds, perhaps finding both of them coherent in the unknown ballroom weirder.

Callisto shakes her head, "Not sure. I've this creepy feeling I'm supposed to be doing something, and I just can't figure it out." She lifts a shoulder, "I figure if I stand here long enough, it'll come to me." She then frowns, "You know..yer right. There isn't any food or drink. Think we should go look for some?"

"Might work," Caine agrees with a smirk, looking back to her. "And I'm Prince Caine. We might as well, unless you want to stand fast to your choice of waiting for this... whatever to come to you?" He looks for a server, staying where he is as well.

"No..I think a drink would be good right about now." Callisto replies, nodding a bit before linking her arm with his, heading for the large golden doors, "C'mon. There's gotta be rum somewhere in this place."

Caine allows a grin, still... paranoid, or overly skeptical. "Aye, there better be. Though it feels like the end of the party? You've been waiting here the whole time?" he asks, escorting in the direction she wishes to go.

"I..think so. I don't really remember the begining of the party." Callisto replies, looking a little confused about that, "I mean, I have the feeling I've been here for a while...but I don't remember any of it."

Caine doesn't answer for a moment, before commenting, "I was in a dream before. Then I was pushed into a ballroom. Are you sure you're really /here/?"

"You mean..like is this a dream?" Callisto asks, pushing through the doors, only to find the room the same on the other side. "Uh..maybe?"

"Maybe," Caine replies, eyeing the next room. "It is a dream without rum."

Callisto frowns a little, "I had a dream like that once..then the shark ate me."

"You did the solid floor test in the last room," Caine points out, though he glances back at the floor behind them anyway. "If it is a dream, then anything could happen." He checks his person with his free hand and sighs. "No rum, no knives."

"Well..yeah. Clearly there's not any sharks either. But I don't see rum..." Callisto pats herself down as well, then pulls out a dagger, "Oh, lookie there..."

"Well, at least one of us has weaponry," Caine comments, looking at the blade appreciatively. "These dreams have a habit of belching up insane monsters."

"Do they?" Callisto asks, blinking faintly, "That doesn't sound very.." She frowns a bit, losing her train of thought before she shakes her head, almost like trying to dismiss something, brush something away.

Caine shrugs, glancing up to scan the identical room for any sign of difference or entertainment. "Not very... fun, perhaps." He looks back. "Something wrong?"

The room is exactly the same, but for one addition. A pair of swords rest at the far end, in a stand, in a pool of light. "No..nothing's wrong." She responds, tucking the dagger away before stepping half a step closer.

Caine doesn't quite look convinced, watching the dagger disappear before remarking, "You said you were first mate on the Rose? I know the vessel. Not... used to knives?" He's noticed the blades over in the light, but seems not to pay them much mind, unless they heft into the side and start flying at them.

"I'm fine with knives. Better with a sword. Fine with knives." Callisto responds hastily. Almost to hastily, "I think I've remembered what it is that I'm supposed to do."

Caine eyes the swords, somewhat pointedly. No, he isn't going to be the one to notice them aloud. He does check absently for blades in other places on his person and comes up short. "Shall we check another random door for rum?"

"Sure." Callisto responds, pointing to a door that's creepily right next to the swords, "How about that one? Maybe it'll lead to a different room."

"Sure," Caine echos evenly. Even in dreams, knowing what they are, you still do potentially dumb things, it seems. "I guess trying to get to another party is out of the question."

Callisto laughs, the sound almost shakey, "We can try...I'm not sure there is one though." She starts towards the door, making sure that she's got a firm grip on his arm, even as her other hand creeps slowly towards the pocket the dagger's stashed in.

"Go through enough doors, perhaps," Caine suggests, eyeing the milling people with suspicion as he walks. "Say, who are /those/ guys?"

"I've no idea.." she replies, drawing the dagger out, but carefully keeps it hidden behind her back, "Think we should be worried about them?"

Caine answers with a chuckle, "I'm always worried about everyone, my dear." Yes, everyone but the woman holding his arm firmly. She's pretty, she's wearing a dress, she likes rum. Nothing to fear there. "I could use one of those swords, just in case."

"Oh, sure. I'll fetch one for you." Callisto offers, moving towards the swords, keeping the dagger out of his sight, "You just wait right there for me..."

Caine nods agreement, watching her swish off a moment before going back to keeping an eye on the absently milling people as they move in and out random doors. He keeps checking for knives that aren't there, quickly and with an absent motion easily mistaken for nervous movements.

Caine is preoccupied, which is a feat in itself. He's watching a vapid-looking ghost of a woman drifting aimlessly by the wall as if she's a threat he must use all his cunning on when the /other/ woman tries to stab him through the heart. A curse in Minosian escapes the prince, and he jerks back and off the blade, one hand going to the wound and the other still insisting that there are weapons hidden about him. There are not. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Um...killing you?" Callisto offers, pulling the sword up, grip shifting from one of limp offer to a firmer, more ready grip, "It's what I'm here to do...I don't know why.." She frowns, shaking her head, "You seem nice enough, in an insane sort of way. But, I have to kill you now."

Caine stares incredulously at the woman, not really understanding this simple speech. He glances down to his hand, where thick black blood oozes quickly. "But... we haven't even found the rum yet," he protests.

"The shark in the suit has it." Callisto replies, moving with quickness and surprising skill despite the skirt, slashing first with the sword before stepping in to once more plunge the dagger home, lodging it in his ribs, "And we could have had so much fun together."

Caine watches in alarm that fails to call any action as the sword cuts cleanly through fine green cloth and the flesh underneath. It's the dagger in the ribs that pushes him back. He stares down at the hilt protruding out of him as black seeps from his body, some dripping to the floor and some seeming to start eating through him like acid. "Fun... I can have fun..." He coughs black blood, sinking to his knees.

"I'm sorry...maybe we can still have fun?" Callisto offers, even as she quickly backpeddles, "It's just a dream...right? You said so.." She starts to look worried now, even as she starts to fade, "It's just a dream...Right?!" She asks, a hint of desperation in her voice before she's gone, bolting awake in her hospital bed once more.

The image of Caine sinking prone on the floor, being dissolved in his own blood, fades along with it. There is no reply.

Dear Diary: The Mound That Went Boom

2008-08-23T03:36:31Z

Well, I'm currently laid up with a huge hole in my shoulder...chest? Somewhere in that area, I can't really tell, they've got it bandaged up, and it hurts to damn much to try and look. That entire side of my body hurts like nothing I've ever experienced before...Which explains the horrible handwriting.

A note for next time I decide to light those barrels of oil on fire...don't stand to close. Especially when there's sharp objects behind you. I just hope it worked.

I wonder if I could get anyone to come visit me. I'm getting bored already, and it's not even been a day.

Dear Diary: Passed Messages

2008-08-20T15:23:45Z

I passed along the message from M to M, second M didn't give me any response, sure M2 with contact M1. I'd hope. Still curious as to see if Addy, I still think that nickname is rather incongruous with the way the boy looks, anyway...if his plan to blow things up will work. There was lots of talk about control fire and acid and other things I don't have any idea what in the hell they meant. We'll see.

Dear Diary: Land Ho

2008-08-18T00:46:48Z

Seems we've been contacted to take someone on a trip. The captain seems alright with the idea..I don't imagine we'll be gone for long. I wonder if we're even allowed to break 'ranks' as it were. Hmm. I'll have to ask the captain that, especially since this fellow seemed to be wanting to leave as soon as possible.

Gave someone a lesson in how to deal with pirates. Always have every aspect of the deal spelled out. What does this mean for me? Despite conning Gil into a dance, I still get to tell Molly his new name. I wonder if I can manage to get Blueball to stick like Picklehead has stuck. Worth considering.

Also, found out that little sneering brat from the rooftops is Gil's son. Isn't that funny? I wonder if the kid realizes who his dear daddy consorts with? Probably not. Bet he thinks his father's pure as the driven snow. All that Lord stuff. Aren't they all supposed to be such good guys, and never are really?

Dear Diary: Confusing Yet Entertaining Evening

2008-08-16T04:46:54Z

Ran into an old aquaintance tonight...had a rousing conversation. Found out Gilgamesh and Dinah are related...and that Dinah's father is Caine, which I had somehow managed to not find out previously. Things got progressively odder from there...I ended up wasting all my money on trying to get him drunk, then lap dances were mentioned. Him to me...not me to him. Which we decided were bad ideas, since he's got a good foot and a half on me.

That's about when things went a little fuzzy. I'm not sure what happened after that, other then I had a good time. I think I did...broke, drunk...I hope that equals a good time.

So misunderstood...

2008-08-15T14:58:42Z

Nice people on a rooftop...running from the creepy crawlies. Well, one wasn't as nice as the others...he was all rudeness and sneers. And I didn't do anything to him! Well, much...'m sure it could be argued that I embarrassed him in front of his pals. Oh well. Good times.

callisto_rta @ 2008-08-13T19:39:00

2008-08-14T00:39:48Z

This is for you know who.

A Note

2008-08-13T12:53:49Z

The way to win a pirates heart.....give them shiny things....or at least this will distract them while you run away.

Dear Diary

2008-08-12T05:50:51Z

Bugs..stupid siege of the city, and destroyed docks. The moment I return..this is what happens. Perhaps it's a sign that I should simply not ever leave again. I wonder if mother would buy that excuse...Hrm.

A Visit Home

2008-08-08T02:36:45Z

Mother and father are doing well...I miss the crew and the captain. But I hope to be back on board soon. Mother made me this hat...it's cute. But, I'm not utterly sure about it yet. I'll have to ask the Captain if it makes me look fat.