Airships! Furious Skies

[Rayleonarde]

Captain Duval's first-mate ran to him, speaking quickly. "Someone's trying to call." Ronnie nodded, walked to his cabin, and answered the phone. "What?"

[Nishjin]

The deckhand started having a hushed conversation with the other person and soon put the phone down.
"He'd like to see you now." I followed the worker to the ship and he pointed me towards an important looking man who I walked to.
A held my hand out to shake his and said, "Hello sir. It's a pleasure to meet you."

[Rayleonarde]

The extended hand was met with a crushing grasp, and Ronnie smiled. "So, who's this then?" He looked to the first mate. "Alan, did you let this'n on?" Alan shook his head. "N-No sir. I-I dunno who let 'im on." Ronnie furrowed his brow. "Well, anyway," he said as he released his grip, "who are ya, and what makes y'think you can just approach the captain?"

[Nishjin]

When the man nearly broke my hand I could've squeezed back, but he seemed to want total respect and control if he was to hire me.
"I'm just looking to earn some money sir. I'll do any job, and I have references."

[Rayleonarde]

Ronnie looked around. "Hmm...I've got a job for ya." He pointed to the edge of the ship. "Clean the keel. Also, what is the width of your neck?"

[Nishjin]

"The width of my neck, sir? Possibly ten inches, I guess. Anyways, if you could direct me to where the cleaning supplies are, I can start right away."

[Rayleonarde]

Ronnie nodded. "Ten inches, eh?" He sighed, and started away. "The cleaning supplies are over in that storage box." Suddenly, a steel collar locked around [Nishjin]'s throat, a small remote charge seated on the back. Ronnie turned when he heard the clasp close, and smiled. "If you're gonna work for me, the collar stays on until I trust you."

[Nishjin]

My eyes widen as I feel the cold of metal grasp my neck. I turn around, about to object, but I remember what I'm here to do. This collar is a good test to see when he trusts me, and when I can get closer to him. So when I open my mouth, instead of an objection, I introduce myself. "I'm Nishjin, by he way, sir. Glad to be here."

[Razuel]

Raz's stomach grumbled when he smelt some food drifting up from below, and then looking up at a crewmate walking on an external walkway, uttering a single word to them, "... Food..."

[Rayleonarde]

Ray, Ronnie's brother and slave-cook, looked around. He looked up at Raz, and frowned. "I-I'm s-sorry, I can't..." The pot he carried was a simple soup, but was aromatic nonetheless. Ray scuttled off quickly, taking one last glance at Raz before walking into the cantine.


Ronnie nodded. "Good, then you won't go against my orders." He walked into his bedroom, locking the door behind him.

[Nishjin]

As my 'boss' walked away, I note how paranoid he seemed to be. I get the cleaning supplies and do my new job diligently, knowing that I could very well get fired if I don't do it well.

[Rayleonarde]

After a few hours, the Bloodeater was somewhere in the desert, with nary a soul to be seen. Ronnie stepped out onto the deck, the exposed metal of which was painfully hot, and looked around. "This is the lane, I believe. Bring me the charts!"

[Razuel]

Raz was groaning pretty loudly at this point, having been devoid of water and food for so long, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ray and looked at them very weakly, as though he may faint, "Please... food... water...", he said in a breathy and raspy voice.

[Rayleonarde]

Ray nodded, and scuttled away. A few moments later, he had a loaf of bread and a bottle of water. He jumped to the cage, and handed over the rations. "K-Keep these hid. A-As best y'can." Ray then jumped back to the catwalk, and stepped back into the ship.

[Razuel]

Raz smiled at Ray and nodded before going to eat the bread, washing it down with water, hoping his eating and chugging of water wouldn't be noticed by any of the crew.