♦~☼~♦ Kingdom Caribbean: The Crimson Pearl ♦~☼~♦

"Very impressive," he muttered, taking the blade from him in a graceful swing himself, and placing it back in its scabbard, tight and ready to be given to Marluxia. He had noticed that Roxas had a very...versatile, and incredible way of handling a sword, yet, he wasn't sure what that can prove when it came to actual fighting. Perhaps he had self-taught himself. Whatever the case, he was more than pleased as he stared down at the weapon, only to then hand it back to Roxas, stating, "Commodore Norrington will be extremely amazed and satisfied with what you've presented. My regards to your master. Good workmanship."

The turmoil was finally over, though, as she began to travel down the hall with her double coated dress. She had some quiet conversations to Xion and Kairi for a while before they finally left, just so she wouldn't be late, and they wished her good luck. The outfit was mostly the same as her others, with its sleeves to her elbows, and long white frills that flowed in the soft breeze as she moved, except it had white and cream blended. The bottom part was puffed, beautifully long, and had two parts: one white skirt under, and the other skirt connected to her full cream dress split apart in the middle to show the white. The tight bodice was suffocating, that hadn't changed, and she had trouble coordinating her breathing cycle. She also, while she enjoyed the way her hair was placed and curled, did not like this...tiny, and flat white hat that had to be worn. It made her feel like she had a umbrella above her. But she could not complain. She was going to wear it, impress and make proud her father, and look pretty. That's what she was suppose to do. And she really didn't want to disappoint. It was hard walking, nevertheless, and she had to practice a bit, back and forth, as well as attempting to find a way for her lungs to get air, to appear and pull off as if nothing was wrong.

As they were waiting for her, she didn't take keep that exercise for too long, and continued on her way not much later, nearing the stairs as she came to the high landing, and started to hold unto the banister. She was concentrating on not falling, taking it step by step, being graceful, and regal, as was of a lady. As she went on her way, she looked over to see where her father was, only to have her heart jumped in her ribs when she spotted a handsome, young, spiky blond hair boy, and her mouth gaped in happiness to see his face, not expecting him to be the "guest". In fact, she was so surprised, that she remained in silent befuddlement, until her dad had spotted her first, and returned a grin, his eyes glinting as if he had seen something incredibly amazing.

"You look absolutely beautiful..."

She nodded at him with a thankful smile, really glad to see that he was so enthralled, but her vision settled on particularly someone else, and this time, words were able to leave her mouth as their eyes connected, a smile breaking into her face as she went to step down more quickly than she anticipated, "Roxas! Finally, I get to see you..." She reached the main ground, and flowed and walked to her friend...automatically, though when she got near, and nearer, she stared down, a bit shy as she tried hard not to blush with his presence so...close by. He always managed to do that to her. Locking her hands together, playing her fingers to sooth her, she eyed him warily, saying, yet she sounded really meek and distant, "It's quite funny...I just had a dream about you. Remember? From the first time we met..."

Her voice lowered at the reminder, pondering why of all times, it happened to be dreamt about now...odd.

 

OOC: Not much has to be said at this point ^^ no point stalling with unneeded dialogue.

A tint of red formed on Roxas' cheeks and he felt as if his cheeks would fall off his face if he held back his smile any longer.This was truly an honor, and it was a good day for Roxas..until Ansem had thought it wasn't made by him,but his master.

The hell?

As much as he wanted to shout 'I made it!'..he couldn't.He had to show respect, and he wouldn't upstage his master intentionally.He knew Ansem's words were meant for the maker..yet it still bothered him.In the end,Roxas had just taken it back from Ansem and set it back inside its long,black case."I will.A craftsmen is always pleased to hear his work is appreciated." he said, faking a smile as the case clicked shut.

Hearing someone else come downstairs, Roxas cocked his head over to the top of it, seeing a stunning Namine Reinholde making her way downstairs.And for a few moments, he had forgotten how to breath.She looked gorgeous, but he didn't want to spill all these words out to her.No,he'd be polite,calm, and intellectual as can be.He did, however, blush when she said she had a dream about him..about the day they met,when he was found atop a floating piece of boat chassis, passed out.

"About..me?" he said, trying to have it click into his head.He looked into her deep, blue eyes and tried his best not to stutter.The whole scene of when they first met all those years ago played in his head. "How could I forget, Ms. Reinholde?" oh how he wanted to say 'Namine', but she was the Governor's daughter, not some beggar on the street.

 

"Roxas, how many times times do I have to ask you to call me Naminé?" she responded to him softly, raising her eyebrows a little, and giving him a look with a knowing smile on her face. She clasped her hands behind her back, still a bit nervous, but she had to consider that this was still her best friend, that she had known since forever. And how he makes her heart beat a thousand times a second. Which is why she disliked, and sometimes hated, how he kept up with surnames only for respect. They grew up together. Seen each other for years. It would be understandable that they were in first name terms by this point, right? How could anyone say anything? She asked him herself to call her by it. It sometimes made her feel like...she wasn't appreciated. Or....that he really just saw her as nothing else, but a childhood friends.

Patiently, he waited for his reply, her father kind of standing off to the side at their conversation.

 

" At least once more,Ms. Reinholde.As usual." he said silently, not taking his eyes off of hers.He hoped he had not offended her, as he only wanted her to be treated as she was.A fine woman, who deserved nothing less than what she had now.For a second, he wondered why she was dressed up so nicely, and then he remembered Norringtons promotion and held back from sighing.

He'd have liked nothing better than to have Namine's attention like that, but unfortunately the odds of that weren't so good.He was a Blacksmith, she was the Governors daughter.How would that work out?

 

The smile she had on had tightened, and frowned, not expecting him to reject the idea. Again. All the time. And she couldn't help but feel a slight ache in her chest, something she tried hard not to show as she lowered her head down, the hands behind her back grasping harder as she tried to let it go away. At the same time, she was sort of annoyed as well. What could she ever do...? Why did he insist on this? Keep impressions, and this respect when they knew each other more than on last name terms? It was impossible to convince. And it hurt, a little, but she was more disappointed if anything.

Seeing the reaction, and the tension in the air suddenly, feeling slightly awkward, and trying to solve the situation, he went to pick up the sword case, trying to sooth his daughter, "Well, you got to at least give it to the young man to keep his priorities. But, we really have to leave, dear. We cannot be late for the ceremony, after all. Norrington should be wanting this." He stepped back, giving Naminé a stare, as a few people began to clamber about, and he began to follow their movements.

Naminé knew what her father was saying. And she decided not to waste her time anymore. Looking back up at Roxas, this time, shyness, nervousness, anything meek and weak gone as she usually would be when she was with him, had turned a bit distant, and she gave him a stern, calculated gaze intently, right into his deep cerulean eyes. Her voice sounded clipped as she spoke her goodbye shortly. "Good day, Mr. Strife." With a last glance, and not another word, she twirled around, and left him, following her father through the hall, and out the door, rubbing her eyes as she sighed. She could feel him behind her, nevertheless. She quickly walked off, not caring about the fact that she could hardly breath as it were, and kept going down the short, cobblestone path to the carriage waiting for her. Someone was near it to help her, and the man bowed, and opened the door, extending his hand for her to use it. Grabbing it, she propelled herself forward with the aid, and slid herself inside, bringing the trails of her dress in as well. She closed her eyes for a moment, only to reopen them, her expression showing how upset she was. In the corner of her eye, she could see Roxas at the entrance to her home, and she stared at him, as then the cart had started driving away.

She then looked nothing, but forward. Was...what were they? Was this how it was always going to be?

 

She never was in there. She was always outside.

BIC- Angel turned her head upward to look at the boy. What? Is this kid serious? "I think I should be saying that. Besides, nothing ever happens here." She couldn't believe the audacity this boy had to actually approach her and think she was younger than him. He's definitely a few years younger. So why is he questioning me, when he's the one that might actually be in danger? It's safe for a teenage boy to walk into any bar, but not safe for any girl to stay outside of a bar? Hmph! Who does he think he is? He's obviously not from around here. She turned away from him and continued staring at nothing in particular thinking on this question. Where was he from? And how could he have gotten here? Besides the boy, Angel was certain now. It sucked to be a girl, so maybe she should sometime disguise herself as a boy. Might give her more respect around here. But what could I do to make myself look like a guy?

 

OOC: Meh, whatever zD

BIC: "Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't realize. You don't wanna be treated like a girl, do you?" Kage was good at reading people, and by her condescending speech toward him, he could tell she shouldn't be taken lightly. "Well sorry, maybe I shold be saying 'What's a fine...'" He looked down at her clothes "Um, what should I address you as, then?" He asked, half-expecting a slap and afraid to call her lass now.

 

It's around Valentine's Day. >_> I can be pissy. I apologize a bit late.

BIC- "Where exactly are you from? You're obviously not from here if you even bothered to talk to a poor girl begging for money." Angel questioned back giving him her normal apathetic look. She had answered his question and now her curiosity might be quenched. It's too bad that she's such a kind person that she never fights anyone. Much less even hit them anywhere near the head and areas that hurt. I'm half surprised someone hasn't already taken advantage of me. But I guess that's because of the look I give them.

 

Sigrùn opened her eyes with almost a frightened look upon her face. She wasn't sure how late or earlier it was, nor did she really give a damn. As soon as she was able to sneak passed any of those bloody guards she crashed. Now, she had to get moving right away- Sigrùn sat up and took in her surroundings. She was on a roof. Well, at least she wasn't poked awake by some moron with a gun. She was, however, still awoken.
"Yep, another pirate got passed our guards-one of them is dead from what I heard. He was still new at the job from what I heard though. Probably got afraid."
Sigrùn looked over the ledge of the roof she was on, quietly eavesdropping on the two guards talking back to back about her murder. 'Little *******s would never suspect me.' She thought as a smile crept from corner to corner of her mouth. Sigrùn scratched her dark brown hair which had been styled by the winds and salt of the beach the night before, stood up and jumped down from the flat-roofed house, landing heavily on her feet.

"Christ! Child, don't go jumping around on buildings like that!"
"You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Sigrùn glanced at the two guards, "Sorry, I was bored." She apologized truthfully, she had no intentions of killing them-for the matter she only killed when she needed to or if ordered to. "Just don't do it again! You'll kill yourself!"

"My bad." She responded and with that she was off. Hopefully, she would be able to make it up by where the richer of the folks lived but for now it was only a day to deal with beggars, who don't understand that no means no, and the insane, drunk, and/or homeless civilians of the streets who would roam around in circles for hours and chase you ever friggin' time you walked by, well, they were crazy weren't they? They did frighten Sigrùn a little, mostly because last time she defended herself against one it only resorted in a street fight until the guards had to get involved. Likewise, they probably wouldn't give a damn if the child or an adult was murdered, they would probably just use it as a landmark outside these walls to warn people not to enter if you were to cause trouble and if you did, you would be checking into the maggot motel with those dead.

OoC://I'm not too sure when/where I should bring Xigbar in. I ain't too sure for Sigrùn either.

 

Marluxia prominently sat in his office, filing out orders for executions and troublesome fellows, in some ways it disgusted him to know that such filth happened to infiltrate the confines of Portal Royal. The thought never lasted long though when he realized all the good they had been able to accomplish when he became a captain in the armada.

He was about to start on another one when one of his officers walked in, looking around his eyes fell on him before drawing down to his desk noticing all the papers and work being done. He shook his head letting a small smile cross his lips, "just because this ceremony is for me does not mean I will consider work second rate friend..."

He ushered the man to be quiet, laughing slightly, "I know I know...I'm coming...lets get this thing over with so I may return to my work..." he said gently grabbing his tricorn and placing it on his head following the officer out the door. He looked around noticing it had seemed everyone but himself had arranged and set up everything to proper order for the ceremony.

He turned to the officer, "have miss Reinholde and her father arrived yet?" he asked somewhat eagerly looking around for them, but stopped upon hearing that they had yet to arrive. "Very well then...have everything ready for the start when they arrive..."

 

That's okay. The rest of us aren't sure either. You can try planning it out.

BIC- While she was waiting for Kage's answer, Angel went on to ponder about other stuff. How would I be able to make myself look like a guy? I'm already dressed like one. Well....almost. But still....maybe it's my hair? Why do I keep it so long anyway? It practically makes life worse, but...I don't really want to get rid of it....maybe if I tie it back? If she did, what would she use to tie it? Some rope?....or...tweed?...tweed....heh...tweed jacket.....only rich people have those.....rich....wait a minute...what did that one nobleman say? Something about coming to something....a party? Well, what are the odds of that? Either way, I hope he's having a fun time.

OOC-.....they didn't have rubber bands back then....right?

 

"Where I'm from is none of your business, and, you're acting like that's a bad thing. Anyway, I'm sorry to have interrupted you, madame, I'll be on my way now." He turned to slowly walk away, knowing enough about people to expect a reply.

 

BIC- Really now? It's none of my business? I guess so. But still. Touchy little guy. As Kage walked away, Angel shrugged. What did it matter to her whether the strange kid lived or died? Besides that strange conversation, that had been the second time today that two people of the male species had addressed her cordially and politely. Well....I guess I better find something to tie my hair up with. These strange occurrences are starting to bother me.

 

Kage was suprised when he didn't get a reply. People continue to suprise me everday. He smiled, and walked away. He was headed toward another tavern, hoping to not get slapped this time.

He walked into one called "The Boar's Head". He walked inside and glanced at the drunken patrons. All men, even the bartenders. Maybe I'll actually find something this time. He thought, and walked up to the bar.

 

Naminé had reached the ceremony in time, along the way forgetting whatever anger she had held for Roxas, but she did not forget what happened either. She decided not to think about it too much as it was not surprising, for her sake, and she really couldn't concentrate, as not only was it humid and hot, she was having a few...complexities trying to take air into her lungs. She opened her folding fan that was held, and started blowing airflow to refresh and cool herself, letting out deep breaths from her mouth. She tried to pay attention from her section where the crowd stood, near the stairs were some higher class members stood around her father, stationed in the middle of the landing. In the other sections were the blue clad soldiers on each opposite side of the settlement, while the red, to perform, were in between them in two lines, ready to part and march when the call was announced. It didn't take long either, as a shout of command was heard, and the clinks of swords, and the stomps of feet in perfect rhythm began to to move. Feeling a bit...dizzy, Naminé tried to focus, her eyes blurring a little.

She really was never going to get used to this.

 

Kage saw a particulary dodgy man in the corner, obviously drunk. "Hey." He said as he walked over to the man. He looked up. "Whatizzut thut you want, mmboy?" He slurred. Kage was glad he could understand the accent everyone had aroud Port Royal perfectly, and fake it himself.

"You seem like an interesting, er, thing," He said, with the man taking no recollection of that last part. "Any way you could tell me where a young man such as myself could find anything interesing around here?" Kage asked.

"If yur askin' fur excitement, I here theres somethin' goin' on at thur fort today." He said, only barely intelligible.

"Thanks," Kage said. "That was helpful."

 

As Roxas lead himself out of the Reinholde mansion, he cursed himself for being so..so polite.It was clear, dead clear, that Namine didn't want to be referred to like that with him.She wanted to be equal with him..but, as much as that pleased him, it didn't work that way.

He was just a blacksmith, and it wasn't everyday someone like him got to associate with someone like her.She had grace, and a smile that would calm a tsunami...and..he didn't know how he really felt about all this.A chance with Namine is what some men would die for..and he'd die protecting her.

But maybe..just maybe, he was thinking too hard about this.What if he was going ahead, and Namine wasn't wondering any of this? He'd have liked to continue debating where he was when a butler tapped him on the shoulder, letting him know he was standing in the doorway, and that the kind butler would like to shut it.

Nodding and giving an apology, Roxas headed back down towards the town of Port Royal, needing to run some errands before returning to his shop.

OOC: Axel will come later, and just a warning, I'm skipping most of the Interceptor scene so we may get things going.

 

There was no denying it. Angel was officially bored. As usual. I wish there was something to do around here. Too bad there's no festival or celebration going on at the moment...wait a minute...what did that guy say again?

"If you find time...I would like to invite you to the ceremony today...there will be a very fine gathering and it would be great to see you there."

Oh yeah.....I wonder where it is....well....I guess I could ask around.

And so, she got up and started questioning the civilians. Some answered nicely and gave useful information. Others told her get the f*ck away from them and laughed at her pathetic excuse for attire. Throughout this, Angel kept a sharp lookout for maybe a piece of rope, or a clip or anything to tie her hair back.

 

Sigrùn took pride as she walked down the walkways of Port Royal-it didn't much seem royal to her. Maybe there was some rich district somewhere that helped originate this name-or maybe they just wanted people to come. She wasn't too sure where she was heading as it was and for a moment she was tempted for a moment to find a high point and scale it to find a richy, b*tchy place to visit, but she knew better. She didn't like drawing attention to herself. It was a nuisance to deal with people and as it was she never liked dealing with the money people. She probably would have never come here but something about her hung up fellows at the entrances of this place drew in her attention. All the pirates would come her-of course-didn't these people know anything about reverse psychology.

Sigrùn shook her head and continued forward. Something was happening tonight. She heard a word about it last night from some drunken suckers who would probably be the next warning to be hung up once the others started to lose their frightfulness and their bones started to decay. 'Silence! You're drifting again!' She thought trying to soothe her thoughts and stopped for a mid-second as a spark-or shine-caught her eye. She turned from where the sight had come from-weapons-this person had daggers? Or some sort of weaponry that could be good for easily taking out someone. Sigrùn halted from her direction and started to stalk her prey, and reached out her hand once she had come into reach- 'Be stealthy!' She thought as she reached forward, her fingertips touching the blade of the dagger that stuck from the man's back pocket, she pinched her fingers together trying to stay as quiet as possible, 'Sh*t.' And she was pulled away just as the man stopped and turned to catch Sigrùn in her pickpocketing act by a gentle but harsh hand. More harsh. Either way, she disappeared around the corner of a house before he could catch her.

"Kid, that would have been the end of ya'." The man said, he peered around the corner at the man who had almost been a victim of pickpocketing-or made the victim of this stranger child.

Sigrùn also followed this new stranger and peered around the corner too. "Maybe." She added and took a look at the stranger, who had a pretty rugged look to himself. Looked like a pirate. Everything down to an eye-patch. She wasn't too sure why pirates would wear an eye-patch, it seemed much more scary to have someone attack you with a hole in their skull, no? It could also be a sign of age and respect, that was a tradition she heard of, a person wearing an eye-patch for pride reasons or as a sign of age. The other noticeable appearance to this stranger was a scar that stretched across the right part of his face. Keep it brutal. His clothes also shouted 'PIRATE!'. How in the Hell is this man still alive? He had large bucket topped boots, petticoat breeches, white shirt with a civilian styled coat drawn over his shoulders-his appearance said that he might be a captain but it was probably just what he could find. He had a sash drawn around his waist, as so, it held daggers and he also had a pistol secured.

"You're one to speak." Sigrùn noted and met eye-contact with this person-he had an almost wolf-like eye-not that she had ever seen one. She heard stories of wolves though and their golden-eyes that will bring on-forth your death.
"What are you doing out here? You'll be killed!" The man said harshly to Sigrùn. "Where are your parents?" He added and swallowed his pride, knowing the answer.
"Never mind." He quickly blurted-"This is no place for a lone pirate." He whispered to Sigrùn.
"I know. Sigrùn Av Ingen." She introduced towards the stranger.


"What...?" The stranger said plainly maintaining eye-contact with this person, taking a moment for him to realize she was introducing herself and not just mumbling words. If she was a pirate...? How come she seemed to have manners, or for that matter, she was a little too bold and focused for this township-no, she'd be fine, she seemed to stubborn and prideful to die. Just by appearance alone.
"Xigbar." He said in a monotone voice and looked across the street at the bar that stood a few feet from them. It ought to be safe there.
"C'mon. We'll be safe here." He ordered and crossed the dirt path to the bar-The Boar's Head.
Sigrùn hesitated before following this person-Xigbar, his name was? She ignored her thoughts to stay back and decided to give her 'savior' a chance. Just one. She wasn't kind with adults, they pissed her off in almost every way. As soon as she found her way in the bar she was greeted by the smell of rum and liquor. She was a drinker herself but she still had a sense of self-respect and stayed away from it whenever possible.
"Why here?" She asked, and caught up to Xigbar.

"I hear something is happening here tonight. Recruiting, possibly. I'm not too sure, and either way, if any of those Brits came here. There's plenty of drunks that will linger around here for that sake."

 

Kage watched as a burly man and a girl much too young to be in a bar walked in, apparently in the same party. He ran towards the door and tried stealthily to sneak past them, not wanting to get in a bar fight with the larger man as he lookedlike a great deal of trouble. He ran outside until he was at a safe distance, and watched the bar from the opn door.