escordvi | [ Closed ] If you like, I will tell you a tale.

[ It had all started with a quick message to Zack. An inquiry about this "property" that is being protected by Paladins... That's when G'raha realizes that this "property" is a person. It upsets him, actually, that a person should be thought of as such. At that point, it is G'raha that is making a strange request:

Allow him to accompany Zack on the ship to ensure that this lady is kept safe. So that she can have the freedom that she seeks. He promises that he will explain this all later, considering he's quite adamant about it.

Thus do they appear on the ship escorting the seamstress ~~Cloud is there too in his log but meh~~. Naturally, they are going to run into trouble. A Corsair ship cozies up next to the one they are currently on, hooks and the like digging into the wood like barbs. That's when Corsairs themselves are invading the deck and the both of them are called into action.

G'raha's back slams against Zack's at one point, his staff out and magicks at the ready. ]

If you can keep them off of me for but a moment, I can stun them. I can provide Regen and a barrier, of sorts, for you.

[Zack had signed up for this mission from the very start. He didn't know the background of why the woman needed a paladin escort so badly but it only took a few messages from a frantic G'raha to realize there's more to this than meets the eye.

Here they are on the ship desk and Zack has his weapon out. The corsairs are closing in fast and Zack is not going to let them get close to the lower deck if he can help it.

He quickly steadies G'raha's shoulder with a hand.]

Can do. Whatever you have planned, do it as quick as you can.

[Zack is a bulldozer but there are a lot of corsairs flinging themselves onto the ship deck right now. Without another complaint Zack lunges forward and slams into them, working his way to push them back.]

Do not look up.

[ G'raha provides both to Zack, a barrier and regen both. Then simply trusts him to keep the Corsairs away from G'raha as he begins a longer cast. Holy is useful in this situation, surely. The only downside is that it takes a little longer to start and G'raha cannot be interrupted.

Should Zack be successful in keeping Corsairs away from the Miqo'te, his staff spins and a little ball of light is tossed into the air. It explodes, showering the immediate area with its light. Stunning everyone caught within its radius. ]

[He'll trust that G'raha knows what he's doing. Meanwhile, Zack will do his part of the job and aggro all of the corsairs that are trying to ambush the ship. Several of them try and lunge at Zack but some of them lunge at G'raha too. In those cases, he shoulder-checks one and hits another with the pommel of his greatsword.

The flash of blinding holy magic does get into Zack's eyes briefly but the searing explosion has Zack holding his arm up and several of the corsairs go down. Hot damn. Literally.

The ship rumbles. And in the rush of activity, another corsair appears and tries to slash his dagger through Zack's side. He just narrowly misses and Zack slams him back with a kick too.]

[ They will be stunned for a few seconds. Enough time for G'raha to switch from white magicks to the black. Swirls of purple surround G'raha as he casts fire spells - targeting the Corsairs.

Then rounding it off with a Flare to discourage further trespassing upon the ship. ]

[Boom!! It's an explosion before the silence and Zack stares with an impressed grin on his face.]

Damn, Raha. You're explosive.

[He looks over his shoulder at the cat man and winks. All the while many of the ambushers are trying to retreat to the enemy ship.]

That should stop them for now. But we probably don't have much time. If the reward to kidnap this lady is as big as you said, I'm guessing these assholes won't give up that easily.

[ Augh that line would be so bad! ...If it were anyone else other than Raha that Zack had said it to. Instead his tail wiggles and there's a smile returned. Then his focus goes back to the Corsairs fleeing. Raha's ears fold back, just like a displeased feline as he joins Zack's side. ]

I very well should be. Were it simply the fabrics they were after, that would be one thing. Seeking to claim a person is entirely another matter.

Though, just to be sure...

[ G'raha puts his staff at his back. Seeks out something on the ship and makes a small sound of "this will do" when he finds it. A bow and a couple of arrows. He dips three into a lit flame and knocks them back - displaying perfect form.

Then he fires. Right at the Corsair ship's sail. All so that it will catch fire. ]

Now that should keep them busy.

[Wow it was cheesy for a reason! Just look how much damage G'raha did in a couple of explosions?! And now look what he's doing to the corsair flag with those arrows that are on fire?! Consider Zack deeply impressed.]

Damn, what I wouldn't do to see you shoot an arrow at this man's ass too.

[Who would think anyone is property of all things. People don't belong to people. It's no wonder this poor lady wants to get the hell out of Nogard.]

You better check to make sure she's safe below deck. I'll get us back on track towards Eltrut.

[Zack will do some ship steering. They need to move fast.]

When I return to the leviathan, I may yet do just that.

[ He's saying that he, definitely, is upset over this one. Raha dislikes the deception that had been at work here. The seamstress shouldn't be brought back to Nogard under any circumstances. Raha won't stand for it. Even if she were, he'd probably go out of his way to attempt to free her. ]

Right. Her safety is priority... Do you know how to sail?

[Zack grins again and closes a fist to flex.]

Yeah, sure. You catch the wind and steer it with the wheel.

[Confidence can get Zack a long way, actually. He's seen the ships and how they're sailed a lot by now so he's got this. Probably.

...

When G'raha heads down below... There will be a shadow around the corner waiting for him. One with a sharp dagger. And when he comes close the shadow will attempt a sneak attack on G'raha.]

[ G'raha looks over his shoulder at Zack. Showing off... He smiles and rolls his eyes as he makes his way down.

Later, he will say that he had been upset. Mind racing from the sheer audacity of how someone can claim another person as property. Remembering all too well what the Allagans and Garleans had been like at one juncture. How even the Ascians had seen the people of this day and age as nothing more than sacrifices to be made to their god.

That's why he doesn't see this stray Corsair. In hindsight, they should have paid more attention to see if anyone had snuck off. G'raha doesn't even realize its coming - at least not until it is too late to react.

And from above, Zack will hear a shout and something close to cracking and wood breaking.. Upon investigation, the temperature will take something of a steep drop. Zack will be able to see his breath; there will be a trail of blood down a hallway with frost and ice along the sides. Rounding the corner?

G'raha sitting there, holding his side and a Corsair pinned to the opposite wall with ice magic. ]

Raha?!

[That shout and the crackling of magic and wood is all that Zack needs to hear. When he does Zack's blood pumps and he feels his muscles scream as he sprints for the decks below. He kicks the door open and feels that rush of ice and cold. And his stomach drops at the implications.

He doesn't stop. He follows the traces of magic and broken wood and rounds the corner to see the scene in front of him. G'raha bleeding there against the wall and the corsair is pinned there in the ice.]

Raha! [He beelines for the corsair and growls out,] The hell did you do?!

[Zack can't contain his emotions and with a swift punch, he cracks the man against his jaw so hard he gets knocked out completely. He turns and goes to G'raha side, his hand gripping his shoulder and the other hand, with red knuckles, will grab for G'raha to staunch the wound at G'raha's side.]

Hang in there, put pressure on it! Damn it!

[ His head jerks up at the sound of Zack's voice. Before he can even respond proper, those footfalls against the floor are moving fast. And then the man makes an appearance. ]

Zack-!

[ Even G'raha flinches at the sound of fist connecting with the Corsair's jaw. While the Miqo'te makes no move to pick himself up from the floor, his ears are flickering and he's breathing is staggered. In part due to shock and in part due to pain. His ears pin themselves against his skull as he leans back against the wall. Only after Zack starts to hold onto him does Raha lift his head again. ]

Breathe. [ A reminder for himself and for Zack and Raha winces at the added pressure. ] 'Tis deep... But not fatal. I've worse injuries...

[ He's trying to tug his scarf off with a free hand. Healing magicks will only go so far and he's already done what he can with curative spells. So now he needs something to wrap around the wound. The scarf he can wash later. ]

Here. Help me with this.

I've got it.

[Zack coaxes G'raha to use him as a pillar to hold onto if he needs to. All the while Zack grabs the scarf to use to staunch the blood for now. He applies pressure and holds it there firmly. This is a pretty bad stab wound even if G'raha tries to play it off that he's had worse.

Zack does try to breathe. He knows he can't panic just because of a little blood.]

He must have snuck down here right under our noses. Just keep the pressure, we'll get you stitched up.

Tie it off tightly... [ Another sharp inhale. ] I've used curative magicks... Worry not.

[ Meaning he will be fine, Zack. He promises. There's really no moving Raha at the moment. Or, rather, he doesn't have the will to quite yet. So he goes back to closing his eyes and leaning back. Trying to control his breathing and wishing he had a bit more aether. For now, he's just keeping the pressure applied to the wound, despite the aching.

Still doesn't compare to being shot in the back and then tortured. The pain of slowly being eaten by crystal. ]

Likely it is as you've said. [ Makes sense. Instead of searching each room themselves, easier to lie in wait and capture someone. Force them to take them to the seamstress. Too bad G'raha hadn't wanted to play along. ] The seamstress... We need to make sure she is still here.

[ Guess who isn't concerned about themselves. This guy! ]

Yeah. But one problem at a time, Raha.

[Zack hasn't forgotten about the seamstress and their mission to get her somewhere safe. But he isn't about to just let go of G'raha right now when he's bleeding out. His voice is firm as he helps to tie that scarf as tightly as he can without it being detrimental to G'raha. It's good he has strong hands.]

You sit your ass down right here. I'll go check on her.

[No more moving that might cause more blood loss. All seems quiet now on the ship so Zack does a quick check of the room for any more rogue pirates before heading to her door.

After a quick check... She's shaken but she's alright. And for their trouble, she does give Zack a piece of long fairy-cloth that she said he should use for G'raha's wound until they can get to port. So he returns.]

She's alright. She's just a little shaken up.

Zack...

[ One problem at a time. One problem at a time!? The seamstress is the problem to be concerned with. At least that's what G'raha truly believes. Prioritize the mission, not him. His tail slaps against the floor in a somewhat irritable fashion. Being told to sit down like a child. ]

I'm not going anywhere.

[ Although, the moment that Zack leaves? Rushes into the room for the seamstress, Raha slowly pushes himself up. He's breathing heavily still, eyes a little unfocused from the pain. From the struggle of getting to his feet.

It takes the entire time Zack is gone to get himself upright. His ears perk forward hearing the the woman is safe. Shaken up but safe. ]

Good. Good. We should take this Corsair to the brig. Maybe get some more answers.

[They can argue the details later but Zack wasn't going to leave G'raha to possibly bleed out on his own. The seamstress is important and he wants to do everything he can for her and help her. But G'raha is his priority too.

Zack is careful with his check too. He sweeps the room and checks the halls before returning to make sure there aren't any other hidden surprises with sharp things. Only then does he secure her room and go back to G'raha with a frown.]

Yeah. Let's get him a cell before he wakes up.

[But before that Zack reaches for G'raha to steady him.]

You need to take it easy, though. Until we can get you some stitches.

[ He really is able to stand, at least. Take a few breaths, covering his mouth to cough. The pain is more intense than anything else. But he keeps the pressure to his side even as Zack returns to his side. ]

What will the other Paladins do with him...? Other than get more answers?

[ If Zack reaches for him, he might find that Raha is going to make the attempt to try to walk on his own. And when it does get to be a bit much? Well he won't pretend to be fine and will give in. Just lean against Zack. ]

...I can still help.

Aside from dealing with that black eye I gave him, he'll have to deal with being locked up for as long as they say. The higher-ups are wondering why they're after the seamstress.

[And Zack will be right there to keep G'raha standing by scooping his arm around his waist.]

I know you can. But you're helpful when you can breathe straight.

[He's just worried... He should have been faster at getting to G'raha.]

For a moment I thought you might have broken his jaw.

[ G'raha chuckles and it turns into something like wheezing. Thankfully, there will not be any coughing up of blood. Nothing vital has been struck. Zack's hold is distracting though. Gentle yet firm. Probably going to whatever serves as quarters here until someone with more medical knowledge than G'raha can get there. ]

Spoken like a true hero...

[ Okay there might be something of a small fever starting to kick in. Nothing life-threatening, but the body's response to trauma. ]

[He'll carry G'raha if he has to. Zack's expression is concerned but firm as well as he watches G'raha's condition. He doesn't like seeing him hurt like this.]

Yeah. I had to hold myself back for a second there.

[He probably would have done worse to the guy...]

There's a room down the hall. You can rest there and I'll grab the doc.

[Some random npc that can do some stitches idk]

Hold back? That was you holding back?

[ BUT ALSO WHAT DO YOU MEAN HOLD BACK? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?

Raha sighs, coughing a little on the exhale. Is Zack also going to be someone that fusses and feels protective? To the point of startling people?

He's only a little distracted by the thought of that, as Zack leads him to this room. A doctor. Stitches. Doe they really need to go that far?]

Zack, I promise. I'll be all right.

Raha.

[Zack's voice is deeper, a little firm. But it's also just ... concerned.]

Let me just be sure. Okay.

[... He cares about G'raha. He just has to be sure that he's not going to bleed out here and now. So will G'raha please just sit on the guest bed-]

[ Now why does this man have to sound like that? Say his name in that tone... Raha's tail stops moving altogether and his ears fall back against his head. When someone is just that earnest, how can the Miqo'te ignore it? ]

All right. If it will help you feel better.

[ He can allow it, if it's something like that. Adhering to a request because someone else needs it, not necessarily G'raha.

Not the healthiest way of thinking about it, but baby steps.

When Zack leads him to the guest bed, G'raha will need just a little help sitting down. He is in pain, sucking in a breath and trying his best not to flinch at the movement. ]

🐺🐈🧵

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