A Meeting of the 'Cats

Sometimes Club: Dangeon's Tale — 06/25/12

• Gage, Oilrag, Saxifrage

• Isle of the Unforgiven: Docks

Short the deck of a ship on the high seas, the docks are where Gage feels most at home, and it shows. He walks around like he owns the place, boots tapping on the creaking wood of the docks. He looks around at the ships, all of them private vessels since the sinking of the fleet. On the far east side of the dockyard the only two ships the Empire of the Rising Sea has left sit in drydock, undergoing repairs. Gage breathes in the salty air, every once in a while calling out a greeting to a seasbeast or worker he recognizes.

Although he certainly isn't as comfortable with ships and the like as Gage, Oilrag, every so often, will patrol the various parts of the island to ensure that he won't be executed for overlooking any occurances. The advisor slinks up near Gage, observing the work of the few remaining Imperial sailors.

Gage turns and gives the advisor a quick salute, "Afternoon, sir. Come down to watch the sailors, eh?" he asks, a slight grin on his face.

"Yes," Oilrag says, wrinkling his nose in distaste at the salty sea air. "And I suppose you are doing the same..."

Gage chuckles, "That's kinda my job, mate. That's tha type of thing you get stuck with when yer the last naval commander left." he scratches his head, "I don't mind though, i'd probably be down 'ere anyways."

"Ah. Personally, I'd rather be...elsewhere," Oilrag mutters.

Gage shrugs, "Suit yerself." he walks a little down the dock to watch a rat corsair loading a crate filled with... spices, judging ny the smell, onto his ship.

Oilrag strides foward and thrusts a claw forward sharply, indicating the crate. "Where is that bound for?" he asks the other polecat.

Gage shrugs, "Probably back towards the mainland. It's a private ship," he says, though he notes the nervous look the corsair rat gives them.

Oilrag glares at the corsair, his pale eyes clearly saying, /stop gawking at me and return to your duties!/. The polecat returns to his conversation. "Interesting...I didn't think there was any more cargo going to the mainland."

Saxifrage walks along the dock, centered amid an entourage of rat staff from her father's hotel. To the most well manicured of the rodent group, she asks, "And whom are we searching for exactly?" The slender fellow gives her a long winded answer, but he loses the jill's attention almost as soon as he starts. She has noticed the polecat faces from the banquet. "Good sirs!" she calls, scuttling from the safety of her escort.

"I didn't either." Gage says slowly, as the rat hurries up the gangplank, eager to be out of sight. "Might have to start checking cargo, don't want anything smuggled out..." he trails off as Saxifrage approaches, looking up and smiling at her.

Oilrag's head snaps around at Saxifrage's approach. He regards her for a moment before he recognizes her. "Hello."

Saxifrage stoops in a courteous greeting. "It is a pleasure to see familiar faces among such," she trails off, grazes the ongoing bedlam of the docks with a glance, and continues: "..disarray. I hope the day finds you gentlemen well?"

Gage nods, "That is does, madame. Good ta see you again." he gives a very slight bow, for the sake of being polite.

Oilrag inclines his head similarly. "I suppose it does...I must apologize for my...sudden departure last night."

The thin rat with whom Saxifrage had originally traveled approaches the trio of polecats. He bows to them, then traps the jill with with a wary look, which she ignores. "You as well, captain," she tells Gage. Her attention is then on Oilrag. "I am sure good sir had important matters to attend to."

Gage turns to look over at the shipyard, where is seems an accident involving some hot tar has just occured. "Hm, imbeciles." he mutters, watching a few rats scatter, trying not to get burned.

"Exactly," Oilrag says, nodding at what Saxifrage says. Then, like Gage, his attention turns to the shipyard. "How ironic that even with the endless sea around them, they still find a way to burn themselves. Imbeciles indeed."

"Oh dear," Saxifrage says with a gasp, cupping a hand over her snout. She cringes at the sight (and stench) of the scalded, flailing roustabouts. "Dangerous work, this."

Gage sighs, "It is, but that was a mistake that shouldn't have been made. Pure carelessness, that was. Rebuilding the fleet would be easier with competent workers," the polecat remarks coldly.

Oilrag's nostrils flare, both at the stench of burning rats and the idiocy of said rats. "Perhaps you should instruct the builders personally," he suggests. "Or perhaps they should move on to a new line of work, say, swimming with rocks tied to their necks," he says with equal coldness.

Saxifrage considers the captain's remark about worker competency. "Perhaps those fellows simply require the proper.. inspiration," is her input, though she does not elaborate. Instead, the jill musters a small smile for Oilrag. "Rocks? To their necks? Sir, forgive me for saying, but is it not still harder to rebuilt a fleet with drowned laborers than with breathing but inept ones?"

Gage looks at Oilrag, "Seems a bit harsh, but I agree, they need some more motivation, even if it is a threat."

Oilrag has a ready reply for Saxifrage. "My dear, drowned laborers inevitably turn mediocre workers into desperately diligent ones." To Gage, he says, "My thoughts exactly."

Saxifrage bites her bottom lip, then sumbits to Oilrag with a nod. She is quiet for a time, eyes left to linger on the hapless rodents nearby. "In my years among them, I have never known rats to be cowards--to fear death. Or to be anything but obstinate." Folding her hands behind her back, the jill lifts one shoulder in a partial shrug. "You would murder a hundred of them before any got the point. And decimating an already limited labor force like that would be silly."

"Certainly, some rats are like that. But not all members of a species are a certain way. Amongst these brutes, there are many who would gladly journ to Hellgates and back to save their skin." Oilrag says this confidently.

Gage decides to make an attempt to stop the arguement, at least for now, "That's for Lord Darkfur to decide, though, isn't it?" He crosses his arms, "Though if I could do more down here than supervise, I can promise ya we'd have some new ships built quick as a flash." he says this last part slightly quieter.

"And what, may I ask, can you do beyond supervising?" Oilrag says, a glimmer of curiousity in his dull voice.

"I believe, good sir, that they are simply demoralized by recent events. We need to restore their faith in the empire--not injure it further." Saxifrage capitulates. "Though, yes. This is his majesty's charge."

Gage turns to meet Oilrag's gaze, "I've been around ships all my life, i've helped build at least three ships, and captained two since i've joined Lord Darkfur's navy." he glances back to the shipyard, where the tar is beginning to be contained and the situation returing to normal. "Besides, i'm not sure who organized the workers here, but I personally feel I could do a better job." he says, a hint of arrogance working its way into his tone.

"Then I shall speak to m'Lord Darkfur about it," Oilrag says. He glides off towards the fortress, only stopping to boot the occasional unlucky dockhand out of his way.

Saxifrage tilts her head to the others' conversation, idly letting it soak. The tall rat remains just behind her shoulder, as well, though he is careful not to appear too interested in their exchange. After Oilrag departs, Saxifrage says to the captain, "Perhaps you could encourage them value something far more important than their skins."

"Like what?" he asks, tapping his paw on his sword hilt.

Saxifrage lifts an arm, palm extended to the sky, and swings it to indicate the northward body of the island. "To be a part of the Empire of the Rising Sea was once a badge of great honor. The soldiers and laborers did not perform their duties for fear of their authorities; they did it because they were proud, and because of dedication to king and country. We must restore this, and it will not happen if we terrorize them. Death already surrounds us."

Gage chuckles, "It's a very nice speech, miss, but what with the losses we've taken lately an' the future promise of the royal brat as king, that dosen't seem real likely. But if yew'd like to go give a speech to tha workers, be my guest." he smirks.

The arm drops, its fist balling at Saxifrage's side. "Fine, captain. It is hardly my place to motivate our dear rats. You and the future king can whip them until they bleed. Perhaps their misery will seal the hulls, and we will once again have a seaworthy flotilla."

Gage quirks a brow, "Hey, I never said anything about violence, that was Oily. I jus' said that fear motivates. That's just pure, unargueable facts. An' honestly, i'd rather not have ta threaten or hurt any o' tha workers." he crosses his arms.

"Fear motivates hordes, not empires." The jill lowers her voice, leans inward to Gage, and says, "Any rule is tenuous without the loyalty of its subjects. There are more of /them/ after all."

Gage shrugs, "I understand what yer saying, I suppose." he glances back at the workers, "They'd work faster if the overseers did a better job as well," he gives an example. "See that big brown rat over there? They've got him sealing the hull. With his strength he should be hauling wood and splitting logs fer planks, have some weaker beast seal the hull." he shrugs, "What do I know, i'm jus' one beast, but that's where i'd start, reorganizin' the work parties to be more efficient."

Saxifrage bobs her head, then smiles for the hob. "I apologize, captain. Recent times have made my head spin with uncertainty. When dizzy, I babble like a loon." She nods. "There are plenty of managerial improvements to be made, and you have a wonderful eye for it. Each beast should certainly be in a field suited to his ability and stature."

Gage turns to her, "No apology needed, miss. I guess it's not really my place to argue with ya anyways, since yer most likely higher in status than myself." he glances over his shoulder, intent again on the work crew, which is finally making some progress. "Wonder who the Emperor will appoint the new fleet commander. Not that they'd have a fleet to command," he says dryly.

A short laugh erupts when the captain comments on social strata. "I am simply daughter to a hotelier. You, sir, were the guest of honor at a royal banquet!" Saxifrage drops in a flamboyant curtsy, and, when she rises, winks at Gage. "Well, whomever the king chooses to lead his next fleet has his work cut out for him. But it could be a first step in better things to come."

Gage looks at her, "I'm pretty sure a guest of honor has ta be invited, and I don't think being dragged in half-drowned counts."

Saxifrage props a palm on her hip. "Well, captain, you stole the show--if only for a moment."

Gage grins, a slight bow, "Always an honor to crash the king's party. With that type of bad news, i'm surprised the king didn't kill me as soon as I finished reporting. You know how he is wit' bearers of bad news."

"Even his majesty knows better than to spoil a royal gala with butchery," the jill muses. "Had you stumbled in on a less populous function, yes, your fate may have been a grim one. But every beast in that hall was witness to your soggy arrival. You're a public hero, captain, whether or not you want to admit to it; I suggest you adjust to your newfound celebrity."

"An' they said i'd never amount to anythin'," he jokes, grinning. "I haven't been asked fer my autograph yet, at least." the polecat chuckles.

Saxifrage likewise chortles. "Not yet, but soon, I suspect!" She again surveys the docks. "You know, captain. You symbolize a glint of hope. When we thought all was lost, you proved that our ranks can not only endure, but crawl from the pits of disaster. Intact. Thirsty for rum. Ready to rebuild."

Gage nods, "Aye, but mainly thirsty for rum." he says, glancing at the sun that is dipping towards the horizon, forming a tropical sunset that's actually quite beautiful. "I don't guess I got ta properly thank you fer offering me that room to stay in last night. That beat the hell out of sleeping in the barracks." he grins.

Saxifrage beams and explains, "Peridiscus and I told our father of your bravery, captain. You are welcome to stay with us any time, free of charge, should you need respite from your duties."

"Hopefully I won't need to, but thank you fer being so welcoming." he walks down to the end of the pier, watching the waves, nt really saying anything for the moment.

Saxifrage straightens, abruptly remembering. "Oh!" She cants her head to the rat that has waited nearby for the duration of their talk. "This is Anselm," she says, gesturing for him to step forward. "He is our head servant, and he will be sure to take care of you when you visit." Anselm concurs with a bow, but when Gage declines their invitation, he and Saxifrage share a brief frown. "Well, captain, the offer stands," Saxifrage calls after him.

Gage turns to look at her, nodding to the rat, "Nice to meet you, Anselm." he says, "I'll be sure to remember it, an' I may end up taking you up on it some."

Saxifrage nods. "You would honor our house greatly, captain." She then turns to Anselm, and asks, "Have they collected what we came for?" The rat nods, gesturing to his underlings, who presently loiter among a couple of purchased cargo crates. "Good. Papa will be pleased. Shall we return to the hotel?" With Anselm's eagerly approval, the jill has a final curtsy for Gage. "We must be off, captain, but we will meet again soon." She does not wait for an answer, but pivots to leave, followed by the little troupe of hotel staff.

Gage waves at her from the end of the pier as she goes.