[The Greenest Dolphin, Main Deck, Aft]
You are on [a timeworn naval freighter].
At the back end of the main deck, the captain's cabin hunkers below the quarterdeck. The battered hardwood of the Greenest Dolphin is evidently kept ship-shape by regular swabbing with oil and tar. Above, the network of ropes that manages the mainsail creaks in any wind.
(A poxy mongrel is secured at the mast here, thick rope binding his forearms together and looped repeatedly through chains and shackles.)
A mass of orangey-brown seamoss grows here. (x4) An elaborately-decorated kandys coat of heavy, dark amethyst silk lies in a crumpled heap.
Also here are Iken and Esfandiar Shirazi. Rostam Marzani is in the crowd, holding a small, polished prayer stone in his right hand and holding a slender scalpel in his left hand. A fox-faced woman with apprehensive green eyes is here. Captain Paldeo is standing here, dragging a striking, violet-eyed youth with chaotic black curls. Yeshev al-Car is here, holding a sea-sanded hunk of driftwood in his right hand. Illi Idir is here. Tekra is here. Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid is held by a ruggedly roguish sea captain here. Zahir ibn Musa is here.
You are upon a ship. Reaching tendrils of mist slinks about the periphery of the day.
Cardinal Exits: east to the aft and west to the fore
Other: the Captain's Cabin: squat cabin door (open) and the mainmast (steep)
Captain Paldeo is shoving a striking, violet-eyed youth with chaotic black curls at the mast, apparently about to shackle him there. (Room Pose Set)
Rostam Marzani tries once again to step forward, raising his hands. "Captain,*I am begging you*. Begging you. By your God's sake and mine, listen to what I am saying." [in Ruvic with a low-toned baritone]
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid staggers a bit, colliding with the mainmast with another pained gasp as his bandaged, splinted arm makes contact, a hateful look cast to Captain Paldeo. "Oh, you are surely going to regret that." [in Sirdabi with a lilting, honeyed tenor]
A fox-faced woman with apprehensive green eyes exhales slowly, though this doesn't seem to release even the tiniest bit of tension in her form. She looks at Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid for a long moment as the youth is brought up to the mast, then turns her gaze aside.
"You are being ilagifi, Iniri!" Illi Idir calls to Captain Paldeo in his high voice, raised to nearly a shout. "Kalen still sees these seas! And you will come alala this pyre as a Iami, as will we all; but you will have oiga. You will iari isigimi these scars," he challenges. "Carry on akigyiseui. God sees you. The Georeol see you. Mercy would serve you oithar." [in Standard Elukoi with a rapid, energetic countertenor]
Cupping his hands as he calls out from foggy mists and the crowd, Yeshev al-Car says, "Boo! Shame!" [in Sirdabi with a lilting countertenor]
Clasping his hands idly at the small of his back, Esfandiar Shirazi says aside to Yeshev al-Car, with a distinct grin as he watches the events surrounding Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid, "Of course. How else will you keep him from bolting, hmm?" [in Sirdabi with an eccentric, Irzali-flavored tenor]
The mist surrounds the ship as it floats smoothly upon calm waves.
Zahra drifts into the outskirts of the crowd, skimming her way along the railing as she does. (Stand - near the railing -)
Iken goes to stand near the railing, joining you.
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid stands close to the mainmast, barefoot and indignant. (Room Pose Set)
Iken nods his head briefly towards you, and then he glances back to the ongoing chaos. There is a slight twitch in the man's left cheek.
(At the railing): Zahra greets Iken with a mere flick of a glance in the large man's direction. But then she's murmuring to him, "What is happening with Sayyid Al-Kazid?" [in Sirdabi with a dusky, purring contralto]
Esfandiar Shirazi lingers with his hands clasped behind his back, looking on with no small amount of pleasure. (Room Pose Set)
Eerie mist hazes around the hull as the ship tranquilly glides on.
Giving Illi Idir a glance and a quick exclamation, Captain Paldeo says, ".Mad! All of ya--" [in Standard Elukoi with a syrupy bass]
Captain Paldeo restrains Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid with a heavy chain with shackles.
Captain Paldeo releases Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid.
The mist swirls subtly, as if something unseen were passing through it.
(At the railing): "Flogging it seems," Iken says, before adding, "Uncertain why." [in Sirdabi with a gravelly, rumbling bass]
Captain Paldeo jerks Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's arms ruthlessly above his head and fastens the wrists into the shackles, then steps back to glance around deck at the crowd.
Straightening a jaunty sharkskin captain's hat, Captain Paldeo says, "Eu!"
Tekra steps forward at the command, extending a battered cat o'nine tail whip to Captain Paldeo.
The ship floats peacefully onward.
Tekra offers a battered cat o'nine tail whip to Captain Paldeo.
Captain Paldeo accepts a battered cat o'nine tail whip from Tekra.
(At the general area): Under his breath, Esfandiar Shirazi murmurs, "I do wish th-- wo-ld sp--k norm-ll-."
(At the railing): Zahra actually turns her head to look up at Iken a moment, so that she might deliver up to him a languid blink of her molten eyes. "So you will be next, I imagine?" she wonders even as she looks back to the unfolding scene.
(At the railing): After a pause, Iken does continue to say, "He was there, when Sayyid Marzani drilled the hole in a man's skull. Related?" Then, he nods again to you, "I had assumed. Yes."
Rostam Marzani stares at Captain Paldeo, then out into the mist, then quietly takes a step backward. He gets a lumpy chainmail tunic from a large, pebbly-leather backpack, shrugs into it, then looks back.
Rostam Marzani gets out a lumpy chainmail tunic from a large, pebbly-leather backpack in his possession.
Rostam Marzani puts on a lumpy chainmail tunic, covering a tailored beige linen kaftan and a dignified pale-hued broadcloth thawb.
(At the railing): Zahra simply presses her lips into a thin line but says nothing further to Iken. She but dips her head a little, to acknowledge his words.
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid struggles to get up, but he cannot.
A fox-faced woman with apprehensive green eyes mutters to no one in particular, "When all this is over, and there's need of salve and bandaging, someone may come find me." [in Sirdabi with a wispy soprano] And she moves very hastily off down the deck.
Teeth gritted, Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid lets out a noise that is more grunt than yelp, voice pained and tight when he speaks. "Yes, yes. You have played a good game, to your credit," he starts, casting a brief glance upwards as his shackled wrists.
Amidst the ominously quiet mist, a fox-faced woman with apprehensive green eyes walks west to the fore.
Illi Idir tells Captain Paldeo, "We pray for you, as akeipsir and asyipsat; and by the end of this ifoithis, I pray you pray." He watches the Captain with more shame than fury, and cuts his gaze to Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid with faintly-shaking concern.
Rostam Marzani begins to move back into the crowd.
Addressing the crowd, Captain Paldeo says, "This man is taking the tussiteateam for one Murzuni--" [in Ruvic]
Zahra cuts a glance over to Rostam Marzani with Captain Paldeo's words.
Captain Paldeo levels an arm, dramatically pointing out Rostam Marzani moving away.
The ship moves across serene waves, cloaked in an ominous haze of fog.
Roaring back, as he moves into the crowd, Rostam Marzani says, "Do not DO this."
It is possible to see the second Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid realises that this is actually happening, that it's not something done for show. Surprise flashes across his expression, his mouth dropping open as his gaze pulls inexorably towards Captain Paldeo.
Raising his voice, Captain Paldeo exclaims, "-- for Drilling a Hole Into a Man's Head!"
"Speak a normal language, would you?" Esfandiar Shirazi calls over to Illi Idir. He smiles at Rostam Marzani when he sees him coming.
Captain Paldeo stands near a striking, violet-eyed youth with chaotic black curls at the mast, a battered cat o'nine tail whip in one hand. (Room Pose Set)
Zahir ibn Musa moves to stand at the general area, joining Yeshev al-Car, Illi Idir, Rostam Marzani, and Tekra.
Growling, Captain Paldeo exclaims, "This is justice. We do not tolerate madness on this ship!"
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid is near the mainmast, wrist shackled above his head by a heavy chain with shackles. (Room Pose Set)
Captain Paldeo exclaims, "Not on calm seas!"
Illi Idir tells Esfandiar Shirazi, "I spoke the Captain's tongue." [in Sirdabi] And, brimming with frustration and little else to do, he yanks off his wig and pelts it at Captain Paldeo's head.
Illi Idir removes an elaborate red-haired wig with bronze beads and long, dangling braids.
Illi Idir hurls an elaborate red-haired wig with bronze beads and long, dangling braids at Captain Paldeo.
An elaborate red-haired wig with bronze beads and long, dangling braids completely misses Captain Paldeo.
Zahir ibn Musa steps over, alongside Esfandiar Shirazi.
Captain Paldeo shouts, "AND U NOT ON THESE CURSED WATERS!"
Illi Idir also misses.
Almost imperceptibly the mist begins to thicken into frozen billows of fog, yet the sense of creeping tension in the air eases off, leaving the pale day with a fragile sense of relief.
The ship beneath you continues across softly lapping waves.
To Rostam Marzani, Esfandiar Shirazi says evenly, still smiling as though he were watching a yard game on a summer day, "Pain is a valuable teacher. To those capable of learning."
Captain Paldeo barely notices the wig flying past him as he turns to look at Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid, raising a battered cat o'nine tail whip.
Sharply, disgustedly, aside, Rostam Marzani says to Esfandiar Shirazi, "Be silent, dog."
Zahra simply watches on, gaze flickering in between Illi Idir and Captain Paldeo while she tracks the arc of an elaborate red-haired wig with bronze beads and long, dangling braids. But then her gaze is returning to Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid chained there.
Captain Paldeo shifts his grip and brandishes a battered cat o'nine tail whip in his fist.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back.
Blood begins trickling from Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back.
Trying one last time, Rostam Marzani says to Captain Paldeo, "He is a boy! If you--"
(At the general area): "Wh-t is h-pp-ning?" [in Sirdabi with a dignified baritone] Zahir ibn Musa hisses through his teeth, then gives a start.
Rostam Marzani trails off, helplessly, as the whip cracks.
There is a genuine look of confusion on Iken's face, an eyebrow quirking up and his cheek twitching. "Truly." The Tessouare shakes his head a little in what might be disgust, but then fixes a gaze on the whipping and Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid.
(At the railing): Zahra suddenly, lowly, directs to Iken though her gaze remains on Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid, "If Owais tries to take your punishment again, I trust you will not let him, yes?"
The ship moves across serene waves, cloaked in an ominous haze of fog.
Zahir ibn Musa sucks air through his teeth, backing away a step. He shakes his head and turns away.
After blinking rapidly a couple of times, Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid casts a stunned look over the crowd and then drags his gaze back up to Captain Paldeo, apparently lost for words. And then whip is singing through the air and there really are no words as his whole body contorts with pain.
Forging through the icy fog, Zahir ibn Musa walks west to the fore.
(At the railing): Iken bluntly, but also quietly says, "I am not the Sayyid."
(At the railing): Zahra simply murmurs back to Iken a mere, "I know," still not looking toward him.
Esfandiar Shirazi's smile deepens, though he looks briefly disappointed when the other man moves off. He turns his attention back to Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's trial.
Blood trickles from a bloody stripe on Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back, gradually clotting into a scab.
Rostam Marzani stares at Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid and Captain Paldeo, fury slowly closing into a mask.
Captain Paldeo watches the blood run through the tear in the back of Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's thawb of thin blue silk, then raises a battered cat o'nine tail whip again with a grim expression.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back.
Blood begins flowing from Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back.
Rostam Marzani takes stock of Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid.
"Fear not, Sayyid," Esfandiar Shirazi calls to Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid. "There are many waiting to give you succor when this is over."
There's less of a pause this time, and Captain Paldeo is already raising the whip again.
Eerie mist hazes around the hull as the ship floats smoothly upon calm waves.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back.
Blood is flowing from Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back.
Zahra watches on in silence, eyes fully trained on Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid.
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid jerks against a heavy chain with shackles, still wordless as he gasps fruitlessly for breath. His eyes start to creep open, swimming with tears as they struggle to focus on Captain Paldeo in what is still clearly complete and utter disbelief.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back.
Blood is trickling from Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back.
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid collapses.
Stares, frustration and shock mingled, frozen. One, two--and then a third, and Illi Idir starts out of it and darts across the deck. Perhaps the madness of the seas or the foolishness of youth, but he goes to interpose--the passive resistance of just trying to take the blow instead.
Freezing whorls of fog catch and diffuse the dim daylight, scattering it across the icy surroundings.
The crash of a wave sends a spray of water over the ship's edge while it floats peacefully onward.
"One more!" declares Captain Paldeo with merciless roughness in his tone, raising a battered cat o'nine tail whip. "Til FIVE, the madman Murzuni's illunanuat--!"
Rostam Marzani just watches now, as Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid falls and Illi Idir moves forward, his mask slipping in open dismay, mouth opening but no word emerging.
Captain Paldeo seems to be about to crack a battered cat o'nine tail whip again, apparently uncaring that Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's legs have buckled.
Illi Idir trying to just cover up a striking, violet-eyed youth with chaotic black curls, back to a ruggedly roguish sea captain. (Room Pose Set)
Captain Paldeo blinks, lowering a battered cat o'nine tail whip to gaze at Illi Idir.
The ship beneath you drifts on gently.
Illi Idir squeezes his eyes shut, kneels, hunkers, and waits for a blow, shaking.
With a gesture of a battered cat o'nine tail whip, Captain Paldeo tells Illi Idir, "Out of the way. This is agoipsan. Kalen nifeuoit agina that." [in Standard Elukoi]
Esfandiar Shirazi laughs out loud at Illi Idir's intervention, covering his mouth too late.
Blood trickles from a vivid bloody stripe on Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back, gradually clotting into a scab.
Yeshev al-Car stands obscured in the fog with a distasteful scowl. (Room Pose Set)
"E," [in Irzali] Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid yells out in a choked, breathless scream, already cringing back away from Captain Paldeo, helplessly trying to regain his footing though his legs seem unwilling to cooperate. Wild eyes blink again, finding Illi Idir with confusion, teeth chattering together with cold and shock.
Illi Idir argues, wretchedly, hunkered still: "Mercy. Or a fifth blow; it lands where it lands." [in Standard Elukoi]
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Illi Idir's back.
Blood begins flowing from Illi Idir's back.
(At the railing): More words finally trickle forth from Zahra on a murmur while she watches, attention flickering in between Illi Idir and Captain Paldeo. Though it's to Iken she speaks when she observes, "Those two thugs will set themselves upon you when you are weak, you know."
Captain Paldeo hefts the whip, cracks it, and lands the fifth blow upon Illi Idir.
(At the general area): Esfandiar Shirazi shifts closer to Yeshev al-Car.
Iken nods his head very slightly, towards Captain Paldeo's final strike and he looks over at you. There is a shift of a shoulder in a shrug. "Yes. Likely."
Illi Idir hunkers, shudders, screams, and nearly drops, eyes shut.
The ship floats peacefully onward, cloaked in an ominous haze of fog.
Captain Paldeo draws a battered cat o'nine tail whip back into a coil in his fist, with a grim look and a headshake at Illi Idir. He turns to appraise the crowd, slowly sluicing blood from the tails.
Esfandiar Shirazi shifts away from Yeshev al-Car.
Esfandiar Shirazi smirks aside at Yeshev al-Car, and at Rostam Marzani both.
With a jerk of his head towards Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid, Captain Paldeo tells Tekra, "Take him away. It's the iloipsak's turn next."
The ship beneath you floats smoothly upon calm waves.
Tekra simply nods, moving over to the mainmast.
Tekra goes to stand by a heavy chain with shackles, joining Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid and Captain Paldeo.
Illi Idir goes to move near the mainmast.
Illi Idir sits down near the mainmast.
Tekra frees Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid from a heavy chain with shackles.
(At the railing): Zahra breathes out a nearly inaudible sigh through her nose while she observes.
You're not sure whether anyone notices you.
Illi Idir is in no especial position to block Tekra, certainly, at last opening his eyes, looking between Tekra and Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid, panting, moaning, and shaking, though the one blow certainly does not equal the four.
Tekra loosens the clamps on the manacles, allowing Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid to finish crumpling down.
Blood seeps from a vivid bloody stripe on Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid's back.
Blood seeps from a vivid bloody stripe on Illi Idir's back.
The crash of a wave sends a spray of water over the ship's edge while it continues across softly lapping waves.
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid struggles to rise.
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid slumps to his knees as Tekra frees him, toppling towards bonelessly with one cheek pressed to the bloodied, sticky boards of the deck. He is shaking visibly, eyes heavily lidded and staring emptily at nothing. (Sit - beneath a heavy chain with shackles -)
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid visibly struggles to remain conscious.
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid struggles to rise, but cannot.
Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid visibly struggles to remain conscious.
Tekra approaches the general area.
Tekra grips Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid firmly in one hand, ready to start dragging.
(At a heavy chain with shackles): Tekra shifts closer to Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid.
"Oofu.Fal." Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid murmurs to Tekra faintly, still not managing to sting the words together though the movement drags a hoarse and rather pathetic scream from his lips.
Tekra glances over at Illi Idir, at the vivid bleeding stripe that marks him too, and gives a rough headshake and a 'tch'. "Come." [in Sirdabi with a harshly-affected countertenor] Apparently, the first mate's job is to clear all whip victims free of the mast.
Eerie mist hazes around the hull as the ship tranquilly glides on.
Illi Idir straightens to stand near the mainmast.
Illi Idir falls in with Tekra.
Forging through the icy fog, Tekra walks west to the fore, dragging Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid.
Forging through the icy fog, Illi Idir walks west to the fore.
Pale fog brings the smell of cold as it shrouds the land in dampness.
Captain Paldeo watches the first mate depart, then glances around. His gaze picks out Iken in the crowd, and he raises a blood-streaked hand to adjust a jaunty sharkskin captain's hat.
The ship floats peacefully onward.
Captain Paldeo stands near the mast, a battered cat o'nine tail whip in one hand. (Room Pose Set)
Iken begins to strip away some of his pieces of equipment and clothing.
Iken removes a natural-hued wool bisht.
Iken removes an embossed steel cuirass, revealing a tidy beige wool kaftan and a well-crafted beige fleece thawb.
Forging through the icy fog, Tekra walks over from the way west to the fore.
Iken puts a natural-hued wool bisht in a rugged zharalhide mizuda.
Esfandiar Shirazi continues to watch Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid and Illi Idir, calling to the former in encouragement, "You've survived, Sayyid."
Iken removes a well-crafted beige fleece thawb.
Iken puts a well-crafted beige fleece thawb in a rugged zharalhide mizuda.
Iken removes a tidy beige wool kaftan.
Mutely, Rostam Marzani looks from Captain Paldeo to Iken.
Tekra picks up a length of heavy chain from the deck, looking towards Iken.
Iken puts a tidy beige wool kaftan in a rugged zharalhide mizuda.
Iken approaches the general area.
Iken offers an embossed steel cuirass to you.
You accept an embossed steel cuirass from Iken.
You are unable to grip an embossed steel cuirass, so you leave it to the side.
Speaking up suddenly from the crowd, Yeshev al-Car says, "What crime is this man accused of?"
Eerie mist hazes around the hull as the ship continues across softly lapping waves.
Tekra lifts a length of heavy chain, causing it to jangle, and makes a gesture with it in Iken's direction. "Ain't forgotten," is the gruff reminder.
Apparently, Zahra can't quite keep a grip on an embossed steel cuirass so she sets it down at her feet.
Iken removes a dark leather weapon harness with a leather-hilted greatsword inside.
Echoing Yeshev al-Car, Rostam Marzani says, "He defended one of your crew against three others."
Iken approaches the general area.
Iken offers a dark leather weapon harness with a leather-hilted greatsword inside to you.
You accept a dark leather weapon harness with a leather-hilted greatsword inside from Iken.
You are unable to grip a dark leather weapon harness with a leather-hilted greatsword inside, so you leave it to the side.
Esfandiar Shirazi lingers with his hands clasped at his back, watching the goings-on at the mainmast with dark interest. (Room Pose Set)
Apparently, Zahra can't quite hold onto Iken's sword either, so that also is set down at her feet.
Iken turns to look over at the Captain Paldeo, and immediately begins to walk through the crowd of people there to approach the mainmast.
Iken goes to stand near the mainmast.
Captain Paldeo raises his voice to address the crowd, with a glance at Yeshev al-Car. "This man AGIATHAT a anareileui!" he announces in a roar. "Mizzi is dead!"
Iken drops to kneel near the mainmast.
Rostam Marzani departs.
Rostam Marzani arrives.
If anyone might have been expecting Zahra to lift her voice in Iken's defense or otherwise plead for the man, they would be immediately disappointed. The young Amunati makes no such pleas. She does not beg. She does not even speak. She just watches Iken approach the mainmast and there kneel -- a mere golden-eyed spectator.
Tekra walks over to Iken, carrying a length of heavy chain. It is evident that this fellow is being treated with a lot more cautiousness than the noble boy... despite his apparent acceptance of the punishment.
Iken moves down to rest on both knees, back turned to the Captain Paldeo and his eyes closed. There is a deep sigh from the Tessouare, but never a man of many words, he doesn't bother with any now.
Tekra goes to stand by the mainmast, joining Iken.
Calling out again, whatever words were shouted by Captain Paldeo seeming foreign to him, Yeshev al-Car says, "We said what crime? What crime is this Tessoure accused of?"
Tekra prepares a length of heavy chain for use in binding Iken.
The ship's deck sways as it hits a wave.
Making the announcement again, Captain Paldeo says, "MURDER!" [in Ruvic]
Some subtle change seems to come over the thick fog that shrouds the land, an uneasy sense as if something else were in the dense mass with you.
"A man is dead," Esfandiar Shirazi says , tonguing his gold tooth as he narrows his eyes at Yeshev al-Car and Rostam Marzani. "Have you no sense of decency?"
Captain Paldeo lifts a battered cat o'nine tail whip in a vicious gesture, standing between Tekra and Iken and the crowd. "Mizzi is DEAD!"
Tekra uses a length of heavy chain to tie Iken up.
Tekra has finished working with a length of heavy chain.
Iken on both knees. (Room Pose Set)
Tekra approaches the general area.
Tekra grips Iken firmly in one hand, ready to start dragging.
The fog whirls oddly as if unsettled by a breeze, despite the profound stillness of the air.
Eerie mist hazes around the hull as the ship glides across smooth waters.
Iken on both knees, tied with a heavy chain. (Room Pose Set)
Tekra goes to stand by a heavy chain with shackles, bringing Iken, joining Ariziya Zakil Sezani Al-Kazid and Captain Paldeo.
Loud enough for the passengers around him to hear, Yeshev al-Car says, "Mizzi, the smugglin', thievin' creep who threatend us all every time we walked by. Who picked a fight he lost."
Calling out, Rostam Marzani says, "Can the Shipwitch even walk, after what Mizzi did to him?"
With a grunt of difficulty, Tekra manages to budge Iken just slightly into position in order to bind him into the shackles.
Tekra restrains Iken with a heavy chain with shackles.
Tekra releases Iken.
Losing none of its impenetrable opacity, the fog attenuates into a spectral mist that creeps in swirling silence across the pale land.
"Is he dead?" Esfandiar Shirazi asks Rostam Marzani simply, a smile twisting the corners of his mouth. At Yeshev al-Car, he only smirks.
The ship drifts on peacefully, cloaked in an ominous haze of fog.
Iken doesn't bother attempting to resist Tekra's nudging or attempts to manhandle him. Instead, the Tessouare just has his perpetual blank look on his face as he is prepared for his punishment.
Captain Paldeo points a battered cat o'nine tail whip at Rostam Marzani. "Shaddup, Murzuni!" he calls angrily into the crowd. "Ya don't know what yer babblin' about!" And then he turns to look at Tekra's progress. "TWenty lashes for the THEFT OF LIFE!"
Stomping his foot angrily on the deck as if trying to incite some sort of commotion, Yeshev al-Car says, "The Tessouare scrapes a barnacle from the captain's hull, and -this- is what we're treated to? Shame! Shame!"
Perhaps surprisingly, Rostam Marzani does shut up. But only because his eyes are drawn to the mist.
Iken continues to breath heavily, eyes closed, though his body begins to tense in anticipation of the coming pain.
Zahra simply watches on, gaze perfectly riveted upon Iken while the man prepares for his punishment.
"Fools," Esfandiar Shirazi murmurs , looking sidelong at Rostam Marzani and Yeshev al-Car as his arm fold loosely about his front. "You show disrespect for the only law on the ship. How will you carry on ostentatiously keeping order now?"
The mist surrounds the ship as it flows gently across tranquil waters.
Yeshev al-Car glances around the gathered crowd, perhaps trying to ascertain how many are sympathetic to the masive, scar-lipped man...or afraid of the captain...or simply bored and excited for a whipping.
Rostam Marzani stares out at the mists, not seeming to have heard Esfandiar Shirazi, then slowly looks back to the scene. He shakes his head faintly to Yeshev al-Car.
The crash of a wave sends a spray of water over the ship's edge while it continues across softly lapping waves.
Captain Paldeo faces Iken's back, nodding to Tekra, and jerks his head to one side in a clear indication to stand clear.
Tekra nods with a grunted, "Aye, Captain."
Tekra steps away from a heavy chain with shackles, leaving.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood begins trickling from Iken's back.
Iken gives a grunt, a sharp exhale of air at the abrupt and sudden administration of pain.
Esfandiar Shirazi lingers idly, watching the flogging of a towering brute with shorn raven hair. (Room Pose Set)
The first lash lands, cutting into Iken's skin and drawing blood. But there's little time to pause -- twenty lashes will take some time -- and Captain Paldeo immediately raises a battered cat o'nine tail whip again.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
(At the railing): Zahra breathes out another almost inaudible sigh through her nose while she watches, her jaw setting for just a moment before it relaxes once more.
You're not sure whether anyone notices you.
Blood trickles from a bloody stripe on Iken's back, gradually clotting into a scab.
Blood seeps from a vivid bloody stripe on Iken's back.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Iken The Tessouare's fists clench, and unclench almost as if he is trying to decide whether to fight the pain or not. Again, a loud sharp grunt.
Yeshev al-Car falls silent as the sound of the whip cracks out again and again, having failed to gain any traction with the crowd on the deck.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Iken collapses.
Rostam Marzani takes stock of Iken.
The ship floats smoothly upon calm waves, cloaked in an ominous haze of fog.
Seething softly, the mist insinuates itself through the damp air.
Iken there is now more of a hiss from the Tessouare, slipping out from between clenched teeth as he drops fully to the deck.
Rostam Marzani stares from Captain Paldeo and Iken to the mist, and back again.
(At the general area): Yeshev al-Car shifts closer to Rostam Marzani, slipping through the crowd.
Even when Iken's strength falters at the fourth lash, Captain Paldeo continues.
Zahra has eyes only for Iken in these moments, though it might be difficult to tell just what she is thinking in the midst of that fixation, her features set into a mask of serenity.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Iken visibly struggles to remain conscious.
The sun is halfway down the afternoon sky.
It is midafternoon, the hour of the dolphin.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is trickling from Iken's back.
The ship beneath you floats smoothly upon calm waves.
Iken remains on the deck, though it looked like he might attempt to rise again to his knees but then completely falters as he instead struggles to just stay conscious through the wave of pain.
Esfandiar Shirazi watches Iken's beating with an idle expression, the fixed and interested burning of his pale gold eyes the only indication of emotion.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Yeshev al-Car peers out into the fog darkly, his back now to the mainmast and the ministrations of pain happening there.
Iken finally does more than hiss, or grunt, actually yelling out in pain as more blood begins to run down his back and onto the deck of the Dolphin.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Iken visibly struggles to remain conscious.
The ship continues across softly lapping waves, cloaked in an ominous haze of fog.
"How many is that?" Esfandiar Shirazi wonders out loud to himself as he watches Iken flag.
Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Zahir ibn Musa walks over from the way west to the fore.
Captain Paldeo pauses for a moment, taking a breath. Evidently cracking a whip is a bit of work. He rubs a blood-stained hand across his forehead, and readjusts a jaunty sharkskin captain's hat, leaving fingerprints of blood against the rim.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Blood seeps from a vivid bloody stripe on Iken's back.
Blood trickles from a bloody stripe on Iken's back, gradually clotting into a scab.
Towards Captain Paldeo, Tekra says, "Nine."
Captain Paldeo nods at Tekra.
Zahra's gaze continues to burn upon Iken, her eyes upon his features rather than the blood trickling from his back.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Iken visibly struggles to remain conscious.
Zahir ibn Musa grimaces and shudders, trying to avoid looking in the direction of Captain Paldeo and Iken as he makes his way toward Esfandiar Shirazi.
Abruptly, speaking up, Rostam Marzani says, "Captain! He will not survive twenty. At least let a Physician tend him."
The Tessouare now is just spent on the deck, back exposed to the continued lashing, and Iken's fists go slack and instead splay out on the wooden deck. Every blow brings another sign of the turmoil it is causing the man, usually a hiss but sometimes when he is unable to bring himself ready for the next blow, an actual bellow of pain.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Iken visibly struggles to remain conscious.
Yeshev al-Car glances at Iken.
Fog floats past as the ship floats peacefully onward.
(At the general area): Leaning in toward Esfandiar Shirazi to hiss when he reaches him, Zahir ibn Musa speaks, "I n--d... clo-ks, or bl-nk-ts. Th- young scions -r-... not doing w-ll."
(At the general area): Esfandiar Shirazi shifts closer to Zahir ibn Musa.
Esfandiar Shirazi normal. (Room Pose Set)
Captain Paldeo doesn't pause raining fire upon Iken's bleeding and torn back. The cat o'nine tails cracks, blood droplets whipping through misty air. "The man he murdered took it!" claims the captain in an angry grunt. "For --" *CRACK* "-- stealin' some fop's stupid -- " *CRACK* " -- clothes!"
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Iken visibly struggles to remain conscious.
The crash of a wave sends a spray of water over the ship's edge while it drifts on peacefully.
Esfandiar Shirazi looks around, the frown lingering as he considers the crowd.
Reminding Captain Paldeo, Tekra says, "Twelve. Eight more!"
Still, Zahra does not speak up in Iken's defense. She remains a mute spectator.
Tekra keeps a calm, solid expression, gazing at the crowd with dark-bronze eyes. Ever so often, there's a look at Iken, concern veiled.
Esfandiar Shirazi "Whoever wishes to wile their way into the good graces of an errant scion may, at this time, donate a piece of clothing... Probably not to be returned?" me calls out, then checks Zahir ibn Musa's face.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Iken visibly struggles to remain conscious.
Rostam Marzani gets out a black lambswool bisht from a large, pebbly-leather backpack in his possession.
"I'm told they're not well?" Esfandiar Shirazi asks, still looking to Zahir ibn Musa for confirmation.
The ship flows gently across tranquil waters.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Iken goes limp.
Wordlessly, Rostam Marzani goes to shove a fine bisht of azure blue silk trimmed with gold into Zahir ibn Musa's hand, features leaden.
Zahir ibn Musa grimaces and nods, with a shrug.
Blood seeps from a vivid bloody stripe on Iken's back.
Rostam Marzani offers a black lambswool bisht to Zahir ibn Musa.
Zahir ibn Musa accepts a black lambswool bisht from Rostam Marzani.
Captain Paldeo raises a battered cat o'nine tail whip again, even when Iken collapses.
Iken remains limp.
Zahir ibn Musa nods appreciatively to Rostam Marzani, draping *bisht over his arm.
"Anyone else, or will our Lion have to go naked?" Esfandiar Shirazi asks, one eye on Iken.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Zahra seems oblivious to Esfandiar Shirazi's words, her full attention still upon Iken.
Iken barely moves, his back a bloody mess and with his attempts to weather his punishment now gone, along with his grunts, there is just the sound of meat being hit, and the sharp exhales of air when struck.
Captain Paldeo continues to flog Iken's limp form, the force of the licking tails causing the man's body to rock against the mainmast.
Zahir ibn Musa shakes his head to Esfandiar Shirazi. "I'll, look in the hammocks," he suggests.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
The mist surrounds the ship as it moves across serene waves.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is trickling from Iken's back.
Yeshev al-Car turns away, slipping deeper into the heavy mists.
Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Yeshev al-Car walks west to the fore.
Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Zahir ibn Musa walks away up east to the aft, seeming eager to leave.
Rostam Marzani stares at the on-going beating, then into the fog.
Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Zahir ibn Musa walks over from up east to the aft.
From Captain Paldeo's hand, a battered cat o'nine tail whip cracks violently, lashing out into Iken's back.
Blood is flowing from Iken's back.
Iken remains limp.
Amidst the ominously quiet mist, Zahir ibn Musa walks west to the fore, going the right way hopefully this time.
Holding up a hand to Captain Paldeo, Tekra says, "Enough."
Esfandiar Shirazi withdraws into the fog.
Captain Paldeo lowers a battered cat o'nine tail whip, breathing heavily, and turns away.
Esfandiar Shirazi departs.
Fog floats past as the ship continues across softly lapping waves.
Captain Paldeo drops a battered cat o'nine tail whip near a heavy chain with shackles.
Captain Paldeo departs.
Rostam Marzani slumps. He gives Tekra a grateful look.