S: 13 Winter Break and Bathtime!

"Remember kiddo, you should pit yourself against all sorts of fighting styles and warriors to keep yourself sharp!" The warm smile of Morrigan's uncle beamed down upon her as he instilled his lessons on her. He did everything he could to instill her with all she would need to better her fighting on her own if need be. "Challenge those you think are strong, you will never get better by taking on opponents weaker than you." He continued as the excited young woman nodded her head rapidly, "And it wouldn't be fun just to beat people up, right Uncle ChuChu?!" Her uncle gave one satisfied nod toward her, "Yes that is true, but mainly you would never improved if there were not some stakes involved." He said quickly, as he noticed Morrigan touch her stomach, "Not those steaks kiddo..."
 
A booming voice interrupted the lesson, "Well well, it seems your desperate need to fill our niece with chaos and battle, she still thinks of the well being of those weaker than her." A large man walks into view with a slender kind looking woman next to him. He seemed to have a glow about him and the woman sporting at least three flagons and mugs around her belt took a sip from the one in her hand, she looked upon her niece with much affection, "Hey cutie, having fun with Uncle Chuchu?" She snickered to herself looking at the man now giving her a glare, it seemed the nickname giving to him by Orri was ammo for the others. Morrigan's body moved on it's own with remarkable speed and she imbedded herself in a big embrace of the two new arrivals, "Uncle Sham and Aunt Nin!" They returned the embrace of Orri with happiness and let the child down, "Uncle Sham did you come to spar?! Please of please oh please please pleeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaasee." Her Aunt handed her a small mug of the tastiest hearty brew to stall her for a moment, "Sweet child you look exhausted and you still want to train?" Morrigan eagerly drank the hoppy elixir, only taking a break to mention to her Aunt and Uncle, "Uncle Chuchu says a good way to train is to hire assasssinins to fight you! How much are they and what is it?" As if he was the main suspect in an investigation for a horrible crime the new arrivals looked upon Uncle Chuchu with scorn, "ARE YOU SERIOUS?! WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING HER!?" Aunt Nin's voice rang out into the emptiness, and Uncle Sham seemed to grow larger and the glow intensified. His judgmental gaze overpowered the accused. "I was simply giving some advice for the future, I know she will be strong enough to take anyone! Fighting rings and the like...come on gu..." His speech was cut off as a fist seemed to come out of thin air and connected hard against Uncle Chuchu's face. It's power seemed beyond the physical as if the impact went past the man entirely and made him ragdoll a few dozen meters away, a calm voice somehow filled with dignity and complete rage took over all sound, "Yes...dear Brother-In-Law. What have you been filling my daughter's head with!" The impact trail in the ground gave out a mumble as Uncle ChuChu attempted to answer, "MOMMY!" Morrigan repeated the hug she gave before to her aunt and uncle, "Did you come to spar?! You and Uncle Chuchu going to practice? I wanted to fight you and show you what I learned!" Her Mother's face swiftly softened and looked upon her daughter, "That sounds lovely my Little Warrior, I just need to make Uncle Chuchu understand something real quick ok?" The young Morrigan landed back on the ground and prepared to study her Mother's battle with keen interest, "Then you and I can fight right?!" She yelled as she sat down in her Aunt Nin's lap. "Of course sweety, just watch for now." The concussive sound of a man now very much in battle mode and excited for the prospect of once again fighting his sister-in-law, his smirk said it all as the air filled with concussive bombardments of sword against spear. The sparkle and hearts forming in young Morrigan's eyes as her Uncle and Mother showed off in front of her, bouncing up and down in her Aunt's lap nearly spilling her beer, "Morrigan." She said with such a stern tone that Orri immediately sat still, but her eyes never left the fight.
 
The breeze of the Merian sea grew stronger and stronger as the Hive fleet made it's way back to Io, going around Echidna's Graveyard...which too everyone's dismay was apparently an option that Orri neglected to tell everyone, it carried a chill to remind the fleet that winter was coming. The entire journey was filled with the trial of letting Morrigan know that sailing in these seas during this season was far too dangerous and unprofitable, the ladder point being harshly enforced by Artemis and the Admiral. "OK OK, I get it....but there is no fighting...."
 
After being reminded over and over the entire journey Orri's mind was wracking itself with how she is going to train and who she would even be able to train with! focusing and unfocusing it lead her in too many random avenues and distractions. She decided to sketch and get her brain to focus on one point, then a memory of training with her Uncle, "Assissinators? assasssininin. The people who do stuff! Like a mercenary. Yeah, Amarabi might know! If I hired someone to fight me maybe." Her brain took a journey of Orri donning a disguise and hiring a group of rough and strong people to attack her. A cloak wrapped around her as she hands a drawing of the "target" to them and she would take lone walks at night waiting for her new training partners to come for her, "Genius!"
 
Keeping this idea in the back of her head for when she needed it, the thought of Alceaus entered her brain. He could spar with her and have no fear of injury from the city, "Poor Alceaus, he is going to be just as disappointed as me that we are stuck in the city for so long. Plus hopefully we can advance our skills, and he will feel more at home with us at the Hive." She spoke happily to her furry friend who looked upon her with compassion and laid a paw on her leg, "Don't bother him too much." He tried to say as she jumped up and headed straight for the archeologist. She approached him with a different style this time and actually asked if he would kindly spend time with her and train. He was surprised as she channeled her Mother's nobility, as best she could imitate of course. Alceaus was taken aback a little, and knew saying no would be pointless, so he accepted and knew the winter would be full of such encounters. Better to go with the stream instead of against it right? Morrigan was not so terrible in all honesty, naive and kind, there were worse things she could be. Nearly each day would start with Orri waiting at a distance as Alceaus finished his breakfast, "Yes, Captain of the Blazing Chariot, I can feel you waiting. Let's begin." Orri would eagerly run from behind the mast and the two would begin to run through an endless variety of kata and combat forms.
 
After two or three weeks of constant requests the archeologist was beginning to notice how sternly focused the chaotic woman was during spars and training. Her mind and body set to what they were doing alone, he concocted a plan. If her focus was this strong during their sparring battles perhaps he could pierce that thick skull and implant some knowledge. Letting information that she seemed to be missing slip in between blows or grapples, starting small for both their sakes. Too much complexity or information might not get through to her and only frustrate the poor intellectual. Their forearms met in defense as Orri charged him and they locked for a moment, "..So INSTEAD of prison, people work off their crimes as slaves? And they are not treated badly?" They separated and swiftly exchanged four calculated strikes between fist and foot, "YES! Exactly Morrigan!" A surprised and somewhat pleased tone in his voice. He would count the victory and continue training, doing everything not to push his luck. He found that some days the captain would come with tea or sweets that she asked Zephyria to make her, Alceaus knew of the woman's poor curse for food making. Sometimes it was almost pleasant, or was she simply wearing him down?
 
A day of resting, which was always a necessity by her Uncle's training montra. She headed over to merchant's row for some supplies. Then the idea Orri was hiding in the back of her head came back with a vengeance as she stood before her good merchant friend. She was in the middle of purchasing old stones with bones in them, and it crept to the forefront of her thoughts, "Oh Amarabi!" She looked both directions and subtly....as subtle as she could be of course, "Do they hire people to beat up others in this city?" Amarabi's expression went through a variety of emotions and was pretty sure he knew what the martial artist meant, and with some hesitation gave her intel about what would be known as a fighting ring. The young woman's expression could have rivaled the sun itself as the merchant gave her all the details and made her swear on her parents very lives she would tell no one. An easy promise to make, she very much liked Amarabi and the lovely silks and fabrics he aquired just for her. Whatever people may think about the self proclaimed "Queen of Hearts" she is more than willing and capable of keeping a secret, especially if said secret will hurt someone, "Swear on your parents to never ever tell! Or you and I will be in serious peril, and when I say take the dive you need to take it....." Before Orri can even open her mouth to ask, "I DON'T mean to dive in the water." Amarabi takes the time to explain how the gamble and the real game works, to throw a fight on special occasions is a necessity. "I'll practice my acting then! I've read Zephy's plays with her, it's fun!" For that moment Amarabi seemed confident, with his safety as a concern Orri grew serious through her excitement and put his worries to bed. "Await word from me, and you'll be fighting in the ring." He whispered to her and she bounded away with her purchases like an excited child, jumping over people and buildings back toward her ship.
 
A ring made specifically for fighting! Alceaus more receptive to training and he seemed a little more comfortable on his ship, AND enough money to buy a little extra food! This winter was going to be alright and looked a great deal brighter, especially after going out of her way to assist the people who were turned to stone, so many seemed so odd and ungrateful, one even killed his family. The more Orri pondered about the gnome and his actions the frustration she endured by the commander seemed less and less. How could someone let their family die just for more money, such a thought would have never entered her mind and a kernel of something odd broiled in her chest at the thought of the gnome. For someone who loves her family so dearly, it made her uncharacteristically angry at that horrific act. "I hope the Admiral keeps an eye on him, my family down here is becoming important to me..." Her voice trailed as Artemis and Dame Deadshot looked on at her for more clarification. "Umm captain?" Dame attempted getting her attention. "OH yes? oh, I was thinking about that gnome guy who killed his family, and I'm worried about my little goblins, and I will make sure he never comes near any of you guys!" Orri balled her fist. Francois and Shin were moving crates back and forth on Artemis's orders to move product while they are docked for so long, this will be a profitable winter! In honor of his master Orri he was going to capitalize on the need for warmth and cloth. The two moving the crates over heard their Captain's declaration and smirked slightly at her caring and childish mentality. It was endearing in it's way and she could very much back up her claims, they have seen on a few occasions. Healing all three ships at once really garnered favor with them. "It's a nice thought, eh Franky? At least a little more caring that Overhulk." Shin whispered as he strained lifting the last crate, "Mon dieu Shin, it is Francois, und wei, it is a nice thought." He almost chuckled, "Well, let's say it's better she cares about us and is not our enemy. I fear we would not be the winners in such a skirmish." Shin stopped and his imagination took over, going over such a battle, "Oooph yeah, I guess you are right. Last time we had a "Who gets to bath Filthy" spar...she went all out.." The two men went through the memory and shuddered.
 
Once every two weeks the Blazing Chariot holds a massive yet very necessary event dubbed "Who gets to bath Filthy." Shelley Mcarson, the man dubbed Filthy, has a very appropriate nickname and since the last time they were at port the captain of the ship installed a washroom and a dining area. Morrigan had the idea of keeping everyone clean and having a nice place to eat Ifegenia's delicious meals together. She denied that Filthy was the inspiration, but he was hard to ignore so Captain Orri started the game. "The last three to land a strike on me, must get our friend clean and fresh for dinner!" Captain Morrigan said with delight at the prospect of her crew getting into the fun and happy for the practice to sharpen her crew. "This is going to be fun." She whispered to Artemis, who had laid his head back down, "Umm excuse me sir, as the First Mate, you are part of this as well." She scratched his ears as he sprung up in a panic, "WHAT no. no no no no no, are you serious?!" She smiled at him warmly, scratched him in his favorite spot, "All for the morale of the crew sweetheart!" She said as she vanished up the main mast and stood on top of it awaiting her crew to get into the fun.
 
Shin and Francois gave a quick nod to each other tying a rope around Shin as he hopped into the catapult. Francois grabbed the lever and aimed it for the mast. Dame Deadshot ran behind some crates brandishing her pistols readying for a surprise shot, while Sir Lionel gathered a little divine energy into his family longsword out in the open. Lionel hoped he would have a good opening after the others sent out the first volley. "To perceive is to believe, what is real is real eh Captain he he he he he," The elderly man Old-Tide laughed to himself as a flick of his fingers created an illusion around Artemis and Jack "Two-Legs" a vision of Old-Tide himself wrapped around them as the old man took a seat and waited for the glorious show. A large group of crewman gathered together forming a phalanx so their captain could not appear behind them and take advantage, all the while Filthy napped below decks, none the wiser.
 
For a singular moment the only sound was the subtle waves lapping against the wood of the ship, beads of sweat building on the crew in anticipation. The tense atmosphere weighed heavy on them all, to be the last three would be quite a sentence to endure. The calm before a decisive battle carried into the air as they kept a keen eye on the incredibly fast "Queen of Hearts." One dock away on top of another mast sat a lone witch sitting on her stoop suspended high in the air. She sipped her tea and waited for the ridiculous show to commence, she scoffed with a laugh smiling into her tea, "Idiots." Anaxa walked her deck and noticed the strange silence and calm aboard the Blazing Chariot, "What in Tardarus is goin.." She was interrupted as a loud smash of wood against metal as the catapult was activated without warning, sending the small Falenese man speeding toward the top of the mast where the fiery captain stood waiting. He careened through the air and inches away from grabbing Orri, Deadshot rolled from behind the crates and fired two bullets toward her. The two bullets reached the captain seconds before Shin, Orri smiled as she dodged left from the one bullet, and caught the other in her hand. Her eyes went wide as she realized how hot it was and placed it into Shin's pocket as he sped past her in the air. She jumped down off the mast, grabbing the rope and wrapped it around the mast as she fell, leaving poor Shin to swing immediately and trapping him up there. Francois looked upon his partner tied on the mast, "Forgive me my friend, I knew she would do that, but I am not washing this man." Making sure Shin would be trapped up there and probably be one of the last three, Francois rushed toward the mast in preparation for when Orri landed. Her feet connected half way down the mast and she used it to speed down toward the deck, reaching it in record time. Standing on the deck she found herself surrounded by three Old-Tide's, "Whoa, what?!" The two standing elders rushed her immediately, one swinging a club, while the other vanished entirely and appeared right above Orri. She nudged the club and turned three sixty degrees causing the illusion around Two Legs to go flying behind her. He stumbled and went for another swing, causing her to dodge, "Stillness of the Candle Stance!" She let out causing him to miss again, as the one above her dropped and bit into her shoulder. The old man illusion around Artemis faded as Olt-Tide laughed heartily, "HAHA from this angle, it looks like that's first blood for me Captain." He slapped his knee and kept up the laughter. She placed a foot into Two-Legs back and pushed him right into Francois's path as he charged forward, "Franky look out." He yelled as they collided full force. Orri took a step or two back, unknowingly, toward the large mount of crewmen. She gauged her surroundings and was suddenly set upon by the huge phalanx of people, who descended upon her in a dogpile, striking, and kicking desperately trying to get a strike on their leader. Surprisingly organized and helping each other to be sure each one got a hit, Orri nearly teared at how much they were working together.
 
Scoffing into her tea, Zephyria could not believe what she was seeing. An apparent wave of human bodies consumed her friend. Anaxa yelled at the top of her lungs, "COME ON ORRI! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING! THEY ARE FODDER!" The crew blob began to shudder in unison as they all gave out a resigned sigh knowing what comes next was going to hurt. Beams of light, bright as the fiery sun, escaped from the holes in the mound, "CRIMSOOOOON IGNITIIOOOON..." Orri's voice muffled but heard just the same, "...DRIIIIIVE!!!" She bellowed out her transformation as the light intensified and the dogpile exploded in all directions, some overboard and onto the dock, leaving a barely visible captain bathed in red and blue light. She stood there as if a blazing fire ready to burn the world, "Let's take this up a bit!" She bent her knees as if to suddenly take off in any direction. Right above her however was Shin who has been desperately cutting the rope attached to him, finally two thirds through it the weight of his body broke the last third and he quickly descended deckward. Orri noticed his approach moments before landing on top of her, she swung her leg up at him catching his descent and softly laying him face down on the deck before vanishing out of reach. She appeared behind Francois and tripped him quickly, her shining aura glaring in his eyes. Anaxa looked from her ship seeing this massive battle and wondered what the hell caused such a desperate commotion, was this a mutiny?! A fire burning in his eyes as Shin ran over toward the fray reached into his jacket producing two lit sticks of black powder, "I'll hit everybody!!" A blinding light preceded the massive explosive noise, debris hitting every surface as the light faded and four people came back into view. Shin singed all over his front in his desperate act, Two-Legs and Francois covered in ash and broken wood, a few burns on their clothing as they staggered to their feet. Right in front of them stood their Captain without so much as a speck of dust, not even a rip in her resplendent coat. "Now Shin, you can't just set off explos..." Orri was cut off by the three of them, "HOW DO YOU NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE ON YOU?!" they yelled in disbelief. "Oh, I figured how to dodge big explosions. Being fast and agile has benefits. Want me to teach you?" She said plainly. With that offer of help from the captain she suddenly shifted her head to the side as if something struck it. A pistol came from the smoke and connected firmly with the side of Orri's face and landed on the ground, going off immediately next to Two-Legs ear, "AHH GOD DAMMIT, REALLY?!" He clawed at his now doubly ringing ear from two explosions. Dame Deadshot yelped and jumped with happiness, "YES!!! I got you! If I fired the gun you would have heard it....who knew if I did something I thought you might do, it would work?!" Through Deadshot's excitment came chanting from her other side and a radiant bolt of energy burst into her back. The spell Sir Lionel held back finally had an opening, sweat pouring off him as he held the magick at bay. Captain Morrigan beamed with pride at her crew and at Deadshot, "That was amazing everyone! I'm so proud of you!" She turns her head toward Shin, Francois, and Two-Legs with a smile, "Now you three, it looks like someone needs a bath." She hands them a net and some rope. The three look at each other in complete defeat, and without a word in their singed and smoky figures, head down toward the sleeping giant.
 
This winter was going to be fun!