On The Good Ship 'Hippogriff' (Triton, Mint, Aiden)

Triton looks over at Mircalla and the Captain, unable to hide the shock on his face.

"It seems that things have just gotten more interesting. Someone on that ship is using the Pattern. They are thwarting my efforts to stop their pursuit. We might need those arrows after all," He smiles, "But perhaps there is more to this. By running the flag up and making themselves easy to identify, perhaps they are looking to talk?"

Triton then thinks through those he knows with the power of the Pattern. Are they all from Amber? Would someone from Amber be attacking them on open water like this?

Tellingly, Nema is not reacting with any sense of danger whatsoever. At the same time, Hippogriff's captain scratches his beard.

"Come to think on it, those tactics don't make much sense if he's planning at attack. He could've tacked differently, headed us off. Or tried to."

Sister Mircalla has the spyglass, staring at the ship. She goes very still for a moment. Very, very still. When she takes the spyglass down from her eye she looks serious and still. "My apologies to you all" she says. "Although I don't believe we're in any immediate danger." She hands the spyglass to Triton. "I would recommend you look at the ship's figurehead."

Between the Captain's realization and Nema's lack of concern, Triton can't help but remain calm. When Sister Mircalla states that they are not in danger, it makes him all the more curious. Are they coming for him or Mircalla he wonders. Accepting the Sister's offer, he takes the spyglass and looks at the ship.

The approaching ship's figurehead is now quite visible through the glass. Triton does not recognize the figure, that of an attractive young woman whose brown hair flows behind her, robes of white and brown and blue surrounding her. A local sea goddess? Or some such?

Triton pulls the spyglass from his eye and looks over at Mircalla.

"I don't know who she is, but I'm looking forward to meeting her. I assume she is known to you?"

The Holy Sister says nothing at first, but nods. "And I have reason to believe her on that ship even now. But I'm not at all sure why."

At that very moment Triton feels the sensation of some one attempting a Trump Contact.

OOC: I'll post here if Triton accept the call.

As Triton waits for Mircalla to explain who is on the ship he feels the pull of a Trump contact. Feeling that he is in no danger and assuming that it is the Pattern manipulator on the other ship, Triton accepts the call.

"Pardon me a moment, I think our visitor might be calling," Triton says before looking off towards the ship, away from the others.

"Hello. Who's this?"

Mint appears, she has her hair elaborately coifed as if for a party, but wears a lounging dress more appropriate for Castle Amber. Behind her Triton sees a room, possibly Mint's own, which he has probably not seen before. Triton can feel her curiosity through the connection. Although the contact is unaggressive, he can tell she has a powerful mind (Psyche at least Amber).

"Greetings cousin, I..."

Mints eyes flicker past Triton to the sailors visible behind him. She tenses up.

"I'm interrupting something. Would you like my help or perhaps to pass your lady charge along to the safety of Castle Amber?"

Triton is smiling and as is often the case, his clothes are simple. An open vest, blowing in the wind, no shirt underneath. A simple pair of black pants and no shoes. Triton's easy going attitude makes it clear that he isn't fighting against the call in any way. But even with his passive stance she has always gotten the impression that his own mental strength is also on par with that of Amber.

The wind catches his hair and his smile turns into a smirk as he recognizes his cousin. It is very easy to see why so many women fall for his charms.

"Dear cousin, how are you? Alas you are correct, now is not the best of times. It seems that we are about to be boarded by pirates. They fly a crimson unicorn and one of them possess the power of the Pattern. Things should be very interesting. While I cannot possibly leave and ignore the mystery at hand, I will extend your offer to the Holy Sister," Triton turns around towards Mircalla, "Sister, since we have no idea who is on that ship, perhaps you would prefer the safety of castle Amber? My cousin offers you safe passage," As she ponders that Triton turns back to his cousin, "So cousin, while the Sister considers your generous offer, perhaps we can discuss the nature of your call," Triton smiles.

It is very clear that Triton is taking the pirates in stride and is not a bit worried. Whether this is because of an over developed sense of confidence or just his carefree attitude, she can't be sure.

Sister Mircalla replies calmly, "My leaving would not be wise." She seems very sure of this.

As they talk, Mint makes herself ready for a fight. She slips on leggings under her dress. Then laces up her boots. She takes a supernaturally sharp knife and converts her lounging around skirt into a tunic. Next the sword belt goes on and she scoops her other trumps depositing them in an attached pouch. Finally she somehow wriggles into her jerkin without losing sight of the Trump. Her cloak and quiver complete the fighting ensemble. (All of this happens at superhuman speed and efficiency due to Mint's Warfare of at least 10 pts)

"Medraut's ship eh? Sometimes I marvel at the coincidences that surround this family. I originally planned to call you to speak with Sister Mircalla about your brother based on a card reading I did last night. Then since I spoke to Aiden two minutes ago I meant to ask if you knew anything of Crimson Unicorn Trumps and the pirate who uses the same symbol on his flag."

Mint tosses a very nice dress, amazing shoes, suitable undergarments, jewelry, and a wrapped present in a bag that she throws over the shoulder opposite the quiver.

"I can come through now or probably send Uncle Bleys through in a minute or two. I saw him in his room not 15 minutes ago."

Triton glances over his shoulder as Mircalla replies. He then brings his attention back to Mint with a sigh. "It seems the Sister is intent on being cryptic and useless. So...." Triton stops as Mint starts to get dressed in preparation for battle.

Even though Mint isn't showing anything provocative, Triton carries on as if she was. The huge smile on his face making his silly mood obvious, "Oh cousin. Do you really think that now is the appropriate time to distract me like this? Although I do appreciate the show," he winks, obviously being playful.

"As for Medraut or these Crimson Unicorn trumps, I am afraid that you have me at a loss. This is the first time I have heard of either. As for my current situation, I do not feel as though I am in danger, but if you believe you will need more than my protection, you are welcome to gather Uncle Bleys," Triton smiles.

Mint knows that Triton is just being playful. In their other dealings he always made it clear that he was happy to make way for her superior fighting skill. But even then he enjoyed running his mouth and pretending as if it was his job to protect the lady. While Mint knows that Triton can fight, she understands that he has no problem standing aside and letting others get their hands dirty.

As Mint packs her fancy dress and undergarments, Triton can't help but laugh, "Seriously Mint, I am trying to focus over here," Triton jests.

Mint heads down the hall at a run for Bleys room. Nonetheless her voice remains clam and composed.

"If you consider this a show I may come to believe that the tales of your romantic exploits have perhaps a trifle of exaggeration to them. And while I do trust you to protect my virtue, my time with the Amber military has taught me to prize those confrontations where I can arrange overwhelming odds."

Mint reaches the door and knocks while speaking aloud. "Uncle dear, please grab a toy or two from that wall of yours suitable for shipboard use. Cousin Triton has found a lead on the matters of which we spoke and it involves pirates." Mint can scarcely keep the smile from her voice.

There is no answer at Bleys's door.

Meanwhile, aboard the Hippogriff, Sister Mircalla keeps her eyes on the approaching ship, which now apparently is along side or nearly so. Even at this distance, the presence of a woman on board the pirate ship is visible. With long dark hair, evidently wearing white and blue and brown.

"No answer from Bleys. Would you prefer I come through now?" Mint begins making her way down toward the kitchens and the entry hall scanning for either a servant who might have seen Bleys' path or any other family members.

Triton laughs out loud as Mint suggest that his romantic exploits are exaggerated. He gives his cousin a friendly smile, "Well played cousin. But don't be mean. I offered you the chance to sample the sweetest lips in all of Remba," he winks. "As for your arrival. It shall have to be now or at a later time. I am afraid that my new lady friend has arrived along side of us and I should probably give my full attention to the matter at hand."

Triton is happy to bring her through if she wants, but if not he will either sever the connection or allow Mint to watch from the background as he turns his full attention to the approaching lady.

Mint reaches forward to take Triton's hand and joins him aboard the ship. once through she takes in the situation with a practiced eye looking for potential avenues of threat. (OOC: She analyzes the situation with her Warfare)

The ship aboard which Mint appears is a sturdy, well-purportioned craft at full sail in windy sea. Triton stands before her, and by his side a man who appear to be the ship's Captain. Beside them both is a Holy Sister of the Unicorn, in a white and green whipple and habit. She looks to be in her twenties and is very attractive indeed. From gossip and Triton's remarks it seems clear this is Sister Mircalla, daughter of the King of Uberwald.

Sure enough, approaching the Hippogriff is another ship, with a rough-looking crew and flying the very ensign Triton described...this ship bearing a name Rogue Heart.


At this distance, a dark haired woman can be seen on the deck of the pirate ship, looking directly at them. If she borrows a spyglass, she'll see the lady wears white, brown and blue and is quite beautiful. More, her eyes--they are gold. Mint has never actually seen anyone with gold eyes before, although the strange Trump the Kier brought showed a woman with one eye that very color. The chamber maids for that matter said the new arrival Fergus had one such eyes as well, the other purple like the red-haired woman in the strange Trumps.


Absolutely nothing about the pirate ship indicates the slightest intention to attack. One of their crew even waves a broad pennant of bright gold--a request for parlay.

Once his cousin is through, Triton walks over to the very edge of the boat, placing a foot upon the rail and leaning forward and he watching the lady. He attempts to let his connection to the Pattern tell him if this woman is indeed the one who was thwarting his efforts. Once the sign of parlay is given, Triton looks back towards the Captain.

"It is your ship. Would you welcome her aboard to talk or perhaps I should head over to their ship in order to keep you all out of harms way?"

"She wants to speak with me," says Sister Mircalla.

The Captain gives a startled look at these words.

"I know her," says the Holy Sister. "Not well, but we have met, and there are matters between us. Of a kind. I don't mean to seem cryptic, but some matters are not mine to divulge. But for whatever it is worth, I don't believe she means anyone here any harm at this moment."

"Wise of her." She would face not only Triton who has a dab hand with a sword, but also myself and I have found none of my generation who can match me with a blade.

Mint watches warily using her ability with Sorcery to try to notice any unnatural forces at work.

"Conveniently enough I need to speak with her." I know that she can shed some light on the mystery of these Crimson Unicorn Trumps and perhaps that of our newfound kin as well.

Within minutes, a tender is lowered from the Rogue Heart and rows over to the Hippogriff. Apart from a pair of sailors, the tender contains the brown-haired woman with golden eyes and a young man with golden hair and green skin. A Rebman? The sailors look to him for orders and he moves as if accustomed to command. But (reluctantly) he allows the woman to climb aboard first. She takes Mint and Triton in with a glance, but focuses immediately upon Sister Mircalla.
"Sister," she says in greeting.

"Lady," answers Mircalla.

"As you already know," the woman with gold eyes begins, "Captain Medraut commands far more ships than this. Hunting down your vessel would not have been any great challenge. Even now your life and liberty are very much in my hands. Hands that do--nothing."

"With respect," says Mircalla, "what you've just described is a very good ploy."

"So can virtually anything," she says with a mild sigh. "Impasse. Tell me what you believe Fernand might accept as evidence of good faith."

Mint raises an eyebrow as if to question the assertion that Sister Mircalla's life and liberty rest in Golden Eyed Pirate Girl's hands, but Mint says nothing.

Does she even get embarrassed that her big wooden breasts lead the Pirate ship around like a poorly placed flotation device? I doubt it. She's probably too busy having totally not incestuous hot pirate sex and being rude to strangers by not introducing herself. Seriously, I'm going to be late for a party where I'm the last minute pathetic fifth wheel pity guest for this? Bleys probably disappeared for a nooner with the maids. Reena is probably in the secret Shadow of buff princes who think women with weapon skills are hot and who are totally not related to us, but she won't answer her Trump because she doesn't want to share. More princes for her. Instead I get to back up my closeted gay cousin in dealing with Golden Eyed Rude Pirate Girl.

Triton watches the exchange, a large smile upon his face. He gives the green skinned man a long look, careful to memorize his face should he need to know him later. Then watching the Lady and Sister Mircalla speak, he can't help but say something.

"Our life and liberty are in your hands??" Triton laughs, "Do you really not know who I am? I hardly think that such a simple bunch could slay me so easily. So let's stop with this rudeness and continue on as normal polite sea faring folk. Perhaps you should start by introducing yourself? Or at least send a simple bow my way with a 'your highness'," Triton smiles.

Triton's stance remains completely relaxed and passive. He makes it clear that he has absolutely no fear of these men. He is hoping to keep all of their attention on him. Remembering well the skill that his cousin possesses, Triton strategy is to hide her behind his bravado. Should a fight ensue, he hopes that it allows her to strike when they least expect it and when it is the most advantageous.