Twisted fates

A date with Risk

In the city known as Druvenlode was a special occasion. Although a very sad one it was an occasion either way. A funeral not too far away from two peoples who's fates were about to intertwine. For better or for worse. In the tavern known as "The Leaky Keg" sat one young man at the tavern bar with a shots worth of water. His mocha colored skin daintily yet stern hand gripped it and brought it to his mouth. With a quick swig and a tap on the bar a light voice that sounded almost distant itself called "Another.".  The human barkeep currently behind the bar with a light mocha skin himself looked almost distained to pour the young man another shot of water. In his mind the mystery visitor who had his black, grey cowl pulled over his head was too naive to realize it was just water as he seemed obviously too young for alcohol. While the barkeep assumed the others naivety the visitor was no fool and only played along as to not cause a problem. In his mind it wouldn't matter anyway. Not anymore atleast. With a disgruntled sign he pulled out a black leathered book that was worn with use and labeled "Diabolis Advocatis" or "Devil's Advocate" in other words. Looking through the book while more so skimming words and staring at the scary strange pictures of devils and demons the pictures themselves along with some words seemed to shift. Not in an unreadable way but definitely a very uncomfortable situation almost as if mocking the reader. As the young man struggled and adjusted his eyes again and again another man had walked into the bar. A taller and older human man who most likely was into his thirties by now and already somewhat smelling of water and ale. His clothes were both somewhat well kept and nice looking while seeming dirty in a dirt of way. The man's face was also the same with some dirt smudged on his right cheek that led into his beard that slightly hung past his chin. His white skin almost pale yet with his cheeks partly flushed stammered up to the bar with a strange practiced walk as if he had done this many times before. With a deep grumbly voice he asked quite friendly "You got anything strong enough to put me on my ass but make me stand up?". The barkeep was confused but after a second of thinking just said "Sure." And grabbed what he thought was the strongest alcohol on stock. After a shot was poured and placed in front of the older man he quickly without hesitation grabbed it and brought it to his mouth with the vapors stinging his very essence. However notices the only other guest he paused before a drink and offered a shot salute to the cowled man. The other gave a quick fake smile and quietly raised his shot of water as acknowledgement and put it back down as the older man downed his. After a second the older man slapped his hand onto the bar and yelled "WOO that's some hard shit for ya lad!" The barkeep more so now surprised from the quick loudness asked with a confused face "yeah sure guy. Another?". This older man quickly replied with a "Hell yeah!" And then peered next to him at the other and said "One for him too lad.". The barkeep having to now step in only got in the few words of "no sir he's just a k-" and then was interrupted with "I'm paying aren't I? Besides I'll give you a tip." as he gave a cunning wink.  The barkeep begrudgingly poured the other man a drink and slid it to him while muttering "If someone finds out I blame you." and walked to the room behind the bar area to prep something or another. The older man now turned his body towards the younger trying to act more friendly and open while the other picked up the glass, looked into it, and asked "So you buy a stranger a drink who obviously doesn't want to be seen and come in here already smelling like you've drank. So what exactly do you want mister?". With his eye now looking towards the older man suspiciously yet soft the older man responds after a second and after leaning back a bit to resend his politeness "Well I'm new around here aren't I? Besides what better way to make friends that hurting ourselves?". Leaning back forward some he states "I'm captain ryley of the S.S. Risk and maybe just maybe I'm trying to make friends.". His smile was strangely friendly but with his already ale'd up body his face gave off a few hints of cunning and lies. The younger man giving a small smirk of laughter turned more towards Ryley and said "Well since you're new I'm Nekara (Ne-ha-ra) and welcome to this boring ass place.". With his low lit face now pointed more towards Ryley a strange glimmer of shadow could be seen within Nekara's eyes. Almost like a fog that keeps the iris close to a dark purple. Ryley retorts saying "Either I'm drinking too much or you're weird as hell kid. You got sum in yer eyes there haha.". Nekara somewhat reeling back from the comment but not showing any hurt says "Well I guess two things are true huh?" as he gives off a small half laugh. The both of them clink glasses and down the drinks with Ryley being more able to hold it while Nekara struggles greatly with the after taste. Ryley begins to chuckle then burst into a quick and hardy laugh while Nekara chokes for a second. A quick hard slap to the back of Nekara as Ryley says "You'll get used to it just stick with me haha!". After catching his breath from now what was basically a two pronged attack he says with now a small annoyed yet playful laugh "And you call me the weird one haha.". Soon Ryley's laughs die down and Nekara regains feeling in his throat as the air comes to a silence. After a small reprieve Nekara thanks Ryley as for him this was the first real kind enough act he's had in a month. Especially on today of all days he desperately needed something or someone nice to happen. Ryley giving a nod as acknowledgement then reaches over the bar to grab the bottle the barkeep had dumbly left next to the bar table and poured Nekara another shot and then took a swig of the bottle himself. Nekara raising his brow had too thoughts on his mind about Ryley. Either 1. This man just went through something rough or 2. He's just a drunk bastard who's going to pin the money on him. Ryley catching his stares forced Nekara to look back into his book. For Ryley the words and pictures danced for a very different reason than Nekara but never the less asked "so what ya reading there las?". Nekara a bit annoyed replied "Firstly I'm a guy and secondly it's a book I don't think you'd like. You know. Hard read and all.". Ryley feeling a bit playful now and sort of insulted said "Alright lemme see then las. I know how to read!". Nekara now starting to frown with annoyance turned his face away and took a breath. Turning back he pushed the book towards Ryley and said "Alright fine LAD go ahead.". Ryley grabbing the book began studying it for a bit and then put it down trying to sound out some words. After a bit and Nekara feeling like he got one over on him Ryley chucked with "I'm not gonna lie I can't see shit las haha. That's some scary looking things tho. Are you one of them ...you know..them culty types?". Nekara quickly replied confusedly with his brow furrowed" No but what's that supposed to mean Firstly?". He took the book back quickly and sighed. "It's supposed to be a book about demons and devils and stuff. I'm looking for a specific one that's it.". Ryley trying to resettle the nerves said "Hey I'm not judging las I'm just askin." then took another big swig of the bottle before saying "Hey you're weird and all but kind of cool and me and my crew are gonna be leaving here soon so maybe you'd like to sign up.". Nekara looked towards him quickly trying to see if it was a joke or not but Ryley seemed as if he sobered up in an instant with that question phrased as a comment. Thinking about it for a second Nekara decided why not. What else did he have to stay here for? Besides hed have a better chance finding a solution to his issue with actual travel rather than waking. Plus he did always want to be a pirate so being a sailor was close enough. Nekara grew a smile and said "Sure. where do I sign up?". Ryley growing a big drunken smile on his face said "I knew I liked you las!" And pulled out a piece of parchment then started scribbling on it. After a few minutes he gave it to Nekara to sign as a binding agreement which in general would be a horrible deal for Nekara. It said that he would be his first mate but any loot he found most went to Ryley and that he would have to pay Ryley per day of being on the boat as a worker. How absurd Nekara thought! After a few minutes of effectively arguing with a drunk bastard and another who's getting there they came up on an agreement where Nekara didn't have to pay but most of Nekara's found loot would go to Ryley. Nekaras thinking was that Ryley wouldn't remember anyway from how drunk he is and then when he's passed out he's just steak the document and lie. A foolproof plan if ever he thought of one.  They shook hands and started the walk back to the harbor which itself was about 2 miles away. The two stumbling back and forth with Nekara greatly struggling to hold Ryley up while holding himself up as he grew increasingly drunken. You see Nekara hasn't eaten all day and was already skinny looking. They shared a few laughs back and forth as they fell down one on top of another. Laughing at others and themselves for being a spectacle until finally they make it to the boat. Among the other two boats that were merchant vessels and definitely sea worthy there was also the oh so proud S.S. Risk with its barnacle covered lower side, a good few scratches and repairs needed, and definitely a connon shot hole that just got repaired. Coming into the vessel Ryley's step became of so eerily perfect as in Nekara's mind he had just realized what "Needing sea legs" meant. He fell a few times as the other sailors laughed or judged and Ryley checked around for departure times. Only a few hours away until Nekara had to work a job outside of his family for the first time. A very young man of 16 amongst a bunch of adults and seasoned sailors. Some with scars and others with prosthetics of different sorts. Each person having a sort of weapon of their own while Nekara was practically without. Feeling very much nervous but refusing to show it as he's accustomed to showing a fake face he managed to find a spot and stood firm. Or at least as firm as he could. With Ryley coming from his captains quarters now dressed in his surprisingly majestic navy blue Captain's jacket that had gold laces towards the edges and a collar that demanded respect he pronounced "Here is your new First Mate Nekara! I expect all of you to act right or somethin or other. We set sail in 3 hours. Enough for me to drink some more!". He raised a small bottle as everyone cheered loudly. As the area settled some Nekara heard many whispers now coming in very loudly as if  made louder by a malicious source saying that Nekara wouldn't last a day or that they won't listen to a kid or how they might just leave without him. Of course Nekara couldn't help but feel hurt but I'm his mind he understood. Who would listen to a kid none the less a new one. As he was lead to the crew quarters by Ryley and left there for a while to get prepared Nekara couldn't help but see just how lived in the First Mate area was. Definitely more than one person and some of these things seemed so strange when compared to each other. Maybe he would die doing this. Maybe it was a good thing if he did. As he lay there on a hammock that surprisingly held him well he couldn't help but feel that same eerie hand that grips him night after night. A feeling he fears he'll never be able to escape but even so end up falling to.  As the 3 hours pass Nekara is woken up from his light nap by Ryley and he's asked to put in his best show.  Given a minute or two to get ready he then follows Ryley up to the deck and everyone is called to attention. Ryley, a small bit more sober now, says to everyone good luck and to get them back and forth or someone goes over the edge. Quite the.. inspiring sentiment Nekara thought as the deck was handed over to him.  He yelled out to the crew to continue on with preparation and to ship off in a few minutes. The crew themselves stood there with some mumbling to each other until the boson says "and why should we listen to some kid!? Isn't that right las?". The crew began laughing and backing up the boson with their own similar arguments as Nekara became very quickly small. He was used to a crowd enough but none that booed him. Looking to Ryley who at this point was climbing the captains deck stairs simply gave back a look of "This is your job". Nekara looking back at the free felt betrayed in a way. He was First Mate. He deserved atleast the chance of respect. How dare they attack him like this. How dare they treat him like less. How dare. How dare he thought again and again until finally his anger grew large. With a loud booming voice he yelled "GET TO WORK BEFORE I THROW EACH OF YOU IN THE GROUND. GET THE FUCKIN SHIP ON THAT RIVER IN 10 MINUTES OR IM COMING FOR YOU FIRST BOSON!". The crew strangely became very fearful of Nekara as his shadow seemed to grow much larger and his very presence poured a worry into each of their very souls. Quickly they all got to work and yelled "Yes sir!". Nekara felt powerful. He felt strong. He felt gross and used as well. Looking back to his shadow his saw how much bigger it appeared before shrinking back down to normality. Where his eyes would be in the shadow now laid two unshadowed circles with a smile shaped as if no shadow was cast either.  All together creating the most basic humanoid form. Climbing up the captains stairs with a new yet familiar sense of fear he met Ryley at the wheel. With a good job reassurance and a hand on the shoulder Nekara then walked to the back of the captains deck. Staring at everything he's leaving behind. Watching as his home disappears slowly. With the cooler wetter wind blowing at them he finally removed his cowl to reveal his shirt guy black hair on top of his young smooth face. His eyes glowing back against the light with shadows and his hands gripping onto the wood barrier. Breathing in deep the air a new sense of freedom going to his mind with a great sense of fear of what's out there. Nekara spent practically his entire life within that city besides this past month. What laid beyond this city? What laid within his path and could he trust anyone? Could anyone trust him?.. Amongst the various races of humanoids amongst this ship he felt like the most outcast. A problem the others could never understand going to him as he felt a tighten amongst his torso. With a voice that was deep, friendly, and mocking came the words "I'll always be with you Nekara. My little plaything. Hmhmhm.". As the voice fades with echoes in Nekara's mind he said quietly out loud while now looking towards their route "I'm going to get free of you. Whatever you are monster.".