There were days that Kolt regretted settling in Baltigo for a home base. Just there were people that got on his nerves, but without a doubt it was worth it. For as a bartender, he was able to get one of his favorite things. Stories, and the ability to simply watch the hairless ones interact drunken made up for the occasions where he was required to lift his paw against them. His day had actually been quiet at the Apex before the one wearing the glasses had came in. There was sorta a rule for working around him. Keep your voice level.

There was a moment of pause from Kolt as the man ordered up a drink. A younger looking Minks girl; of some sort of cat origin looked over to Kolt before he gave her a light nod. She moved to soon start making his drink. Kolt moved closer to the man, letting the wooden slab be the only thing that separated them. His head had tilted somewhat to the side as his yellow slit eyes looked over the man. ”You know patron, it’s not polite to question the owner of an establishment as to why they set up shop.” He would’ve said as his eyes cut off to the side towards a group on the other side of the bar.

He could hear the normal slurs being tossed around about his race, and that of the girl working with him for the evening. His ears flattened before a moment before he released what sounded like a deep hiss in the direction of one of the men looking in his direction before returning his direction back to the rather demanding individual. ”I’ve seen a few places here and there. Compartida en el deporte sangre de otros piratas y malhechores.” He said, his nostrils flaring as he gave what could’ve been something close to a snort from his feline nose. ”However, as long as you’re paying for my time I’ll listen. However, I don’t drink on the job.”

Doriki: +5 to Endurance/Durability; Pugilist (+5 to same stat)

It wasn't difficult. She'd told herself that every day since she'd come - ever since she'd been forced - onto this ship. The ocean air had become the most familiar thing in the world. When they'd dock, she could never remember how long it had been since she'd set foot on solid land. Maybe this time she could get out and around other people this time - if the captain would allow it. Just for a little while.

She'd never asked him directly. The captain had little time for her to be bothering him with such a question, but it had come up in conversation while she was closely watching a boiling pot just days before they docked with the chef. The old man rubbed his chin and said he'd talk to the captain about it - that maybe she could come and help him pick out food for their next voyage. It had been a day since their talk, and the bruise was still fresh on her cheek from it. "What, so you can run off screamin' for help soon as you see a marine?"

She kept her head down as the captain and first mate had made their ways off the ship toward the town - probably to get themselves drunk from some local brew. They always smelled like exotic alcohols when they came back - a new place every night that she got full wind of some nights. Lovella had pretended to scrub one spot in particular when she felt any of the crew members' eyes on her in hopes they wouldn't even care to waste energy on her.

Lovella stole one moment as soon as everyone else had lazed off and fallen asleep or left the ship to find some form of entertainment - common, when the captain and first mate were gone. She leaned over the railing, watching dock workers move about as they did. But, her broom was just an inch away if there was anyone watching. It would have been the perfect time to escape - slip off the ship and disappear into the crowd. But whatever might happen if they found her would be more than just a bruise on her face.

A man on the deck rustled and the woman jumped at the sound, moving to brush some invisible debris from the deck.

OOC: Contributing 5 Doriki To Endurance

”Hika...Pour him another. On the house.” The words slipped through his muzzle before for the first time his attention shifted from the man to the group that was talking. His tongue had slipped from his lips, and reached to flick against his whiskers. The cat Minks nodded and poured him another one before too long. His clawed paws had come to rest on the finished bar beneath him before a new set of claw marks were soon added.

”Pleasure. Kolt Xenophilius, owner of the Apex Tavern. Given the rise of the inmundicia as of late, I’ve been looking to stretch out some kinks, if you catch my drift.” He would’ve said before watching the more shadier groups, obviously the ones who were just there to drink and meet for other acts of crime. They knew better with the big cat’s attitude. He would’ve rapped his claws against the indention that were being made by the very motions, an obvious sign that it might be time for a change in scenery for the big cat. “The Captain might lets us have a run with her though after he gets tired of her! You know he goes through them like bullets. “ The one who shouted had responded.

There was an obvious change in Kolt’s behavior. The one dubbed Hika fidgeted some. ”Sir… Not in the bar today? We still haven’t fixed it from the last time you raised your voice.” She spoke out timidly. He cut his eyes down to the girl before he released a huff. ”Yes I’m very aware. It’s not like I was expecting that I’d nearly bring down the roof, but to be fair they did put their hands on you. That’s not allowed either,”


During the moment between Kolt, and Hika the group that had been loud began to head out of the bar. As a group it seemed like about 5 of them were together. He skimmed his eyes in an sly way over to the human. ”I did say you can distract me as long as you can pay me, right? 100 Beli an hour for the next day or so. I’m going to get my cane, and I’ll meet you outside.” He said with a seeming chipper tone. Hika had brought her hand up to her face, and began to rub his temple. ”Before he gets started, get him away from the tavern. That’s all I ask. “ The catgirl had said before setting out a shot for another patron.


Kolt had left from behind the bar with long and fast strides. Each one of them pulling him faster to his room. As he got in, he opened up the case that sat at the foot of his large bed, and soon pulled free his old companion; the Duality of Nature. A large duel axe staff, only two feet shorter than him in height. His big frame with the weapon was barely able to slip back out of the back of the tavern and past the bar and outside. There was a VERY audible sigh from a certain cat female as she saw him leave.

Lovella felt a hand on her shoulder. Her stomach dropped in the same moment that she turned to find the face of the captain behind her. She hadn't seen or heard him come from behind. He was terribly tall and towered over her by multiple feet, and he always seemed to never get bored of the frightened look in her eye when she looked up at him. "Hello Love," he smirked; she swallowed the shivers creeping up her spine. He didn't like fidgeting. "How about you and I have a little talk, eh?" She frowned and nodded, "Yes, sir.."

Just as he began leading the girl below deck, a tired greying face popped out of the kitchen. The chef was hardly a terrifying man, and the only face Lovella ever wanted to see. "Lovella, I need your help in preparing my list for this trip. Would you come help me?" The three of them knew what he was actually doing, and the captain's grip tightened on the girl's shoulder and she held back a wince. "Only just now? I thought you finished your preparations yesterday." The chef shrugged. "I was a little off. Navvie told me we'll be at sea a few days longer than he'd previously told me." He frowned. [color:373e=ff6600]"'Less ye want a starvin' crew or only salads to eat the whole trip, you'll 'ave her help me check the list."

The captain grumbled something unintelligent as he shoved the woman toward the kitchen and stomped away to his quarters. Before he was out of sight he shouted, "I'll be takin' a nap - don't wake me up if you know what's good for ye." Lovella jumped at the slammed door. Even the familiar swinging kitchen door didn't set her nerves at ease this time. She gave the chef a very apologetic look, twiddling her fingers together.

The chef gently propped her chin up to get a better look at the darkening mark on her face. His eyes had started wearing out a year ago, so it was believable that he'd need help with anything in writing and lists. Even a bruise big as a fist needed careful consideration. "Ah, lass. What'll we do?" She didn't answer. He pulled up a clean cloth and dabbed at the skin around the bruise. It felt cool, and his gentler touch set her at ease. "Hold it there, it'll feel better in a tick. How's a cup o' tea sound?" There was a doctor, but it was hardly worth his time to look at a simple bruise - or at least, that's what the captain had firmly suggested. But, he was right. The cool cloth did feel a little better against the bruise.

Without response, the chef moved to start up the stove and put a little pot on it and sprinkled leaves and herbs into it. An absorbing fragrance filled the little room - a scent that only those two appreciated. Lovella made her way over to a small table set up in one corner of the room, two chairs on either side, just before he poured two cups of the fragrant liquid and joined her. She held the cloth against her face gently, and took her cup with her free hand and muttered a small 'thank you'. She stared in the cup, tears forming in her eyes. She tried to fight them away with a drink of the tea.

He sighed as he sat, ran his hands through his hair. "It'll get better. We'll find a way, I promise." "Why are you still traveling with them? You're not like the rest of them.." Her question was quiet, without malice, but his brows still went up a bit and he scratched his head awkwardly. "Well it's... it's complicated, Lovella. Very complicated."

The door swung back open; one of the crew members' eyes flashed right to Lovella and he pointed a thumb out the door. "Did a shit job cleaning the deck - get back out 'ere an' clean it!" Lovella turned to the man, wide-eyed. She had cleaned everything out there - there wasn't a speck on the deck or below. But, her eyes fell to the floor and she left the tea and the cloth on the table to follow him out.

She searched for what needed to be cleaned. "Wh-what needs cleaning?" There were footsteps on the board, and the crew that had left for drink had come back. One of them smirked rather smugly, grabbed a half-full bottle off another and smashed it into the deck then pointed at it. "That does, stupid. Clean it up." She screamed in a short burst as the pirate behind her grabbed her by the neck and forced her down to her knees in one quick motion. "Thas' some good beer, though. Best not let it go to waste, eh?"

He put his foot on the back of her shoulders and pressed her closer to the broken glass and alcohol. Was he- no! She wasn't going to lick it up!? She turned her face away, but he just kept pressing her face closer and closer..

OOC: +5 Doriki to Endurance

”You have an hour.” There was a changed with how Kolt was standing after they had left the bar. Where as before he was relaxed in the bar, still sociable despite his growing irritation. Now though, he stood tall with his paw wrapped tightly around the center of Duality's grip with his finger playing over the separation lever. In a mood like this, he was less of a talker. It was almost like the days back when he was a Gladiator. Killing for sport, and survival. Back before receiving his freedom. As the man took off, he started to move. It was a slow jog at first, but he started to sprint through the crowds of people, taking to vaulting over stacks of stuff that got in the way.

He had gotten close enough to the crew to see the winged man drop from the sky with his spear. His fingers grew tighter around Duality’s hand for all of a moment before his hands came together. His index finger of his clawed right hand caught the button for the separation as his left hand landed on the other side of the staff. With a quick click, the staff had separated into the two axes, and the heads shifted down. He had caught what seemed like another body heading towards the ship, a man that was only a foot or so shorter than him. ”Prey” Slipped from his lips as he brought himself upon the man, the axe in his right hand coming down upon the man’s back, just for there to be an audible clink as his axe clashed against the blade of a freshly drawn broad sword. ”If it ain’t the big kitty from the Tavern up the road.” The man said as he turned, holding his own against Kolt’s weighted swing.

Kolt let out a roar as he swung in with his left, trying to catch the man off guard with the deadly weapon, however this was cause with displeasure as he found his wrist caught in the man’s grip. He let out a laugh in the Mink’s face. ”I thought you didn’t leave that pretty alone. After I deal with you, she’s next.” It was with that that Kolt slipped on his control. A red aura washed over his body as his lung’s inflated. In the man’s face, his jaws came open and a roaring scream left lungs. Focused waves of sound would have assaulted the man’s ear drums, rupturing them. His balance would’ve been soon destroyed before Kolt took advantage of the momentary loss of balance and shoved him away. ”I’m going to enjoy this..”

used:

The girl was lucky enough that he wasn't much stronger than her. No matter how hard he pushed, she was well able to at least keep her face from touching the glass. She knew the others were all looking at her, smirking, not going to lift a finger to help. It was like entertainment to them - entertainment she had become used to being at the center of. She wasn't ever the one laughing. After a handful more seconds, her eyes opened and she only then realized just how close her face was to one piece of the glass in particular. It wouldn't kill her, but the mark left behind would burn - as alcohol on a cut did - and the scratch might have left a permanent mark. She jolted up a little.

As she did, she felt the pressure on her back lift. She looked up, reddened eyes looking about for what was happening. All the pirates had backed away a step or two, some of them had drawn a pistol or sword. In the middle of it was a dark-clad winged man with a spear she could only catch a glimpse of before she pulled herself up from the ground and stumbled to the railing. She felt another hand reach for her arm and twist, but she pulled away from the pirate in a panic. "Wh-what's going on?!"

In a short time she looked from the pirate next to her to the winged man, panic striking her mind. A newcomer attacking their ship couldn't be good.