The creaking of the ship was making Mansel feel sick. At sea for three weeks and not a sight of land. He thought of his wife, dying of dystentery two decks below. He hoped he would be able to bury her on dry land.

Mansel had been convicted of sorcery, but in truth, he was only a herbalist. Because he was not a very skilful herbalist he had been sentenced to be deported to Persecution Island. If his Tuberculosis cure had only worked, perhaps the king would not have lost his daughter, and then perhaps Mansel's story would be very different.

He was afraid for himself, it was rumoured that this ship was only for a very special kind of convict, and he felt sure that there were Vampires on board. His wife's illness may not have been as natural as the filthy conditions of the ship implied.

He knew for sure that there would be no shelter on the island, and the only food would be that which he could find. All he really knew about the island was that once there, you never returned.

He decided to build some kind of shelter as soon as he arrived - if only for his beloved wife Cordelia, to die in, but he was not skilled in building. All he had upon his person was a piece of flint, a flask of brandy and a miniature portrait of his wife. These would not get him far. He turned to the passenger nearest him, wondering whether or not to speak...

Kajo looked out toward the ocean with her hot pink eyes and tried to see if she could catch a look of anything in the water...but so far nothing but waves. She let out a sigh in annoyence and boredom and she sank down on the wooden rail of the boat and her dark brown hair fell over half her face before she pushed it behind her ear.

What was her reason for being on the boat? She had been bored out of her mind with being alone in the world, and looking like a 15 year old girl and never changing her age, she did have to move a lot. But this time she just simpley wanted an adventure and thought taking a boat ride would cure the lust for now.

'So bored...' she thought and looked at the man using side view and saw he was staring. "So...? What are staring at?" She asked a bit rudely but she was starting to get sea sick and didnt really want to deal with people at the moment.

Mansel apologised.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare at you. I'm just incredibly worried about my wife and you look a bit like her."

After a pause, he summoned up the courage to say, " Actually, I wanted to make sure you're not a vampire. I've heard there's vampires on this ship. God knows what will happen when we reach land, it will be every man for himself! Actually, are you any good at building shelters? The first thing I need to do is to make my wife a bed to die in, and the last thing I built was a bonfire... I think I'm going to need help planning and getting materials or something - I'm not sure I can do it on my own."

While they were talking, a young man overheard them. He looked like he wanted to join the conversation...

Kajo looked at him with half closed eyes and her left hand was holding up her face. What was he yanking about again? She had heard him say he was happy she wasnt a vampire and she wanted so bad but to pop his bubble, but she thought not making him shout and scearm and draw attendtion to her would be a better idea. So she deiced maybe to tell him later as an arriving on land present. But in the mean time helping him out with his crap once on land didnt sound so bad either. "Sure I'll help you." She said without any emotion at all.

(OOC, don't worry, we'll pop his bubble whenever you want - and I guess we'll wait for more players before landing the boat)

"Thanks" said Mansel, greatly relieved.

There was something otherwordly about the girl, that was for sure. He admired the way she stood there seemingly unaffected by the precarious situation they were all in. SHE certainly didn't seem worried by vampires, and that was a relief. All the childhood tales he'd been told consisted of bloodthirsty cradle-snatchers, evil beings without a shadow, but Kajo had a shadow as far as he could tell.

Cordelia had berated him for his prejudices. His thoughts turned to her, suffering in a straw pallet below decks. He couldn't bear to see her, if only he had the right herbs but even then they might not work.

There was a silence. Mansel needed a friend.

"So, where do you come from?" he asked.

"Oh, around." she said still having her eyes half crossed and not changing the sound of her voice. She was drawing circles on the wooden rail with her finger. "I use to live in Ohio, but then i went and moved with my family here....whatever here is.." she lied and started to drift off. "Where did you come from?" She asked not really caring as she looked at her nails and lifted them up and down on the wooden rail again.

"I'm from the western world, and it seems prejudice has brought me here," He replied.

"I used to be a trader in herbs, and I used to work for the King but-"

He sighed.

"Forgive me if I don't say too much but I find it hard to trust people. I had a gift once, that brought a lot of people pleasure and health, but in these evil days that is now no longer tolerated. I was arrested and nearly burned at the stake, then the King decided that it would be better just to transport me and my wife to the nearest hell they could find. All of us here have offended the King in some way, or the rulers of the lands we were allied with. I should be grateful that my life was spared, but in truth I am very afraid."

He paused and noticed that Kajo was carrying a book under her arm.

"You can read!" he exclaimed. "Oh how wonderful. Where I come from, only the rich are allowed lessons in reading. What is that book about?"

((OOC: ...oh bloody...an' 'ere I thought I have been posting' in the right thread...oh bother...Well...If ye don' mind too terribly much...))

Xin looked up silently from the floor in the corner he had claimed, his crystalline blue eyes catching the moonlight and shining like sapphires, what a shame it was not the full moon...a few more days. He wore a tattered black shirt, the sleeves having been ripped off long ago, his hands bound behind him by thick rope; he wore trousers with different chains and straps looping this way and that all about the legs.

Xin leaned his head back on the wall and closed his eyes growling low in his throat as he wriggled about, the powerful seemingly corded muscles in his arms pumping as he strained against the ropes binding his wrists, but in the end he merely slumped to the floor with a loud thud, his fall causing him to finally come into the moonlight

Kajo blinked out of surprise and looked down at the book she had forgotten she was carrying around. She took the book into both of her hands and flipped over so that her back was against the rail. "The book?" She said and opened it up to empty pages. "I dont really know myself... I stole it from some creppy guy the night before but it doesnt have any writing in it. I guess it was a diary so that was what I was planning on using it as. " She gave Mansel a closed smile and out reached her hand to hand him the book. "Want to look at it?" She didnt know what for, like she said it was blank but maybe he would like to look at it.

Then she heard something, maybe so kind of animal on the boat. She got curious and pushed the book into Mansel's hands and started to walk off. "Be right back!" she said as she started to head toward the sound of something growl and then heard a thud. She walked into she saw Xin laying on the floor and kneed down to him. "Hey, which ya doin?" She asked childishly and smiled showing her fangs at him.

Xin slowly opened his eyes and looked up at this new figure before him, their image blurred, slowly he working his way into a sitting position he again struggled at the ropes binding his hands. Again he failed to do anything but tighten them more.

Xin again looked at this figure realizing it, no, she had been talking to him "...Can you not tell chylde?(yes I spelled it like that on purpose) I struggle against the bonds that the mortal society has clasped to our wrists. Tch and they call US the beasts.

At his last remark he again snarled and struggled once more, the ropes causing burns across his wrists, burns will heal but wolves do NOT like to be caged

Mansel was curious at the sounds he heard from across the deck. He followed Kajo to the part of the ship where the more dangerous prisoners were kept shackled, but exposed to the elements.

"My God!" He exclaimed, seeing the writhing creature below him, and turned to Kajo.

"This is an illness I am not acquainted with! What can be the matter with him?"

He moved towards the prisoner, thinking perhaps he should untie him...

Kajo looked at Mansel with confusion. "Duh. He's tied up, for one." She looked not that the wolf and smiled again. "Would you like to be untie, little puppy?" She asked in a mocking tone of voice.

Xin narrowed his eyes slightly, their blue iris' starting to swirl about the pupil before hanging his head in resignation "…Aye…"

Helped by a Vampire...A wolf...Helped By A Vampire?!
...When things unnatural occur disorder is wrought, perhaps he would have to get over his malice feelings

Quietly Xin lowered his head to show his momentary submission “…If you should help me I am yours until the next blue moon…”

Kajo looked at him and smirked. "Mine?" she thought of it and shrugged happily not seeing a down side. "Ok, i wasnt planing on that, but if you want to be my slave intil you get out of control then fine." she smiled again and put her nail inbetween the ropes and slashed them off and stood.
" Your free pup, run around as you like. As I had promised, I kept to my word." She said trying to sound all smart like the other vampires had made fun of her with using the same tone of voice.

Xin rose to his full height of 6'3 and nodded his head lightly before smirking and resting his hand atop the little vampires head saying more to himself than anything; "... of course 'my master' " before walking off shaking his head. Running his hand through his silky silver hair, a few strands falling misplaced from his ponytail and hanging down as bangs, Xin simply started to laugh to himself this would certainly be an interesting trip.

Xin let his eye find the eyes of Mansel, to whom he offered a slight smile and a nod of the head, the rather large canines in his mouth glittering in the pale moonlight, the burns on his wrist already set to healing as soon as the blessed silver light washed over his towering form.


[Sorry for such late responses... I can only reply at school y' see sooo...

^_~ Those of Dark Feather doth Slay together]

Kajo turned around to watch Xin wonder off on the boat and was thinking of what he had said to himself. "And dont call me master, call me Kajo. Master sounds too creppy..." she said wiggling her fingers. She turned then to Mansel. "Are you just going to stand there? What? You havent seen a guy walk around before? Sheesh...people I swear." She looked down at her book in his hand. "And give this back to me." She demanded and grabbed the book out of his hand. "Do you have something I can write with..?" She asked opening the book to its first blank page.

Xin walked out along the deck, his wounds and burns sealing quickly, his build seeming to fill its self out the already corded muscles firming as the moonlight gleamed along his skin glistening with sweat.

He looked behind him, ears twitching, to Kajo "...Kajo eh? ...mmm...well as you wish," he stepped into a low sweeping bow, his silver hair falling forward and shadowing his face, though the crystalline blue eyes peering out seemed to burn like flames in the dark. "...My Master Kajo"



[Merry Christmas to all 'eh? schools out after today so my posts will be scarce at best... do not hate/forget me though ^_~ by the way the "My Master" is a play on Hellsing. Alucard hates humans but remains bound by life debt to one..., as Xin would be to Kajo...]

Mansel took one look at the tall form before him, and ran away gibbering. His nerves were torn to shreds. He drank half the bottle of spirits he had brought with him and passed out below decks...

Kajo sat there on top of the wooden rail staring in the direction Mansel had ran off in. "Pssst..how rude." her eyes narrowed as she noticed he left without answering her question about the writing object. She then looked the direction Xin had walked off in. She was alone and too lazy to walk off to but ither of them and moved to to the croner Xin had been laying in and started to relax, waiting intil they ither arrive to land or when Xin or Manself returned.

Mansel was awoken by a sudden vibration, and the excruciating sound of wood splintering upon rock.

He raced upstairs to find kajo looking cross. He apologised for his rudeness in leaving her so suddenly - but gently reminded her that since he had never learned to read he had nothing with which to write.

"Of course, there's always uhm, coal or something. Or...blood."

He stared over the side of the ship. It seemed the ship had run aground, but land was still a long way away... a pale craggy mass on the horizon. the ship could get no closer than that as rocks lay in the shallow water. Mansel could swim or wade, but he wasn't too sure about his other two companions.

He breathed a sigh of relief..and then remebered his wife. He would probably have to make a raft of some kind for her.

"I guess we're all swimming from here" he shouted.

"Wow wow wow! Swim? Do we really have too?" Kajo asked standing up fake laughing. "The ships not done is it?" she looked around hoping it wasnt but it did seem to be. Her shoulders dropped, she hated ocean water. It was a fear from when she was little. "Well im not leaving with out that guy I untied!" she said trying to think of anything to pause the moment.

Xin stepped silently into view from the shadows he'd been sleeping in, the crash had awoken him and he was not happy about it.

"What's this then 'eh? the little Vampire is afraid of getting her feet wet? its a shame too.. running water ... you people....no..you creatures don't like that sort of thing do you? well I guess that means I'm free of you?...no..no I gave a vow ...curse you...I'll see if I can fix this blasted thing." and with that he disapeared from view into the hull.

A dark-clad figure stepped onto the deck from below, walking calmly to the bow of the ship, his long silver hair blowing in the salty breeze. He said nothing, just chuckled a bit and turned to the young vampire, immediatley sensing one of his own. He turned to her and nodded, hands held behind his back to conceal the shackles he was bound by. He then turned his attention to the cold water below and decided that it was safe enough, as much as he despised the thought of jumping into it. His eyes burned with an eerie glow, not unlike that of moonlight, and his powerful muscles continued to strain against the chains that held his arms prostrate as he put a foot atop the rail and leaned forward to get a better look at the situation below.

Kajo glared at Xin as he walked off to do whatever he was yanking about. "I am not scared! .....I just dont like water. Is that a crime?" she snapped looking around and then saw the other vampire looking over the rail and saw he was tied up just like Xin had been. She walked over feeling in a mood to help out. "Which ya doin?" she asked looking over the rail trying to see what he was looking at.

His head snapped around quickly to meet the gaze of his fellow vampire, eyes burning furiously as he struggled against the shackles. Veins protuded from his bare shoulders and arms as he strained, snarling through his crimson stained teeth. The comment had to be sarcastic, and this only fueled his anger at being imprisoned. He despised the thought of being in any way inferior to anyone, and his captivity was a tell-tale sign that he had been in some way bested. The silver glow in his eyes grew brighter, and the sound of the bones of his forearms cracking from the strain resonated in the gentle breeze as he stared at the girl.

She lend on her elbow with her hand covering her cheek, and looked up at him sightly confusion. "Mad are we?" she said sarcastic. "Do I have to be your hero too? Or would you like someone esle to untie you?"

He snarled again, then turned and lifted himself, standing on the railing of the ships bow. He continued to strain, now audibly in pain as he winced, his forearm fracturing against the shackles.
"I need no one" he growled angrily.

" Well in that case your free!!!" she shouted and tried to pull the shackes apart but fell backward unable. She shot up glaring. "Ok! Wait a minute I'll be right back!!" she order and ran to go down stairs to find something to cut the medal chains off. She run back up carring an ax with her and walked over to the vampire still on the rail. She put the ax infront of her trying to aim. "Now stand still, i dont have very good aim so i might miss..." she warned smiling. "But dont worry I'll get it off someway or another." She pull the ax onto her shoulder.

His eyes widened at the sight of the girl weilding an axe in his direction. He bent his legs and lept up, clearing the girls head, and landed several feet behind her. He would have no part of this, he planned to keep all of his limbs in place.
"Forgive me for being rude, but I would rather use my own methods." he said, wincing in pain as he turned his shoulders out and forced outward and up. His eyes burned red now, searing with a combination of fury and anguish until finally the chains burst at the center. He let out a short, deep cry and pulled his shirt off, revealing a wealth of aged scars covering his bare skin. He used the shirt to wrap the fracture, splinting it with a small sheathed knife.

Kajo let go of the ax that was now stuck inside the boat and turned around to face the vampie as he broke the chains off. "Well fine...I was only trying to help." she walked over to him looking at his scars. "Rough life?" she asked smirking.

He stood up, favoring his arm a bit, and examined the girl. She was definatle a vampire, but something about her didn't seem quite average. Something he could not place.
"Rough life?...Indeed, but you should well know the hardship that I have been through...You undoubtedly have heard the stories of our mistreatment in captivity?"

She looked at him surprised and then blushed, "Ah, yes I've heard--I mean I know. I know how it is." She closed her eyes feeling herself blushing more and feeling stupid and put one hand behind her head gripping her hair. "I'm a vampire just like you, and we both have had tough life. I guess it was stupid of me to ask...." she let out a fake giggle and backed up a little. She was losing it, and soon everyone would know her secret.

He gazed at her intently, the crimson glow of his eyes receding back to a soft silver. She was hiding something, undoubtedly, and his curiousity began to get the better of his judgement as he pondered just what it was that struck him as so very strange.
"...then the scars require no explaination." he said after a moment's hesitation, lost in thought.

Kajo sighed in her head. 'Good....then we're off the subject..' she almost dropped her shoulders in relif but thought she shouldn't but instead looked back up at him with another question. "Ok, then. Why are you here?"

He sighed and walked over to her, stopping a step or two away.
"I was captured...in my sleep, they overwhelmed me. No less than a dozen well-armed warriors swarmed me, there was nothing I could do. I killed several of them, but they struck me down before long, and when I awoke, I was here. I haven't even the foggiest idea where we are going."

She backed up letting out a sound of fear. Did he have to sound so mad....stupid question... "Ok! Sheesh...dont have to bite off my head..." she shouted back at him and pouted. 'So what if I had never had trouble with people......I still had a tough life...why did everyone have to be so moody?'

He sighed and backed away, then turned and bowed his head a bit, he knew he should not be so angry, not with her at least.
"..I apologize" he said hesitantly. "I have no cause to be upset with you..."

Emotions run out of her and she sudden felt depressed. "We're going to that island, I guess over there." she pointed behind her. "I knew sneaking on board and not getting caught was too good to be true..." she sighed and sat down with her back against the rail and the ax besides her. "Cant believe I'm getting stuck with only guys on this adverture...." she said pouting once more as she crossed her arms. "If i knew i was getting exiled I would have stayed with the other full vampires at home." she looked up to see if anyone was listening to her talk. "And where did that wolf guy go?" she asked looking around and simply giving up. "I save someone and they just ditch me... fine then." she annoced and fell on her side looking at the other vampire's shoes. "So whats your name?" she asked bored again.

He looked at her, a bit baffled as to what exactly she was talking about, then turned and faced the island. What abominations could it hold for he and his fellow captives, he wondered. He then turned back to the girl, and continued with the infinite string of questions that plagued his mind. Why would she sneak aboard a ship bound for almost certain death? Who or what was this wolf creature of which she spoke, and why was she upset about being surrounded by men?
"My name is L'Escerto, and yours?"

" My name is Kajo." she answered sitting up. She would have smiled at the sound of her name but for some weird reason she was getting depressed. Maybe home sick..? But she never liked being home, she always tryed to stay away from it. But now, she knew she would be stuck on the island with three guys so far, it kidda reminded her of her caretakers and family like firends.

He nodded, continuing to examine the vampiress throughout the conversation. His thoughts then turned to the island, and what may lay ahead. He had no doubt that whatever it was, it would be a difficult task to surmount, but held enough faith in himself. However, there is strenght in numbers, he thought, and why suffer more than necessary.
"For the record...I don't plan to hold your hand through this, but perhaps we should stick together. I have not found any others of our kind here." And with that he stepped forward and offered to shake her hand.

She firsted looked at him and then his out reached hand. 'Old style..' she thought and stood up slowly and shook his hand and sighed but smiled feeling a little better some how. "Sure why not."

He nodded and smiled, then turned his attention back to the island. He examined the nearest shore carefully, eyes darting from tree to tree, stone to stone, then traced along the water and back to the girl.
"Well, I suppose the first issue would be getting to the island..."

Kajo looked at him with fear and then remember something. "Oooh yeaaah! Thats were the wolf guy went! He went to find a way to fix the boat so it could go closer to the island!!" she looked at L'Escerto "You! Go find him and help him!!" she exclaimed but stopped a thought over it. "Please help him? ....I'm afriad of ocean water.' she said with puppy eyes.

(OOC: welcome L'escerto)

Mansel reappeared on the deck with a woman in his arms. From her frailty it was plain to see that this was the sickly wife he was so concerned about.

He gently lowered her to the floor.

"Kajo? Might I ask you to look after my wife? The air is damp down there from the leaking water and it is making her worse...Oh, by the way, I've found some empty barrels down there...They'll make a fine raft. Sit tight, and I'll have us off this godforsaken vessel in no time!" He disappered below, hoping that the werewolf wouldn't bite him if he asked for some spare planks.

Cordelia looked up at Kajo gratefully. "I am so weak..." she said. "But it will be nice to have a woman's company once we reach land...if I make it, that is..." her voice trailed off as she lapsed into a feverish coma.

" Oh goody..." Kajo whispered rolling her eyes and sat down next to the woman and yawned. "Must be close to morning....." she said to herself and looked up at the sky and then back at the sick woman. "I'm always stuck with being the caretaker..." she let out a sigh of annoyence but smiled, she kindda did mind. It just ment she was needed.

He looked off into the distance for some time, until a pinkish haze began to rise over the horizon. His eyes widened, and he turned to the girl quickly.

"It's daybreak...I don't know about you, but I'll not be of much use in the daylight."

Kajo looked up at him with her eyes half closed not caring. "Why should I care--" she stopped herself rethinking. "Oh right the sun kills vampires huh? Well what do we do?" she said hoping he wouldnt notice the dumb question she asked.

Mansel returned, he was unable to find The Wolf-like man anywhere.

It was strange: as soon as the moon dipped in the sky suddenly the ship became quieter. At a time when people ought to have been waking up it seemed they were going to sleep.

Without help, Mansel had only been able to lash two barrels together with a length of rat gnawed rope, and it didn't look like it would last too long once afloat.

"Who wants to be first to test this out?" he said.

Kajo looked at him with pure fear written on her face and she quickly pointed to Lescerto. "He wants too!"