Thread: Open Skies, Smoking Guns(Myself x F R O S T)

Certainly it was hard for any of the others that the Captain bedded to compare to Mercury, in any number of ways, but that didn't seem to stop her. Perhaps the variety appealed to her, even if the others were a little pale by comparison. Or maybe he was just too much for her to handle all of the time. That was the explanation that would best stroke his ego, but it was hard to say for sure, without asking the fiery redhead, and who knew whether she'd be willing to divulge such information. While she tended to err on the side of being direct, particularly compared to the subtle neko, for instance, that didn't mean that she handed out all of her secrets. If anyone would be capable of coaxing it from her, though, it was her dragon. When it came to the elf, or, rather elves in general, one of the benefits of their looks was that they tended to be a bit androgynous. That, among other things, contributed to how widespread their appeal was. Most everyone could find an elf they found attractive, regardless of sexual orientation of personal preference. That wasn't always the case, as some favored in their partners less the slender look, though elves could be capable of quite the curves, at least in some cases. Doubtless there were all sorts of perverted tales out there regarding dragons and elves, to boot, but just how much a basis they had was hard to say. They had to have started somewhere, though. Fortunately for Mercury, most of those on board the ship knew better than to antagonize him, barring those cases where alcohol caused them to take leave of their senses. Fortunately, in such cases, he had both the ability and the permission to throw them around, as long as nothing important was broken. Most of the time, though, they either deferred respectfully or avoided him altogether, which, while good for avoiding offense or unwanted conversation, could make things a little dull around the ship. Fortunately for the dragon, his natural charm and good looks, not to mention the abundance of exotic, beautiful creatures on the ship, made sure that boredom was never really an issue. Mercury's position on the ship was rather vague, despite the respect he commanded, but it was often enough to know that if he was making a stand on a point, it was in your best interest to go along with it. The Boarding sergeant was one of the exceptions, either foolish or braveor both enough to stand firm against the dragon, though obviously if the point was pushed, there was little doubt with who would come out on top. He was mostly to keep the other crew members in line, a job he did well, if gruffly and with little humor. He could give direction to Merc, but not really orders. He did give an amusing shrug when Merc made a point of not promising to keep the prisoner intact, however, as if to say that he had done all he could do. Dragons did as they pleased, after all. Even when knew where to grab them, as the Captain did. Said redhead found that a good place to start was below the belt. For what it was worth, while the dragon would only be able to guess at it, the neko had greatly enjoyed her time with Merc as well. Even beyond the fact that he was drop-dead sexy, and now shirtless, he was swift, fierce, competent. He had slipped her some loot, and despite his power and status among the crew, she hadn't really had to tiptoe around with him. A welcome change from being just another lowly recruit among the crew. It wouldn't be easy to go back to that, but she knew that the independence couldn't last. Maybe once she proved her worth a bit, she'd be granted more freedom. Freedom from her clothes, if nothing else, if her luck held as it had been going. With Merc intending to reclaim his wonderful smelling shirt, she made a point to find a replacement. Maybe the merchant would have something clean she could fit into. She would get a chance to find out, at any rate. As Merc made to depart, she turned to resume her duties. As far as those went, looking for loot wasn't a bad one. She certainly did have a certain...thief sense to it all, and could put that to good use for the crew while Merc was off seducing his prisoner. Admittedly, she wasn't sure just what he had in mind with her, and she was well aware it could be violence instead of sex, or business, but she wanted to think that the prisoner wouldn't be harmed. Just a sellsword doing their job, after all. The blonde warrior lifted her head to regard him as he entered, looking at worst a bit uncomfortable, but there was no real fear in her eyes, even with a dragon bearing down on her. She figured...hoped that with her bound and wrapped, he would feel little need to resort to violence. If he did, well, there wasn't really much she would be able to do about it anyway. She did take in the details, though, a habit which had done her worlds of good in her profession. How easily he found purchase, yet without really damaging the deck. His swift movement, how he had to fold his wings, the confidence in his stride. Of course, the big thing, impossible to miss, was that he was shirtless. Oh what a view it was, and she wasn't afraid to let her gaze linger, drinking in his slender, muscled form, and how his kama rode almost teasingly low at times, teasing her with the promise of a better view. Gods be damned, for all she knew she was about to die. Yet here she was, heat blooming in her core, tied up in front of an exceedingly handsome, half naked dragon. The fates were truly cruel. She was grateful when the gag was removed, though she did jump a little when his tail lashed out to do the deed, out of surprise if nothing else. She intended to speak, but he preempted her, launching into an explanation of what her choices were, counting them off with those wickedly sharp talons of his. She settled in, smarter than to try to interrupt him at any point in his explanation, looking thoughtful, but not displeased at how things were turning out. She allowed her gaze to be guided up to his at the end, when she was offered a warrior's death, not afraid to meet his gaze, but finding that his torso and waist offered a far more enticing view. So, three options, then. Freedom, a place among the crew, or death. His talon was sharp, but no worse than a knife, and she had experienced a knife to the throat before, so she remained remarkably steady, though acutely aware of the danger. No sudden movements, to be sure. I will die fighting, at some point. She hastily added, not wanting him to mistake it as her decision. And I can hope for little better an opponent than a dragon. But not today. Hopefully, at least. I suspect my crew, and commander, will be on their way, but you might gain a few recruits. In all likelihood, the elf and the Blonde might be the only ones saved, if the redheaded captain found no others appealing enough. There was no room for grudges as a mercenary. It was about the money, and it wasn't like she had any real attachment to the job, or their client. As for the Greenbacks, well, a lot of mercenaries were ex-soldiers, so there was some connection there, but many soldiers didn't view sellswords too highly. At least the more idealistic ones. Accusations of immorality, cowardice, greed, lack of loyalty, etc. Suffice it to say that they were happy that most of them were intact. Her crew didn't shy from doing their job, but they wouldn't have turned the tide, not in this battle, with a dragon about. No sense adding to the body count for no good reason. They'd take what they could salvage and get out. The question still was, though, whether she should go with them. I know little of your crew, beyond the appeal of the dragon among it. No flattery for safety sake, this, merely speaking the truth of the attractive being before her. What could I expect? She didn't plan to agree without more information, when the alternative was the safe, secure life she had already. Position? Responsibilities? Rewards, risks? She squirmed a little, now that his talon was no longer at her throat, looking him up and down. Focus, job, not shirtless dragon. She wasn't going to take the situation too seriously, though. Do I get to see you walk around shirtless all the time? She certainly wasn't clothed particularly provocatively, though Merc had already demonstrated that even the metal that she wore over her chest and in other places that required more substantial protection would prove little in the way of a barrier if Merc was determined to get through it. Still, that didn't stop her from making quite the appealing sight. There was a certain spark in her eyes that had lit at the prospect of a warrior's death against him, and while she didn't intend to take him up on that, it had stirred a certain fire in her. Or perhaps that was just arousal at her current situation, her body betraying how exciting the situation was. Fortunately, she wasn't particularly uncomfortable, arms bound together above her head, legs sprawled out in front of her. Merc would probably delight in the attention she was paying him, and the wonderful opportunity to tease her that it provided. She certainly looked like she would consider both stabbing him and kissing him if untied. Speaking of, she hadn't yet been searched for weapons, and that, if only for precaution, might be something sensible to do. Perhaps difficult for Merc with his talons, but something perhaps best kept in mind. She seemed the type to keep a blade or two hidden away on her person, after all. Depending on how the dragon felt, it would be a nice opportunity to toy with the Blonde further, even.