RP:The Jester, The Governor, The Ghost
Summary: The Jester Balatro plays a prank on the Rynvalian navy. Upon investigating the outcome, Arien encounters Rynvale’s phantom vigilante and is assured that it is not his doing.
Characters: Balatro, Arien, Domastine, Npc Harbormaster.
Location: Rynvale Harbor.
Balatro approached the harbor in the dead of night, having departed upon the ship this very same day he had learned quite a bit about the fortress as he traveled through it. His thoughts of how to break through had been rather simple, as he had hidden himself inside the massive fortress, hiding under the docks, tied to his foot a long rope which at the end sat his bag of mischief. Using an illusion to make a person today would take quite a bit more work then usual for the trickster and as he worked in between passes of guard to spread his goo at the entrance his smiled. Hiding back underneath the docks, he began to chant words, an illusionary naked man appearing atop the docks running about, almost as if he was drunk. The patrolling guardsman spotted the crazed lunatic and giving chase were soon after him. As the guards ran through the entrance, their feet were stuck to the ground and they began to curse and swear as they couldn’t free themselves from the goo.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the fox canceled his illusionary man and made his way upon the docks towards the boats. As he entered the first boat, he shifted back into his humanoid form and drug the bag up to the surface. Pulling out several jars of paint, all of which were sealed well to allow no water within them, were set upon the deck. Then, he pulled out the second part of his trick, a pirate flag, and finally his prized possession, the termites. Scaling up the mast, flag and paint set into his bag once more and retied to his leg until he climbed to the top, he removed the Rynvale flag, replacing it with that of the pirate flag. Then moving downwards, he opened the sails and allowed them to drop. Moving about on the sails, he began to paint them in large multicolored words, ~The Jester Was Here~, underneath which was placed a large smiley. Upon completion, a grin was given as he moved down the mast upon the floorboards once more. Then, moving inside the ship he let loose the termites into the wood of the ship and proceeded to leave, task completed upon the first boat. Then he moved to the second boat, completing the same tasks as before and then upon entering the third boat, he seemed to have run out of paint. No worries, instead he just began to switch the flags.
Half way through completion, he noticed the guards were beginning to free themselves from the goo and were now grumbling and going about their patrols. As they neared the ship one pointed upwards, spotting the foxling high up on the mast. “Up there!” Balatro gulped and slid down the mast, Rynvalian flag in hand, yet the other hadn’t been placed. Upon landing, he smashed the remaining bottles of termites upon the deck, allowing them to scurry about at will. Reaching into his bag he withdrew the one thing he had hoped to avoid having to draw which was a single arrow and his bow. The arrow was notched and shot towards the guards, until exploding into a large cloud of smoke. Taking advantage of the distraction, he quickly shifted back into the form of a fox and began to run off, leaving behind the bag on the boat. Their were probably several furs left in the mast as well. Back to the escape however, as the guards realized their suspect had departed they began to ponder over what they had seen, one saying a bushy tail, like that of a fox and the ears of one as well. And then they spotted the fox that was running away. Giving chase it seemed almost futile as the small mammal had already had a great distance upon the others and quickly vanished into the night.
Later.. Arien assesses the scene.
“Well he must not be particularly smart..” The governor looked more irritated than angry as she stood on the docks with a leery eye resting on the three vandalized ships that sat low in the water at anchor. Pirate flags fluttered atop the masts of two of them, and a rather weak attempt at artwork-if she did say so herself, grinned out of the sails of all three. “I am almost at a loss as to what to think..it does not seem any legitimate attempt at sabotage beyond being annoying..” she added to the Harbor master, beginning a slow pacing along the docks. “Is it the first such trouble? I can’t think of any pirate worth his salt that would make so pointless a statement.” It was certainly below Eliah’s inclination..and those who made Rynvale their home port..tended not to ‘piss in their own pot’ as one had delighted to inform her in person. The harbor master glanced over to the elf. How much could he say without losing face..and respectability? “Ehh. I reckon it’s the first of trouble we’ve seen with the Armada Guvnor..” he admitted finally. “Some of the captains been havin’ a spot o trouble lately though..with vandals and the sort. Taken to callin’ im the Ghost..as nobody ever really sees im much. And when they do he’s all in white like..an’ has no face.” Had he just said that..with a straight face? “Not that I’m the sort to believe in ghosts o course.” He hastened to assure. Arien eyed the male. “And this is the first I’m hearing of it? What captains? And what sort of trouble? I’ll expect a full report on my desk in the morning James.” Her tone brokered no dissent. “In the meantime, have these ships decontaminated-I have heard tell of some wonderful natural elements that can kill the pests. I shall have the funds released from the treasury.” A hasty nod would meet the directive, before Arien would turn thought filled eyes to the damaged ships again. She had the oddest feeling that she was missing something going on right under her nose. As of yet it had not arisen to bite her. But she didn’t like the feeling.
Domastine :"This is the work of another," came a disembodied voice from behind the High Elf, "Not I." It, or rather he, stood in the pure darkness offer by the high collection of crate and barrels. The Ghost of Rynvale remained where he stood, his white faceless mask barely visible if Arien chose to turn around to the voice and squint her eyes enough. The outline of a hood and cloak could be made out, as well as the white-clad outfit the Harbor Master had mentioned. Before an exclamation could be made, a white gloved hand rose to interrupt both her mind and voice. The soulless voice spoke again, "Please, governess. I am here to answer any question you have, peacefully."
Arien’s first reaction to the disembodied voice was to freeze in place, eyes still fixed on the horizon. The sudden paling of the Harbor master’s face didn’t help much either. Turning slowly, the elf looked into the shadows, finding the appearance of the ‘ghost’ discomfiting..despite that some instinct told her that he was quite solid beneath the garb. “Well I suppose we can be thankful for the small things then..” she murmured, half a smile tugging at her lips. “Though I must ask why you see fit to cause trouble with –any- ship laying at anchor in my Port. It’s not at all good for business..it it appears that we are unable to protect those who seek our protection within the wall.”
Domastine gave an sideways turn of his head, looking towards the western docks. "Not just -any- ship, or does the High Elf government publicly acknowledge the safe harbor of smugglers and pirates?" he said. Even without tone or emotion to his words, there was a clear accusing nature to the rhetorical question. "The darker shades of life must never be allowed to become an everyday aspect, else we will completely forget who are and it shall become the norm," the voice behind the mask drawled, turning the hauntingly blank face back to the High Elf, "Don't you agree?" The lack of expression was pointed as if he had been extending a finger to her.
Arien canted her head in return, a whimsical little smile dancing across her lips. She had once been as idealistic has he. Eyes turned away from the disconcerting blankness of his mask. “In some respects..” she answered quietly, as eyes swept the harbor at rest. “I fear that it is far too late to undo generations of a nation’s culture..especially as regards smuggling. It is as much a part of my people’s lives as the air they breathe. In fact..many livihoods depend on the labor that is possible in the black market,” she added idly. “It is a nuisance to lose out on some of the gold that would otherwise line our profits from the trade..but so long as it is not fed by larceny on the shores..it is not a battle I have chosen to fight.” A shadow touched her brow. “Pirates however..” especially active ones. “Pirates are a menace I absolutely could do without. By its very nature the act is violent, and targets the innocent.in most instances.” She finished. “I suppose I would not be so very upset that you ad made a pirate uncomfortable in port-if you discovered them. It is not like most will advertize themselves as such to my men.”
Domastine nodded, "-Your- smugglers, I am sparing, as I discover them." There was foreboding finality to his words, suggesting that he would someday uncover all of her darker secrets. "Unless their goods are themselves a danger to your citizens." This was particularly obvious given the suspect fire in the Residential Square. There was an unspoken agreement between the two, that he was not indiscriminately attacking everyone that flew under a banner of darker grey. "Your armada, however. That I will not engage." Looking past Arien's shoulder, he could not help but state directly to the still paled man, "You are safe as well." A pause, and the man behind the mask grinned before stating further in his lifeless voice, "For now." The mask returned to Arien, "I also do not kill, unless absolutely necessary to ensure my own survival." This was stated in direct memory to his engagement on the Starchaser.
Arien turned to stare at that masked face asssesingly, for all the good it would do in revealing the features beneath it. “I can find no fault in that approach..For I would have no desire to see goods peddled here which might truly harm my people.” Her lips twitched. “And I do not doubt that ‘my’ smugglers will be most relieved to know that you intend at sparing them ghost…as id my armada.” Face became serious once more. “And I am pleased to learn that killing is not part of your repatoire..For as much as I detenst some criminals..cold blooded murder I cannot endorse. Behind the elf, James jumped..twitching almost as he was addressed by the masked man. The reaction caused Arien to turn almost dry look on the man before returning attention to Domastine. “Why the need for the guise?..Is fear..so useful a tactic?”
Domastine raised a white gloved hand again, directing her to the Harbor Master. "You can be the judge of that," he replied. There was no doubt that whatever underhanded things James did, perhaps a little gambling or skimming profits off the cargo ledgers, the poor man would be ceasing it immediately. As this was just the tip of the iceberg for Arien, and unlikely to satisfy her curiosity, the white clad spectre added, "Fear. Theatricality can be a powerful weapon, able to become more in the mind of your opponents. You see me standing before you. I look very solid. And yet, if I were to move quickly, you would believe I am anything but mortal."
Arien huffed softly, acknowledging the merit of his point. “I suppose it has its uses..work under the cover of darkness. I fear however, that my deeper need at the moment if for a scourge on the seas in the daylight hours. Pirates..do not understand law..or fear it. I have attempted at finding captains to privateer..but it would seem that until one of their own becomes the fodder of the Cenrili fools..I shall fight this battle the only way I know how.” A glance was offered to James. “You are dismissed Harbormaster..be sure to have that pesticide sweep done as soon as possible, and get the crews to repairing the damage,” she said quietly. It was a mercy really, allowing the man to get away from the literal presence of the ghost he was still fairly determined to believe less than mortal. And with a hasty bow, and another skittish look Doma’s way, James departed, leaving the pair alone.
Domastine did not move, but the way James did, it was almost as if the faceless mask was boring a hole through the other man's soul. Speaking to the governess alone, he admitted, "A mask also prevents one from losing themselves completely to the danger presented. I may remove my mask at any time and live a peaceful life. I choose not to, but I still have the option to have a few hours to myself." Had James been able to hear it, the spectre would have weakened his ability to cast fear in others. Alone with Arien, however, there was a need to show his good intentions to the woman if he was to continue operating on the island.
Arien nodded slowly. “This..I suppose I can understand. There were times I wished I could escape my own duties. I never managed to..until I found another to share the burden..” Rho. Just thinking of the wolf brought a softness to her eyes, and the whisper of a smile to her lips. Eyes refocused then, on the faceless mask. “Do try to stay out of trouble Ghost..of the kind that will necessitate my attention..mhmm? I would hate to have to make the island less.. hospitable to your presence.” she drawled. It was all she would offer in formal warning. “I must go..as you can see..there is much that needs tending.”
Domastine gave a cordial nod to the governess, simply taking a step backward into the enshrouding darkness to disappear for elsewhere. A distant voice said, "Until the next time, governess..."