Voyage
Haggling, for someone who's never had to haggle, is a difficult feat. For Finnegan, it was particularly hard. A kind soul, without greed in his body, he couldn't play on the emotions of others to get money he didn't desperately need; without feeling a great amount of guilt. But, there comes a time when every pup has to choose between his morals and his dreams; and Finn chose his dreams. Having grown-up in a family consisting of water lovers, fisherman and ship crews, Finn never doubted he would follow in this legacy. But, for some reason, his family doubted his ability to become a ocean loving dog; despite also telling him he could be anything he wanted. Tired of the contradictions, Finn set off to find his own destiny. Instead of a fishing shop, or cruiser crew, Finn found Honor. Honor was a pirate ship consisting of a group of lovable pirates. While they were each intimidating in their own way, to the younger folk they were simply fascinating; and their charm was not lost on Finn.
This particular crew frequented Cobalt, and Finn enjoyed listening to every story they had to tell. He was sure some were over-exaggerated; but that didn't bother him. He wanted the thrill, he wanted the excitement, he wanted to be a pirate. So, that's when the haggling began; and also when the guilt began. While Finn had attempted to join Honor, they quickly told him he just wasn't cut out to be a pirate. But, would Finn quit? Hell no. So, Finn haggled. And Finn pan-handled. And Finn whined and whimpered. And Finn bought a ship.
It took months to fix the old, broken ship up; but Finn was confidant she would be the envy of any sea-ridden pirate. When the time came paint Voyage on the side in blue paint, Finn was suddenly aware of one simple fact that would keep him land-ridden: he didn't have a crew. And, so, the search was on for misfits like himself, other individuals who had no-one and nothing else. It seemed as though fate was on Finn's side; because rather by accident he stumbled upon his first member. It was a particularly dark alley that he wandered into that night. The Finn of 10 months ago would have high-tailed it away from that alley, but the new Finn (the adventurous, brave Finn) had a gut feeling that just what he needed lay within that alley. And he could not have been more right.
A bundle of brown, with light splotches of green, shivered in the corner. No noise emitted from the figure, but it was obvious he or she was in distress. Sobs obviously wracked what appeared to be a disease ridden body, and blood flowed freely from fresh wounds. Finn made himself known in the most kind way he could: he wrapped his own warm body around the figure and waited for the shivering to stop. When it did, hours later, Finn was surprised to find that the figure was actually quite a bit larger than himself; and a male. It was pretty obvious from that moment on that the mute stranger and Finn would be best friends.
Luckily, Finn had managed to build quite the crew-room on his ship; and so he took his frail buddy to it. Finn let the guy eat, sleep, and rest until he was strong again: then pestered answers out of him. The answers mostly came in the form of grunts, or snarls; yes and no respectively. But, one word exited the dogs mouth and it all fit together: Zenith. Zenith was the name of the rich boy in the happier part of Cobalt. The boy every poor pup, including Finn himself, had despised; until he became one of the poor pups. A dog who didn't know the meaning of hunger was suddenly among their ranks, and many of them felt nothing but happiness that one of the "sophisticated", entitled dogs from the other side felt their pain. About the time Zenith was thrown into the poor section of town, though, Finn had found Honor and found little time to worry about the politics of the ghetto.
Of course, this didn't mean he didn't hear about the politics; it just meant he didn't care. Finn was well-aware that there was a particular group of pups in the ghetto that were always causing trouble. When he was younger, he had even been part of it; even considered a leader. But, as he grew and matured, he realized how silly the "gang" was and set his sights on bigger, better goals; like Voyage. Originally, the intent had been to find his old gang and recruit them; until Zenith slowly revealed what that gang had done to him. It's worth mentioning that, when Finn was part of the gang, they did little more than steal apples and crackers for their little siblings, threw clean laundry from clothes-lines into the mud, and just generally caused unnecessary, but not damaging, chaos.
Finn would be the first to admit he had felt the same hatred as the others towards Zenith, at first, but not the point they had apparently. Through a series of short sentences, choked sobs and angry outburts Finn learned the truth. His old gang, a crew he had once held pride in running with, had murdered Zenith's parents: point blank, period. Finn gave Zenith the only nickname he felt appropriate: Zulu Bravo. A phrase he had been taught meant "All good" on the sea. From that moment on, it was Finn, Zenith and Voyage against the world.
It wouldn't be until several months later that the boys found their next member. Bunny was little more than a sickly house-cat, though she would swear up and down she was a Borzoi. The boys, of course, didn't believe her for a moment until she actually began to grow into her breed; and look half way like a dog. This feat took several more months than the rehabilitation of the still mostly mute Zenith; but the boys found her sickly appearance actually worked in their favor. After all, two brawny males just doesn't play on emotions to get food very well; though the two always had ladies pounding at their doors (or, so they said.)
While Bunny did slowly become healthy, she was able to maintain her sickly appearance enough to keep herself and her new "brothers" fed. It might have helped that she was, in fact, a Borzoi; and thus her build was naturally skinny. The three decided several months after Bunny's joining of the crew that they should begin their first at-sea adventure; though none of them realized just how hard it was really going to be. With no steering experience, and little geography knowledge, between them; they were set out for disaster before they even began. But, on the bright side, the three were filled with passion, hope and imagination... Not that that was going to get them far on the unforgiving sea. In fact, their first night was detrimental to them all.
The three had set sail in the early morning, just after dawn; and the waters had been relatively calm most of the morning and afternoon. It was when they all anonymously decided it was nap-time that the journey went to crap. They had been set on what they had thought was a Westerly path, but when they woke there was only ocean; nothing to indicate land. And, then, they realized a 3 way nap just wasn't smart when your crew only consisted of 3 members. The three scrambled to get set on a path they knew; and realized they just wouldn't know how far they had gone. So, they settled back; pointing their ship in what theythought was the North; in the hopes that the ship would lead them to land; what land it was didn't really
matter at that point.
Luckily for them, the Sky Guardians must have been looking out; because the giant, scary sea led them right to their next, and possibly most valuable, member. When a port emerged in their eye-sight, Finn was both pleased and surprised to see Honoranchored at the port. He quickly snapped, "Do not tell any of the members on that ship that we were lost!" His crew mates nodded, surprised by the out-burst that was very unlike Finn. When they finally managed to carefully navigate their ship into the port, the 3 proudly emerged from their vessel. It didn't take long for the members of Honor to recognize Finn; though the last time they had seen him he had been small and scrawny. Now, he was filled out; muscly even, with that typical Border Collie grin pronounced on his face.
"Hey, Pip-Squeak! You managed to do it; become a pirate." A grinning Calico approached Finn.
"I sure did!" Finn exclaimed. "These are my crew mates; Zulu Bravo and Hops." Zenith and Bunny simply stayed silent; they weren't used to being introduced by their pirate names, but they accepted that this crew was obviously a big deal to Finn. Calico led the three into the local pub, ordering a round of rum on himself, and began talking to Finn about how being a pirate was. It seemed pretty obvious that Finn was floundering in the water, trying to explain things he didn't understand; but his crew-mates couldn't save him because they didn't understand either. Luckily for Finn, an ex-member of Honor approached. With a fire in her spirit that matched her eyes, Mayday set to answering all the questions Finn stumbled over. It was obvious there was heated tension between the gal and Calico, and Calico's eyes darted back and forth between Finn and the female, until he ordered another round of rum and grumbled he had to be off.
As soon as Calico was wandering away, Finn looked to the female to get a look of utter astonishment. The moment Calico was out of ear shot, the female bellowed; "What in sam's blazing hell were you thinkin' becoming a pirate?"
Finn stared back in obvious terror, tail tucked and body quaking. The female stared into him; as though she was looking directly into his soul. Having those blazing emeralds on you was a situation no dog particularly wanted to be in; and Finn least of all. He watched, though, as the flame visibly dimmed and her eyes closed. She seemed to ponder a thought for a moment. When she re-opened her nearly golden gems, nothing but self-doubt filled them as she asked; "Could you use a second captain?" Finn was all to eager to accept; he didn't even pretend to think. It was too obvious that he, and his crew, needed this female aboard their ship. And, so it was; Mayday as she was called would be joining Voyage for their home journey in the morning.
When the four members met at the ship in the morning, Finn tried to take a commanding tone. Though Mayday was quite smaller than him, he found she had many more skills than he; including the skills of a leader. While Finn was considered a good leader in most aspects, being a pirate was not one; and he could only be considered mediocre at this point in his piracy. Of course, Mayday had no intentions of taking Voyage as her own; but it was pretty evident for the time-being she was not only wanted; but needed.
While Bunny was excited to have another female aboard, she had no idea on how to approach the lass without losing her head. Finn was utterly awestruck, and couldn't even form a simple sentence when the female was around. Zenith? Well, he really couldn't care less who was on the ship; so long as they left him alone. Day by day, the crew battled their own lack of communication. While Finn was too awed by Mayday to speak, Bunny simply didn't understand her pirate lingo; and Zenith hardly talked to anyone. It wasn't until the night of the full moon, out there on the sea, that Finn was handed a better understanding of Mayday.
The two found themselves alone on the deck. The moon was at its highest point in the sky, and Mayday seemed to be glancing towards the heavens more than usual. Finn, curious though he was, stayed silent; observant. Eventually, he got what he was hoping for: words; spoke in a hushed tone, though obviously directed towards him.
"I was always meant to be a pirate." A scoff. "Well, no, not a pirate exactly. But, always meant to work on a ship. My love affair with the ocean was planted and nurtured, always accepted and watered, from the time I was able to talk, walk and swim. My parents. They gave the ocean credit for their meeting, my life; their love. They made love at first sight sound like it really existed; and they made love sound easy." Another laugh faltered into the night, an obvious quiver to it he had never heard out of Mayday before. "My real names Anora, you know? Means Grace, or something like that. I'm not graceful. In fact, I'm as clumsy as they come." Her eyes wandered to the sky again, before looking right into Finn.
"I'm a pirate because I'm loyal, brave and cunning all wrapped in one. I'm intelligent, a bit cold; though kind hearted. I'm ruthless, and un-afraid. I have a flame in my soul that burns indefinitely, and could save every man from hell if I needed it to. I've danced with the devil, and drank tea with saints. I'm a walking contradiction; and so I'm called Mayday; because I'm the one you call to save your ass. I'm the one you call to battle beside you on the front lines; because that's who I am. Loyal to the end, evil to myself and myself alone; and protective as all hell of those I hold dear." She gave a surprisingly sadistic, though kind, grin before tacking on; "And I have a helluva mouth that no man can stand; and no woman can match." And, then, as the moon began to descend it was as if the trance was broken and their talk was over; for Mayday returned to what she had been doing previously.
But, the words she had spoken had sank into Finn's heart, soul and mind. She was his sister, nothing more, nothing less; and that's all he needed from her. Unwavering loyalty, a snarl and words that could make a Great Dane turn in fear, and the eyes of a wise mother. She was the true captain of this ship; that was obvious now and forever.
After that night, Finn had decided on one thing: his crew needed to learn to communicate. This meant they would all need to work together to better their sailing and their own understanding of one another. He began by approaching Mayday. He was no longer intimidated by her, having experienced a deeper part of her that night. "Mayday, this crew isn't nearly as good as it could be." He said, sitting down beside her; stretching one hind leg forward and placing his two front paws in between. His ears flopped side-ways from the wind, and his eyes roved the deck.
Mayday gave a soft, hidden smile; nearly a smirk before answering. "Yea, and why's that?" She knew full well why, but this had been what she was waiting for; her captain to take control of his ship.
"We lack communication. Nobody asks for help when it's needed. Everyone is afraid to approach you, what with your expertise. Zenith doesn't even talk! And I haven't been referred to as captain in months." He face fell, his eyes closing as he went into deep thought. "I'm just not quite sure how to bring us all together, that's all." He gave a defeated shrug after this, a long sigh exiting from his lungs.
Mayday whipped around, grabbing the larger dog in a hug. "You are finally becoming the captain this crew needs, Finn. Keep it up."
This particular crew frequented Cobalt, and Finn enjoyed listening to every story they had to tell. He was sure some were over-exaggerated; but that didn't bother him. He wanted the thrill, he wanted the excitement, he wanted to be a pirate. So, that's when the haggling began; and also when the guilt began. While Finn had attempted to join Honor, they quickly told him he just wasn't cut out to be a pirate. But, would Finn quit? Hell no. So, Finn haggled. And Finn pan-handled. And Finn whined and whimpered. And Finn bought a ship.
It took months to fix the old, broken ship up; but Finn was confidant she would be the envy of any sea-ridden pirate. When the time came paint Voyage on the side in blue paint, Finn was suddenly aware of one simple fact that would keep him land-ridden: he didn't have a crew. And, so, the search was on for misfits like himself, other individuals who had no-one and nothing else. It seemed as though fate was on Finn's side; because rather by accident he stumbled upon his first member. It was a particularly dark alley that he wandered into that night. The Finn of 10 months ago would have high-tailed it away from that alley, but the new Finn (the adventurous, brave Finn) had a gut feeling that just what he needed lay within that alley. And he could not have been more right.
A bundle of brown, with light splotches of green, shivered in the corner. No noise emitted from the figure, but it was obvious he or she was in distress. Sobs obviously wracked what appeared to be a disease ridden body, and blood flowed freely from fresh wounds. Finn made himself known in the most kind way he could: he wrapped his own warm body around the figure and waited for the shivering to stop. When it did, hours later, Finn was surprised to find that the figure was actually quite a bit larger than himself; and a male. It was pretty obvious from that moment on that the mute stranger and Finn would be best friends.
Luckily, Finn had managed to build quite the crew-room on his ship; and so he took his frail buddy to it. Finn let the guy eat, sleep, and rest until he was strong again: then pestered answers out of him. The answers mostly came in the form of grunts, or snarls; yes and no respectively. But, one word exited the dogs mouth and it all fit together: Zenith. Zenith was the name of the rich boy in the happier part of Cobalt. The boy every poor pup, including Finn himself, had despised; until he became one of the poor pups. A dog who didn't know the meaning of hunger was suddenly among their ranks, and many of them felt nothing but happiness that one of the "sophisticated", entitled dogs from the other side felt their pain. About the time Zenith was thrown into the poor section of town, though, Finn had found Honor and found little time to worry about the politics of the ghetto.
Of course, this didn't mean he didn't hear about the politics; it just meant he didn't care. Finn was well-aware that there was a particular group of pups in the ghetto that were always causing trouble. When he was younger, he had even been part of it; even considered a leader. But, as he grew and matured, he realized how silly the "gang" was and set his sights on bigger, better goals; like Voyage. Originally, the intent had been to find his old gang and recruit them; until Zenith slowly revealed what that gang had done to him. It's worth mentioning that, when Finn was part of the gang, they did little more than steal apples and crackers for their little siblings, threw clean laundry from clothes-lines into the mud, and just generally caused unnecessary, but not damaging, chaos.
Finn would be the first to admit he had felt the same hatred as the others towards Zenith, at first, but not the point they had apparently. Through a series of short sentences, choked sobs and angry outburts Finn learned the truth. His old gang, a crew he had once held pride in running with, had murdered Zenith's parents: point blank, period. Finn gave Zenith the only nickname he felt appropriate: Zulu Bravo. A phrase he had been taught meant "All good" on the sea. From that moment on, it was Finn, Zenith and Voyage against the world.
It wouldn't be until several months later that the boys found their next member. Bunny was little more than a sickly house-cat, though she would swear up and down she was a Borzoi. The boys, of course, didn't believe her for a moment until she actually began to grow into her breed; and look half way like a dog. This feat took several more months than the rehabilitation of the still mostly mute Zenith; but the boys found her sickly appearance actually worked in their favor. After all, two brawny males just doesn't play on emotions to get food very well; though the two always had ladies pounding at their doors (or, so they said.)
While Bunny did slowly become healthy, she was able to maintain her sickly appearance enough to keep herself and her new "brothers" fed. It might have helped that she was, in fact, a Borzoi; and thus her build was naturally skinny. The three decided several months after Bunny's joining of the crew that they should begin their first at-sea adventure; though none of them realized just how hard it was really going to be. With no steering experience, and little geography knowledge, between them; they were set out for disaster before they even began. But, on the bright side, the three were filled with passion, hope and imagination... Not that that was going to get them far on the unforgiving sea. In fact, their first night was detrimental to them all.
The three had set sail in the early morning, just after dawn; and the waters had been relatively calm most of the morning and afternoon. It was when they all anonymously decided it was nap-time that the journey went to crap. They had been set on what they had thought was a Westerly path, but when they woke there was only ocean; nothing to indicate land. And, then, they realized a 3 way nap just wasn't smart when your crew only consisted of 3 members. The three scrambled to get set on a path they knew; and realized they just wouldn't know how far they had gone. So, they settled back; pointing their ship in what theythought was the North; in the hopes that the ship would lead them to land; what land it was didn't really
matter at that point.
Luckily for them, the Sky Guardians must have been looking out; because the giant, scary sea led them right to their next, and possibly most valuable, member. When a port emerged in their eye-sight, Finn was both pleased and surprised to see Honoranchored at the port. He quickly snapped, "Do not tell any of the members on that ship that we were lost!" His crew mates nodded, surprised by the out-burst that was very unlike Finn. When they finally managed to carefully navigate their ship into the port, the 3 proudly emerged from their vessel. It didn't take long for the members of Honor to recognize Finn; though the last time they had seen him he had been small and scrawny. Now, he was filled out; muscly even, with that typical Border Collie grin pronounced on his face.
"Hey, Pip-Squeak! You managed to do it; become a pirate." A grinning Calico approached Finn.
"I sure did!" Finn exclaimed. "These are my crew mates; Zulu Bravo and Hops." Zenith and Bunny simply stayed silent; they weren't used to being introduced by their pirate names, but they accepted that this crew was obviously a big deal to Finn. Calico led the three into the local pub, ordering a round of rum on himself, and began talking to Finn about how being a pirate was. It seemed pretty obvious that Finn was floundering in the water, trying to explain things he didn't understand; but his crew-mates couldn't save him because they didn't understand either. Luckily for Finn, an ex-member of Honor approached. With a fire in her spirit that matched her eyes, Mayday set to answering all the questions Finn stumbled over. It was obvious there was heated tension between the gal and Calico, and Calico's eyes darted back and forth between Finn and the female, until he ordered another round of rum and grumbled he had to be off.
As soon as Calico was wandering away, Finn looked to the female to get a look of utter astonishment. The moment Calico was out of ear shot, the female bellowed; "What in sam's blazing hell were you thinkin' becoming a pirate?"
Finn stared back in obvious terror, tail tucked and body quaking. The female stared into him; as though she was looking directly into his soul. Having those blazing emeralds on you was a situation no dog particularly wanted to be in; and Finn least of all. He watched, though, as the flame visibly dimmed and her eyes closed. She seemed to ponder a thought for a moment. When she re-opened her nearly golden gems, nothing but self-doubt filled them as she asked; "Could you use a second captain?" Finn was all to eager to accept; he didn't even pretend to think. It was too obvious that he, and his crew, needed this female aboard their ship. And, so it was; Mayday as she was called would be joining Voyage for their home journey in the morning.
When the four members met at the ship in the morning, Finn tried to take a commanding tone. Though Mayday was quite smaller than him, he found she had many more skills than he; including the skills of a leader. While Finn was considered a good leader in most aspects, being a pirate was not one; and he could only be considered mediocre at this point in his piracy. Of course, Mayday had no intentions of taking Voyage as her own; but it was pretty evident for the time-being she was not only wanted; but needed.
While Bunny was excited to have another female aboard, she had no idea on how to approach the lass without losing her head. Finn was utterly awestruck, and couldn't even form a simple sentence when the female was around. Zenith? Well, he really couldn't care less who was on the ship; so long as they left him alone. Day by day, the crew battled their own lack of communication. While Finn was too awed by Mayday to speak, Bunny simply didn't understand her pirate lingo; and Zenith hardly talked to anyone. It wasn't until the night of the full moon, out there on the sea, that Finn was handed a better understanding of Mayday.
The two found themselves alone on the deck. The moon was at its highest point in the sky, and Mayday seemed to be glancing towards the heavens more than usual. Finn, curious though he was, stayed silent; observant. Eventually, he got what he was hoping for: words; spoke in a hushed tone, though obviously directed towards him.
"I was always meant to be a pirate." A scoff. "Well, no, not a pirate exactly. But, always meant to work on a ship. My love affair with the ocean was planted and nurtured, always accepted and watered, from the time I was able to talk, walk and swim. My parents. They gave the ocean credit for their meeting, my life; their love. They made love at first sight sound like it really existed; and they made love sound easy." Another laugh faltered into the night, an obvious quiver to it he had never heard out of Mayday before. "My real names Anora, you know? Means Grace, or something like that. I'm not graceful. In fact, I'm as clumsy as they come." Her eyes wandered to the sky again, before looking right into Finn.
"I'm a pirate because I'm loyal, brave and cunning all wrapped in one. I'm intelligent, a bit cold; though kind hearted. I'm ruthless, and un-afraid. I have a flame in my soul that burns indefinitely, and could save every man from hell if I needed it to. I've danced with the devil, and drank tea with saints. I'm a walking contradiction; and so I'm called Mayday; because I'm the one you call to save your ass. I'm the one you call to battle beside you on the front lines; because that's who I am. Loyal to the end, evil to myself and myself alone; and protective as all hell of those I hold dear." She gave a surprisingly sadistic, though kind, grin before tacking on; "And I have a helluva mouth that no man can stand; and no woman can match." And, then, as the moon began to descend it was as if the trance was broken and their talk was over; for Mayday returned to what she had been doing previously.
But, the words she had spoken had sank into Finn's heart, soul and mind. She was his sister, nothing more, nothing less; and that's all he needed from her. Unwavering loyalty, a snarl and words that could make a Great Dane turn in fear, and the eyes of a wise mother. She was the true captain of this ship; that was obvious now and forever.
After that night, Finn had decided on one thing: his crew needed to learn to communicate. This meant they would all need to work together to better their sailing and their own understanding of one another. He began by approaching Mayday. He was no longer intimidated by her, having experienced a deeper part of her that night. "Mayday, this crew isn't nearly as good as it could be." He said, sitting down beside her; stretching one hind leg forward and placing his two front paws in between. His ears flopped side-ways from the wind, and his eyes roved the deck.
Mayday gave a soft, hidden smile; nearly a smirk before answering. "Yea, and why's that?" She knew full well why, but this had been what she was waiting for; her captain to take control of his ship.
"We lack communication. Nobody asks for help when it's needed. Everyone is afraid to approach you, what with your expertise. Zenith doesn't even talk! And I haven't been referred to as captain in months." He face fell, his eyes closing as he went into deep thought. "I'm just not quite sure how to bring us all together, that's all." He gave a defeated shrug after this, a long sigh exiting from his lungs.
Mayday whipped around, grabbing the larger dog in a hug. "You are finally becoming the captain this crew needs, Finn. Keep it up."