Crossing the Gray Waters

This is joint-written. Raven's Nest is not as alone as they think on the seas of Yochinai.

 

“That water is freaking me out,” Ambree said, peering over the side of the boat. “It’s gray. Water should not be gray.”

Niqi rolled her eyes. “I’ve seen worse.”

“Same here.” Glide said.

“When do you think we’ll reach land?” Lujuria asked, leaning over the side and watching the waves. “This is boring.”

“Shouldn’t take more than a day.” Mambo replied. “I don’t know what we’ll find over there, though.”

Glide opened his mouth to make a comment, though he didn’t get the chance. The ship suddenly shook, violently, as if something had just slammed into it.

“I think we’ve already found something,” Niqi said, glancing over the side. “Is the water too shallow or something?”

“I don’t think so…” Mambo muttered.

“Guys, that wasn’t land!” Lujuria yelped. “I saw a huge fin!”

“There a rope ladder or netting anywhere around here?” Niqi asked, drawing her katana. “I’ve got an idea.”

“Over here.” Lujuria said, making sure the rope ladder was secure before unrolling it.

“Wait. If you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking, use this.” Glide grinned, unsheathing Senpuu and handing it to Niqi. “Just don’t lose it.”

Niqi nodded, taking her katana belt off and laying it down on the deck along with her katana. She leaned Senpuu against the side for a moment, throwing the rope ladder over the side of the boat and tying it securely. She held up Senpuu with her right hand, climbing down the ladder with her left. She flipped around when she was near the water, hanging onto the rope ladder backwards. “Anchor!” she called, seeing the huge fin Lujuria had mentioned for a split second before it fell below the water again.

“Incoming!” Glide yelled, grabbing the anchor and pitching it over the side, narrowly missing the fin.

“Damnit, Glide, to steady the boat, not the kill the damn thing,” Niqi shouted back.

“F**k you,” Glide muttered, “it’s in the water. It’ll still steady the damn boat.”

Niqi smirked, and then focused on the task. She watched the water. Ripples were forming at the front of the boat, now that it was slowing. Suddenly, the fin re-appeared at the front and smashed into the boat again, shaking it. Niqi nearly lost her grip. “F**k!” she shouted, struggling to keep Senpuu upright. “Using your sword was a horrible idea!” she directed at Glide.

“F**k you in the a*s with a rubber chicken!” Glide growled. “You want me to come down there and show you how to use it? I f****n’ will.”

“Would you guys shut up?” Mambo snapped. “If you don’t kill whatever that thing is, it’s gonna sink us!”

An idea suddenly struck Niqi. The shark had responded to the ripples at the front of the boat. It was still now. Maybe… She dropped another ladder rung and splashed her hindpaw in the water. Seconds passed, and nothing happened. She splashed again.

Almost immediately, the shark jumped from the water, headed straight for Niqi. She seized the opportunity, shoving off from the boat and driving Senpuu into the massive dark gray sea creature with two hands. The shark and Niqi fell below the water then, bubbles and blood reaching the surface after the splash had subsided.

A minute passed. “Niqi?” Ambree called down at the water. There was no response. “You think she’s okay?”

“She better be.” Glide said. “Because if I have to go in after her, she will not be.”

Niqi surfaced the water then, gasping for air. She grinned up at the boat and climbed the rope ladder, Senpuu in her right hand still. Once she was aboard once again, she handed Glide his sword. “One hell of a harpoon,” she commented, and then turned away before he could respond. She grabbed hold of the rope ladder without untying it, pulling it back out of the water with a lot of effort, it seemed. When she finally got it onto the boat, a large, gray, dead shark was tied to the end of it. “Anybody hungry?” She asked, grinning.

 

…

 

As far as Glide could tell, night had fallen during Niqi’s scuffle with the shark. If at all possible, it was even harder to see through the fog. “I think we should just leave the anchor down, use this opportunity to get some rest. Never know what might be waiting for us on the other side.”

“I’m with you…” Mambo yawned, pulling his cloak tighter around himself and curling up on the deck.

Niqi was slightly trembling and trying hard to conceal it. “Could I sleep below deck?” she asked, glancing down at her soaked clothes.

“Go ahead.” Glide said. “Shetani, go with her, see if you can conjure up some dry clothes.”

Shetani nodded, ushering Niqi below deck.

“Who else gets to sleep below deck, and who has to sleep above?” Ambree asked.

“I’m staying up here, to help keep watch.” Ricky said. “This thing’s kinda big, though. I think there’s enough room for everybody below.”

“Mambo’s just…strange.” Maki added.

Ambree giggled slightly. “In that case, I’m going below deck. See you guys in the morning, and no earlier, with any luck,” she said, following after Niqi and Shetani.

Davis and Sandy followed behind Ambree, both heading into the same room. “G’night, all.” Davis said, shutting the door.

Felix was the next down, heading for the room farthest away from the stairs. “Sweet dreams, guys.”

“I’m not throwing this away,” Niqi said, indicating her tattered black ankh shirt, which had started out as a tank top and ended up as a belly shirt. “I was wearing that the day Glide rescued me. It’s got a lot of memories attached to it. Props on the black jeans and vest, though. I’ll just keep the vest buttoned until my shirt dries.” She threw her old jeans into the corner, having no proper disposal at the moment. “Thanks, Shetani.”

“I aim to please.” Shetani grinned, heading out the door. “Now get some rest, shark-slayer.”

Niqi rolled her eyes. “That better not stick!” she called after Shetani. When she was alone, she closed the door and fluffed the bunk pillow as best as she could, lying down and daydreaming until sleep overtook her.

Reviews

[selkietales]

“Damnit, Glide, to steady the boat, not the kill the damn thing,” Niqi shouted back.
This is slightly unclear... maybe add the words "you're supposed" in front of "to".

Otherwise, I like this chapter :D and Niqi is great, she tied the shark to the ladder so they could eat it...

[KEi]

"F**k you in the a*s with a rubber chicken!"