A gentle breeze rolled through the crisp ocean air as the moon began to peek out from behind a puffy cloud. Waves softly crashed upon the sides of the cargo ship, making the old wood creak. Somewhere atop the crow's nest, a little goblin scans the black and blue horizon, sighing comfortably at the sight of nothing. As her hands thoughtlessly sewed up her bedroll she let her gaze wander back to the sparkling water around the boat. She loved nights like this. The full moon made it easy to see things from miles away. Made it hard to sneak up on them. Hard, but not impossible.
"Not sleepin' on the job, are you?"
Fidget suddenly gasped so hard in response she began to have a coughing fit. The voice came from right behind her, and she spun around to see the shit-eating grin of a smug furry peering over the edge of the lookout.
"Holy fuck I think I swallowed a fly, don't sneak up on me like that!"
"Don't make it so easy!" The tabaxi cackled, yellow eyes squinting through tears of laughter.
Healthy sap-green colour began returning to the sentry's face as her breathing evened out. To fully regain her composure she drove her fist into the bicep of the catfriend.
"A-hey! Easy! The ink's still fresh! Didn't even sneak up on ya on purpose," They whimpered, rubbing the mean-looking tattoo of a longbow whale. "Not my fault I was born a ninja"
"Ahah, forgot, you don't have many of those do ya?"
"Hey not everyone can afford be 90% art"
"Could, if you actually worked"
"Mmmnaaaah. Scootch over, shorty" Spatz jumped into the nest without waiting for Fidget to make room, pushing her to the side of the cramped bucket.
[[Scootch]]The lookout wasn't really meant for two people but then again, Fidget didn't really take up a full-sized person amount of space. Not that Spatz was particularly big either, being the slender creature they were. Still, the two were kind of smooshed against each other and it took some shuffling to make it tollerable. They sat across from each other, legs tangled and overlapping as they settled in. The goblin couldn't really see over the sides of the sentry anymore but that was okay, her shift was about over anyway. *'Bout time that fuckin' cat showed up* She thought to herself, closing her eyes.
A sharp flick to her forehead snapped her back to attention. "Wakey wakey, shift's not over yet. I just came here to bug ya, eheh"
"What? Fuck off, if anything you're late,"
"Would I lie to you?" The tabaxi sneered through a toothy smirk.
"Yup!"
"Oof. You *wound* me. Look me in the eyes. It's still your shift,"
Fidget rolled her eyes and peered at her coniving comrade.
[[Insight Check]]"Fuckin', uhh.." Fidget blinked a couple times, unable to pierce the veil of smugness.
"Well?"
[[Believe them]]
[[Bitch you lyin']]*Rolling 1d20.*
...
...
**Rolled a 4**
*Adding WIS modifier*
...
...
**4+0 = 4**
*Proficiency check for Insight*
...
...
**Failed. No proficiency bonus.**
**Final Result: 4**
[[Fuck]]"Hhghk.. yeah alright, I thought more time had passed. Fuck, guess I should stand up again," Fidget sighed.
"Mhm. We really need to get you a booster seat or something for up here, I don't know how you stay on your feet for the whole watch,"
"Well.. I don't like gettin' too comfortable. Whole point is to be alert, right? Not nodding off like *some people*" She said, elbowing the feline in the ribs.
"Hah, well! Lucky for you, I'm *such* a good friend that I won't letcha sleep. Aren't I great? Here," With that, Spatz began to snatch some things strewn about the post, starting by yanking out a blanket from underneath Fidget. They folded it up and gingerly placed it under themself as a seat, then grabbed and unraveled a nearby bedroll, folding it and placing the soft padding on her lap. Before the goblin got what they were doing she found herself getting hoisted up and dropped ontop of the bedding.
She tensed up for a moment before realizing she could actually see the horizon again. "Oh," she mumbled, still processing.
"There! You're welcome. Now you can do your job -and- be less uptight about it."
She wiggled in her seat a bit, her head resting back against Spatz's shoulder, their rosy cheeks almost touching. "This uh.. is kinda gay?"
"We're sailors, isn't that basically part of the job description?"
"Are they... paying us for this?"
"Technically?? Look, are you uncomfortable?"
The tiny fighter took a moment to think about it, then shook her head. She didn't really consider herself a cuddly person, but it was cold out that night, and heat was radiating against her back from her friend's fuzzy chest.
"Use your words, dork." They insisted in almost patient tone.
"Y-yeah. I mean no. No as in I'm fine. Not uncomfortable,"
"As much fun as it is to bother you, I don't want to *actually* bother you. You sure you're good?"
"Yeah! Yeahyeah. Just.. not used to this,"
"What, friendship?"
"No, shut up, I mean.. *This*" She scoffed, forcing a sneer to cover up her embarrassment.
"So.. nonromantic, nonsexual affection?"
"Yeah,"
Silence crept into the air as the mood got calmer. The sound of waves brushing against the ship became more noticeable in the quiet. Suddenly, Fidget could feel a slight vibration from the softness behind her and a strange, soft, chittering rumble became audible. "..Oh my Gods. Are you-"
"Shut up- shut the fuck up. Don't-"
It was too late. The goblin burst into laughter, giggling hard enough that she couldn't form the words to tease the kitty even if she wanted to. All she could do was dissolve into pure joy and pat Spatz on the side of her hip.
"Prr.. Y-you done?"
"*Gods* It's even in your voice! I didn't realise-"
"Yes, yes, and it'll be the last thing you ever hear if you keep it up. I could toss you overboard *right now*"
"Mmm.. I dunno Spatzi, that sounds like *work* to me. I call your bluff." Fidget snickered, gradually calming down after a few deep breaths and a high-pitched little "Hoo..!". Her hands kept busy without her realizing it, idly scritching and feeling around her friend's soft fur. As her tiny fingertips gently scratched the outside of the tabaxi's thigh she abruptly froze up, blushing crimson as self-consciousness hit her like a frigate.
"Okay, you don't have to stop doing *that,*" They mumbled.
"Oh, s-sorry, you sure?" She said hesitantly, fiddling with her fingers nervously
"Hm.. On second thought.." Fidget's heart sank at those words, pulling her hands away. "Just spin around n hold me,"
"Ehh.. like this?" She gestures to the fact that she's still perched atop a folded up sleeping bag. "Nah, if I turn around you'll just end up with my boobs pushed right into your face,"
"Well, I mean..."
"Shh. Listen, I'm pretty sure my sewing needle was sticking outta this before I sat down. Can I just get off this? My shift *has* to be over soon." Fidged grumbled the words through a yawn, adjusting uncomfortably as she realised that having too many sewing projects on the go can be a real pain in the ass.
"Sure. You're like the only person on this ship that knows what soap is anyway, I suppose I'll allow *direct contact*, perv." With that, Spatz hastily shoved out the bedding from underneath Fidget, making her land in her lap with a light thud. It was a bit jarring at first and she didn't quite know what to do with herself. The tabaxi's wolfish grin loomed above her, looking down on her with a strange, sinister endearment.
"...What're you smirkin' at?" She asked, peering upwards sheepishly.
"Can I tell you a secret, Fidget?"
"Suuure..?" She began to get up just slightly, just enough so she could take one last peek over the top of the crow's nest. Her eyes scanned the horizon and began to catch a glimpse of crimson light in the distance. A bolt of white-hot anger struck her heart before she realized what it was, and the feeling erupted in angry flames.
**"BITCH-"** Suddenly, a pair of soft arms wrapped around her, pulling her tightly against her pal's furry chest.
"I *was* late~!" The rogue giggled and purred as sleep deprivation washed over the little goblin, quickly smothering her rage. A gentle hand stroked down the back of her messy hair, quickly lulling her to sleep as dawn broke. Before completely drifting off, she heard a voice gently whisper into her ear. "I *will* kill you if you tell anyone about that other thing though." Fidget smiled to herself, not listening and using the last of her strength to rub her cheek against her friend.
Just another day at sea aboard the Longbow Rambler.
Ending #1"You're full of shit. Why would you climb all the way up here otherwise?"
"Because I'm a *wonderful* friend and I can't bug you from all the way down there." A deep sigh escaped the little fighter as she glared. "Aaand... okay, yeah. My turn on watch,"
Fidget snorted in satisfaction, letting her eyes close once again.
"You know, you *could* sleep down with the rest of the crew in an actual bed."
"Oh, sorry. I guess it is sorta cramped in here," She began to get up before Spatz tugged on her arm.
"I'm teasing, relax. Just wondering why we don't see you down there usually."
"Well; Champ snores louder than anyone I've known, Moose smells like fermented boots and there's not a lot of ventilation down there. Plus there's like twenty men down there and only a few exits."
"So..?" The tabaxi cocked her head curiously.
"So, if the ship was set on fire, or we were sinking, it'd be a shitshow trying to evacuate. I mean you've seen how long it takes just to get all hands on deck to repell bandits."
"Okay, but why worry? In that case we'll probably just drown anyway."
"Yeah but I'd rather not get fuckin' trampled first,"
"Fair." The feline said with a puff of amusement. "Such a delicate wee creature" They said, reaching out to pinch Fidget's cheek before turning their gaze to the greatsword propped up against the side of the lookout. "I don't even know how you get that thing through doorways."
"Carefully. Also, shut up."
"Never. Can I ask why you even have that?"
"Nope! Sleeping, zzz" Fidget said with a yawn, pretending to make sleeping noises.
"Come onnn. I can't imagine a smithy not having something else in your size. That thing's not even in *my* size!"
"That's cos you're a bbbitch." She chortled, flexing her bicep lazily.
"Hm.." The rogue pondered and hummed to themselves as they schemed. A few moments of quiet passed before hollering "Oh! What is THAT?"
The little fighter jumped to her feet, crossbow ready. "What's what?"
Spatz's reply came dripping with snark. "That, starboard side, climbin' aboard!". Fidget peered through the darkness before deflating with an irritated huff. A big, harmless seaslug was slowly oozing along the edge of the ship, leaving a trail of slime that glimmered in the moonlight.
"Fuck you, don't joke about that. You've never heard of "The Boy that Cried Wolf?"
"No, I'm not even a boy *or* a wolf, but heeey while you're up, wanna make a quick bet?"
The goblin froze. She knew full well she was getting played, and yet...
"Cmon. It'll be fun! You'll probably win and then you can go back to letting me do all the work."
Every fiber within Fidget's soul rebelled against her. She opened her mouth but no words came out, only a grumbled note composed of pure resistance and strife.
"I bet... that you can't hit that slug from here. If you do, I'll tell you a secret. Miss, and you fess up." Their words were as slimy as the slug's.
"I hate you."
"That's not a no~"
"How do you even make that sound? What is that? It's not an exclamation point noise, it's more like-"
"Maybe that's my secret, Fussbudget. You'll never know unless you take the shot."
"This ain't fair. You *know* I can't turn down-"
"Come ooooon~"
"I HAVE A PROBLEM-"
"Shoot that slug and I'll give ya ten silver too."
"FAHCK." Finally, she could resist no more. Her body acted on its own, hungry for the dopamine rush that victory would bring. As she took aim, the world slowed down. Instinct kicked in. Her breathing was slow and even. As the calm of recreational marksmanship soothed her, she began to think. Spatz doesn't usually ask her personal questions, and.. It's kind of nice to open up to someone willing to listen. And besides, that cat is tricky. They probably wouldn't need to offer money if their secret was worth the time.
Now that she was serious, she felt utter confidence in hitting her target. Being up high like this makes most shots easy, especially something on their ship. She was used to hitting moving targets before they could properly board.
[["Miss"]]
[[KILL]]
The emerald sailor aimed at a small stain just ahead of the slug and gently squeezed the trigger, letting loose the bolt. It sailed through the air with a sharp whisper before driving into the wood, hitting her mark precisely. Spatz let out a sneered "Whoop!" as Fidget smiled to herself with satisfaction. "Ahoy, fucker! It be time! *Story* time!"
"Alright, alright, settle down. It's not much of a story." Said the shorter creature as she slumped back down to the floor. "I got it a few years ago, was working aboard a fishing barge back over in Lightpoint. Got attacked by pirates-"
"Wait why would pirates attack a fishing boat?" The cat blurted out.
"I don't know! I didn't stop to ask them. They were acting like a bunch of big-dick hotshots though. I think they just raided the first ship they saw." Fidget took a moment to collect her thoughts, her expression darkening. "Anyway, it was a pretty bad. Our guys did their best but we were getting butchered. Especially by this one tool with, wouldn'tcha know? A greatsword."
"How'd you get beat 'em?" Spatz asked more sincerely than usual.
"We didn't, I guess. Captain Stoutshield managed to fire off a flare before he got chopped in half. We were on a fairly busy route, so someone must have figured help would be on the way and yelled at us to get inside. Only a few of us got in the captain's cabin before we started baricading the doors. It was horrible, can still hear Rufus scratching at the door sometimes. Was silenced when that damn sword drove straight through him and the wood, blood drippin' through the crack."
"Jesus..."
"No, Rufus. Gods rest his soul. Anyway, they bust out axes and shit and start breaking in. Once the door splintered apart the real fight began. We actually held our own at first, they were sort of funneled in through the doorway so their numbers advantage didn't matter. But then suddenly we hear them yelling about a ship in the distance. Guess they were distracted and didn't notice it till it was pretty close, so they panicked. Chucked in some kind of firebomb into the room, heard em laugh as we ran out into their swords. They weren't really swinging at knee-height though, so I managed to duck and get by in the smoke. For a second, anyway.
Fucker McHugeBastard suddenly comes right for me. Eight feet tall, musta been over three hundred pounds. I swung my sword but I've always hated melee combat, I get so panicky and scared when things are right in my face. Sonofabitch knocks it right outta my hand, goes flying overboard." By this point Spatz was watching wide eyes, hands clutched against their chest. "So, I get grabbed. This long-legged StinkFuck has got me in one hand and his sword in the other, holds it to my throat as he starts staggering towards his own ship. By now we've been boarded by some friendly faces and he's lookin' to escape. That's when I realize, I've still got this lil' rinky-dink hand-crossbow. Was a struggle to get a hold of but as soon as I freed it from my inventory I pressed it right to his fuckin' hand and pulled the trigger. Bastard howls in pain and drops me and the sword, runs off cryin' back to his garbage can of a ship."
"What then?"
"Things wound down from there. The guys that rescued us were tough as nails, so once I sorta got ahold of myself again the fight was pretty much over." Fidget took a deep breath after getting all that off her chest. Meanwhile, the rogue processed things before piping back up.
"Wait, that doesn't explain anything! Don't tell me that's the same sword as-"
"Yeahyeah, right. Sorry, uh.. So yeah, it is."
"What the *fuck-*"
"I've uh.. never really said any of this outloud before, so maybe it'll sound dumb, but.. I guess it's my way of like.. avenging my crew? In a way? Cos like.. This sword has claimed so many innocent souls. And just.. I dunno. Something something, poetic justice, using it to slay bastards instead, yknow? Plus, that Shit-Ass is still out there somewhere. If I ever see that sonofabitch ever again, I wanna give this back to him." Fidget's voice was shakey and uneven as she spoke. She took a deep breath before continuing.
"And.. It sorta helps me with how scared I get in melee. Obviously I'd still rather fight at a distance, but.. When something gets in my face, I guess this thing makes me feel more.. righteous. I can't afford to clam up. The spirits of my old crew.. It's like they're still with me. They'd want me to stand and fight. To avenge 'em. I want to redeem myself, and the sword. I wanna get *angry,* not scared."
There was a moment of silence as Spatz carefully selected their words. "That's.. honorable. And I don't mean any disrespect, but... I'm still wondering how you physically use that thing."
"Oh, well, I mean, I've been sailin' since I was a teenager, right? I'm used to hard labour, heavy shit, everything being big and unwieldy. In a way it almost feels more comfortable to me, like I'm right at home."
"Huh." The tabaxi's curiosity finally sounded satiated. "When you put it like that, it makes sense." Time passed as they digested the weight of her tale. "Heh, didn't think we'd get so serious over a question of weapon preference".
"Yeah, hah." Her laughter was nervous and brief.
"I'm.. Sorry. For pressing, and tricking you into telling me all that."
"Hey that's alright, ain't nothin' to forgive. I've never really been able to talk about this with anyone. It feels.. good. To get off my chest." She sighed deeply, as if a weight has been lifted from her little shoulders. "Wait. Did *Spatz* just apologize for something?"
"Yeah yeah, don't ruin the moment." They said with a half-hearted smirk.
"'Sides," Fidget started, "I missed on purpose."
"Sure ya did."
"It's true!"
And so, their bickering continued until the sun came up. Eventually Fidget passed out, crumpled next to her cat-buddy. As she used their lap as a pillow she felt warmed by their friendship growing stronger. That, and the sun. That thing heats leather armour like crazy. Oh, also Fidget absolutely got yelled at later by Cap'n Samuel for shooting the hull of the ship. Again. That's canon. So is Spatz laughing their ass off at her for it.
Ending #3**BOOM** Headshot. Before she could fully consider the alternative the bolt had already left the station. It plunged into the slug's brain(?) with a quiet 'splortch' as it flew off the side of the ship. There was a second or two of silence followed by a splash as it hit the water.
"Damn. I was hoping you'd be more tired, you never relax on-duty..." The smugness instantly withered from the cat's voice as they reluctantly began to dig around in their coin purse.
"That's my secret, fucker. I don't relax off-duty either," She said proudly, shuffling back down to take her seat on the tabaxi's legs.
"Your anxiety is truly impressive," Spatz sneered, rebounding back to smarminess just as fast. As they reached over, silver coins shimmering from between their fingers, they hesitated. "I *could* pay up, or.. Would you rather *two* secrets?"
"Nope. Deal's a deal." She said with certainty, hand-outsretched, palm face-up.
"Tch, no fun," They muttered, dropping the coins into her hand with a satisfying jingle.
"Speak for yerself. Besides, can you blame me? I'm fully prepared for your secret to be something lame like 'I have an allergy to dogs' or 'I wuv you'."
"Oh shush, that's not even a secret-"
"Wait, *which one?!*"
"Oh I'm sorry, I can't hear you over all the money in your pocket. Now be silent and check this cool shit out," The rogue said with a bit of flare, making an elegant movement with their hands as they began to produce pink sparks and tiny purple flames.
Fidget sat in awe. "You're a WIZARD?"
"I'm a lot of things, dear." They replied with a toothy grin, clapping their hands together to eject a disc-shaped puff of blue smoke. "A wizard... is not one of them. I don't know what I am, to be perfectly honest. I've always considered myself to be a *dashing rogue* but.. I suppose it's possible that I multiclassed into something else at some point? By accident? Somehow???"
"What does 'multiclassed' mean?" The goblin asked with childlike wonder.
"You'll find out when you're older," Replied the magic cat, tracing their fingers through the air and producing a lingering trail of light.
"I'm older than you but alright. I know better than to question *magic*."
"Good." They said, pulling their hands back and cupping them before pushing forward, as if to gather energy before sending it outwards. The motion sent a twirling spiral of smokey colour towards the mystified fighter, entrancing her with foggy shades of black, white, purple and yellow.
"I wonder what this means..." Fidget practically whispered to herself.
"Means I'm fuckin' cool." They responded matter-of-factly. "Oh, by the way, don't tell anyone about this."
"Why? I mean sure, of course. I'm just curious is all,"
"Because then it won't be a secret," Spatz said with a smile. The show got lazier with time, making less intricate patterns and effects, eventually just settling for small licks of rainbow-coloured flames.
"So is that all you can do?" She asked innocently.
"Pssht- *is that all I can do,*" They replied, seemingly offended before thinking about it for a moment. "...Yeah. Pretty much. Oh! Wait no, there's something else. Here, smell my hand,"
Fidget stared blankly. "No thanks."
"Yeah that sounded a lot weirder outloud," There was a pang of awkwardness in their voice before a quick turnaround. "Your loss. There's a couple other small things I've figured out but... You sorta have to trust me,"
"Mm.. I've probably let myself distract you for long enough now. You should probably, yknow.. Do your job, keep lookout, stuff like thaaah-" Her words were cut off by a disgustingly large yawn.
"Okay now you're *actually* no fun, but fine. I *guess* I can keep us from getting raided and murdered in our sleep." It was unclear just how sarcastic the cat was being.
Calm ocean sounds replaced all others as Fidget's eyes closed and her head rested back against the side of the lookout. Spatz wondered how she even sleeps like that, their head felt sore just looking at her. Time crept by and so too did the cool sea air. The cold breeze began to sink into the rogue's bones, and as they watched the little goblin curl up tighter with a shiver, they remembered something. The tabaxi began to scan the crow's nest for something to warm up with, knowing that Fidget usually has a blanket somewhere. It took a couple minutes before they realized why they're not seeing it; they were sitting on it. With a hasty yank they pulled it out from under themselves.
They just about wrapped it around themselves and called it a night until the smaller creature shivered again, fidgetting slightly. A sigh escaped their lips and they decided to move over, sitting right beside the goblin before wrapping the blanket around both of them. The kitty was rewarded with a cozy grumble from their pal, shifting around in the booty-warmed wool before slumping over onto them. Fidget's cheeks blushed as her head rested on her friend's side, and Spatz thought *Well, may as well go all-in* and put an arm around the little fighter. Sleep came quickly to the smaller sailor and she dreamed of happy, fuzzy things.
Ending #2Double-click this passage to edit it.