[SE] Drunk Ramblings

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

Even after they dropped Astaroth off at port, the crew didn't seem eager to stop their celebrations of the new first mate. Spook wasn't especially interested in participating and the sailors didn't appear comfortable with him yet, but they'd take any excuse to get completely wasted. Thal couldn't disagree with the sentiment. 

They'd anchored near the Maw, knowing no one would bother them in the open ocean. A small skeleton crew manned the decks while the majority of them were crammed into the mess hall. They'd pushed a few boxes and barrels into the space, adding extra seating and makeshift tables to hold card games and tankards of ale. A few sailors were belting a garishly inappropriate shanty, butchering every note which made her flinch. Refusing to fully participate in the festivities, Thal stood against the doorframe, admiring the embarrassing display, especially the redhead that seemed to fit in so well. Taking a sip of her own glass of bourbon, she observed the interactions.

Thalassa

Every fire burns brighter in the darkest night

Cat had found herself intermingling amongst the crew inside of the mess hall. The red head had been listening to the bolstering stories of the crewmates, and just how much they had seen over the course of their travels. Some were less believable than others, but it didn't stop Cat from laughing along aside them. 

One had bought out a Hurdy Gurdy, music dripping from the halls rich in tunes, and melodies. Cat had only recently heard music on the shore, but this music was much different than what she had already heard. The discombobulated tunes of each sailor had given a sloshed attempt at singing the sea shanties, tempting Cat to sing along with them. If only she knew the words. 

One had passed her a mug filled with a strong rum, the odor fresh to Cat's sense of smell. "Oi, thar Cat! Down the gullet!" One of them egged her on, encouraging her to just down the rum. 

Tilting her head back, she had chugged every ounce of the rum that they had given her. It burning her throat, ending in a sputtering cough. The ones surrounding her cheered, and clapped her on the back. 

"Ye’d think this wee lass ne'er had a swig o’ rum before!" One of them laughed obnoxiously. 

"I haven't." Cat laughed a little, the pause made them look over towards her when all of a sudden they poured her another drink. 

"Drink up me heartie!" Cat's cheeks already flushed from the original drink, she had raised her mug to them as she had caught a glimpse of Thalassa hovering at a distance.  She lifted her mug over towards her, beaming with a grin so large, her eyes were closed.

Let me be your guiding light

Catalina

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

Cat's coughing fit had Thal grinning slightly behind her glass. Even if the girl hadn't spent much time on ships, she seemed to fit in with the crew pretty well. They were already pushing her into racy songs and egging her on to try new alcohols. If she wasn't careful, she'd find herself adopted. The only requirements the crew had for their strays were a heartbeat and a willingness to join their fun. Thal hadn't really fit the second part, but that didn't matter when she initially scared them so much they weren't willing to tell her no. 

Her mind went to those first few months. She'd found herself stowing away on the ship, alone and looking for a place to belong. The old pirate captain had found opportunity in a glaring young woman with nothing to her name but the Ancient features littering her body. Thal had been so full of hurt and rage, trying to navigate her new bloodlust while attempting to hide the darkness of her mind. The captain had seen someone he could wield. A pure source of unguided hatred to be directed as he pleased. And it had almost worked. He'd taught her to take command and hone her insecurities into a blade, leaving no room for weakness or doubts. She'd followed his every demand like a lifeline of structure. However, when he became sick, his plans backfired. She didn't seek to help the cruel weak man, choosing instead to capitalize on his fleeting health to take control of the crew. And as he drew his final breath, she'd slammed the door on her past and donned her signature dark hood. 

Now, as Thal stood at the doorway, she considered how she'd grown into a better captain than he'd ever been. The men laughed in her presence but recognized her authority with a respectable level of fear. However, that control had been slipping. She'd been slipping since Maea left. She couldn't let the loss of a friend be the reason her life fell apart. She wouldn't let it. Even if that meant keeping everyone at arms' length. 

So she kept her distance, watching as the largest of the men lifted his rum and declared that they were all properly drunk enough to begin the customary 'drinking competition.' Thal raised an intrigued eyebrow. Well this should be fun.

Thalassa

Every fire burns brighter in the darkest night

Bringing down her glass, as her attention shifted to the drinking at hand. Cat had finished up her second mug, almost immediately afterwards... it appeared to fill back up, magically by the swift pours of the other sailors. Not an empty glass, mug, or bottle in sight. Letting out a belch, she covered her mouth quickly even though it had been drowned out by the yelling, singing, and music. Not one seemed to notice. Yet, half of 'em belched, and had lack of manners, but truth was - it was normal it seemed. 

Cat's face had grown flush, each different liqour burning her throat with a searing flame. One of the sailor's patted Cat on the back with a gnarly grin, as he had joined in on the agreement and yelling. They didn't expect her to do the competition.... did they?  The thought crossed her mind ever so slightly, but the older man looked down towards the red head. "Oi th'r Cat - jus'sit 'n watch!" Cat looked eagerly between them as the older man had suggested she sit this one out. 

"I think I can handle it." Cat said with a light hearted smile, reaching down she had grabbed the sash from in her pocket to tie it around her head, holding her hair back from her now flushed face that had already gained some color from being out in the sun all day. It was different than Halo. She was out in the heat, and on the beach , where the sun seemed to cook you rather than graciously warm you. 

The men grew quiet, and then clapped against their mugs. "Well let's put'er to tha test!" What... Had Cat just done? Did she agree to a drinking competition? Oh if her father could see her now. Whelp, if only he didn't try and seclude her from life. This was probably the most fun she had in her entire life, especially in such a different environment. 

One of the crew mates who were properly drunk, spoke up. "The only one fit to judge this be the Cap'n, as always! What say ye, Cap'n??"  

Cat shifted her gaze over towards Thalassa, her eyes beaming with excitement of that possibility. Though she hadn't participated in all of the festivities, maybe this portion was what she had participated in?

Let me be your guiding light

Catalina

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

Cat was the only one to blame for her predicament. Being the guest, the men would have easily let her out of the competition, but now that she'd agreed, they wouldn't let her out until she won or passed out. And passing out meant Thal would have to babysit the woman all night. The captain just sighed in mourning for the peaceful night she could have had.

However, things got worse as they dragged her into their antics. Her blue eyes narrowed with displeasure, but there was a benefit to judging the competition: she could stop it from getting out of hand. Maybe she could prevent Cat from developing alcohol poisoning before the night was over, not that she really cared either way. It just meant more work for her, and that wasn't something she enjoyed. 

Finishing off the dregs of her bourbon, Thal handed her empty glass to a nearby crewmate and stepped forward. The answering action earned her a pleasant cheer as they all gathered around, eager for the rare test of fortitude hosted by their fearless leader. They jostled each other in their rush for a close visual but made room for her to step through, the excitement palpable. A few in the back stood on boxes, sloshing their ale across the floor as they passed bets amongst themselves. From the few snippets of conversation Thal caught, Cat wasn't being favored by the odds. 

She stood beside the table and gestured for the first bottle to be brought over along with two shot glasses. Within moments, she held a large bottle of tequila that had her raising an eyebrow at the crew. It was a surprise they still had any after the last challenge, not that she was complaining. Thal filled each glass to the rim, glancing around the room for her predetermined victim. Spotting him in the corner, nearly translucent against the wall, she smiled. He gave her a suspicious look before her mouth even opened. "Spook! As the new first mate, it's tradition to take the first challenge." Although he didn't seem thrilled with the idea, Spook had been chosen for a reason, he followed orders. 

The crew made a path that closed tight behind him as the first mate reluctantly took his seat across from Cat. Thal was legitimately curious as to how he'd do, but she wouldn't let that cloud her judgement. Slamming the bottle against the table, the room grew quieter. "The rules are simple. You each take turns throwing back your shot. You pass out? You lose. You puke? You lose. You refuse to drink? You walk the plank." The last one brought a bout of boos and slamming fists from around the room. Obviously, that was an unpopular choice. Looking between the two competitors, Thal finished the script, "Do you agree to the terms?" Spook narrowed his eyes in acceptance but nodded his head. Turning to Cat, she raised an eyebrow. It was her last chance to back out.

Thalassa