( Ooc, if anyone would like to add to this story using Esperanza Devereaux; here is a physical description - medium height, age about 15. Hair color is silver and worn long, eye color is light green, skin is slightly tanned. Psychology - flamboyant and dramatic.. She is a very good acrobat, with theater training.)

As Calamity and her small squad continued through the tunnels, they heard the echo of lovely piano and organ music echoing through the sewers. The down side was, it made it harder to hear anyone else who might be in the sewers ahead of them. They came to a flooded section of the sewers, filled with contents better left unmentioned. Forced to wade, they rejoiced when they returned to a section with dry walks at the side of the tunnel. They were able to follow the squishy wet footprints of Kenneth, topped by the footprints of a rat who must be following him. Sarah said, "We're getting close, these tracks are recent."

OOC: Love the tribute to Jules Verne. Every pirate could use a copy of Prof. Fogg's book.

Yes, I too loved the playful reference to Around the World in 80 Days.

After crossing several dimly lit avenues, Esperanza saw the glow of many illuminations. She entered the plaza in front of the Doge's Palace. The plaza was crowded by sedan chairs and carriages, there was also a Mooshu rickshaw. Even a clockwork carriage!
Any noble attending the ball at the palace arrived by transport, walking was 'vulgar'. Usually the servants would be waiting for their masters with their carriages, ready to take them home after the splendid event. But not tonight. To her horror, she saw that a corps of Armada soldiers had rounded up the servants and were holding them under watch. It was too late to retreat and find an alternate route. She had been noticed.

"Halt!" an order was issued by an Armada officer. His musketeers raised and leveled their sparkshooters at her.
"Come forward, do not try to run." he said.
She had no choice. Putting an unconcerned expression on her face, Esperanza strode toward the officer.

Walking through the dark streets with Armada clockworks at her side, Esperanza was forced to think about her situation. When had she ever been this close to her sworn enemies, without being threatened with capture or death? The clockworks kept up a steady pace and it took all of her agility to keep up Fortunately they had not far to travel and the garish lights of the casino were just ahead.

Coming to the front steps, she turned to her escort and said, "There is no need for you to follow me inside, you may wait here."

The Custos replied, "We are to escort you to your crewmen, there will be no derivation from these orders."

Esperanza shrugged and entered the casino. The casino ( or Ridotto as it was called in Valencia ) was crowded by citizens of all ranks and species. The ones closest to the door turned aghast at the sight of Armada soldiers entering their supposed place of refuge. Some began a slow sidle toward a back entrance.

Esperanza stopped a waiter and asked, "Have you seen a Weasel and a Horse here tonight?"

She felt a tap on her shoulder, she turned and found herself eyeball to belt buckle. She took a step back and looked up. A female Cyclopes was glaring at her. She was fierce and elegant at the same time, wearing a lavender silk tunic and golden jewelry, she was armed with a pair of daggers the size of short swords and a massive cudgel.

"We have two customers who fit that description in the private offices of Signor Vittelli, are you their captain?" she asked in a gravelly alto voice. On receiving a nod, she gestured, "Follow me."

In the middle of an especially convoluted part of the sewers, the tracks of the rat tracking Kenneth diverged and went off in another direction. Calamity's crew continued tracking Kenneth. Lt. Springer said, "He's close, we should be right on top of him. I don't understand it."
Kenneth swung down out of the niche of piping above their heads. "Hi Captain!"
Mustang Sally gave a leap that almost brushed the ceiling, and the others gasped in surprise. 'Good to see you, Kenneth. Now that we've found you, we need to get back to the ship and out of Valencia."
They headed to the nearest ladder to the street, making a brief stop at a fountain spraying over the cobblestones of a plaza to rinse off the worst of the sewer muck. Kenneth told them on the way to the ship about his bounty hunting "friends".
When they finally arrived at the ship, Bonnie greeted them, "Hello Captain, we have a new would-be crew member aboard...what's that smell?"
"Never mind the smell. Whoever that applicant is, hope the person is good because we'll be stuck with them for at least one cruise. We are setting sail for Mooshu immediately. Make it so."
"Aye, Captain," Bonnie said and began giving orders to cast off.
Calamity thought, if the new crew member doesn't work out, I hope they like Mooshu food, because they will be eating a lot of it.

Making tracks by the shortest, yet most discrete route available, they got to the docks without further incident.
Esperanza was able to hail a gondola to take them out to where the Avenging Siren lay at anchor.

As she boarded, she began issuing orders, "Weigh anchor, unfurl the main! We're leaving now!"

She turned to Birgus,"Mr. Latro you have the helm, it's been a long day, and an even longer night. I need rest."

And she retired to her cabin.

Esperanza slept deeply and dreamlessly, without a worry in the world ( or so she thought ). So deep in sleep was she that the transition through the stormgate didn't disturb her. When she woke it was midday and the ship was resting at anchor in Monquistan skies. She dressed and came on deck. She saw Samocles at the watch station.

"Hey-Ho, Sammy, how goes the day?" she asked.

"Very well, Captain." was his reply.

Salty Ned approached with a tankard of yum with a chunk of cheese and bread. She gratefully accepted her breakfast, as she chewed, Birgus came on deck. He walked up to her.

"How is the ship, Birgus?"

"Our 'guest' didn't weather the stormgate very well, Cap'n. Itzen had to heal him," he continued at her exclamation of concern. "Nothing serious, he just banged his head against the bulkhead."

"Well, I'll need to speak to him later. For now, I want you to pipe all hands on deck."

When the crew had assembled, Esperanza addressed them. "Mr. Nelson and the Toreador, step forward."
She looked sternly on her erring crewmen, "Mr. Nelson, would you explain yourself?"

"I didn't mean no harm, Captain. y'see Salty Ned told me that Padova had a famous Casino, and I just wanted to try my luck. At first we was winning, but then our luck turned. Then I was dealt a great hand, and that signor Vitelli raised the stakes and I didn't have anything to cover it....so.... I bet ... the ship." he cringed in anticipation to her reaction.

"YOU BET THE SHIP!"

The entire crew gasped, and took a step back. Surely there would be bloodshed. Esperanza took a deep breath.

"All shore leave for you and The Toreador is cancelled until further notice, You are to stand double watches for one week, AND today you will be scraping barnacles from the hull." she turned to Birgus, " Get the gear out." She walked toward her cabin, "And send Mr. Launcetto to me."

Calamity Finch on Apr 20, 2014 wrote:

In the middle of an especially convoluted part of the sewers, the tracks of the rat tracking Kenneth diverged and went off in another direction. Calamity's crew continued tracking Kenneth. Lt. Springer said, "He's close, we should be right on top of him. I don't understand it."
Kenneth swung down out of the niche of piping above their heads. "Hi Captain!"
Mustang Sally gave a leap that almost brushed the ceiling, and the others gasped in surprise. 'Good to see you, Kenneth. Now that we've found you, we need to get back to the ship and out of Valencia."
They headed to the nearest ladder to the street, making a brief stop at a fountain spraying over the cobblestones of a plaza to rinse off the worst of the sewer muck. Kenneth told them on the way to the ship about his bounty hunting "friends".
When they finally arrived at the ship, Bonnie greeted them, "Hello Captain, we have a new would-be crew member aboard...what's that smell?"
"Never mind the smell. Whoever that applicant is, hope the person is good because we'll be stuck with them for at least one cruise. We are setting sail for Mooshu immediately. Make it so."
"Aye, Captain," Bonnie said and began giving orders to cast off.
Calamity thought, if the new crew member doesn't work out, I hope they like Mooshu food, because they will be eating a lot of it.

Ooc: to Calamity Finch, will you be starting a new roleplay in Central? If so under what name, and what will the roleplay be called? Will you and Captain Kenneth be continuing?

(OOC: I have been enjoying how you both, Esperanza and Calamity, have been developing this story. Very clever, interesting, and amusing! )

Chrissy Th'Blesser on Apr 27, 2014 wrote:

Indeed I have very much enjoyed this too but I wasn't sure how to interject to say so. I am so looking forward to see what you are going to come up with in Central. Your blends with Padova were so clever and very amusing.

Thank you very much for your kind words and yars! But we were only building on the wonderful, entrancing and thrilling story started by Virtuous Anne Radcliffe, Sam Underhill ( I have enjoyed your story in Fan Fiction, Sam and am looking forward to the continuation! ) and Numerous others who have joined in. This was my first roleplay and I have enjoyed it!