The Cruise

[Omar]

The purpose for this ragtag cruise, was ‘officially’ the clandestine procurement of wine. Wine that was higher in allowed alcohol content and ingredients. That coupled with the fact that in Ontario you can only buy alcohol at the Beer Store and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Which means that the wine Omar wanted would be summarily denied. So Omar had decided he would get it himself. One might think that this was an over-the-top reaction, but when Omar wanted something, he would get it.


In this case, it was a rather expensive proposition to go all the way to Africa to procure wine. But Omar knew something that Rudy didn’t. He was also arranging to few Arms deals as well. In fact, in the hold of the boat, there were a few containers that Omar told Rudy was to keep his wine at its optimum and prime temperature. It wasn’t a lie. The containers were designed for that purpose. They just also happened to have some highly sought for automatic weapons bound for a rebel group that was fighting for independence. Viva la revolution. There was plenty of money to be made in the quest for freedom, and Omar was not opposed to sharing in those spoils.


However, Omar shook his head as he surveyed the ‘crew’. Rudy the captain, some female who looked and acted as if she had never crewed before, some guy that seemed to follow Rudy like a puppy, and lastly, some dude name Sahib. Like he was going to call him that, not bloody likely. Omar was Spanish, and there was heavy Moorish blood in his line. He knew that ‘sahib’ meant master, and there was no way in hell Omar was calling a deck crewman ‘master’. Truth be told, he wasn’t calling anyone.. Master. Period. End of discussion.


Still puzzling over Rudy’s question when he had first showed up on the dock with the wine containers, Omar began to have doubts about this captain. “Have I ever tossed you out of a window?” Rudy seemed confused, and yet sincere, before he waved it off, and said ‘Hope you don’t eat much.’ He frowned as he recalled the question. What sort of question was that? Was it code? He and Rudy had discussed the deal in depth. Rudy showed no signs of being fucked in the head at the time. But now? Yes now, Omar was having doubts. Eyeing the female that seemed completely out of place, despite Rudy’s insistence she was crew, and indispensable to the endeavour, Omar had pegged her at Rudy’s bit of fluff.


Deciding he didn’t need to focus on all the ways this cruise could go south, Omar went below and tried to get some sleep. He knew Rudy suffered an aversion to the sun, so he would have to be awake to make sure things stayed on course.

[Marjani (DELETED 5749)]

The last year or so in review:

Mari died and Mari had become Theodore someone or another when she returned. During this time when she was Theodore McLoafers (because that was almost all the shoes the guy owned and wore), Mari had learned to tolerate the opposite sex and even come to like and respect some key male figures in the bloodline she was in. Mayhem, a male she had worked for for a long time when Mari could no longer work for the studio she worked at (because she was some white dude who looked like he belonged in some psych ward), was one of those men. There was Marty as well; another spawn of her beloved Nishaa's, and then of course there was G-Unit.

Mari had eventually bound to her sire and love of her life and they would have celebrated their first year together, had Mari not died again. She had been attacked by some random vampire a couple of times, had difficultly replenishing her lost blood, was attacked by hunters repeatedly and finally one night just didn't wake in the sewers. Instead, she was back in the place of endless silence. Mari stayed there for a while, passing many opportunities to return back to the land of the living (or un-living) as she reflected on her mistakes. Finally, just a few weeks ago, the woman returned, pleased to find herself in her own, true form again. Everything happens for a reason, she supposed.

A week after her return and usual routines, Mari stopped at a pawn shop to sell the things she sold. Once upon a time she would have given whatever to Nishaa and to Marty, but, times change. Mari had never seen Marty and judging by things, life was quieter than quiet. In the end, Mari decided that there was no reason she couldn't make some fast cash. She had never entered this store before and wasn't sure it was even a pawn store, but a sign had said something about 'knives' and 'swords.' That was just what she was looking to offload. So, Mari put all the decent quality parts up on the table, and was soon to discover that the store sold the parts, and completed swords made by the owner and not the other way around. He tried to sell her a sword, and in the process noted her accent. When the conversation turned to a more personal direction and Mari dropped the word 'Africa,' in a sentence, Rudy was positive that Mari needed to come on this potentially wild scheme of his, especially when Mari took it one step farther by name dropping a war lord that possessed a great 'bounty,' in Rudy's eyes.

The last week:

Mari had sold almost everything she didn't have any need for, keeping some things like knock out bombs, noise makers and some clothing. She had brought a few spare packs of blood that were in a lunch sized cooler with a block of ice that would only satisfy her thirst for the next night if she was lucky. Hopefully, Rudy had thought things through, but Mari could do without blood for about a week before she started to really need blood. One bag was set aside for clothing, basic make-up and a small hand gun, the other for devices she used in a typical B and E ordeal. Mari imagined that if someone said they were taking a ship to another country that was tens of thousands of miles away, that most women would have brought more than she had. What she had now was more than she ever owned in Africa; even only with bringing two bags.

She had written Every and let her know where she was going and the truth. Mari didn't know if, or when she would be coming back. But, Every, along with one or two other people had attacked the person that had attacked her in the span of two or three nights in a row and so, Mari felt somewhat obligated to let the woman know where she was going, since she tried to save her ***. A note to Nishaa was left on their bed, saying almost the same thing she had said to Every, with a little more detail. Then, Mari had mapped out where she last remembered where some of the 'camps' were at of the warlord, the last time she returned to Africa and had failed to take care of the guy herself. Chances are some were still there, others had moved due to conquering of territories, but eventually they would meet up with the guy. Mari knew where he wouldn't go, only because of other warlords. Trying to kill neighboring warlords was suicide unless alliances and numbers were made and had. But, who knew? Mari hadn't heard from anyone in her family that had remained in any parts of Africa in over two years.

Night of departure:

Mari had lugged both bags on the boat, along with the cooler-one at a time. She hadn't known how to dress-how does a crew-mate for a voyage like this dress? What did modern day pirates look like? She sure as HELL did not know, but here she was anyways. Dressed more or less in her typical get-up. Black leggings, an unbuttoned flannel shirt, over a barely more than a bra top, and her usual chunky jewelry.Large earrings, two necklaces and then a couple of rings on her fingers. High top sneakers covered her feet, and a red sweatshirt covered some of her waistline. She looked away from the water to see someone looking at her, and the others before he went below the deck. She shrugged, not at all bothered by being looked at, before turning her attention back to the waters below. Things would either go okay, or really, really bad, in her mind. Mari didn't suspect things to go 'great' because she almost seemed to be 'cursed' with bad luck these nights, so she would settle for 'okay.'

[Rudy]

Boats Broads and Dudes .... Rudy ran his hand through his hair and stared at the ship manifest. Everything had been loaded onto the boat including blood bags for the less than human crew. But they wouldn't last all the way to Africa . He was going to have to do something he would rather not. He picked up the phone and called Billyboy well at least that is what Rudy called him Mr Billsworth was a gentleman , he often chastised Rudy for his disheveled appearance . They were going to need human sustenance something that could replenish Rudy was going to have to make it up to the man he had accidently collected somehow and stock plenty of Juice and cookies for the dude .


Sahib had been down with the proposal of a trip to Africa. He had been a great employee Did everything he was asked of and would make a excellent crewman . It wasn't him that Rudy was worried about it was the broad ... He didn't know what he had been thinking of when he had invited her to join them ... Maybe it had been way too long since he had any type of female interactions ... But all he could focus on when she was in his shop was those legs and eyes ... She rattled on about Africa and some Warlord and Rudy was focused on her lips ... Well **** him next thing he knew he was inviting her along ... He really hoped this Omar dude wasn't a hard *** when it came to the ladies .

Rudy came up on deck it seemed everyone was assembling even Mr Billsworth was there in his suit and leather dress shoes like this was some sort of luxury cruise . Rudy smiled and told him he could store his suitcase below Rudys boat was a working boat Nice sized fishing boat with a galley and room for a crew it would be tight but Rudy seemed to be taking on a new leaf as of late New was his in thing and He hoped the past was well behind him .

[Omar]

The alarm on his cell phone went off just as the sun was about to come up. Omar rubbed his eyes, and went to get filled in. The Deck was empty, but Rudy was in the wheelhouse. There was the smell of fresh coffee, as he entered. It struck him odd that Rudy would have coffee brewing, but he was not going to look the gift horse, or cup of coffee, in the mouth. Pouring himself a cup of the steaming brew, he then sipped as he waited for Rudy to give him an update on what he needed to do until nightfall.

It was December and there was a distinct chill in the air coming off the water. This was Omar’s first time on the water in Canada. Boating in Spain, the water was always warm and welcoming. Here? The water was cold and air off the water cut through to your bones. He should have brought a warmer coat. He sat down the mug of coffee, rubbed his hands together, and pulled out a pair of gloves.

“So is there anything I need to know? Weight stations or would they be called heave to stations?” Omar asked before collecting the mug of coffee again. “And if there is a problem.. What the hell do I do?”