13742/Savage Land: On a Boat

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Savage Land: On a Boat
Date of Scene: 12 January 2023
Location: Southern Lake - Forest
Synopsis: The X-Men's Lemurian ship is is beset by Aerian 'pirates,' and many give valiant fight against the bird-people. As Ororo flies to assault their ship, she meets the enemy leader in the air, but cannot quite realize where she's seen her in the heat of battle - perhaps a portrait back and the castle? Protected by an Atlantean artifact, Queen Leanne defeats the weather-Godesss, rallies the Aerians and the X-Men are quickly overwhelmed. Now, they find themselves captives of the very person they were sent to rescue... and seemingly sailing in the wrong direction. Well, it's... progress?!
Cast of Characters: Jean Grey, Emma Frost, Tabitha Smith, Ororo Munroe, Rogue, Marie-Ange Colbert




Jean Grey has posed:
Last time on X-Men:

On their journey throught the Savage Land, the team enjoyed the hospitality of the fantastic Kingdom of Lemuria. Greeted as promised saviors, they were engaged to help rescue the missing Queen Leanne... by her almost visibly scheming, literally mustache-twirling uncle. The Regent blamed her kidnapping on the Pterons, a race of flying lizard-people. Of course, there's a certain familiarity in that description. At the same time, there's a lot that doesn't add up. Why send a rescue, if he's scheming against her? How many ladies have been kidnapped by flying weirdos around here, anyway? (and wasn't it bird people, not pteradon people?)

Still, they got a boat out of the deal!

And now, well, they're on that boat, sailing across the inland sea. It's been a full day out, with the team given various tasks around the ship, enjoying the cook's local delicacies, singing Lemurian sea chanties, and sleeping comfortably in hammocks belowdecks. On the following day, they're roused early, assuming their posts once more. The weather is clear, the spray invigorating. Altogether, a pleasant trip.

Jean is up by the prow, gazing ahead as they make their way, trying to make out the distant shore. While Storm and Rogue have glimpsed it from prior flying vantages (and from their much higher position on the plateau), it is still somewhat obscured by the horizon here. Don't think about the geography too much! "Hopefully, we'll be able to get some answers when we reach our destination." Aside from musing on their mission, she has to admit, with a wistful sigh, "This is beautiful, though." Indeed, the inland sea is almost unnaturally blue, as are the brighter skies high above.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost is currently settled in over with her new, fitting clothes over and glancing along the horizon, "So then, what exactly shall we be after?" SHe muses very quietly to the others that are within hearing range, moving to keep just a little bit outside of the other sailors that are part of the tribe. Just to be on the safe side since it's too tricky to try and use her telepathy to communicate until they figure out what's going.
    "Rescue the princess, slay the dragon that has her captured, and try and figure out whatever else is going on? Or am I missing something over in that roundup?" She's sipping over from a cool thing of water over at her side in a canteen.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
If Renfaire formalwear was difficult enough to get into even with, or because of assistance from handmaidens in a fantasy castle while your arm is broken. Pirate style is even worse.

The only thing the still has from her uniform is the utiility belt and her glasses. The rest is pretty standard but still Tabby-ish for the setting, tan breeches in what can only possibly be dinosaur leather. They look very, very snug. A blouse that is not puffy, to both her releif and dissapointments. More corsetry in her bustier over that matching her pants. How she can breath she doesn't know but they managed to make her hourglass of a figure even more pronounced. And a blue coat in troupador pirate style tails. and blue dinosaur scales And sensible knee gigh lace up boots to match.

"You know the folks back home gonna be like totally jelly. Kitty will flip! If the dragon is Sauron though I'm all for slaying it right now." she says and tries to not look queezy looking over the side of the boat onto water. "So how big does a lake get to be before it be a sea? Is it salt of freshwater at that?" so many questions.

It's like being in class with Tabby all over again.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo will admit to no one that her forays into the air to scout for their destination were not only for the good of the expedition but a necessity. The gentle sway of the hammocks down below didn't agree with her inner ear. The cook's delicacies contributed to her need to be in the air as often as possible.

The Storm Queen stationed herself on deck, avoiding trips below. Her dark complexion hides how green she is feeling. On one of many laps around the upper deck, she catches Emma's salient observation, "Did you forget the evil uncle/regent or the mad scientist?"

Tabitha earns a smile and a mini-teaching moment, "Seas are always natural and pretty big, have salt water, with most of them connected to other bodies of water by a waterway of some sort."

Rogue has posed:
Rogue is dressed similarly to how she has dressed in the Danger Room in the past, during Kurt's high sea adventure sims. Though this time the Belle has pants on, rather than a skirt that gets more and more frayed as the simulated aventure goes on. Dressed in a green top with a low scooping neckline, a brown leather bodice that is laced up over her stomach, a pair of leather trousers with knee high heeled boots, and a series of belts that wrap around her slim waistline, and dangle down either sides, with various pouches and equipment holsters, one of which holds a actual gun, and another that holds a telescope made of brass and crystal.

Rogue's hair is wild and free, which is par for the course for her, and she's spent the better part of the day just flying around the boat itself! She's been entertaining the crew too, dancing with some of them, eliciting a lot of hoots and hollars, laughter and revelry, but in the now? She's walking up to join Jean, her two toned hair flowing wildly around her shoulders in the winds sweeping over the ship.

Rogue's green gloved hands come to lay over the wooden railing at the edge of the forward deck, and she just smiles. "Captain Jean Grey, of the SS Blackbird. Comin' t'plunder yer booty." She says over to the redhead on her left side.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
This trip has definitely been an interesting one for clothing. Uniforms gave way to princess dresses, and that in turn surrendered to this. Marie's not too far behind joining the rest of the ship's 'newest' crew, walking behind Tabitha as the blonde joins the group. She too has changed, with some regret that she had to eschew her pretty dress for clothing that was far more... functional, but it gives her the freedom of movement that should keep her from flying overboard.

Though she did tie her hair back into a ponytail with a large silken ribbon. Just a little something to keep her feeling pretty on the outside!

The seer has been dutiful about attending the tasks given to her. No matter how menial, she doesn't decline. It's not in her nature. Unless made to keep the night watch, she's also been early to bed, early to rise, with a few minutes here and there spent below decks consulting her cards on this or that. Mostly on, 'is this meal people?', because she's still a little traumatized at the thought.

"Then how big, Madame Munroe, must it get before we may call it an ocean? They too have salt in the water, non?" The French girl adds with an impish smile, glancing around at the group on the deck before turning her attention to the water. There was something about a large body of water that was just... peaceful and almost hypnotic.

Jean Grey has posed:
"Well, I'd say... answers," Jean replies to Emma. "This place has plenty of its own stuff going on, clearly. Worst thing we can do is charge in and make a mess without knowing why." She frowns a bit at Tabitha, too. "There's a man under there, remember. Lykos, from all accounts, was well-behaved in prison. Remorseful. And brilliant, still. Trying to use his talents. If we can change him back..."

As for the nature lessons, Ororo seemingly has the terminology covered. Though, as the ship's prow hits a wave and casts another bit of spray over them, she sniffs the air. "It does smell like seawater, even though we're a bit cuttoff. Of course, well, we're in the middle of a sea-ice glacier, in reality, so I guess it could be runoff. But I don't think the river was. It's really weird." Weird is relative, though, considering it's also a balmy tropical climate in the middle of said glacier!

Rogue's arrival (and wordplay) get a snort of a laugh. She gives a little wiggle, and looking back over her shoulder while leaning near the prow. "Do you think they'll object to you renaming their boat?"

Interrupting all this, comes a shout from above: "SAILS!"

The call is from one of the crew on watch in the crow's nest, signalling the sighting of another ship. Indeed, there is something visible in the distance, slashes of white across the blue sky, above the line of the horizon. Far away... for now.

And yet, the crew quickly begins scrambling in anticipation of the possible contact. Notably, despite their somewhat anachronstically majestic sailing ship, the Lemurians do not have cannons; although they have bows and even a light ballista, their primary method of ocean warfare is seemingly boarding action.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would nod over at Ororo, "Yes, add it to the to-do list. And it makes me wonder if the locals can resolve anything without outside intervention. Bother." Emma would manage to look over annoyed, even as she would go to listen over to Jean's addendum.
    "This location defies any sort of explanation beyond it being an artificial alcove made by someone with far too much time, power, and boredom and then left to develop it's own way." However the Savage Land had come into existence and was maintained was rather beyond her ken when it remotely came to anything. Magical, technological.. Whatever form that it had been made into existence.
    She goes to look over the horizon and frowns across the distance. "Lovely." She would murmur over. "They're not going to ask us to go down to oars, are they?" She would murmur. WEll too far away to even try and use her powers to pickup a reading from.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
There's a nig grin to Ororo. Tabby's right arm is still in a sling, the bruising is going down but her visible hand still looks dark and visibly busted. The use of her powers on a much smaller boat while said powers were wonky had messed with her durability and strength. At least the other arm is better after more than one hot bath and a decent night's sleep. "Well there is like a whole bunch of ice around us. This is still Antarctica. How matural this whole place is is up for debate 'Ro." she states, she'd shrug to go with the goofy smile but Marie-Ange's question gets her looking out at the water.

Unlike Tarot, Boom-Boom's opinions of large bodies of water were not as positive.

Jean's look right after the idea, bad idea at that of charging in is mentioned gets an indignant expression. 'What?! Also, like, wear the guy out. Did anyone bring an inhibitor collar or something?" she asks tactically.

"He's still an energy drainer and not a fun one like our Belle of the Boat here." she points out.

Almost about to wink at Rogue, the sight of another ship gets a hmm and Tabby tries to look out in the direction of it. "Uhhm, if they're like hostile. I dunno if I can sink them right now. Let lone repel them. The gun's kinda misfiring since we got here. Not that I could reach that boat even at full power from here." she points out with a look down to the arm in a sling. A visible weakness in a fight.

"So, like is there any kinda obvious sign they're pirates, cool as that is it kinda also sucks especially if they're the clever and don't show signs they are till they're like right on top of us."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
So much for the romance of the sea. Being boarded by an enemy or fighting on a ship are far from romantic. Ororo goes forward to find Rogue and Jean, "If need be I can cover us with mist, making us hard to find. Not that we could see something coming except through telepathy or sound. I'm going aloft, link with me, please."

The combined powers of the crew from Xavier's can far out power cannons, she decides as she takes a step and rises in the air. She is a slender white silhouette, her clothing having been cleaned and restored during their stay at the castle. Floating beside the ship at the height of the main top sails, hair ruffled by the wind, she decides to rise higher and in advance to scout. For the first time since learning to manipulate the elements, Ororo feels the energy leech from her as she attempts to rise higher.

Fifty meter higher, she is able to single out a ship with unusual sails, wide and fanned to the side. They remind her of something she has seen before but can't place. She relays the information to the mind link.

Rogue has posed:
Jean's reaction has Rogue laughing as she turns around to lean backward against the wooden railing now, her gloved hands on either sides of her hips where she's leaning. Her eyes go back toward the crew she can spot across the deck. "Oh come on, these guys aren't used t'havin' this much hotness on their boat. One'a us could convince them to change the name, the whole lot of us? Pff. They'll fight over who gets t'paint it on the side, and who gets t'smash the little bottle ta make it official." She says back to the redhead with a big grin on her pink lips.

The raising of concern across the ship has Rogue looking around again, her loose hair getting flung across her face in the wind. Her right hand comes up to pull her white locks down out of her eyes as she frowns.

"Guess it's back to the skies with me..." Rogue states, quickly gliding up to stand on the railing now, her balance looking unfairly amazing even with her limited flight power. She stands up on the railing, her heeled boots carrying her to the starboard side some as she reaches for one of the ropes to grip it tightly.

She's holding on to the rope when Storm raises up near her, causing Rogue to watch her for a moment before she looks back over her shoulder to the others. "Ororo could get a nice bit of cover goin' for us, yeah. Might make any potential dickholes get nervous about our spooky ghost ship, and high tail it back t'whatever port they're from."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Tabby asked the question she was most interested in -- 'are they pirates?' so the seer herself busies herself with more practical matters; she takes a seat on the ground of the ship's deck and removes her cards from the pouch on her belt. Some, she knows, wouldn't be terribly useful in a place like this. The Chariot would have nowhere to run. Some of her larger, land-bound creations would take up far too much of their limited space for working...

The suit of Swords, however, feels awfully appropriate for their current situation.

Marie's head leans back to follow as both Ororo and Rogue start gaining altitude on the rest of the group; the latter's telescope, especially, should help in determining friend or foe. "If needed, Tabitha... I could fly you over them as they approach and we could work much as a bomber jet?" She suggests, making sure to place the flying cards within easy reach. "Assuming they are hostile, of course."

Jean Grey has posed:
"There's definitely some larger power behind it all," Jean echoes Emma. "A bigger mystery, for another time. For now... well, considering the whole place acts like a giant inhibitor collar, maybe we can figure something out." She grins back at Tabitha. "Who knows. If nothing else, we knock him out, then figure out the rest." Let it not be said that the Headmistress doesn't occasionally set aside the complicated plans in favor of, well, just winging it.

Ororo flies up, and soon Rogue after her, and with the former's request for a mental link, she answers with a quick <<Just be careful up there, you two.>> She's constantly worried, with how unreliable all of their powers have been. <<Mist might work, but how much can you manage right now? If we've seen them, they've probably seen us.>>

She's pushed away from the rail, making her way back aft. Perhaps to find the captain.

From the air, the two scouts will have the best view of the approach. It doesn't take long to grasp that the other ship is on an intercept, growing larger and larger. As it does, Ororo's words come into greater clarity: the design of the ship is unusual, with sails both upright and sweeping out to the sides, making it look almost like a swan. All those extra sails give it some advantage in speed as well: the crew tacks to try and get more wind, but no matter their nautical prowess, it only seems to grow closer.

And as the vessel becomes more obvious in construction, the helmsman calls an explanation: "It looks like the Aerians." Bird looking boat? Checks out! Though Jean has a question. "Why do birds even need boats?"

"I suppose for range, m'lady," surmises the helmsman.

And Jean, in turn: "Oh, like an aircraft carrier."

"What's that, m'lady?"

"Nevermind."

Even if he might not know the term, presumably they're familiar with the procedure. Because Marie and Tabitha are beaten to the punch: as soon as the ship has gotten close enough for them to make out the larger details (it's rather elegant in shape, if a bit smaller than the Lemurian craft overall), they'll see numerous smaller winged shapes leap from it and begin traveling to close the distance. And soon enough, the flock is thick in the air, bearing down on them. Some are armed traditionally. Others carry rather worrisome looking glistening silver rifles. Oh right, back at the camp...

Emma Frost has posed:
Oh, lovely. Energy weapons. She'd seen what they did at the camp. And they would be -very- brutal to a ship. Inflicting crippling damage even if it didn't catch on fire. Emma would go to speak telepathically to the rest <<Don't let them take potshots at us, those things will kill us quickly and cripple the ship>> Lasers on wood were'nt a good combination.
    Warning given over to the rest, Emma Frost goes to focus over on the far off fliers. She moves to twist aboutthe consciousness of at least one, making him spin about dazedly as he pulls the trigger of his weapon. Back at his -own- ship with a burst of energy. Hopefully some damage to their own ship means they have to slow thier approach, some of the lizards have to help with getting the damage under control.. Well.. And hopefully some of them start trying to kill one another.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
There's squinting thrfough her glasses as tabby looks on at the approaching ship. Or course it's when Jean brings up aircraft carriers and mention of Aerians.

"Tell Maverick and Goose up there they on intercept?" she calls uout and over at Jean.

When even she can see that these winged fighters are packing heat Tabby eeks and looks to her fellow flightless friends. "I can potshot back. Umm, you guys might wanna take some cover. How's your archery?" she ponders to Tarot and Emma as they jump to their actions.

Tabby however grumbles and starts concentrating. Hopefully as she starts generating plasma bombs she can hit hard enough to take them out of the sky. She doesn't need much, enough light and concussive noise.

<<Watch your eyes and ears. Gonna bring the noise!>> she warns her friends as she starts trying to direct flashbangs into the sky as far as she can to drop as many of the piratical Aerians as possible.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Jean's conversation is broadcast mind to mind, giving Ororo an overwhelming image of steam-powered catapults propelling avians off a carrier deck to accompany her as she tries to count the enemy. <<We have incoming. I can't get an exact count. Pretty sure they outnumber us.>>

She maintains her distance from the ship despite the drain on her energy. <<I think we can take them, but it won't be pretty. >>

How large a storm she can generate is doubtful. <<I might be able to make their ship go down and take away their 'carrier' while Tabitha bombards them.>>

Rogue has posed:
Rogue is up in the sky with her fancy little telescope out. She's got it aimed right at the perceived enemies, and is spying on them as she puts the lenses in to focus. "Aw, crap." She says whilst hovering high up in the air, her hair wildly flying around her as she spies.

With the scope lowered, she slaps it closed in the opposite palm of her left hand, then drops it back in to its pouch on her left hip. A glance is given to Ororo, and Storm smiles. "Give'em the most hell you can, and don't get caught up here."

Rogue looks back to the enemies and starts to fly forward. "I'm gonna try'n pull some of them off of our ship, get'em chasin' me." She states, before she shoots off, her knees together and her arms at her sides as she flies like a bullet through the blue skies!

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
<<Then I suppose Monsieur Drake will have to allow me to be the Man of Ice today, oui? One more joins the skies.>> given that Tabby has already assigned callsigns to two of their compatriots, she'll take the remainder. Yes, she was made to watch Top Gun at some point. Who made her watch it? Anyone's guess, really. There's a number of likely candidates.

However, Marie isn't going to take cover, persay. She's going to remain seated, situating herself cross-legged to try and keep herself as balanced as possible. The larger summons require her full concentration, so not having to worry about falling overboard is going to be paramount for her.

One card is drawn from her deck, and held securely between the fingers of one hand. Those paying attention might be able to see the Temperance card as the choice for the moment. Those who've seen Marie in combat usually see the Minor Arcana coming to her aide. Very mundane, but still very useful.

It might be a surprise when above the ship, a rather sizable angelic form shimmers into existence, bearing a golden chalice in each of its hands. The creation is about fifteen feet from head to toe, and almost immediately goes into motion. Wings beating rapidly, flying in an erratic pattern. This is a distraction; Marie's not great at subterfuge; she's not trying to attack so much as draw fire and keep from getting her creation, or more importantly the ship hit as best as possible!

Jean Grey has posed:
Up close, the Aerian troop are a curious bunch. Their avian features vary; all are winged, but some have mostly humanoid features overall save for a covering of light feathers, while a few are more pronouncedly bird-like, with taloned feet or beaks. The colors of their feathers vary greatly as well, black and white, parrot green, baby blue, yellow, all variety.

The Lemurian crew arranges its own defense along the deck: crew line up with bows, drawing back and holding their shots until the captain, who has hurried out onto deck brandishing a saber, brings it down with a decisive motion. "Loose!"

Arrows sail upward, and are joined with the first of Tabitha's projectiles, while the Aerians open fire in turn. One shoots backward - there's a bright glint off his ship, but then, more usefully, some sign of smoke and flame. It looks as if the shot itself may have deflected off a similarly glimmering hull, but caught one of the sails.

It's also useful as it causes one of his compatriots to squawk in objection and turn to deliver a quick cuff of a blow, to bring him back to his senses.

Otherwise, the opening volleys trade, although not to the overall favor of the ship. The Lemurians are good shots, although gravity is fundamentally against them here. Still, they score hits, bird-men giving caws of pain and falling back or dropping toward the water. Tabitha's first bomb, likewise, catches them unawares, exploding and stunning several, sending them plummeting. They are more cautious of the subsequent ones, however, demonstrating great agility in the air.

And then, well, the Lemurian ship... well, it's getting lasered. Which immediately puts them in a bad spot. One rakes along the deck, sending the archers scattering and scoring a black mark where it passes. Several others pierce the sails, setting off fires.

Then Rogue hits them! She's able to blast through the loose formation, making them tumble out of her way. One swipes at her with a mace, and several do follow!

Then that great angel pops into view, and the reactions are... well, quite something. Many of the Aerians halt in midflight, hovering and gesticulating, pointing at the apparition and squawking back and forth in their language. There's clearly some kind of debate here, something the image has set off. What exactly? Who can say!

Emma Frost has posed:
Wait, they're arguing. Not running in fear. Not getting enraged. At least.. Not from the projection itself. They're arguing with one another. Emma Frost goes to close her eyes and starts to pull things. At this range, with the limitations on their powers, she can't get exactly what it is. But there's enough to get the big parts.

"Religion, lovely." Nice to see that some things were universal, even in the mutated dinosaur land. <<They're having an argument about religion, darlings. Very good inspiration Marie-Ange.>> Emma's tone telepathically approving.

<<A bit of religious awe and reverance, some that have dropped or abandoned thier faith.. Something recent. So some sort of recent circumstance and has left rawness. But not enough of a schism that they're not casting one another asunder. So some sort of recent event or exposure? Perhpas related to whatever got htem these weapons in the first place>>

Because obviously 'floating fairytale castle an dkidnapped princess' was hardly memorable on this end of the world.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
The biggest thing the flashbombs Tabby lofts up are able to do is not do any major physical damage to anyone, no scorching or blast wave trauma. They do however do a number on hearing and eyesight and a hell of a lot of discombobulation on one's inner ears.

So when she starts increasing the number of bombs. Even easier when the bird people start hovering and arguing. "Maybe they'll think these bombs are holy light smiting them cause blasphemy!" she says hopefully. Moving as many of the flasgbangs in and around the flying argument as possible, timing the detonmations randomy so they never know which way to retreat. "I could probably set their boat on fire Storm. But kinda gotta get these lasers to not fire while I do it. Need the concentration for anything bigger than these, and these are non lethal. Usually!" she yells up as Ororo flies around with Rogue above.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Glory breaks above them in the form of an angel, making her small against its majesty. Arms spread wide, the Mistress of Storms embraces the sky. Around her, the temperature chills as she creates an imbalance in the local weather.

She meets resistance. A power greater than her own holds the natural world in stasis. Despite the cold, sweat breaks out on her forehead as she calls on her reserves, trying to overcome the unnatural block in the elements.

<<It looks like Plan B. I can't capsize their ship.>> she broadcasts.

Temperatures return to normal as Ororo decides on other tactics. She can generate small gusts of wind to make steering the enemy's boat a trial. She slaps the air and sends a gust of wind that sucks the air out of their sails, breaking lines with satisfying results. The boat rocks as it loses headway.

Rising higher, lightening snaps and crackles around her fists. She snaps an orb of electricity at the main forward sail, and a second one at the ship's wheel.

Rogue has posed:
The flail that is sent swinging at Rogue, attempts to behead her as she flies by their flock. But Rogue's 7th Sense alerts her in time, and she ducks beneath it, only to have that winged bird-man race after her! Swooping down out of the sky, the Belle flies back toward the ship with her own people aboard it, the few birds chasing her in hot pursuit! There comes energy blasts out the opposite side, splashing in to the water, as the chasers continue to shoot at her, and she bobs and weaves away from it!

From above, the flail-armed one comes down upon her, tackling her in mid-air, and the two sweep behind the boat's aft!

On the other side of the boat, a few seconds later, Rogue reappears, and the bird-man who'd tackled her is sent lifelessly flailing down in to the water with a splooosh.

Rogue flies upward now, and from behind her, two feathery wings burst out on either side of her shoulders! She absorbed the bird man, and now holds his brightly colored wings all her own, extending up out of the low-scooped neckline of her shirt, the Belle just flies up even faster now as the wings grow larger, and begin to sweep around her.

Rogue hovers high in the air again, her new wings spread out far and wide, as they grow to their full size, and the large feathers are spread out with the flexing of the newly gained muscles. Rogue glances over her shoulder, then grins and leans forward again, her fists coming out as she flies down toward her attackers once more, this time moving in to throw some punches!

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie sits, and watches, almost seeming like she's in a trance though anyone watching her might see small movements that aren't just the motion of the craft reflected in her shifts; head drifting to follow her creation as it flies, green eyes intently focused. The blast that scored the deck wasn't that far from her position; she doesn't move. Her complete focus is on her creation.

Thankfully, it seems to be having an even better effect than she expected. <<Is that so? Perhaps I can aide in that... discussion.>> Marie decides. Since it's not currently being targetted, the angelic creature stops flying as haphazardly as before. Instead, it stops to hover in mid-air, and simply extends an arm, and a finger from the attached hand in the direction of the Aerian boat. Marie might not speak Aerian, but she can certainly hope the creatures that share her religious iconography might understand the body language suggesting they return home rather than press on their attack!

...and, of course, should they begin to open fire? It's back to evasive maneuvers once again. Marie can try the diplomatic approach first, though!

Jean Grey has posed:
The angel gestures for a retreat. Or at least, it points back at their boat. How this is interpreted is unclear. More squawks! Tabitha is able to take advantage of the religious debate, however, with another flash explosion! It drops several all at once, clustered and unprepared, but those not close seem reminded that there are less theological concerns at hand.

Despite losses, the attacking force is decidedly larger, and swift on their wings. By now, a number make it to the ship, swooping down with their more traditional weapons. Tabitha is made a target in particular, beset by the mace of one and the swooping talon-feet of another!

As Ororo focuses in assaulting the rival ship directly, stopping it dead in the water with unfriendly winds and another burning sail, she's soon met by a smaller squadron, trailing like a reserve. They are far fewer in number, but unique in one regard: among them, a large bat-like creature, bearing a rider with a mane of long, dark hair. Why a mount? Well, the rider doesn't have wings. "He's found a cabal of witches to do his work!" she shouts, voice loud and clear, and strangely comprehensible to them, in the same way as many of the odd languages have been. Maybe some other strange working of the place? Regardless, her accent is decidedly Lemurian, and points a brandished blade at Ororo!

"Destroy her first!" Which prompts several of her escorts to aim their rifles, and open fire!

Back on the ship, things fall ever more into chaos. Several more land on the poop deck (thats what it's called!). The helmsan is beset first, quickly overwhelmed. But another lunges at Jean, and she looks around with a panic, before reaching out to pull a weapon (dropped by a Lemurian? one of the birds? who knows) through the air and into her hand just in time to lift it for a parry. She's not Kurt, though. The effort is an awkward effort at self defense, but works only because of the sudden surprise of it!

The fact that she's resorted to it must mean her powers are really on the fritz! But neither are Emma or Marie safe at this point, even if their 'magics' are less obvious. And things are going badly, in raw numbers.

Emma Frost has posed:
And they're being boarded. Oh, lovely, this is going just like a movie. And they need to make it a -proper- one is Cary Euwes or even better Errol Flynn. Emma very calmly goes to speak out, "Marie-Ange, get to cover so you can keep things up. I'll protect you." And then as one of the bird-men goes to charge at her, Emma goes to calmly duck to the side. Her ankle kicks up, moving to hit the Aerian on the knee to slam him down and a quick stomp goes to relieve him of his sword. She moves to pick it up, swings it a couple of times to get the balance of it.. And then walks cleanly over into the melee. These are brutish, flying pirates. Emma Frost is a far too rich woman that went to a boarding school for the hoitie-toitie and was roommates with Janet Van Dyne for awhile. Emma walks casually over towards two of them moving to engage one of the crew and slashes with the blade.
    A quick strike,a feint, designed to get attention on her away from the pressured Lemurian. Then she goes as the two flank her for a series of quick, rapid strikes. They're veteran pirates, marauders, and what have you that have lived a hard life in the mutated ancient jungle.
    Emma Frost survived boarding school. Which included such banal things as equestrian riding, etiquette.. And for the first time in her life a bit of usefulness..

    Fencing.
    A few quick slashes, and then Emma goes to pluck out a hat that had been slashed from one point over in the melee, puts it upon her head, and advances. "En garde." A casual sneer as Emma shows a rare, rare open moment of sadistic glee that doesn't involve her ripping someone's mind apart. Come Hell or High Water, these pirates will fall into the dark waters..

Tabitha Smith has posed:
"CRAPBASKETS!"

Tabitha is about to have a really bad time. With the way the Savage Land seems to affect powers. Tabitha had to concentrate to get those bombs flying where she wanted them. Even low powered.

With the attack finally becoming a boarding action she has to physically fight.

Not easy when your right arm is in a sling and still hurts. "Crap! Crap crap crap!" she yells more as she tries to defend herself. Well she has to improvide. Big honking maces she cannot block eben with a weapon, and bird talon feet claws are going to leave their mark.

Which it does as she gets bowled over tring to dodge the mase, landing on her bad arm with a very painful scream. The other Aerian pirate's foot landing on her chest and digging claws in with more grunts and pain from Boom-Boom.

There's no bomb but that bird might wish it was with the retaliation. A roll of her spine that maybe leaves deeper scratches in her abdomen while the heel of Tabitha's dinoskin boot shoves upwards.

Straight at the bird's cloaca!

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Bullets zing through the air around Ororo. Almost too late, she sees the patterns around her change. The mounted woman points at her and something burns in her thigh. The Weather Witch loses altitude as she gathers herself for another assault, too fixed on stopping their attacker to feel the blood stain her white leathers.

Taking deep breaths, she forms an orb of lightning. Concentrated on the only mounted rider among the attackers, Ororo thrusts the orb at the rider and feels a foot trail in a wave as she loses altitude. In a last ditch effort, she makes for their ship.

Rogue has posed:
Back on the deck now, Rogue has a flail in hand. She whacks one of the Aerians with it on the back of the head, then turns around and throws it in to the face of another. With two more landing on the deck with their fancy pants laser guns, the Belle reaches for her holstered weapon, draws it and quickfires two shots, one at each of them.

She holds her gun up for a second then. "Ugh, I hate these things." She says before turning to aim the pistol down the deck to fire two more shots off at more of the attackers.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
As the Lemurian boat is boarded and the danger surrounding them continues to rise, getting to cover would, in fact, be a wonderful idea. Unfortunately for Marie, the vast majority of her motor functions at the moment are tied up in controlling the angelic manifestation. Getting up would likely entail letting it dissapate -- which would ruin the apparent 'reality' of the illusion -- or let it quite literally fall out of the sky. That's not likely to have the best effect.

However... they're also being overwhelmed very quickly. The opposing force has backup, and they do not. So forced to choose between the options of retreat and survival or continuing the farce and potential doom? Well.

The angelic creature vanishes into the ethers as Marie drops the summoning, trying to get to her feet and make a dash to get herself below decks. Taking swords to a gunfight doesn't seem like th e best idea right now... nor does drawing attention to the idea that her cards are directly linked to her abilities. The more mundane they can look right now, the better, which is why the Temperance card is going to go into the middle of the deck to try and avoid that familiarity should it be searched!

Jean Grey has posed:
Ororo has a moment to decide. In the chaos, under attack, she does what she must, casting a powerful blast toward her target. It strikes true.

Around the rider's neck hangs a talisman of a sorts. It is similar to much of the jewelry they've seen in Lemuria, though not precisely the same. A difference in style, an /older/ craft. As the bolt strikes, it glows brightly. "Not today witch. I am Leanne of Lemuria, Queen by birth and right, and inheritor of great Atlantis. In their name, I rebuke you! Your sorcery pales before that of my ancestors!"

True or not, in the moment, the boast seems to hold. The blast is absorbed, she and her mount unharmed. And since she has given up her chance at defense for this last barrage, Ororo is struck, and soon falls. But perhaps there is something in her bearing, that speaks to her royal foe: she is not left to plummet into the sea to die an ignominious witch's end. Instead, Leanne guides her strange batlike mount into a dive, and swoops to catch Ororo midair.

To the X-Men on the ship, the fall of their mighty teammate, a goddess in her own right, may be something of an omen. The second wave flies in, and beneath the banner Leanne's raised sword - and that of a single Aerian who rises to fly beside her, with his own weapon brandished - their forces cheer and rally, bolstered by their rightful cause.

It's bound to be confusing. Are the X-Men the baddies?

On the ship, they defend themselves, but they can feel the tides change. Tabitha earns a very undignified SQUAWK from her assailant, but is struck by another a moment later, her vision going hazy. Emma duels one for a few moments, driving it back. Yet her dilettante skills do not hold up under pressure. She's wrong about one thing. These are not seasoned pirates, marauders: but they are an elite guard, a sworn featherhood (sure we'll say that's a word). And after another parry and thrust she feels her foe's blade slide around hers in a twisting maneuver and then jerk to rip the weapon from her hand. Soon, there's a blade-tip at her throat, demanding surrender.

At the end of it, Rogue is the only threat standing free. In these melees, she is still a titan, and few stand a chance. Yet after a few last shots, she'll find herself surrounded, guns aimed at her from every direction. Does she make a glorious last stand, taking as many of them down with her as she can? Jean, by then, is on the ground on the poop deck, a talon'ed foot on her back. She can see them around Rogue and can only manage a weak, almost desperate, <<Please, don't...>>

And Marie-Ange hides! Successfully at that. Perhaps the most cunning course.

Regardless, in moments, the Lemurian ship is fully boarded, the crew pacified. Two of the bird-soldiers drag the captain toward the center of the ship, where that bat-thing flaps down to a landing. It deposits Ororo, while the Queen dismounts. "Captain Levalle, you disappoint me," she offers, disappointment in her tone. "To follow orders is one thing, but to consort with this lot? Is this what Lemuria stoops to? To the use of mercenary, outlander sorcery?"

Rogue has posed:
Rogue pulls the hammer back on her pistol as she aims down sights, but soon she realizes she's surrounded on all sides and as she holds the gun aimed outward, she just shifts her weight from one foot to the other. She looks left, looks right, an angry expression on her face, an expression not all that unlike that of Logan, who incidently is responsible for a lot of her hand to hand combat training in the Danger Room...

Finally though, Rogue looks to her friends who are down and out across the ship. She looks to Jean looking at her, and that's when she drops the hammer back in to place on the gun and lets it fall to the ground.

Rogue's hands go to her hips, and she just shows a smile to the would-be-captors encircling her now. "Ya'll know how t'throw a party, I see..." She says in a low, sultry tone of voice. When they all move in on her, Rogue sweeps her eyes around at each one of them.

And then she starts throwing punches again!

Whap! Bam! Boom! Bing!

The new-gained wings she has acquired spread out around her to act as shields from some of those attackers who are undoubtedly trying to subdue her now, but Rogue just responds by letting them. Her gloves are ripped off, and her hands are going out to touch as many of them as she possibly can place her bare skinned grasp on to!

All the while, she's just screaming, roaring, shouting unholy obscenities!

She's not one to surrender, she's not one to quit, or to give up!

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie understands that sometimes, retreat really is the better part of valor and that it's not just a claim made by cowards. She understands the limits of her powers. The overwhelming forces around them and that some of theirs have already been taken down. Staying and fighting, only to be captured along the rest of the group?

The seer suspects her best value to the group might actually be as a rogue agent right now. So hiding is her goal, with the intention of staying hidden until she might be able to do something to secure her friends' freedom.

So she finds a place that she can at least try to lay low, whispers a soft prayer under her breath and closes her eyes. <<Be safe, my friends.>> she thinks; unaware if there's anyone 'listening' to her thoughts right now, but putting the wish out into the ether nonetheless.

Jean Grey has posed:
Fortunately, Rogue lays down the gun, and consequently doesn't get shot full of holes. Jean would be proud (not to mention relieved).

But in true Rogue-ly fashion, this isn't to say she makes it easy for the rest, making them -work- to subdue her. Unfortunately, plenty of them have other kinds of weapons, and a bonk on the head doesn't trigger the life-drain. Heroic, fearsome, unrelenting, Rogue gives a fight that will surely become one of Aerian legend, before she's bludgeoned unconscious. The 'Taker of Wings,' they'll call her, telling their hatchlings how they were there that day, maybe even boasting they were the one who finally brought her down (in truth, it took the better part of a dozen of them).

Leanne watches the whole display with fascination, as does the Aerian at her side. "Fascinating. The outlanders are mighty, and possess strange abilities." Then she looks up and around, at the damage to the ship. "Unfortunately, both our vessels are in poor condition after the exchange. It will take time to get under-way."

During the time involved, Marie will have her spy's view of the whole affair. The Aerians, to their credit, are just captors. Flyers are sent out first, to bring word to their ship and identify any survivors in the water. A few more of the large bats are used for rescue operations. The Lemurian crew are forced into making what immediate repairs are possible, and the X-Men (along with the Captain) are tied to the masts - in view of the Queen, who takes her place at the aftcastle. After this, the Lemurian ship, when it is able to limp along, is set to rendezvous with their own, and the two proceed. For those still conscious above, and perhaps through telepathic contact to Marie-Ange below, one fact is soon apparent:

They don't make sail for the Aerian spire... but the other direction, down the coast. Toward the territory of the Pterons.