#darkgatefortress

SHe looks for a way to get across - ropes perhaps?

And the first mate calls out "Satyr in the hole"

"We often are," Shi declares

The hopscotch seizes them as a group, Piper included. Apparetnly with the gun removed, they figured leaping into danger was okay!

They land next to the gun man who was staring at the water where the 'snake' went

Piper winds up and gives him a HOOFBOOT to the rear

"If he can't swim, that's his own problem."

Over the side he goes, splashing into the ocean in confusion, the veil is now shot, but their main threat seemed to be that fellow, at least immediately.

The rat leaps off to the ground and goes around a corner, perhaps looking for the children.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist." Sheepish.

"What is all that yelling? You're killing the mood my friend" The man who peeks his head is handsome, and dressed in a designer shirt worth more than Piper will make busking and performing in a year.

Shi punches him in the nose as his head appears then says "I understand that a lot."

The rich passenger gasps back, nose bloody. "HELP!"

Piper tries to slip past him into the room as he's distracted by Shi

And so she does... she arrives in the ship's interior, this particular room has an older man in a very nice suit... the tie removed, and a trembling ten year old wearing far too much make up which is currently tear smeared. She has a dress , looks like her left shoulder has been bared but the rest hasn't come off ... yet.

They are sharing a luxury sofa

Piper doesn't hesitate. She lowers her head and charges at the man.

Her horns may be small and cute, but they are still sharp

And even mortally, well... Jonas did tell her she's hard headed the other day.

This fellow is no combatant, and is a sitting target. PIper rams her head into the man's chest enchanting him, and draws her horns back. Chimerically he's bleeding, and in a world of pure imagination... if one imagines a horned creature of legend full of rage!

"What? No... I ... how? "

He claws at his chest. The girl's eyes are widen, but there is something in her eyes as this CRAZY woman leaps in and slams the fellow with her head.. hope.

Piper turns and gives him a back-kick to the midsection. Stomach, groin, she doesn't care.

Piper is not , by nature, a combatant. Her wrestling is mostly with Jonas and Siv in the bedroom, but she did, at one time, run with a rougher crowd, and Siv has insisted Piper remember how to take care of herself. Piper's wife's nagging to stay skilled pays off as she kicks the monster in the groin and sends him into a bent over position.

Anchorfist comes in, the first mate troll noting the situation and volunteering "Want me to hold im for you?"

The girl's eyes widen in new fear as a man she does not know has entered

"Please."

She looks to the girl, and her expression softens. "He won't hurt you. Not now, not ever. "
Realizing she means Anchorfist, she reaches and touches the girl's forehead lightly, with a bit of glamour. "Anyone you see today who looks like us? Consider us... avenging spirits. We are here to save you and punish them."

A pause, and she offers, "You don't have to watch. But you can if it makes you feel better." She cracks her knuckles.

And Anchorfist does grab the man, holding him still

(revised after re-reading)

The girl's eyes light up with wonder and then she says "I want to watch." Oh, some innocence is lost but how could it not be

A vicious smile. "You point, I hit." Piper's fists are small, but that just means it takes longer. And she does, she punches wherever the girl indicates. With vigor.

It takes five or six punches, but the man passes out and is a bruised mess. It is POSSIBLE the troll squeezed a bit harder during this too

"It's too soon for Christmas " The girl says to herself

Piper wipes her hands on the man's shirt, then checks him for a wallet - emptying it. "Christmas came early. Do you want to see a magical ship that can talk?"

But looks at the downed man with satisfaction "I would.. and.. thank you. No one is going to believe me. The KRampus is a GIRL, and she has the naughty list!"

"It's.." Wait, Siv told her ships are female! "HER name is the Rimrunner."

Piper blinks at this, then GRINS. "And I'm going to carry you away, but not in a sack to be switched. We'll talk about where you want to go after we finish here." A grave look now. "How many?" As she gently fixes the girl's sleeve to cover her shoulder.

"Six of us... three of us are still downstairs, to swap when... when the bad men want them fresh" She swallows trying to be brave "You'll save them too yes?"

"Yes. Will you go with my friend here? He's big, and he might seem scary, but these blue fellows are as honorable as they come, and he will keep you safe. True blue." She crosses her heart.

A fond smile to Anchorfist, though he can sense that perhaps she has another troll in mind when she looks at him.

Anchorfist nods "it's true. I take orders from Krampuses"

She nods and bravely, takes Anchorfist's hand with her own trembling one "Thank you,Krampus. Please tell Santa we weren't bad. They MADE us!"

Piper's face goes dark again. "He knows."

She turns, and heads out, looking for other rooms.

She goes into another room and sees that Captain Shi has knocked out a crew member, he looks like his nose is broke. GOod. She nods to her "This room is empty save for the bastards 'just working here and not asking questions'. Try the rear of the ship"

"There's 6 total. Some are downstairs. I... promised them passage. Captain, I'll cover it. I promise."

"No need to cover it" she says "Not on this. "

She just nods and goes looking for a hatch or port downwards.

She finds it, and finds.. two children, one boy, one girl, coming up with Inky leading them this way. Inky says "We're walking, we're walking, leaving this festering hell hole"

Both kids are enchanted. Gawking at the tail and ears of their guide