[Survival!] A Cold and Lonely Beach

[Neil Gow]

[Indeed - I was planning this as a straight up RP and progress scene, but as you have muddied the waters with the mix of messages, strangled Spanish and confused intention, I think I'll make it a CHALLENGE! Its a Diplomacy test for either Hempwick or Carmichael, and I will allow one assist with either Diplomacy, Courtesy or Command (either someone who wants to step up and stand the men down or who will be a smiling face to assist)

If you succeed, you will be welcomed into their busoms. If you fail, you will be taken in .... but it will have an effect later on which could be ... dangerous!

So ... give me any extra cards you think should be going in and who is doing what?]

[Halfbat]

Seeing the wary look on the fishermen's faces, Hempwick tries a different tactic, treating them like Spanish noblemen, apologising for frightening them so badly, and thanking them profusely for their help. Carmichael's men are exhausted, battered and freezing - the fishermen's gracious help is much-needed and welcome - and in the dark they were mistaken for the occupying French.

[Courtesy, I think, backed up by his previous history/reputation with the guerillas.

If Carmichael steps in, Hempwick will support him using the same skills/rep, and making it clear that Carmichael is the officer in charge of the redcoats.]

[Zuki]

Carmicheal nods of the Lieutenant "We should take care, but I think if we show a position of strength, then all should be well...these are simple people but well intentioned I am sure.." he decides to let Hempwick take the lead, offering the odd word of encouragement to the man as he speaks, his spanish is decent enough to convey the words he needs to, though perhaps marks him as a noble a little too easily compared to his fellow officer.

[Ill go with adding my Courtesy of 3 to the draw and though probably not applicable I do have Cosmopolitan which would help in this situation, but its not my roll and Ive already added 3 cards, but maybe it being a trait might affect that]

[ElaineM]

MacNeil relaxes slightly at the Spaniard's words in broken English, but holds a defensive position alongside Fuller and Price until the officers finish their discussions, one way or another.

[w00hoo]

Checking his breathing, Fuller alters his grip on the rifle, keeping his bead but using the rock to brace slightly, his arms starting to tire.

[wraithben]

Price let his gaze drift across the officers and apparent fishermen. Then returned to watching further up the path - it appeared everything was okay, but this was no time to be caught by surprise.

[Neil Gow]

With Hempwick and Carmicheal trying to calm the nerves of the Spanish fishermen and the redcoats poised and ready to intervene of things go wrong...

[ Challenge: Win the trust of the Spanish Fishermen - Card of Fate: 5S.
Six card hand (3 Courtesy, with 3 Courtesy assist) - 9H, JD, QD, JS, QC, AS - 2 Normal Successes
Challenge Successful]

[Feel free to narrate how they look after you, who they are, add in NPC names if necessary. Fill your boots!]

[Halfbat]

[Will do... busy just atm. Success is fine - I had mentioned his reputation with the guerillas/smugglers (+2); I take it that wasn't appropriate?]

[Halfbat]

Hempwick waves the men down. "Stand down! These are friends." He shivers. "<Sirs, we are freezing, shipwrecked, and...>" he gestures to the men in sight "<...in desperate need of shelter, indeed.>" He nods at Mareno. "<I believe I have had the pleasure of your company, before. Off these same rocks, if I am correct. And in very similar circumstances.>"

Mareno lowers his blunderbuss and pears closer at Hempwick. "Hehmpweek! Ah yes." He utters a staccato burst of Spanish at his friends. "<I am sorry. We were concerned lest you were French.>" He introduces his friends with the lights. "<Romero, Sanchez. This is the English capitaine who saved my life two years ago.>" They bow.

Hempwick makes a sweeping bow. "<Glad to make your acquaintance.>" He turns to Carmichael. "<This is my friend, Captain Carmichael. As you can tell, he speaks fluent Spanish, also.>" Another icy blast rips through his coat and he shivers and gasps, involuntarily.

Mareno looks instantly mortified, but gives a wary glance to Carmichael. "Come weeth me, queek. Before you all frees." His English is broken, but tolerable - useful in English-subsidised smuggler circles after all. He sends one of the lantern bearers back to the path. "Follow Romero."

In Spanish he speaks warily to Hempwick and Carmichael "<Is this not the Carmichael of which my sister speaks so longingly?>"

Hempwick smiles to himself and follows Romero up the winding path, hopefully setting an example. "Price, with me! Carmichael, do join me after ... well, afterwards."

[wraithben]

Standing quickly in response to the command, Price slides the bayonet back into his belt. Throwing a wry glance at Snout and MacNeil, he picks up the chest of papers and follows Hempwick up the path, giving Carmichael a respectful nod on the way past.

[w00hoo]

Fuller sees the Spanish turn, apparently friendly and makes the rifle safe, retrieving his own sodden weapon he moves up to the Carmichael, returning the captains firearm. "We up the hill then sir? I'll keep at the back an' make sure we're out alright."

[Zuki]

The Captain nods to Fuller, polishing the butt of his rifle as if from some imagined stain the man had laid upon it. "Indeed, Fall in Men! Lets get out of this Damned rain!" a genuine smile returning to his features, though as the column passes it the sight of the sandbank and its grisly cargo makes his grin falter.

Before long the men approach the more hospitable looking harbour that houses a small fishing village, three or four boats lay on the beach and a handful of ramshackle stucco buildings arrayed around it. Other villagers peer warily at the soldiers as the approach the larger central building, the group keen to get inside to the comparative warmth.

The interior is lit by a roaring fire and a couple of oil lamps, the smell of smoke and sweat permeates the air, but anything is a welcome resbite from the cold outside.

Carmicheal nods to the men "At ease! Try and get yourselves dry and rest up. Ill see what I can do about getting some feed for you all. Oh and Charlesworth! Front and Centre, I might need you in a moment."

It seems his words are somewhat prophetic, at least in terms of the food, as several loaves of bread and smoked fish are brought in and distributed between the men. Simple fare but welcome also in such a situation.

"Senor Mareno, I do remember you...we met at Ovideo did we not? While I was helping Major Fuller with the diplomatic mission..." he looks off whistfully "And how is Rosalinda? Is she still around here?" he glances around the room as if expecting her to be there. Then "Ah! I am forgetting myself, there are more serious matters afoot, what do you know of local french forces, and those of the rebels too?"

[Halfbat]

Stripping off his suturated clothes and hanging them near the fire to dry, Hempwick takes a seat, his hanger beside him, and gratefully accepts a bowl of steaming soup. He pulls the chest closer. His eyes roam around the room, recognising many of the fishermen's faces, and even some of their wives. Rosalinde, though, absent. He shrugged - perhaps she was at home, asleep. Something crosses his mind and he berated himself.

"Price, do dry yourself out, there's a good fellow. But look sharp man - we don't want any untoward surprises."

Unlocking the chest he reaches in to pull out the sealed orders in their oilskin wraps and looks at them thoughtfully. One he waves to Carmichael to catch his eye, and puts it back in the chest; the other he carefully opens, checking the seal, and begins to read....

[ Do insert orders here! Or I'll invent them! ]

[w00hoo]

Snout finds himself a shady corner, stripping off his wet coat he stows it nearby patting absent mindedly at the pocket before remembering he'd already flung the sodden tobacco in disgust. Carefully he starts working on the rifle in an attempt to dry it and looks sidelong at MacNeil before asking in a quiet voice "you trust this lot Sarge? I've bin around ones like this before an' they're a queer lot."

[dpmcalister]

Likewise, Tom, removes his sodden coat and places, as best he can, to dry. He also extracts the pocket knife from the coat, opens the blade, and tests the point against his palm. Satisfied, he proceeds to use it to clean the muck from under his fingernails while walking towards the Captain.