The return of a Pirate and a Father.

[Mordin]

Searing 2nd, 122 The morning sun was still sitting fairly low in the sky. Painting the Crystal sea with golden light as the Krakens Reach slowly made its way into port. Boots thundering against the wooden dock and voices joined together in song as the crew made way. Each doing their part to prepare for docking and the eventual job they would have to do after. The crew of the Reach was a spattering of humanoids. Everything from Orks to Humans ran about making their calls and buzzing with joyous thoughts of drinking and the like. Standing on the helm, cloak covering his body was the frame of the Captain. One hand on the wheel, showing off most of his muscled arm and the other brushing through his beard. While a cloak hid the majority of his body from the rest of the world.

Though not a modest man, Mordin preferred to keep himself mostly covered when at sea. Aside from being ten feet tall, he thought that it gave him an advantage while negotiating opposing captains' surrender. Though now that he was home after a long thirteen years, the cloak would most likely be stowed away. So that his body may feel the warmth of the Ecith Sun energizing his body. The Ork had been to many places over his life. But none of them felt like home quite like Ecith.

"We are coming into port. I expect you all to be your best." The first mate called over the crew. The muscular Ork woman with a wide grin painted over her face as she moved with the crew. Grabbing the wheel with both hands as he prepared to pull his ship along the wooden pier that would make for their walkway. He was a skilled captain. The ship was just an extension of himself and he was more than comfortable behind the wheel. Ecith’s dock was one of the places he called home and as such he had effectively mastered the art of docking in her bay.

And soon enough the ship was in place. Rope thrown down to the dock and tied off as the anchor was dropped. The gangway was placed for them to disembark. A thirteen year Jernery had come to an end as the Captain slowly made his way back to solid ground. Many of the crew began to unload their wares and stock was being taken. But Mordin wasn’t needed for that. His crew had been trained long enough to be able to handle it on their own. And as such, he made way with a sack in hand.

Making his way to the office like buildings on the docks. Before entering and thumping the bag down on the counter. A prideful grin overtaking his stoic face. Breaking through the rough exterior that he put forward. Tusks proudly on display as he opened the bag. Showing the Imperial flags and captain's insignia that rest within. Each torn and some covered in blood, symbols of victory for the last 13 years. ”Was out longer than I expected but here they are.” His voice loud and deep as he shoved them towards the counter keeper. Leaving but a few moments later with his pay. Making his way back to his ship, he handed the bag of coins to his quartermaster and gave them a mod. ”Take what's needed for repairs and then pass the rest about.” After speaking to a few more of his crew. He turned from the docks and made his way further into the city proper.

[Mirza]

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Mirza did not usually awaken with the sun, but when the orange had stolen from the sky and it was blue or grey with clouds - whatever weather had come. It was rare that she was interrupted in sleep, and yet the curtains that hung over her window were thrown open and the Lysanrin blinked as the early morning sun flooded in. Her mother stood at the window, chewing her lip. Her apartment was high up the mountain, high enough to see far across the city.

"Come. Look." Were simple instructions from the dragon, but Mirza took her time to roll out of bed. She did not have as keen eyesight as her mother, but she stood by the window and stared across Drathera, her eyes raking the scene for what she was supposed to see. Finally, her gaze rested on the docks, and the ships that rested there. Only one was overly familiar.

Mirza shut the curtain. "Could you wake up Niko?" She asked, not even looking at her mother as she turned to find something to dress herself in. "Tell him there's someone he ought to meet."

-

The nearly eight foot tall boy walked behind Mirza and stretched his arms skyward with a yawn. An air of nervousness was about him, as it was rare he was directly commanded to do something. Mirza, truth be told, was not sure when this day would come, but with their long lives, thirteen, almost fourteen years was a blink of the eye. Unfortunately, now she had to set petty rivalries aside, at least for a moment.

Mordin did not have to walk far into Drathera before Mirza was standing before him, their son in tow. She had to crane her neck up at the man, as did Niko - but not for long, at this rate he was growing, but the expression on her face was enough to stop anyone in their tracks.

Niko had not gone fatherless. In the Ecithian way, he was raised by more than just his mother, and his father figures extended from the man who took him fishing and swimming in the Crystal Sea to the man who trained him. He had never been in want. The boy watched Mordin from behind her still, having inherited some of her shyness.

"You're finally back," she started, with little introduction or fanfare, and then she looked over her shoulder at the lanky boy behind her. "Niko, this is your father." Her head turned back to Mordin. "And this, Mordin, is your son."

[Mordin]

Searing 2nd, 122 As he walked, his mind wandered about the many things that he would need to do. The more experienced of his crew would find lodging of their own if they didn't have any to start with. Though there were the least experienced members that he was slightly worried about. But they were capable and adults. He brushed it off and continued on his march. The sound of leather pounding against the ground as a small, redheaded human ran up to him from behind holding a small box. " Captain! Captain! You forgot this!" the human called. Voice cracking ever so slightly as they slid to a stop in front of him. Holding up the box with a wide grin. "Ah. Thank you, Marcus. That will be useful when I have to..." He began to say before hearing the sound of people approaching them. There was many things that Mordin didn't expect when he got back into the city. More so that he hadn't thought about a lot of the logistics about actually coming back. But the thing that he least expected was that Mirza would come and welcome him back so early. Or the fact that she would be flanked by a lanky looking mixed breed. But never the less here she was. Standing in front of him with an ever so menacing look.

One that might fully stop other men in their track. But he was less fearful of it then he probably should have been. Their relationship was complicated. They were friends, but rivals and had be lovers in the past. In all honesty, he wasn't even sure where they really stood. But them dealing with each other was inevitable. He stepped closer to her in defiance to the glare she gave him. Looking down at her with the smug smile on his face. "It is nice to see you to. I wasn't expecting you to be part of the welcome part-" He said before she continued on and introduced the person behind her.

A wave of emotion crashed into Mordin. The Ork's chest tightened and his eyes flicked from her to the boy. There was no denying that while he took after her in many of his features. There was a bit of him that he could see. And he stayed quite. Almost as if he was searching for the right words. But they wouldn't come, or more that there just weren't any words that were right for the situation. He straightened up fully before clearing his voice. He took the box from the redhead and pushed it towards Mirza. "I brought you these back. I do not know if they will even be of use to you. But they are yours if you so choose" His voice grumbling from his throat. If she chose to look in the box, it would be a variety of smaller bones. Trying to crush the overwhelming feeling that was trying to force itself free. He didn't make eye contact with her. Not wanting to give her any ground against him. Though at the moment, he could care less of their petty rivalry.

He stepped slightly to the side. Standing fully in front of Niko now and looking the boy over once again. "I don't know how much your mother has told you about me." He began to speak. His voice swelling with pride. "There is much I can teach you about the sea and as my son, it is my duty to... I have many years to make up for. Had I known, I would have come back sooner." He spoke as if he blamed himself. As if either of them could have known on the day that he set out.

Looking back to Mirza, she would be able to see in his eyes a hint of regret and a whole lot of pride. "You could have sent for me." His voice was clear now. As if he had momentarily pushed back the torrent of feelings. "This maybe as good a time as any. I won't be returning out to the deep sea any time soon. At least not for more than a few days at a time." Turning his attention back towards Niko. His flesh and blood standing in front of him. His only blood that he knew that still remained in the city.

[Mirza]

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Mirza accepted the box, though her intense gaze did not leave Mordin for another moment before she opened it up. A box of small bones. Fingers, vertebrae, human teeth, a couple shark teeth, and even the jaw of a human man that looked diminutive in her hand. She closed the box and held it in one hand, quiet for a moment

"You brought me souvenirs." There was a hint of emotion in her voice, even appreciation if he listened hard enough. Bones were gift enough for her, and she could scrawl the magic if Necromancy into them and see what they told her.

Niko watched Mordin, still digesting the tiny human who had flagged down Mordin. Suddenly, he was beaming. "He's a captain?" The question was directed towards Mirza, and then he looked back at Mordin. "Do you raid Imperials? You have a ship? Can I see it? Can I go on it? Is it big?" The questions came rapid-fire, and Mirza's expression finally softened.

"I knew you'd be back. There was no rush. He will live as long as we will — my mother says he's got just as much dragon in him." As she spoke, Niko hugged Mordin, clearly having inherited little of the distant attitude from his mother. She extended a hand and ruffled Niko's hair while he still had Mordin trapped in the hug. Their son looked like them both, with Mirza's scales and Mirza's nose and Mirza's horns and thick black hair. But his scales looked navy-blue in direct sunlight, and his skin leaned towards a mauve more than dark red, and he had a tail that matched Mordin's, but black in color. With his already tall height, she could only assume he'd be eight feet tall by the end of the year, and maybe reach towards nine. He pulled back and grabbed Mordin's hand, as if to inspect for webbing. He was immensely pleased to find that they both possessed webbed fingers.

"He's old enough now. If you're going to stay in Drathera, perhaps you can teach him your ways. It has taken me everything to keep him from sneaking aboard one boat or another and disappearing ever since he was only waist high." He seemed only barely taller than Mordin's waist, even at nearly eight feet tall, and the two of them towered over Mirza. While her mother had pushed for grandchildren for over a century before Niko, Mirza had refused for fear of watching a child grow and die before her. With Mordin, if anything was different, it was because she knew that there was a good chance the child would live as long as her.

[Mordin]

Searing 2nd, 122 A grin on his face. "Well of course. It wouldn't have been right to not bring something back." Marcus stood behind the large dragonborn. Almost perfectly hidden as he looked at the other two from behind his Captain. "Is this Mirza? the one that you were talking about?" the lad asked, looking up towards Mordin. Who answered with a nod. "Aye. Mirza this is Marcus. I found him on my voyage and well. I took him in." he said simply. Because for him it was just that. Marcus' former father didn't put up much of a fight. Not that he could have to begin with and as far as Mordin was concerned Marcus was just his son. Well one of them.

He returned his gaze to Niko before being berated with a line of questions. "I do NIko. That is where I have been for the last thirteen years. Raiding the bastards and helping wherever else I was needed. I do, you can, of course and I would say so." He answered as quickly as they came. A sense of pride and excitement at Nikos interest in the sea life and what came with it. A quick flick of the eyes towards Mirza, seeing the soften expression, before returning to Niko. Meeting the young one with a hug of his own. "Aye, I'd say that's the case just by looking at him.. I wasn't sure that I'd ever have a blood child or if it would be possible for us." He said in a curious tone.

"But regardless, I would be honored to teach you the ways of the sea. Maybe one day you'll get your own ship" He said with a hearty laugh. The stories of him sneaking aboard ships and disappearing reminded him of his own childhood.

He lifted Niko up in a hug before setting the boy back down and returning his gaze to Mirza. "I am sure that your mother is happy to finally have more family. Though maybe she isn't as happy that I was the one it happened with. Or that I have returned." He chuckled and shrugged. "Marcus is in the middle of training as well and I am sure that everyone in the crew would be happy to share their knowledge." It was more of a fact then a question. Those that hadn't been born on Ecith had quickly come about to their ways. Everyone helped everyone and treated each other as family. The extension would be give to Niko, and Mirza, if they so chose to take it.