The docks beneath her had erupted into total Anarchy. The little spider had just enough time for the sarcastic thought that
this should be a Sunberth city sport. It so exhibits the true personality of the city , before the she noticed the man trying to snatch her from her perch. She was mostly defenseless on the post especially since she didn’t care any weapons. Crawling up to the absolute top she looked down into the eyes of the man trying to snatch her cloak. It didn’t leave much time for thinking. Pulling her boots from around her neck where she kept them, laces tied together, while she climbed.
Tugging on one lace to pull it farther out of the boot, the length roughly long enough for her to strangle a man with, Shai hopped down right on to the mans shoulders microscopic hooks instead form her flesh to balance the spider woman. She didn’t stay long though, hoping the first of the way down on the ground Shai landed behind her assailant. Whipping around to face her attacker’s back the thief quickly lifted her make-shift garrote over the man’s head. Pulling tight and cross the long lace behind his neck Shai held on for dear life, waiting for the man’s struggles to cease.
It only took a few bucks before the spider knew it would be to slow and standing behind him like this left her back exposed. Letting the lace go slack by removing her right hand, the same claw came up and shredded the side of the man’s neck. Flesh was soft and blood loss slowed a human much quicker than air loss as she had just learned. Tossing the tied boots back around the back of her neck, Shai stored her footwear again.
With the man down the little spider spun looking for the closest escape route. The mob around her was in chaos the only direction she could really discern was the sea and by proxy the way directly away from the sea. There seemed to be more of crowd away the ocean so the spider made a split second choice and sprinted for the shore.
As much as the lithe woman wished to have gone unnoticed, she didn’t. The first behemoth the reached for her was a quick evasion. Her lunged as if to snatch her up and she ducked beneath his arms and kept on running, never even looking back. The next man was smarter; he waited until the Symenestra ran past him and grabbed onto her braid. Yanking the woman back into him.
Shai let out a yelp of pain and surprise followed by a grunt as she hit the goon’s form. Turning herself around while the thug still held the end of her braid wasn’t incredibly difficult, her hair was long. Without taking time to size up the man she aimed a shot as his groin. Using her shin she connected with his jewels. With amazing alacrity the man released her braid and doubled over. Shai didn’t stick around to learn more she took off towards the docks again. The riot seemed to extend right to the docks where men were being thrown off either side and down in the water.
Hopping on the round flats of the beams supporting the dock Shai managed to avoid most of the rioters. Her feet kept her grounded on the wood so the few errant shoves didn’t send her into the icy water through which she couldn’t swim anyways. Finally making it to the ship Shai dove and land into a forward summersault. Scrambling to her feet she scaled up the mast.
From her new perch Shai could get an overview of the mass of writhing bodies. There was no way she could make it back into the city, at least not directly. Looking around she noticed that there were several over ships in port including the one that sailors were still trying to douse the flames on. She certainly wasn’t going in that direction. But in the opposite direction, south, she saw a path that might get her to safety. It wasn’t a safe route by any means but definitely better than trying to brave the mob.
Ascending the mast all the way to the base of the crow’s nest Shai eyed the distance between herself and the strange rope net rigging that she didn’t really understand the purpose for. It was only about four feet, just beyond her reach but there was no safety net to catch her. Bunching up her limbs she sprung out grasping for the ropes. The first rope she snatched snapped beneath the pressure of her claws but her left hand managed to palm the cord. A strong jerk against her shoulder made her certain she’d pulled a muscle as her weight settled against her one arm, it would certainly hurt in the morning. Reaching out her right hand she clutched the net for a second point of contact and then swinging her feet was simple.
Sliding and twisting her body she managed to maneuver through one of the large squares of the net and get herself on to the topside. From here the next leg of journey was a long rope running the length of the beam supporting the sail. This wasn’t even a stretch, she moved from the net onto the rope with ease and hanging upside down she scaled the length of the rope. It would have be quite a spectacle if every sane mind within six cities blocks wasn’t watching out for their own hide already.
At the end of the rope she swung her legs up around the beam holding the sail and then curled her body up and twisted herself into a sitting position on top of the beam. Jumping up into a crouch on the beam Shai tried not to let her fear touch her. The next leap was at least twelve feet but the target was the adjacent ship’s sail. It was a large, soft target. Standing up straight on the beam, one foot lined up in front of the other, Shai took a few quick steps back. Such a feat of balance really meant nothing to Symenestra, their streets were little more than this beam and they had no concept of human balance. Why would they need it when they had their racial abilities? Shai took a deep breath and then ran forward.
At the very last inch of beam Shai flung herself, from the running jump, towards the open sail. Flying through midair only momentarily time seemed to slow as adrenaline hit her veins. This was stupid. And exhilarating. It felt like being home for only a moment, a deadly abyss the only thing beneath you. All too soon Shai landed against the sail sending it flapping. Scurrying up to the sheet of canvas Shai pulled herself onto a similar beam as the last ship. Repeating her maneuvers she moved this way over four different ships until she finally came to the last one in the row, it was the end of the line.
Luckily, looking back towards the shore she realized this docking point was on the periphery of the mob. Slipping down the mast, Shai made sure to be extremely quiet. Using only the balls of her feet so her steps didn’t slap against the wood and moving with the sound of creaking rigging so her cloak’s quiet rustling didn’t alert anyone to her presence, the spider slowly descended from the mast. Creeping along the deck on all fours, she kept low and in the shadows provided by the mast and sail against the moonlight. It was the best she could manage and as car as she could tell she was silent in her journey to the ship’s railings. Slinking over the rails she slipped down the side of the ship using her hooks to keep from falling off the curved hull.
Climbing down the surface, that for any human would be an impossible feat, Shai managed to get back down to the dock. From here it was a straight shot, down the dock she ran along the sea slick planks. Dodging around two brawling men she managed to reach solid land again. Taking no chance Shai bolted straight south and as soon as the first alleyway appeared on her right she dove for the safety of it's shadows. Scampering up the cold brick wall the little spider made her escape from the dock’s riot.
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)) But like always feel free to think of a substitute or take it away completely. Also can I get some scars here? Darik just got his ass whooped.
