MISSION: GOLD SAILS, RED SKIES, PART 2

[ximilian]

● ● ● M I S S I O N   1 6 . 2

A TOUCHING SEA-UNION • IT'S A PLUNDERFUL LIFE • AT THE KRAKEN OF DAWN • OAR-INSPIRING • FYI

// INTRO. A Touching Sea-union  

The planks that create the walkway up to the deck of The Blue Dawn creak as three sets of footsteps make their way across them: at the front, Lai, leading the way; behind her, Andy, fresh off The Silent Plunder — and behind her, a young woman, her hair in a braid, watching her surroundings like half-expecting an attack at any moment.

“Listen up!”

Lai's voice calls out once the trio have made it to the deck — the moon shines down at them, but the night-owls and early birds may be there to hear the ship’s first mate.

“We’ve got two new crewmates — doesn’t matter where they’ve come from, we’ll treat them like we do everyone. You know the drill. This here’s Andy,” she waves her hand towards the woman, “and — what did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t.”

The young woman walks out from behind Andy, her footsteps eerily silent.

“I was called the Shadow Blade. But you can call me Cian.”

Lai is lightning-fast as she whips around to look at Cian, eyes wide like she is staring at a ghost; from the darkness near the door that leads to the kitchens, a startled yell can be heard, followed by rapid footsteps as a smaller form barrels towards the new arrival.

Cian, seeming as confused as everyone else about what is happening, catches the girl running at her with ease, but her quiet, wondrous breath of “Hivin?” is audible only to those near her.

As the two embrace, it may be easy to guess their relation from their similar appearance — but what their reunion really means for the crew (and for the entire continent) is only evident a week and some days after.

TOP

// PART I.It’s a Plunderful Life  

It is an early morning, and an orange sunrise haloes Captain Rahtar’s hair as she waits on the higher deck for all of the crew to gather around. By her side, Cian and Hivin are already waiting, the older standing nigh motionless while the younger fidgets with a kind of nervous energy.

JILLEH

My loyal crew — some time ago, thanks to what some might call luck and what others might name something more meaningful, we managed to see a family reunited: Hivin has been with us for years, now, and many of you have heard her speak of her lost sister. Let’s rejoice, because she’s no longer lost! Cian is right here, with us.

As if on cue, Cian steps forward, her head held high.

CIAN

My name is Cian Kalain, and this is my little sister, Hivin. A long time ago, she made a promise to Captain Rahtar that if we ever found each other again, she would help her to her goal … a safe place for all those who need it. And if that is what my sister promised, then I will help her keep that promise.

The girls turn to each other, each bringing out what seems to be an elaborately carved metallic object — as they press the two sides one next to the other, the pieces click together, and suddenly a sharp beam of red light shoots from the middle of the object, blending in with the orange sky and painting it red as it lights a way towards the eastern horizon ... towards the mythical island of Dracness.

1.0   On The Blue Dawn, things move fast as soon as the way to the previously-lost island is uncovered: the ship shoots forward at a near-unprecedented speed, one that can be attributed to a favourable wind at their back… or perhaps the skillful use of magic, one that you may be contributing to if you find yourself so inclined — or maybe you’re directing your magical capabilities towards slowing down those who may be trying to follow you to the island.

But if magic is not in your skillset, there is still plenty to do: you can keep the ship on course, prepare for an eventual landing, gather supplies, and of course communicate with your fellow Orbers on the other two ships, to make that sure all of you have a plan for when the island of Dracness very swiftly ceases to be a myth.

2.0   Meanwhile, the second the eastern skyline erupts in red, The Hawking will find their captains on the deck, both visibly brimming with excitement.

BESS

When the sky bleeds red, hoist the sails due east. Right, this is it! The moment we’ve been waiting for… the way to Dracness is finally open!

However, though the twins instruct their crew to set course towards the eastern horizon, their way towards the island is not all smooth sailing, quite literally: it seems that there are particular parts of the ship in need of repair, or perhaps having been repaired but not quite so well — you might be of assistance, here … one way or the other. Or perhaps you’re trying to slow the ship down in other ways — or not, and you’re making preparations for the moment you eventually make it to the island.

3.0   Aboard The Silent Plunder, Captain Greybeard alerts the crew a few hours after sunrise, his voice booming over the deck.

GREYBEARD

Jhin, our trusty tracker, has good news for us! Ever since my treacherous brat fell under the charms of the so-called Ocean Queen, we’ve been tracking her with a spell — just in case, and it seems our efforts have paid off! The Dawn’s off their usual path, and if that means they’ve found the way to the island of riches unmeasured, we’re going to follow… and take it all!

Cheers fill the air, and whether you join them or not, the course is clear: with Jhin calling instructions for the helmsman regarding direction, the Plunder is quickly in pursuit and on the way towards Dracness. However, a few short hours into the day, the sky around you darkens as thunder crackles in the clouds — an entirely ordinary storm, surely… or not, but weather it you have to, regardless. And as rain and hail strike the deck, you have to decide whether to try and escape it inside, or remain a good loyal pirate and help the ship to its destination.

TOP

// PART II.At the Kraken of Dawn  

The clouds part across the blush-pink horizon as the sun begins to set, marking a long journey and the collective efforts of each ship that has now been more or less caught up to speed on the rumoured whereabouts of Dracness.

The island in the sky is, indeed, just that – like a floating mass of land that has found itself suspended far above and past Hhial, hidden by some combination of magic and cloaking that had kept the land safe from prying eyes and sticky fingers. The weather is temperate and just a little brisk, the skies are bright and full of fluffy cumulus clouds, and the nights become clear and lit by the light of the moon.

4.0   Depending on the actions of your crewmates, you may find your arrival on Dracness a smooth ride, a bumpy ride, or a very much delayed one. Eventually, all of the crew will arrive with the captains of their accompanying ship in varying levels of gratification. One thing can be said though: no matter how long it had taken to get here, the arrival is breathtaking and absolutely worth it … but now the race for the treasure (if such a thing exists) begins. You’ll likely be tasked first with unloading the ship, docking it to the floating port as though the sky had the same consistency of the ocean back in Hhial.

Or you may be tasked to start casing the island, and find a place for you and your crew to rest your heads this night before proceeding with a more thorough and full-scale exploration in the morning. Take a crewmate or two along with you, and have your wits about you as well as this is truly uncharted territory as strange things may occur along your trek: you might suddenly find yourself walking a straight path right back to where you’d come from, or you might find yourself following some of your crew to some unknown direction, only to wind up surrounded by trees and plants that skew your sense of direction. And if you listen hard enough, you might even hear the hollow sound of a deep rumbling, like a guttural screech that echoes through the air.

5.0   Dracness is mostly lush, untouched land with forest trees covering most of what your eyes can see from the shore. There are no properly trodden pathways, no real sense that anyone has lived on this island for decades, maybe even centuries. No map will help to guide your way as no one (as far as you know) has ever set foot here before you and your crew. Dracness truly is a small little world of its own. And yet as you manage to make your way further through the thick forest, you’ll eventually come upon a small cluster of robust cottages made from white stone, all of them dark, perhaps uninhabited. The doors are unsurprisingly locked, but they are not impenetrable.

Given how high Dracness is in proximity to the stars and the moon, the overly large shape of it seems brighter here, and its reflective glow illuminates the stonework, making these structures seem to light up from within. At night, your vision is severely hampered by the lack of natural light and perhaps something even darker, aside from the breaks in the trees where beams of moonlight might peek through the shadow; having a torchlight here would be especially useful, and those with magic may want to volunteer your abilities to light the way.

Dracness is very different in the morning. The sun shines brightly above the cloud-cover, brightening the spaces between the trees, turning waterfalls into shining liquid crystal, and bathing the entire island’s forests in warm light. The water is cool and refreshing, and the forest can be foraged for your own breakfast. If you decided to sleep elsewhere and then revisit the locked cottages in the daytime, you’ll find (by peering through the windows, or a good ol’ break-and-enter) that they appear to be furnished with simple, even crude furniture built from the natural resources that seem to be abundant on this island. There are a smattering of silver and gold pieces, some jewelry and silverware, and a scarce collection of old, dusty gowns made from the finest fabrics hanging in the closet.

TOP

// PART III.Oar-Inspiring  

Past the cottages and the forest cover, there is a range of craggy, sharp-rock mountains that are obscured by the cloud cover that surrounds the island, given its altitude. The night had been quiet enough, with just the sounds of the forests and insects chirping to serve as company, but the moment the sun begins to rise, each of the crews and their captains may hear the sounds of echoed screeches coming from the mountain range.

As the morning continues, great jewel-coloured beasts suddenly seem to appear from past the sharp peaks, their spiked tails curling past rock and cliff as the scaled beasts fly and float on wide bat-like wings proportional to their large bodies. They are dragons, with long snouts and clawed legs, each one of them varying in size and, presumably, age.

6.0   It might be fascinating enough to watch as the hoard of dragons slowly wakes up, more and more of them emerging from the mountains to fly around the peaks and soar through the skies. In vibrant red, green, orange, blue, and yellow (among a number of other hues), large dragons can be found amongst smaller ones, the large ones taking the lead while the smaller ones seem content enough to follow. The smaller ones screech and squawk, while one or two of the larger of the hoard quietly lead, swooping towards the trees. The rest stay above, surveying the land below them for breakfast, getting started with their own days – which means it might be in your best interests to remain hidden from view in the event that you would prefer to keep your life and all of your limbs intact. You might want to observe them at a later time, or at the very least immediately after they’ve finished eating, barring those with specific animal handling abilities or no fear of death.

7.0   Once the dragons have been properly fed and relaxed enough to find some ground to roam and lounge on, if you’re curious you may find it the most ideal time to approach these great beasts without guaranteeing that you become their crunchy daytime snack. Depending on how you approach one of the beasts, maybe when it wanders off to explore on its own, maybe once it looks as though it might be settling in for a nap in its most docile state, they may be receptive to an interaction. One thing that becomes clear to you is that the larger dragons seem to be older, though by how much remains to be seen; the smaller dragons are much younger. The older dragons seem mildly protective over the younger ones, but there is a lack of a familial bond amongst the hoard – as though they flock together for no other reason than the fact that they are all the same species. The younger dragons seem to be chattier, curious even, and may be keen to approach — of course they may not know their own strength. Meanwhile, the larger dragons are observant and a little wary, but they stay where they are, a looming, intimidating presence.

The largest dragon of the hoard remains watchful over Dracness’ landscape, their keen golden eyes surveying the rest of its ilk both large and small before finally landing their gaze on the miniscule dark specks of the pirate crews and the Orbers as they begin to populate the island. Most of the fleshy little specks seem to remain unaware of the beasts’ presence, but one in particular suddenly looks up towards the mountain peaks, and seemingly towards the largest of the beasts as though they might meet eyes even past the distance from ground to mountain peak, and then through the haze of cloud-cover.

Intrigued now, the great beast straightens its spine and stretches its large, large wingspan, swooping down to meet the strange, fleshy little creature that reminds them so much of someone they had known once, served once, centuries ago.

TOP

F Y I

• The events in this log take place during the first two weeks of September. The crew will return to station mid-September.

• If you have questions about any of the prompts or the mission in general, please direct them HERE.

• A voting post regarding the conclusion will go up on September 14.

• And finally, your soundtrack for this log: ♪ ♪ ♪

TOP

▶ NAV

Comments

QUESTIONS.

[ximilian]

For any questions regarding the events or information on this log, ask them here.

NPC THREADS.

[ximilian]

CIAN — closed to ANDY (@oiorpata)

[ximilian]

As we want to give you the freedom to choose how and when to speak to Cian, you are encouraged to write your own starter.

Please make sure to respond to this thread within 48 hours and tag it consistently. The thread should be finished by September 14.

HIVIN/CIAN — closed to WEI WUXIAN (@singlelogbridge)

[ximilian]

As we want to give you the freedom to choose how and when to speak to Hivin and/or Cian, you are encouraged to write your own starter.

Please make sure to respond to this thread within 48 hours and tag it consistently. The thread should be finished by September 14.

THE ORB — closed to SHUNTARO CHISHIYA (@dispassioned)

[ximilian]

Following the last paragraph of the log, the largest of the dragons flies from its perch to meet Chishiya.

Please make sure to respond to this thread within 48 hours and tag it consistently. The thread should be finished by September 14.

[dispassioned]

As much as he enjoys running his mouth at times, Chishiya is a watcher and a listener by nature. Observation is how you learn and Chishiya does love learning and knowing things. So, when it becomes clear that the mountain range on Dracness is home of a whole slew of dragons he takes to dragon watching in much the same way he does people watching.

He doesn’t try to approach any himself, figuring that if any are interested they will take it upon themselves to approach when and if they feel like it. Turns out, he’s right, when he catches sight of the largest one and it swoops down to meet him.

He doesn’t show any fear as it lands. After all, in Japanese culture, dragons aren’t monsters or ill omens. They’re symbols of Heaven and protection. It probably won’t kill him without good reason, so he just has to avoid giving it one.

The dragon being as large as it is implies that it’s old. Probably the oldest one here. It’s that fact combined with some network speculation that inspires him to take a shot in the dark.

"I don’t suppose you’re the Queen's Protector?"

At the very least it seems like it might be old enough to have been around during the uprising. And even if it wasn’t, well, he’s short on good conversation starters for dragons.

Poison Ivy | Harley Quinn | OTA + Closed

[greenpower]

[Open starters, or closed available upon request.]

5.0

[greenpower]

[As much as Ivy has enjoyed getting back in the crime game—and she has, even if piracy isn't her usual brand—she wastes exactly zero time getting away from her assigned crew and making herself comfortable in her more natural habitat.

The lush forests of Dracness feel like home after so much time on the airships, hiding her powers.

She doesn't try to push deep into the lush vegetation. Her plan, such as it is, is to slow the expedition behind her and for that, it'll do her more good to be close.

But mostly? MOSTLY? Ivy reaches out with her power, mutating one of the local plants and twisting it until she's made a cushy flower big enough to drap herself over.

This island is paradise as far as she's concerned, and she's going to enjoy it while she can.]

7.0

[greenpower]

[So dragons are... neat.

Ivy guesses.

They're definitely better than the people here in Ivy's estimation, considering the condition their floating island is in. They seem to live in harmony with their home, and she can respect that.

But dragons aren't her thing, and being diplomatic really isn't her thing.

Which means there's not much for her to do but provide stunning color commentary to whoever might be standing nearby.]

So... [A beat, then she says:] Is this going to be one of those times I regret not seeing Jurassic Park?

wildcard;

[godslain]

（ gamora, as it happens, is out foraging.

she has a stronger constitution than most humans. two livers. poisons tend not to affect her, or at least not as adversely as some of the other members of the team. perhaps that's why she's designated herself the official 'forager', at least for the small circle of people she's spoken with to this point.

so, here she is. rummaging around in the undergrowth, in the dark of the night — her eyes are keenly adapted to the dark, and she takes no issue with the lack of ambient light. is she aware she's in a patch of plants ivy seems to have cultivated? not the least.

the thorns of one plant prick her skin, and she draws back with a sharp sound of dissent, raising her hand to her mouth. an annoyed — and very human word — escapes her mouth, then: ）

Fuck.

（ it's her turn for the single-use pg-13 expletive, thank you very much. ）

joric | original character

[drawsblood]

PART II
5.0: night

[ Coming upon the cottages is a welcome sight because at least that means there are signs that people were or are here. And more people than just the queen from long ago. Joric wipes a fist on the window and shines a flashlight in, but it's hard to make out much, especially with the reflection of the light on the glass. ]

We should wait until morning so we can see better. For now, we can make camp here. Or break in if you feel like it.

5.0: day

[ The next day it's decided to get inside the cottages one way or another. Whether it's Joric slamming a shoulder into the door or whoever is with him picking the lock, they make their way inside to examine the contents of the little house for clues.]

Hm. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

[ Joric takes a gold piece from the table and flips it into the air off his thumb. ]

PART III
7.0

[ There are no tales of dragons in Joric's land, but he's aware of what they are just from their mission to Alydhion alone. He has enough self-preservation to be wary, but soon enough he's conversing with one of the younger ones. He has no qualms about explaining why he's truly there since he doubts the dragons like the idea of a bunch of greedy treasure seekers landing on their island. The younger ones know nothing of the orb, so the conversation shifts to Joric's home and basic human concepts.

After awhile, the dragon goes to leave, butting its head against Joric's shoulder in farewell and making him laugh as he has to take a big step back to avoid losing his balance. It takes a lot to throw him off like that too. Once the creature has left, Joric settles by a campfire to eat dinner, available for conversation with Orbers. ]

Interesting day, isn't it?

5.0: night

[deaddrop]

[Natasha peeks in the window, tapping on the dusty glass lightly and cocking her head, then moving to the door to try to knob.

It's either locked, or the mechanisms are so old they've frozen up entirely.]

Do you really have to ask if I want to break in, Joric? I'm hurt.

5.0 Day

[morethan084]

[Daisy watches Joric smash his shoulder into the door repeatedly until it gives away, a smile on her face the entire time.]

You know, I could’ve just broken the lock.

[She helpfully says, once they’re finally inside.

Taking a look around the home, Daisy runs her finger over some gorgeous fabric before turning her attention to him.]

What?

7.0

[godslain]

（ she is sharpening her sword.

it does not need it — not truly. the edge is keen enough, and she skilled enough that even were it blunted it would make little difference as a weapon. but it is a self-soothing thing, of a sort. when, in her youth, the world around her seemed to press in and drive her to breathlessness with the weight of it all, weapons had soothed her.

when the man — who she recognizes from the video as one of those she has spoken to on the network — thumps down not too far away from her, she shrugs her long hair over one shoulder. it coils like an ombre snake. he has not seen her yet in person — few have. will he be one to take offense to her skin? ）

Is it?

（ it's an honest question, rather than some sort of sarcastic retort. she has no idea what he finds interesting. what humans, in general, find to be interesting. to her, this is all very much par for the course. new worlds, strange creatures, mysterious artifacts. the orbs have had her in the mind of the infinity stones for a while, their power similarly equalized across worlds, across universes, across time. ）

5.0 day

[singlelogbridge]

[Wei Wuxian watches Joric flip the coin into the air as his lock picking talisman crumbles to ash, and he stares at the man, brain seeming to have frozen before he finally answers.]

...the feng shui in this cottage is incredible? [That is probably not what Joric was thinking.]

The Darkling / Aleksander Morozova | Shadow and Bone

[cruelyethuman]

5.0. Kraken at dawn

[Spending the night close to the white huts, Aleksander greets the morning and the sunrise as a welcomed and well-loved friend- by finding the best view of the rays through the canopy of dense leaves, and sitting down.

He sits, leaning back on his hands with his face turned to the sun, letting it warm him through as he listens to the sounds of this island.]

Please, have a seat. I'd hate to open my eyes and crane my neck to see you.

7.0. Oar-inspiring

[The sight of them, bold colors against the vibrante blue of the sky, and it still leaves him close to breathless to watch the dragons - flying, landing softly in clearings and chittering to each other.

But he watches them from afar, standing well-hidden behind the treeline, hands folded in front of him and his eyes scan the perimeter. Any sailor who isn't recognizable, will find that the forest grows darker- at first, it's the sun eclipsed. But if anyone presses on, the shadows deepen. Lengthen. The forest at the darkest part of night, and he keeps them up.

A safe-guard, perhaps.

Because he remembers dragons from Ravka, the ancient amplifier. Sankt Juris and every boring lecture. Remembers black, green, blue, gold scales, shining through the shadowy darkness of his homeworld.]

Moving backwards seems your best bet, don't you think?

??.?? wildcard

[I am up for anything, come find Aleksander on The Silent Plunder, or just sitting around in the jungle. I'm Ireth, come plot with me!]

oar-inspiring;

[choicely]

[ The forest cover provides her some opportunity by which to watch the dragons from a distance — never getting so close that she visibly encroaches on their territory, knowing better than to move in when they're circling and swooping through the sky, no doubt with a quick meal on their mind or attempting to guard their space from potential intruders. They look larger than anything she's seen on the Continent, but even that dragon, the lone exception, had already been dead, expired in pursuit of protecting her unhatched young from those who wanted to hunt them for their legendary magical properties.

She's still trying to get her legs under her after spending so long at sea and adjusting to steady ground in the wake of rolling or even idle waves, but she's a little sturdier by the time she encounters a familiar figure, stark even within the shadows. ]

You're not the least bit tempted to get closer? [ Maybe between the two of them, it can be accomplished, provided they stay quiet. ]

5.0. Kraken at dawn

[deaddrop]

Hardly seems fair. I have to look up at you all the time.

[Maybe Natasha should get a turn looking down at someone else for a while.

Her tone is far from serious though, and she sinks down easily, legs crossed under her.]

Good morning?

what's krakalackin'

[blackfire]

（ itachi is carrying a small tray, on which there is tea and what passes as breakfast food native to this world. aleksander's comment earns a faint, wry snort as he takes a graceful seat beside the man. it is... pleasant, to finally shed the shackles of his persona aboard the plunder. he has spent entirely too long playing the helpless fool at jake's behest that even the act of moving like himself and not like some clumsy, stuttering mess of a person is a relief. ）

I'll spare you the indignity.

（ his tone is light, and wry.

he may not like or trust the man much further than he can throw him (and that is not an insignificant amount in and of itself) but better the devil you know, as it were. ）

There is tea, if you wish.

7.0 Oar-inspiring

[singlelogbridge]

[At that comment he lets out a soft laugh and turns to find Aleksander hidden in the shadows, his own smirk bright and amused.]

I've never been very good at backing off from things that have my curiosity.

[His life probably would have been at least a little easier if he had been. His eyes flicker back to the dragons circling in the sky and he lets out a soft sound of appreciation.]

Do they have anything like them where you're from?

itachi uchiha | ota

[blackfire]

SILENT PLUNDER

STORMWROUGHT
CLICK TO EXPAND (a)

（ he has spent very little time idle aboard the plunder. with a backstory dictated by a certain man né dog and a role to fill — anyone who has encountered itachi aboard the plunder would likely be surprised by the drastic change to his personality.

rather than his normal calm competency, he seems nervous, prone to jumping at shadows. a pronounced stutter has marked his words whenever he chances to speak aloud and his posture is diminished, as if trying to fold himself into a smaller space than what he customarily occupies. he seems younger than his twenty-three years, though it's difficult to pinpoint a specific number. the only time he seems to display any amount of self-assurance at all is when he's climbing the rigging — during the majority of the ship's battles he's been conspicuously absent, or has made such a poor showing of himself in combat it's hard to believe the captain hasn't simply abandoned him at the nearest port and washed his hand of such an unfit member of the crew.

any attempts by the crew to take him under their wing, teach him weapons or combat has simply ended up with him laid out on the deck, sporting ugly bruises and the occasional fine line of a narrowly missed knife wound or sword strike.

(i hear he's good at thievin', one crewmember will admit grudgingly, if pressed. but besides that — no one really has anything good to say about him at all. ）

when the storm hits, the crew scatters to their places, and itachi ends up in the crow's nest. perhaps you were asked to 'go check on that idiot —' or perhaps you know enough of him that you'd take this time to seek out his company amidst the chaos. either way, he is sitting with a sort of uncanny calm despite the storm, unbothered by the rain or hail. neither appear to be hitting him, and if you squint there is a sort of ethereal glimmer of reddish energy that hovers not far above him that seems to be mitigating the elements. if you look more closely, it almost seems to resemble a massive hand.

whenever lightning strikes, red eyes track the path of plasma arcing across the sky. he is only focused on your presence insomuch as he cants his head faintly to speak just barely loud enough to be heard above the din — ）

Be mindful. If the lightning rods fail, this location would be vulnerable to a strike.

（ but you are welcome to share space beneath the giant ghostly hand??? ）

AFTERMATH
CLICK TO EXPAND (b)

（ once the storm has cleared, he can be found cleaning up the deck. one particularly unfriendly crewmate — one who seems to thrive on the cruelty that the plunder is well known for — makes a point of making an unholy mess of whatever it is that itachi has just cleaned, with a saccharine smile and a pointed clap to the shoulder that makes him stagger.

Ah, good lad! the crewmate decries loudly. If you can't earn your keep by fighting, you might as well be useful here, huh?

whatever itachi's response is, it's too meek to be overheard at this distance, and he returns to swabbing the deck without further protest. which is all well and good until the crewmate grabs him by the scruff of the shirt.

if anyone's feeling especially heroic today, now's your chance to step in. or perhaps you'd rather see how it unfolds? ）

DRACNESS

MARGARITAVILLE
CLICK TO EXPAND

（ nothing about the darkness appears natural. it is almost as if any nascent spark of darkness seems to draw light towards it and swallow it whole. itachi has discarded his persona native to the plunder and is behaving more in line with what the crew has come to know of him — and between the faint luminous glow to his red eyes — like sunlight through stained glass — and the handful of fire he's carrying to light the way, he seems to be much more in his element (ha) here.

if he happens across another crewmate — especially one more vulnerable to the darkness — he'll fall into step beside them. the firelight casts dancing shadows well ahead of them both, lighting the way. ）

Would you care for company?

CLOSED

WEI WUXIAN
CLICK TO EXPAND

（ itachi is seated cross-legged, with several curious juvenile dragons perched before him. one of them is telling him a story of how it recently caught a big fish, and he is nodding along. amusement has coloured his expression — notable only in the very faintly amused lift to one corner of his mouth as it talks. it seems to double back on its storytelling quite often, adding or embellishing some detail or other that it deems relevant.

when he sees wei ying, he lifts a hand to beckon him close. ）

[singlelogbridge]

[He lifts a hand to stifle a laugh, and isn't quite successful as a handful of the little dragons' heads turn to look at him. When he does nothing else of note, they quickly lose interest and return their attention to the dragon speaking to Itachi, one or two of them talking over each other to add their own details to the story.

Instead of immediately coming over as Itachi beckons, he shakes his head and sits down with a grin, pulling out a sketchbook and doing a quick rough sketch of the scene that takes him several minutes. When he's done, Itachi and the dragons haven't moved, and only then does he rise and make his way over.]

If it's story telling we're doing, you little ones must have Itachi tell you one of his own! Where we're from, he's one of the best story tellers around. [Spiders might be long gone, but somewhere in another universe, a collective of sentient spider shaped blobs approve of the sentiment.]

Wei Wuxian| OTA

[singlelogbridge]

A. Kraken of Dawn: 4.0

[While Wei Wuxian is spending most of his efforts exploring and searching the island, that doesn’t mean he’s not having a little bit of fun whenever he runs into a group of pirates from the Silent Plunder. Everything he knows about the Blue Dawn’s crew makes it seem as though the women of that crew are merely looking for refuge, and while some on the Hawking are out for treasure, most of them seem more interested in scientific discovery.

But it’s the Silent Plunder that seems to have the most bloodthirsty and violent crew, and he doesn’t feel even a little bit bad about giving them a hard time.

Which is why he’s laughing to himself as he overlooks a group of men wandering in circles in the trees from his mountain side vantage point, snickering as they walk in a small loop for what must be the eighteenth or nineteenth time.

A maze array is a simple enough trap to set up, but it’s rare he’s had the opportunity to use one. Any orber who comes alongside him will have the same view that he does, and he’ll grin up at them with a mischievous look in his eyes.]

I’m thinking that’ll keep them busy for the rest of the day.

B. Oar-inspiring 6.0

[As the dawn rises and the dragons begin to take flight, Wei Wuxian who had fully expected the existence of dragons on the island still finds his eyes widening with shock, but perhaps not for the reason most people might think.

After several long beats of silence, he will turn to whichever orber is closest to ask a question, his voice betraying more than a little bit of confusion.]

…are those dragons?

C. Wildcard me!

b!!!

[buckkeep]

( fitz, prone to more of a silent kind of panic, stays stoically impassive beside wei wuxian for a moment, while internally rethinking every decision in his life thus far that has lead him to this place. dragons are, as always, as terrifying as they are beautiful. even at a distance they look large and imposing, their strength as blatant as their beauty.

huffing out a sigh, he cuts his gaze over to him, nodding once. at least there's no glamor this time — the awe that follows dragons is completely of his own creation. )

That they are, Wei Wuxian. You should steer well clear of them. ( he squints. ) I can already tell you aren't going to do that, though.

andromache | the old guard | ota

[oiorpata]

PART IV. IT'S A PLUNDERFUL LIFE
1.0 🗡 AQUA-HOLICS ANONYMOUS

[ the atmosphere on the blue dawn is cheerful, optimistic, and andy would not describe herself as either of those things, but it's much better to be around than the cutthroat plunder. she knows several of the crew as orbers, but tries to play stranger as best she can, spending a lot of time with cian. ]

[ the first few days keep that celebratory air. she spends that time getting to know others in the crew as they prepare to sail for dracness, going so far as to share a drink as the days pass into evenings and the sisters' reunion becomes an excuse to have fun. she's not shy of dancing, but she does mostly linger at the edges while she gets a sense of how this ship functions, even in its downtime. there's a lot of drinking, which is one of andy's specialties, but the pirate booze is cheaper booze and she doesn't want to drain the ship's supply, so she never quite hits the level of drunkenness that strikes down others on the crew. ]

[ it won't stop her from draining the last of her bottle as the party winds down with a satisfied sigh. ]

[ on the days sailing in the sky, however, she'll offer a few sword lessons to any who can bring themselves to ask; it's another area in which she spends a lot of time with cian, though the younger royal pirate seems to prefer knives. her skills as "the scythe" on the plunder were not exaggerated, and it might be the first time in a while on a mission that andy has opportunity to demonstrate just what she can do. at least with this it feels good to be showing some of these women a new trick or two. ]

[ she throws a woman to the deck, but it's more playful and slow, a demonstration of exactly how to do it. she pulls their arms, adjusts their postures - there doesn't really seem to be an area she doesn't have advice. ]

PART II. AT THE KRAKEN OF DAWN
5.0 🗡 ABSO-LOOT-LEY ADVENTUROUS

[ there's a lot about this world that seems to suit andy, adventuring across this island included. the hiking and exploration fits her frame as well as the plundering, and the complete lack of other people around doesn't seem to bother her. if anything, it seems to energize her, and she often finds herself pausing for others to catch up. ]

Don't tell me you need a break already.

[ andy is never too far from cian (and hivin, by association) in their ventures onto the island, and although she does so out of a certain protectiveness, she can tell cian appreciates the company all the same. the other ships have reached the island by now, and she certainly doesn't trust greybeard's crew with the girls, nor the hawking depending on just how thirsty they are for knowledge. ]

[ she starts a fire in the little village of abandoned cottages, with some miscellaneous goodies propped on sticks and toasting over the flames. some are ship provisions, others are her own captured prey, though it's hard to tell which is which as they barbecue. ]

It'd probably be too easy if we broke down a door and found the orb in a house.

PART IV. SEAS THE DAY
0.0 🗡 WILD BREEZES

[ wild card! keeping it more simplistic for part two, but let me know if you would like to plot or want a more customized starter! find me @ communism or romanitas @ disco ! ]

bring on the booze

[godslain]

（ she is new enough — and solitary enough — that her unfamiliarity is not feigned. she knows only a handful of orbers, and although subterfuge comes about as naturally to her as breathing underwater would to quill, she manages mostly by dint of keeping to herself.

when the sisters are reunited, however... well.

nebula is never too far from her mind, after all, and when the crew takes up in revelry she joins them. her own propensity towards liquor is less about pursuit of drunkenness and more about fitting in, but the mood is pleasant.

there is a part of her that wishes peter were here. in lieu of that — ）

Excuse me, can you pass the （ what on earth did the quartermaster call this drek? gamora purses her lips, then: ） bottle?

（ she's killing it, you guys. she's so good at human stuff. ）

Newton Geiszler | Pacific Rim | OTA

[groupiedrifter]

I. The Hawking | Honey, I Messed With the Ship

[It's in the dark of the night that Newt sets about his totally foolproof plan of sabotaging the Hawking to move more slowly; everyone had been in agreement, that slowing down the competition for the Blue Dawn would be the wisest choice. Honestly, he's even more worried about the Silent Plunder, considering how... the captain of that crew is in particular (or so he's heard). But for now, screwing up on purpose! He can definitely screw up on purpose.

So it begins.

In the morning, an unhappy crew notices the roping on the mast has slipped, as if it weren't properly rigged. It knocks off a little time — not too much, but enough to help. The next day, the anchor (or whatever constitutes as an anchor) drops and doesn't pull up as it should. Newt promises to work on it, and he does! Slowly, with the falsehood that there's something stuck in the gears. There is, of course. And the next night, Newt can be caught red-handed by one of the crewmates, doing yet another crime against piracy.

With two lanterns (totally not scared of the dark, no way, not him!) he wanders out and can be found at the ship's wheel, so engrossed in loosening the bolt and making a crack in the wood beside it that he doesn't even notice your very sneaky moves as you approach from behind...]

II. Dracness | Oh, This Place is Heaven!

This is so fucking cool!

[You know Newton's eyes are working today because they are absolutely shining with the promise that this new world provides. He is, after all, a xenobiologist! Someone who basks in new ecosystems and skips through fields of newly discovered flora like a total dweeb! Though it's not without its dangers, of course, which Newton is a little naive to, even after all these missions later.

First thing is first: he is gonna try digging around in those cottages. You never know what you're gonna find, especially if anyone familiar with the orb had been through here! He leans against the door with his tongue pointed out in focus, and upon approach, one can see he is working on trying to pick the lock on said cottage.

Does it occur to him that most of his crew can just kick it open?

Nope.

After the fact, as the overgrown forest around them gets extremely dark, Newt seems hyperfocused on collecting and repairing as many dusty old lanterns as humanly possible from any busted buildings. If he looks nervous, it's totally just a trick of the eye, yanno? He's never nervous, especially not when it's this dark outside. Nope, no way. Having a phobia in your thirties is totally not a thing.*

*It absolutely is and does happen plenty.

As he rambles about all of the interesting plants and insects he's come across, it's easy to see he's not pleased by the lack of natural lighting; he has three — three! — lanterns burning close by him. And he checks them quite often, until someone points out how absolutely overkill it is.]

Psht! Nothing overkill about it! I like to see my food when I eat it, thankyouverymuch.

And I'm not nervous. Is this the face of a man who gets nervous?

[He adjusts his glasses, nervously.]

III. Dracness | DRAGONS DRAGONS DRAGONS -

Oh my god, look at them. Would you just look at 'em? They're beautiful! Like, sure, I'm a little nervous they're gonna eat me, but would it really be the worst way to go? [Big shocker, he's watching dragons feeding from the safety of a bush. He really shouldn't speak so loudly, but you know how it is. Penning down as many details as possible in his notepad, he's brimming with science-tastic energies.] Shit, dragons are so cool. I mean, dragons are 100% fictional in my world! Or I guess mostly fictional; kaiju are a lot like dragons. Maybe that's why I love these guys so much; did you know a kaiju almost ate me once? I was totally traumatized by it, but she was beautiful.

[Yeah, no, that's the usual weird chaos talking.

He can be found later as well, after the dragons have fed and are calm; he's showing off his tattoos to the offspring, pointing at different ones and telling them aaaall about the creature featured. He decidedly does not tell them about how dead all of said creatures are.

'Cus, you know. Bit of a bummer.

Also, he doesn't wanna give the wrong impression and get eaten whole.]

III. Dragons, dragons, dragons!

[cruelyethuman]

[Newton's enthusiasm is almost infectious. Almost, and Aleksander pushes off the tree he was leaning against to stand a little closer.]

Beautiful and deadly.

[He does know, how deadly Newton's kaiju could be. How vicious and how cruel it could be, the cold intelligence that could be behind them. It still drips with blood in his memory, but here... well.

Aleksander doesn't care much for dragons at all.]

Hello, Newton.