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<< september: maiden voyage >>

Welcome to our Maiden Voyage log for the game! Because the grand opening is a bit different from how things will normally flow, the log is more like an event log with the MANTA Board included at the bottom. The focus of the log will be everyone getting a first taste of the home base for each armada, but not before having a farewell celebration in Eltrut to the new initiates! Since it is a little beefy, we've included navigation links to help jump between sections.

Players are welcome to use the MANTA Board as additional prompts in the log, or create your own open logs for them. There is no wrong or right way, whatever is most convenient for you.

If you have any questions about the log, comment here. If you have questions about the game in general, please comment to the Game Info.

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated September 13)

ELTRUT: FAREWELL SENDOFF

It's been about a week or so since the newest batch of riftfarers arrived, and now the ships are ready to take them to their native armada base. But before everyone goes their separate ways, a special "sendoff" is held for the new initiates. Hosted by older, veteran riftfarers and their respective armada affiliation, two major competitions are held. One is to promote partnership between the armadas, the other is for their competitiveness.

A fan favorite for a number of years now, Legends of the Gutsy Ultimate Sailor Warrior Competition is a massive two-person obstacle course that has a whole suite of challenges to test sailor's physical and mental resolve…and teamwork. The only real rule is each pair needs one Corsair and one Paladin, which can be made voluntarily or randomly. Along with crossing a pool via spinning logs, swinging and climbing ropes, and plummeting down ziplines, there are a few notable obstacles teams will need to get through.

🚪 Steering a giant ship's wheel in order to lift the door to the next obstacle. Both partners need to take turns, one spinning it upwards and the other continuing down.
🦑 They must piece together the three parts of the Silver Squid Statue, fitting each piece properly and vertically together (have to hear the snap to ensure the pieces connected!) and then placed it into a hole in a door to move on.
⛰️ The final obstacle is called Mount Grog, where the team must climb to the peak of this hill of craggy stone. While there are footholes aplenty, there are also steam vents, "landslides" of small boulder-shaped pillows, and warm "lava" of red-dyed ale, making the terrain slippery and sticky! Mind the steam and ale, they are made of strong liquor and may make those with low tolerance a bit…intoxicated.
🐱‍👤 While some are free to spectate and cheer in the audience, others may volunteer to try and sabotage the rest of the competition by chucking wilted produce, or if you're really lucky, the showrunners will pull you from the audience to hit switches to change up the layout of the map mid-race!

The second event is Capture the Flag and takes place along a long stretch of beach using the remains of two retired ships on either end: one with each of the three masts flying a red flag, the other with three blue flags. Each player will have a small flag of their armada colors attached to a belt on their waist, along with a few very full colored water balloons. The goal is to steal as many of the other team's flags as possible and bring them back to their ship before the hourglass runs out. The only rule is no magic allowed! Have to use good ol' wit and grit. All magic will be suppressed and all weapons taken/forced to be left behind.

💧 Everyone is armed with water balloons of their respective team color. Use them to pelt your opponents and get that flag!
🚩 Some may want to try and score big by capturing one of the ship's flags. But it won't be easy. There will be a "crew" defending their ships and will have cannons filled with giant water balloons, sticky nets, and life preserver rings to deploy against attackers. They can also use the rings to quickly grab their own teammates and pull them to safety.
⛓ There is a jail that caught opponents can be taken to right next to the ship. Either escape, help a caught teammate, or defend it!

After another night of reveling in various taverns (and likely getting into more bar fights), everyone will set sail the following morning, with or without the hangovers. Everyone should be prepared to pitch in their weight, as during the trip, they will learn how to be a deckhand, learning the literal ropes of pitching sails, swabbing decks, and working the galley. There could be other areas they might have access to if they have the skill for it. They will also have a chance to practice their magic. Don't worry, the ships are fitted with special protection that even a stray spell won't cause too much damage (though if it does, they better be prepared to repair and clean it up). And since it will take a few days to get to their respective leviathans, everyone should remember their temporary cabin number. Some may even have roommates.

But the number one rule for both ships is no fighting between members. Save it for when they're back on shore!

ELAH: PALADIN BASE

Compared to the bright colors and bustle of Eltrut, Elah is much more refined and orderly, especially the capital city of Baleen. Tall, sturdy buildings of polished marble and white coral with accents of gold and mother-of-pearl, set in tiered, orderly rings of sandstone-cobbled streets organized by purpose and class. The higher it is, the more affluent, with the Chambers of Council seated at its highest point. Yet there is very little to no poverty, as the citizens are diligent in keeping everything clean and everyone taken care of. That isn't to say there aren't "dirty" parts of the city…but for the most part it's a prosperous, bustling city that takes pride not only in its Paladin force, but in the arts and pursuit of higher education and research. High above one may see gondolas seemingly sailing in the air, but they are just riding the "breath streams'' of Elah that connect to the three blowholes spiracles lining the leviathan's back. In the distant north, one may even catch a glimpse of the main blowhole spiracle releasing a huge stream of water. Access is currently under construction, but new riftfarers will be able to access it soon.

At the center is the city's pride and joy: the Plaza Fontea. Around the outer rim are daily markets and performers to help cultivate the arts and casual business, and there are a number of gardens and ponds for visitors to relax and enjoy. And at its center is a grand mosaic in the great whale's image with a series of "water spouts" that shoot water up through the ground, sometimes to music. However, something is amiss. Without warning, the water is turning different colors and making fart noises. While anyone who might know some engineering is free to help those beneath the fountain to try and figure out what happened and repair it, others can try and catch the culprits who pulled this deplorable prank (hint, bunch of Corsairs, of course).

At the Nodding Kettle, there are some special items that new Paladins can receive. These items are also available on the Rewards Shop, but new members can choose one for free. These items are also special in that they will start at a basic level, but can be upgraded and refined for better effects (for a fee).

🔪 Dowsing Blade: Lvl 1. A short sword that once fully upgraded can find special treasures and precious metals. At level 1, it will only find junk, but who knows? One man's trash is another man's treasure. And rusted metal can still hurt in a fight—
🫧 Bubble Shield: Lvl 1. A shield that will grow in size and strength once fully upgraded and provide protection in the form of a dome. At level 1, it creates a small bubble that covers a small area next to the user and can only take a few hits before it pops.
🔦 Wayfinder Torch: Lvl 1. A torch that burns brighter and can illuminate and find any path to a designated location or exit once fully upgraded. At level 1, it can only illuminate up to a few feet and must be charged with magic to continue.

The educational district is one of the many prides and joys of Elah, and especially the block containing the sprawling, U-shaped Archives framing the massive, gold-framed glass dome of the Conservatory. The core of the Archives is a blocky building of very weathered marble, with two longer and more slender wings; nearly every room inside is dedicated to some sort of specialized library, lecture hall, laboratory, or archaeological restoration room. The Conservatory, meanwhile, is teeming with the rarest of plants, flocks of birds, skittering reptiles, and even small artificial tide pools hosting reef-dwelling fauna and small schools of fish. As new members explore the complex, they may find the new items will come in handy for their tasks.

📖 There's been intel of Corsairs targeting the Archives for their next heist, especially the special collection in the library. Newer Paladins will be asked to guard the library in shifts and keep an eye out for anyone suspicious.
🦤 Oh no, Angus the Dodo has escaped the conservatory again! Capture him and bring him back unharmed. Thankfully he's peaceful and not very smart, but he is easily startled and surprisingly fast. He's a glutton for fruit, nuts, and seeds, and he's infamous for stealing fancy hats, especially if they have feathers on them.
🏰 Reports have come in of a nearby island with ruins of an ancient castle standing on them. Venture out, document the site, and retrieve any artifacts for proper cataloging at the Archives before the Corsairs break or steal anything important.

NOGARD: CORSAIR BASE

While Eltrut and Elah both have relatively smooth surfaces to build on, Nogard's back is covered in jutting ridges and spines. Between the uneven terrain, the transformation between Nogard's living sea form and skeletal land form, and the demon-ridden forest, structures here focus much more on defense and ease of repair or relocation as needed than on matching a set theme. Buildings in Fang are made from a mishmash of old metal, driftwood, and bone, but are often decorated with bright murals and graffiti, drapes of colorful fabrics, and intricate sea glass creations. Taverns and pubs can be found on nearly every corner, loud music and cheers and more than occasionally the sounds of a brawl pouring out from about noon to the wee hours of the morning.

Currently Nogard has settled on a remote island, its skeletal structure nestled deep within the island's cove, creating a natural barrier that will only allow Corsair ships in and out. They will be there for a while, taking advantage of the beasts that inhabit the island and provide valuable materials to be sold. But of course it can get boring, so it's not surprising to see the more "reckless" ziplining from one curved rib to another high above the city. There are also some makeshift fighting arenas for members to test their strength. Those who prefer to actually learn about Nogard's current settlement set out to canvas and explore the island, hoping to find some other ruins or resources that could be useful.

At the Leviathan's Maw, there are some special items that new Corsairs can receive. These items are also available on the Rewards Shop, but new members can choose one for free. These items are also special in that they will start at a basic level, but can be upgraded and refined for better effects (for a fee).

🧥 Camouflage Cloak: Lvl 1. A cloak that once upgraded will allow the wearer to shift and blend into their surroundings. At level 1, it's a bit ratty looking and only useful if hiding in shadows. Even then it's only for a few seconds, but better than none.
🔁 Ring of Returning: Lvl 1. A ring that once upgraded will allow the wearer to return to a specific location upon activation. At level 1, it can only be used once per day and returns you to a public space.
🔀 Ring of Evasion: Lvl 1. A ring that once upgraded will allow the wearer to have increased movement speed and dodging ability. At level 1, it is only effective in avoiding small objects and getting through crowds easier. Not useful for combat until upgraded.

While there are some "respectable" stores and merchants around Nogard, the Black Market is what the city of Fang is best known for. And as part of their initiation, new members are sent to the literal underbelly of the leviathan's skeletal remains where the Black Market exists. Those new free items offered by the Leviathan's Maw may be useful…

💍 Several sellers have put up requests for certain "special rare items" to help restock their wares, but these items are "special" and "rare" for a reason. From needing to kill monsters on the island Nogard has settled on and harvesting for certain materials, to stealing from certain ships and rich houses in Elah (oops).
🏰 On a certain island, there are some castle ruins that has been recently discovered and there are some artifacts and relics that could catch a hefty price if brought back. Just ignore the Paladins who may be excavating…and perhaps take their finds.
📦 Some merchants have special wares that need to be delivered to their clients all over Nogard and on some neighboring islands. Of course, there are many others who might try to steal it…whatever is inside it. Wait—did the box just shake? What, protect the package and deliver it safely!

MANTA BOARD

As mentioned above, usually the Quest Board will be posted separately as we won't normally have logs like these. But for everyone's convenience, we've included it here for additional prompts. Players can either use the quest board here in their toplevels, or create their own open log for them if they prefer to keep it separate and spread things out more.

GENERAL

PALADINS

CORSAIRS

BOUNTIES

𝕊ℙ𝔼ℂ𝕀𝔸𝕃𝕊

» GENERAL (4pts)

Dockside Repairs

Reward: 100 dubloons and a serving of cinnamon sugar grog for each day of hard work.

A recent tempestuous storm wreaked havoc upon Eltrut’s main port, leaving many of its docks in dire need of repair.

We are seeking dedicated workers to lend a helping hand in restoring the damaged docks. We encourage those with specialized abilities in carpentry, construction, or any related field (magic, physical or otherwise) to join in the collective effort to repair the docks as soon as possible.

As we are not sure how many newcomers we will have in the future we must restore the port to its former glory, ensuring it serves as a steadfast foundation for our maritime activities! Please help out!

Seahorse Whisperers

Reward: 100 dubloons and a seahorse charm that allows you to bond with gentle sea creatures easily. Doesn’t appear to work well on the angry ones.

Atnam Island has been graced with the arrival of a spirited new batch of young seahorses.

These magnificent creatures are wild and energetic and difficult to tame. We are seeking daring individuals who are up to the challenge of calming and training these giant temperamental seahorses to become reliable and majestic mounts in the water.

Those who dare to embark on this training journey will be rewarded for their efforts. Alongside the profound satisfaction of witnessing the growth and development of these magnificent creatures, you will receive a special token of appreciation for your successful training.

Caviar Conundrum

Reward: 100 dubloons and one tin of orange lanternfish caviar. The caviar itself is said to induce vivid lucid dreams.

A fresh shipment of rare live orange lanternfish has arrived.

There are barrels of them ready to be harvested for their delicious caviar. We are looking for able hands to help collect the fish eggs from this rare fish. You’ll be equipped with the buckets and scoops needed.

However, be forewarned, for these fish are highly territorial and possess a potent electrical bite. Slowly navigating their space and avoiding their electrifying defences will require careful strategy and patience. The tales caution that even a single bite from these remarkable creatures can induce paralysis lasting an hour.

Woody Rarities

Reward: 100 dubloons and a piece of crystal wood that faintly glows when it is about to rain.

A cluster of ancient trees has piqued curiosity, as they appear to defy nature's laws by remaining dry during rainfall.

This phenomenon has caught the attention of keen observers, and we now seek crafty individuals to investigate further.

Venture to the tops of hills or mountains on Eltrut Island and examine these remarkable trees, and gather samples of their purportedly waterproof bark and wood for thorough testing. If proven true, this extraordinary property could revolutionize shipbuilding techniques and open new horizons for maritime exploration.

Bottle Voyage!

Reward: Probably some bad advice. Or a love letter. Or maybe a new friend?

Have you heard of messages in a bottle?

Embrace the sea's powerful enchantment! Pen a heartfelt letter, place it in a glass bottle and release it into the ocean's waves to see what happens.

Rumour has it that within three days, the bottle will return to you with a reply. Discover personal advice, fortunes, or messages from far away. Perhaps even find a lifelong pen pal through this method! Unleash your heartfelt words into the water and let the sea work its wonders!

Results may vary. (Optional: For added flavour attempt posting your bottle message to a random character's inbox.)

» PALADINS (4pts)

Paws of Valor

Reward: A voucher for a free dagger at The Nodding Kettle: Blacksmith and Wares.

Hello, aspiring recruits! We are in need of your assistance to gather iron ore at the local mines, a vital resource for crafting cannonballs to fortify the armada. Although the task at hand may be arduous, it is of utmost importance!

However, we must provide one gentle warning. One of our captains recently lost his pet wildcat, Whiskerbeard, and she has been left to roam freely. Whiskerbeard has a mischievous streak and enjoys playing pranks on new recruits. While she may pose a playful challenge during your ore collection, we trust that you young and agile newcomers will find ways to work around her more violent antics. Please do not harm her or your coin will be cut in half for an entire month!

Five Finger Discount-inued

Reward: The sheer satisfaction of doing the right thing.

Reports have emerged of pickpockets and thieves falling victim to a frustrated shop owner–turned–vigilante, resulting in severed fingers and a growing stain on the Paladin’s reputation for maintaining order among the various port marketplaces.

In order to address this issue and uphold the principles of justice, we need your expertise to delve into the local shops and uncover the truth behind these vigilante actions. It is crucial to identify the shop owner responsible as well as apprehend any theives and restore a sense of balance and fairness to the markets.

However, it is essential to approach this investigation with a focus on fairness and adherence to the law. Our aim is to ensure a just and lawful resolution, and a few fewer fingers being cut off, including yours.

Chasing Tuna Titans

Reward: A casket of fine wine. The bigger the fish, the bigger the casket.

The recent influx of newcomers has led to an increased demand for foodstuffs, placing a strain on our hardworking fishermen. To aid them in meeting these demands, the fishermen have requested assistance from the Paladin's vessels to catch a fresh supply of large tuna fish until new fishermen can be trained.

Join the fishing ships in procuring a bountiful supply of giant tuna fish. Be prepared for the challenge, for these magnificent creatures can grow to sizes ranging from sixty pounds to a staggering four hundred pounds. Good luck reeling them in!

» CORSAIRS (4pts)

Traded Secrets

Reward: A recipe for a dubious-looking soup made to be highly addictive and whatever else you steal from the ship.

There is a popular merchant ship that sells soup out of its main deck that is travelling the seas lately. Its tantalising flavours have ignited such fervent desire that people are willing to engage in battles and even sink ships to secure a coveted bowl. And you’ll be damned if you don’t get a bowl of it before it’s all gone! Find the secrets behind the renowned travelling ship's irresistibly delectable soup!

Surely, there has to be a trick to it. Begin by infiltrating the merchant’s ship, whether by legitimate means or through becoming a discreet passenger and find out what that secret ingredient is. What makes this soup so tantalising that people are willing to give someone a black eye to get it. Is it a frog's legs? Eye of newt? Some kind of illegal drug? Paprika?

Unconventional Couture

Reward: A silk dress of your choice and a pocket gun that can be concealed in a boot.

A renowned mistress from the lantern light district in Naughtilust seeks diverse bodies to showcase her exquisite collection of rare silks and gowns. Don’t worry, she disregards conventional standards and welcomes individuals of any body type or gender, recognizing the beauty in diversity. The more types the better, actually!

However, it is imperative to maintain utmost discretion, as these precious garments were acquired through unconventional means (they were stolen). This gathering is intended for a select group of haughty guests who will appreciate the opulence and allure of these clandestine treasures. So keep it hush-hush! There are dubloons to be squeezed!

Pickpocketing Practice

Reward: A lesson learned for every pocket picked.

With the influx of new scallywags on our shores, the Corsair ships have taken it upon themselves to impart their expertise in the art of pickpocketing. If you're ready to master the craft and enhance your acting, lying, and sleight-of-hand skills, then step forward and join their pickpocketing seminars!

Under the guidance of experienced Corsairs, you'll learn the tricks of the trade, honing your abilities to make a quick dubloon when navigating crowded streets or lively gatherings.

Remember, with great power comes great responsibility. As you venture out to test your newfound skills, exercise caution and subtlety. A successful pickpocket knows the importance of being undetected. The Corsairs will not come to your aid should you find yourself hanging around in the gallows. Or losing a few fingers.

» BOUNTIES (6pts)

Giga Mantis Shrimp

Reward: 500 dubloons.

Said to be as large as a horse with a sting as powerful as a hundred stinging jellyfish. This creature has somehow grown larger than most other mantis shrimp and it has been hunting down and eating the heads of male prey. Find this creature in the ocean and kill it before it hunts and eats more innocent sailors.

Read More.

✦ Size: Medium
✦ Type: Sea creature
✦ Strengths: Powerful pincers, Swift swimmer, Carnivorous, Stinging spines
✦ Weaknesses: Lightning, Sharp weapons, Piercing weapons

Horned Dolphin

Reward: 1000 dubloons. An extra 500 dubloons for the horn.

A rare dolphin with a strange magical glowing horn has been sighted in the ocean. Although some of the rumours are saying that the dolphin is merely a lost narwhal. It seems to only appear when the weather is foggy which makes it particularly difficult to find. Find it and record proof of its existence or kill it and farm the horn for an extra bounty.

Read More.

✦ Size: Large
✦ Type: Sea creature
✦ Strengths: Light magic, Swift swimmer, Omnivourous, Peaceful
✦ Weaknesses: Wind magic, Darkness magic, Blunt weapons

» SPECIALS (12pts)

None

Reward: None

No special quests at this time.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I do not!

[Her hand goes up to touch her hair self-consciously, and while she does give a little sniff, it's meant to be a playful one because wow... it does feel like kind of a mess, and now she's fallen into a string of giggles that she can't get out of, that giddy stage reaching its maximum potential as she nearly falls right off their bench from her own swaying.]

... Okay, maybe I do.

[It's as she's saving herself from the tumble that she hears the padding of paws trotting up to them, and there is Valo, giving them both a tentative sniff...]

[The silence that falls over them along with the fog feels infinite, but in a suffocating sort of way. It rings in her ears louder than the thunder that fades, louder than the waves that still crash against the sides of the boat before they calm. They stand in the middle of their creation, one made by their magicks and theirs alone, and yet, it has never felt so cold as it does when she hears him move away from her. So cold that even that fiery rage that burned within her at the mere thought of him has been dampened somewhat...

Though, into what, she doesn't know. It's still there, that flickering flame, trying to cling to life, but there's an emptiness there, too... cold and vast, just like the fog that surrounds them.

Carefully, Benedikta lifts her gaze to follow his back as he steps to the end of the boat and looks out.

It was so much easier when they had been bickering and at each other's throats. She would much prefer that to the quiet, where it leaves too much room for more thoughts to creep forward. She would prefer anything over this—the clash of swords or words over this.

But instead, he'll hear her turn around now, moving to the other end of the boat, or seems to... but she doesn't go very far, and instead takes a spot at its side so that she can look over the edge and watch for any shadows that might move up near the surface, a hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

And then, her voice.]

... You are looking well.

[She has no idea what prompted her to say so. If she's honest, he looks like shit, and she probably does, too. But he looks better than how she feels, and she finds that annoying.]

Edited 2023-09-24 15:33 (UTC)

[He's snickering along with her before he sees Valo, and immediately his eyes just seem to shine as he smiles widely.]

Vaallloooo! Look, Daddy's all cleaned up now!!

[...This man is so far gone now that now Valo is freezing at the sight before running to hide behind the bench because what is wrong with him??

Which of course makes Eustace crack again.]

[The tension is so thick even Odin's sword would have difficulty cutting through it, but Cid just stares out at the water, his focus halved as he hears Benedikta moving.

Tsk.

He knows he's not helping, and perhaps he could try to be a little more amiable. Could try to at least feign to be more relaxed more....indifferent. He used to be able to, but that was easier when less had been said and even less had been known. But frankly he has no idea what to do or how to act around her anymore. He can't just shrug it off this time, infuriating as it is, and so there's just this strange, silent cold war instead.

Even stranger when it's Benedikta who breaks it. Usually he's the one to poke or prod, so he can't help but turn his head to stare at her in some surprise for a moment before he looks back out.]

Same to you.

[By the gods this is so awwwwkkkwwaaarrd even he knows it and wants to kick himself in the face. His fingers tighten over the phone as he mentally beats himself for letting his mouth be so petty and he tries to say something a little nicer, return the "favor."]

...How've you been adjusting to this place?

[He wants to throw himself into the water.]

[Tifa gives Eustace a smack on the leg.]

You're scaring him!

[Why is he referring to himself as daddy!? She would be terrified too if she were Valo, and she is just a little bit when she sees that look on his face.]

Act normal!

[Strange indeed, but she could not handle the silence for a second longer.

She doesn't look at him when he answers, difficult as it is to keep her eyes trained anywhere but on him, but she can hear it in his voice. A tone that twists that knife even deeper. What ever happened to that nonchalant attitude? The stubbornly cocky one that infuriated her so? This one does too, but it feels different. Unnatural. Uncomfortable.

In an effort to shift away from it, she squares her shoulders and forces a frown upon her expression, even if he can't see it. Her voice, however, remains even.]

Fine.

[A short, curt answer at first, but she doesn't feel it's good enough just yet. Not spiteful enough to bring things back to how they were... is what she will tell herself in that beat of silence before she goes on.]

I spent a couple nights on the Naughtilust instead.

[Ah, yep Xenk was misunderstanding the conversation, he didn't want to have the guy apologize or recite his oath. Fenris was just a very.. honest and blunt person, so he saw no reason to hide this aspect. These were unfortunate facts.

He didn't like the war, he was quite against it, but it seems things have reached a boiling point and would erupt in war regardless.]

There is no need, I have no doubt in your honor or trustworthiness, Xenk. You are quite.. a genuine person.

[That is one way of putting it.]

But...

[Nope, he's devasted.]

[WELL. That earns her a slight arch of the brow... But knowing her, honestly not that surprising. Nor is he going to judge her for it. Why is she telling him, though...]

How was it? Heard the place had quite the "night life."

[...Except he has an inkling that she's only telling him such to show that she really doesn't care about him. That she moved on just fine. Isn't that how it usually means?

So, yeah, good for her. Better than drinking herself into a stupid stupor like he did—~~no it's not~~]

Might try it sometime later.

[Valo peers out from behind the bench, and from behind Tifa with wide, sad eyes, and she turns around to glance at the dog when she hears him whine.]

Just go back to your regular self!

[It's a damn good thing that she kept her back turned to him because the deep, deep frown that provokes out of her would have given her away. Though, if he's watching, he might spot the way her hands ball into tight fists, or how the tension settles into the space between her shoulders.

That wasn't what he was supposed to say. Though, it begs the question of why should she fucking care? Why did it matter at all what he thought of her, or what she did? And why did it piss her off so much to hear him so nonchalantly admit to wanting to do the same?

It shouldn't. She was over him. She had found solace in others—a way to forget. ... is what she tells herself as the boat sways ever so slightly from the light wind that sweeps through them. That finding that release she got is exactly the thing she needed to finally be free of him.

Free of the thoughts that plagued her, even as she had another man beneath her.

And if not, then she would fucking pretend until it became the truth.]

Good luck with that.

[Good luck with finding someone better than her. Good luck forgetting her. Good luck moving on...

He'll feel a cold wind and a large spray of water at his back as she sends some of it splashing up at him, and the magic disappears from her fingertips before she stomps off to the front end of the boat.

Her hand slipped.]

[Cid just sits there a little stunned before something in him just snaps.]

The bloody fuck is your problem!?

[—Okay. Getting into a heated argument while in the middle of open water in a small boat with a woman who controls wind is not the best idea. But the threadbare patience he had is officially gone.]

[She is afraid. She trusts him, but that twinkle in his eye reminds her a bit too much of Mid when she gets a wild hair up her ass and with as little as Jill knows anything about machinery, she knows she's at Cid's mercy of controlling this thing.

Which doesn't seem like much control as the engine kickstarts and Jill's feet are suddenly off the bottom and halfway up in the air with her own rear end coming into contact with the wood of the boat. Really? Not even a moment to allow her to grab the gunwale to steady herself?

It's that same gunwale that Jill is holding onto as she slowly rights herself upward, glaring daggers at Cid as the boat speeds off into some unknown destination.]

A little warning would have done well.

[That's going to leave a bruise for sure.]

Fortunate?

[She tilts her head with the question. Far familiar with how the royal lives go, Jill still wonders how it makes her fortunate in Dion's eyes. It's a role she had to fight for--still has to fight for with how she has to remind him she has a given name in the first place--but she would expect the leader of the Dragoons would have a little more freedom, even if he was the Crown Prince.

He wasn't held captive for many years; in her view, he might have had the better life with better opportunities. But that is just her assumption as an outsider.]

The more you say that the more I will!

[Because that's what she does, she worries. And with Clive not here, Cloud is the next person that will be her target as long as those logs are rolling.

But he seems fine enough that he gets over in one piece, leaving the logs empty for her. Jill hesitates with one foot hovering over the contraption before she decides to just go for it. ~~Unfortunately, the dice gods hate her enough to give her a big fat 1 on the roll.~~ Perhaps she went too fast with too much confidence or she stepped badly; in any case, Jill immediately loses her footing and slips off the log, banging her chin on the way down.

Clearly, she should have worried about herself more than about Cloud.]

[By the gods, whatever has she done in her life to deserve this? A lot, perhaps, if Jill considers her past that leaves her full of guilt, but shouldn't she have earned some sort of reprieve? Why has fate seen fit to put her in a situation that leaves her more and more uncomfortable as minutes tick by when all she wanted to do was help someone in need?]

It feels... like fabric.

[She is so out of her league and environment here and there's no way Jill can hide the discomfort of both being dressed in something so scant on the fabric by her measure while the Wind Harpy is on her shoulder like some devil.

The couple seems deadset on peppering her with question she cannot properly answer. The mistress picked the worst saleswoman ever.]

It wears... [Getting the next word out is a struggle because for Jill, it's absolutely the opposite of what she says.] ...fine.

[Nothing more, perhaps, but what he is precisely is lost on her and leaves her wondering, unasked questions lying on her tongue.

She follows his gaze to the person she has spoken to earlier, but it doesn't last long there as she's turning to look back at Nananki a few seconds later.]

I'm not. It's not the first time someone has judged me lesser. It will not be the last time.

[Sad to say, Jill is used to it. She doesn't like it, but she's used to it.]

Do you have experience with these sorts of things?

[She's asking about the obstacle course as her gaze turns to that now, but she could also be asking about the snap judgement of humans, as Nananki says. It is a loaded yet vague question.]

[Maybe someone else could describe a chocobo better than Jill would without pictures. She never was the artistic type.]

Other people?

[Now that gets a little frown from her, fingers pausing in their fur exploration, solely because the idea of taking on the appearance of someone could lead to bad situations and quite frankly, Jill doesn't even know this woman's name, much less her morals. Though on second thought, if she's giving out this information on her abilities so freely, that could say something positive about her.]

What would be the purpose of that?

[There's something in the way he looks away, as if her watchful eyes are too much for him to take and Jill notices that. She chalks it up to Joshua being Joshua, though, to him being long tired the subject of much fussing over and doesn't call him out on it.

For now, anyway. What's hidden in the dark eventually comes to light.

Fully pulling back, Jill wipes at her face with the back of her hand and takes a deep breath, looking a little more put together than she did mere second ago. Though her reddened eyes give her emotions away, she still smiles through it in response to Joshua.]

Far too much to make sense of. I still cannot grasp these shellphone things, but I did meet someone who can turn into a gorilla... whatever that is, to be honest.

[Oh, she is so tempted to do it again for that, but she holds fast to her own final thread of patience—thin and tattered as it already is—while she looks out to the sea.]

Me? [There's a mocking tone to her otherwise hollow voice.] The magic must have slipped. But I would watch my tongue if I were you, lest you want it to happen again.

[Jill purses her lips, twisting them slightly to the side, as the pressure increases but the pain does not sway much. Her eyes are trained on Tifa's fingertips as they dig into her flesh, watching the glove's leather dip into a little sort of hollow.

Tifa's question isn't taken as something intrusive. It's fitting for the moment; after all, a healer would ask these sorts of questions to know how to guide their care. And if Tifa isn't a healer, she's pretending to be a pretty good one in Jill's eyes.]

It... was spreading farther than the pain goes when I left home.

[It, being the curse she means. With the petrification, came the numbness and sometimes Jill didn't know whether she preferred not feeling the damage to the constant aching reminder of what being an Eikon meant.

Jill huffs, something that sounds a little too much like an uncharacteristic self-deprecating laugh, but it's just her hoping that this process between her and Tifa would give some relief while not seeing much of anything yet.]

Too many years of using my magick when I had no choice.

[Or in other words, when the Ironblood forced her.]

Regular... What do you mean?

[DROOPY EARS HIS EARS ARE DROOPING AGAIN.]

[It does seem odd that the cook herself isn't tasting her own food. Perhaps she has when Jill wasn't paying attention and she just needs a second opinion. That wouldn't make things strange, but what does is Velvet's reply. It wholly unexpected.]

How does one lose their sense of taste?

[The way Jill's tone rounds out that sentence, it's clear she wants to know what Velvet means exactly. She's heard about loss of sight and loss of hearing, even loss of sanity, but taste? That's a new one.]

Slipped my ass, that was deliberate.

[Dangerous, yes, but he is tired of her stupid games.]

Look, if you didn't want me around then should have bloody said so.

[Okay, now she turns around to look at him, the deep scowl on her face clear as day even in this wretched fog.]

Me!?

[He cannot be serious right now. If she was the one who did not want him around, and she sure as hell does not, then what does that make him? Why must he put the onus on her when he clearly feels the same? Typical Cidolfus move, that one. The fucking hypocrisy.

She had tried, but the pettiness in his own voice had done something to her. Twisted that deep knife deeper, pouring salt on an already fresh wound.

He should be angrier. He should be the one in her place because he is the one who put her here, and it is infuriating that he is not.

He deserved that splash, as far as she is concerned.]

You were the one who...

[Left. Both times.

But before that thought can stray any further away from her, she reels it right back, trying to shrug off that anger that he goaded out of her.]

I was here first.

[Well, at least she dispelled that horrible, awkward silence that hung between them.]

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