how beautiful

"Do you need help. That's what I asked, and before you get confused yes I am currently speaking to you." Isaiah flatly told him, with no urgency or any remote sign of worry. The way he said it sounded like it was rehearsed. "Can you understand that simple question or-"

Who was this man, really, Isaiah had never seen his face around before. Surely he'd remember a guy whose fashion was so pronounced and noticeable. If he weren't drunk perhaps his personality would be blunt, standoffish and sarcastic. Maybe that's just how Isaiah was judging him at first glance. Maybe that wasn't a fair way to think of him at all, but did he care? No, of course he didn't.

Snapping his fingers trying to draw the other's attention, and shortly after giving up trying to keep said attention, Isaiah set his bike on it's kickstand and crossed his arms. Interested to see if this person had any kind of identification on them to help him out. A wallet or a phone even, anything would work. He wasn't going to fish it out of a stranger's pockets but if it came to that he would. Maybe if he passed out, surely then, it'd be easier at least.

The vagabond laughed to himself, fancying the idea of trying to carry this person to the nearest hotel or hospital. God forbid, blacked out and helpless aboard The Jade Palace.

"You wouldn't happen to be lost would you? Where are you trying to go?"

#fosterpfontaine #IC

It was obvious, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to be that blunt. "A little. I mean, a pirate wouldn’t come up to me acting so friendly, so I just assumed.” Zhayne sighed, taking a long sip of water that he almost spat out at the other’s next words. “From when you were little?! Isn’t that kind of– huh, nevermind…” Inappropriate was what he wanted to say, but it was none of his business, he guessed.

“Well, hi, Isaiah. Nice to meet you,too.” He realized he didn’t actually know what else to talk about in this situation, and the silence could be growing longer by the second. As a soldier that doubles as a mountain-man, what could he possibly bring up as a conversation starter… What did the average person want to talk about here… How long have you been here? No, no, he knew exactly how long because the sailors made a huge scene when they first docked here. Zhayne guessed he had to get more personal than that in order to be interesting. “Uh, do– do you like it here so far? Besides the whole… pirate war thing. The Brine Enclave isn’t that bad a stop, I guess… Probably not what you were expecting, though."

His eyes shifted around the room of The Jade Palace, a bit uneasy. “You’ve all made quite the impression back at the mansion, that’s for sure.”

#etherealpruna #IC #(( *talkin casually when suddenly* ))#(( ALMOST REVEAL UR PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR NO REASON AT ALL ))

The medic downed his entire glass and hit the bottom hard against the table. "I hate it here."

He waved an arm over to point out the crowd surrounding them. "And how we manage to attract people like this is beyond me. Bunch of, assholes all under one roof- ship- deck- what. ever. Hate a lotta them cause they're pirates and pirates can be damn rude 'nd god knows what they think when they look at me. I hate it when they look at me. I don't know what kind of impression we've made to the nobles either, but I'm sure it isn't anything great, never is with this lot. Always after secrets and unobtainable goods... services."

Turning away from strangers who were staring in his direction, he focused back on Zhayne. Frowning and quickly apologizing for his sudden shift in tone. "Sickening to imagine spending more time here than necessary. Once you're apart of a lifestyle like this it's so hard to get out of, Zhayne."

"When you're forced into this environment-"

He let his legs fall to the floor and sat up straight. Cutting himself off before he got into anything that didn't need to be brought up. He wondered how he'd even come around to that particular topic. Desperately trying to play it off as naturally as he could he tried to rectify his mistake.

"-like- you were- forced here y'know- you can probably see where I'm coming from. Right?"

"A shield? Son, these gems are made to shield my own body, if anything. They cant keep me from you because–“ She knocked another crystal from the ground, thinner this time, so it shot up even faster. Her hand ran right through it and waved in his face as if there were nothing separating them, but any other material that wasn’t her own flesh and bone would have found the crystal to me impenetrable. "I’m the only one allowed to pass through ‘em.”

She returned her hands to her hips and shrugged. “I’m not interested in doing any of that though, like I’ve obviously been showin’ you. So, Isaiah, seems like you lack a bit of self-respect. A lot of it, actually. I can tell that, too.”

She hoped that this Isaiah kid wouldn’t be talking to the Vagabond leader about this little incident, if they happened to be so close, but word had probably already gotten to her by now. How unfortunate. “Does she really talk about me that much? Huh. We’re like, business partners. Business partners that happened to dock at the same unlikely ports. She’s a respectable woman all right. Would have invited her onto my own crew, but we’re both far too dominant to be able to share a ship. I think my title as captain would be in danger by her presence. Hah!”

Aeon poked at the medic’s nose. “But what could you learn from me? You need to get stronger, or somethin’? I ain’t a babysitter, lad.”

#crystalluscre #IC #(( inhales ))#(( BOI YOU CANT JUST ))

"Oh-" A firsthand display over an incredibly unique elemental ability. Seemingly unreal, as Isaiah stared unblinking through his lightly tinted frames. That bit of hardened and glimmering rock passed right through her skin, and it was shocking. But he learned something from it. He'd log that into his memory if he ever needed that precise bit of knowledge anywhere in the near distant future. And in realizing that meant that he'd never be able to be shielded by her ability he was saddened.

Now, Isaiah knew he wasn't Aeon's hostage anymore, but he still felt like he was. Hostage to the conversation and to her critiques sure but, he didn't feel like he'd be allowed to go anywhere if he decided to up and leave her without saying anything. Waiting for his chance meant waiting for her to finish talking.

When she talked of him lacking any kind of self-respect he nodded, but didn't get into it. And when she explained her business relationship with Xiuying he nodded again, taking in everything that she said but lacking any kind of will or reason to respond.

Alas, she asked him a direct question. Along with giving him a poke that made him cover his face with the sleeve of his sweater. ‘What could you learn from me?’ She had said.

"Probably nothing, truthfully. You'd be an awful teacher, and an even worse babysitter!"

What compelled him to speak his mind so suddenly.

"I should get out of your hair I guess, but before I go I just wanted to let you know,, I thought you'd be taller? From how you were described to me I expected someone waaay taller! Funny huh?"

Without another word he started walking in a wide circle away from her.

starter call !

give me a nya~ if u want a starter

#(( thats right he said a nya ))

It seemed like the stranger wasn’t going to leave him alone after all. Zhayne kept his eyes away from the other for a while, grumbling something about not being as “tough” as he looked. It was true, after all. He may be able to fight as a soldier now, but it didn’t make him any less of a coward deep down. Not unless he was in an especially serious situation, and gods knew nothing like that had happened since the sailors first dropped into the ports. Right now everything was calmer. Tense, but less dangerous. He huffed, “Yes, I say ‘no’ to doing things like this very often. There’s nothing I can get out of being here with a bunch of intoxicated sailors.”

“Sourpuss…?” This man was leaving him speechless. Zhayne wasn’t sure if he wanted him to go away or just be quiet; it wasn’t really all that bad to look at him, he just said such embarrassing things. Then it struck him– what this guy probably did as a job on this ship. Yeah, he had the looks. It made sense if he was a part of the dirty deeds that happened around here. The soldier felt faint. What a twist of fate this was, to be stuck with someone so sinful…

But that was just how things were, and he should probably accept it if he wanted to survive the night with any ounce of dignity. He narrowed his eyes at the other, though his body language was now more relaxed than it was. He’d give the little Vagabond that much. It would feel rather awkward if they continued their conversation with Zhayne curled up against the wall like a child having a tantrum, too. Resting his elbows on the tables surface, he beckoned one of the waitresses with one hand and got himself a glass of water. That’s right, not even a soda. He had an excuse for being so bland– water was just better for the heat building up inside his body, and if he got any more flustered, it would begin to get a little too hot in here.

“You work here, right?” His tone was more concerned and obviously out-of-his-element than he would have liked. “I’m Zhayne. Zhayne Collier. A, uh, noble, as you probably already guessed.”

#etherealpruna #(( IM CRYIGN TELLING HIM U'VE WORKED HERE ISNCE U WERE SMALL ISNT THE BEST THIGN TO DO ISAIAHHHH ))#(( zhayne idk how to break ths to u but this boy is a whore ))#(( ur in a whorehouse ))#(( i mean he was onCE THAT COUNTS ))

Now, as difficult as the vagabond figured back and forth banter would be with his new 'friend', it was easy to get a response out of him. Isaiah appreciated that, supposing if he really wanted to then this soldier boy could send him off or get up and leave him. Whether he felt the need to be polite or found it to be too much of a hassle to do otherwise was of no concern. As long as he was here, Isaiah could figure he wanted to be here. "Oh no honey there's so much you can get out of a few drunk sailors. Trust me."

Easing into a comfortable sitting position for Isaiah meant bringing his knees up to his chest, one arm wrapped around them, keeping his left hand free and attached to the refined surface of his finely polished cup. Ice cubes melting, having a sudden need to chew on them. Not in front of someone like this though, he doubted he'd be fond of that particular habit.

"I do work here! Was that easy to tell?" Including the way he dressed, the way he talked, the way he acted with patrons of the establisment when he was drunk... it was all a bit on the nose. What he did exactly was the real mystery to be guessed, couldn't blame anyone for assuming what he did at face value. "I've worked here for most of my life actually, from when I was little. Isn't that something."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Zhayne." He chuckled, cooing over his name, "Hmm, Zhayne. How lovely!" Glad he now had something to call his conversation partner besides silly pet names. "Isaiah is what you can call me, just Isaiah."

The captain smirked, as she had been watching the boy’s reactions closely. “You’re afraid of me, aren’t you? But you didn’t run or scream at the sight of this baby.” She patted the blue crystal and let it shudder and sink back into the ground, its light seeping back into the earth once more. “Don’t tell me you wanted it to hit you.”

She folded her arms against her chest while listening to the other try to figure out how to talk to her. A common occurrence with Aeon. He wasn’t that impressive, that much was true, but at least he was self-aware. She couldn’t tell if he was actually spineless or not. He seemed afraid, yet accepting. Perhaps a better word would be submissive.

“Ah. A medic.” It was as if you could see the interest bleeding out of her eyes and escaping her body. Aeon wanted to find warriors, not healers. Though they were just as important, she admitted, as her own surgeon-carpenter was her pride and joy and very, very tough. This kid? Not so much.

The older woman took a step or two closer to the other, leaning into his face with a smirk. “You’re right about that. I don’t think I woulda ever noticed you if you hadn’t been so conveniently placed next to me in these dire times. Ha.” Tossing her dark hair over one shoulder, she sighed. “So you obviously know my name, lad. What’s yours? Don’t think I wanna be friends or anything– I just wanna know who Ying’s talkin’ about when she comes to skin me later for taking a Vagabond kid.”

"Wanted it to?" Actually he missed when the threat of the crystal construct was present. Having it absent meant having that wall between him and the captain broken. Allowing her to get closer to him, he definitely didn't want that. "It was comforting actually- like a sheild, uh-"

He stuck out his arm as if he was trying to indicate the distance between them. "-keeping you, over there."

Objects with no personality are always less dangerous and more predictable then people with abrasive and brash personalities. Is what he wanted to tell her. Along with, I've got an ability that prevents my inevitable death. He didn't tell her that either. What was it about her that frightened him so bad. And why did he feel so inclined to divulge that he was frightened. He'd probably tell her anything if she asked. She reminded him of someone close to him.

Isaiah did his best not to lean away from her the same time she leaned towards him, tried his hardest to keep a straight face despite the redness of his cheeks betraying and showcasing his true embarrassed nature.

"It's Isaiah. My name is Isaiah, miss Aeon." It felt weird saying his own name out loud. "People tend to call me whatever they want though, you can too."

"There's likely a lot of things I could learn from you I bet, even if you don't want to be friends, cause this all feels familiar in a way. You kind of, remind me of Ying. She talks about you a lot but I think I can see why you guys have this estranged fondness for each other. Like, friends? If you can call what you have a 'friendship'."

#crystalluscre

fosterpfontaine-blog

@kindkatze

Foster huddled over his notebook, giggling quietly. He hadn’t been trying to attract attention, but it was hard not to be stared at when one sat alone at the back of the pub chortling and scribbling wildly.

He had entered by himself, sober, and immediately tried to sweet-talk a free drink out of the bartender; a gruff, bearded man who had grumpily informed him he wasn’t interested by threatening to have him removed. It hadn’t even been flirting, Foster would have argued. Just compliments. And winking.

Regardless, it had put him in a bad mood. With his ego bruised, he paid full price, then proceeded to order more and more, his notes turning less coherent with every refill, and now he was just doodling.

And laughing. He couldn’t even tell why, anymore, really. But something was so damn funny. He flagged down the waitress for another drink, but had only been met with a pitying, but not unkind look and the information that he had “probably had enough”.

He remembered arguing, saying he wasn’t hurting anybody. He remembered the waitress saying more plainly that he was being cut off. He remembered being told to go home, though he couldn’t recall by who anymore. It had all been a blur, and he didn’t fully understand how, but now he was outside.

The chilly evening air sobered him some. Not enough to agree that he didn’t need another drink, though, until he had stumbled up the street a ways, and had to stop and lean against a wall to quell his quickly rising nausea.

He had been expecting his natural ability to sense the North and South poles would guide him back in the direction of The Deceit. He knew roughly where the pub was in town. Or he…had known roughly where the pub was in town. And what he hadn’t been expecting was the dizziness.

Clumsily, he retrieved and proceeded to thumb through his notebook. A knot of worry began to form as he flipped past page after page of increasingly incoherent scribbles. He found his map of the town, but it was mostly composed of arrows, notes, and runes he was too drunk to read.

“….Um…” He mumbled, skimming the last few pages before lowering the book and glancing around. North was….left? no, right, or….maybe behind him? Its magnetic pull seemed to be almost spinning.

“…Ohh…sshhhit.…” He slurred, one hand rising to his mouth.

#fosterpfontaine #(( DONT U DARE PUKE ON THS CHILD ))

From a distance, it looked like some fool was stumbling about the streets, causing people both driving and walking the sidewalks to shout in the various directions the stranger was moving about. Probably yelling at a drunkard. Not that it was uncommon with some of the people that Isaiah knew littered the streets. He could even be assured that this person was drunk, and probably had no clue who they were or where they were, one of the two.

Intending fully to pass by on his bike without so much as a second glance. He didn't need to help this person, that wasn't his job, he didn't even know them he was sure of it. None of his business. And yet he still skidded to a stop next to the drunk man as it were and sighed a pitiful sigh.

Why was he always running into these kinds of people, bad habits attract those with the same habits or something of that nature.

"You alright sir?" Isaiah tried to muster a concerned tone, and ended up sounding indifferent instead. "-Alright enough for me to leave or, are you gonna need help. I assume yes but I'm sorta hoping for a no." The pirate was swaying and covering his mouth every few seconds, alerting the medic to very clear signs of nausea. “I swear if you puke on me I’ll- leave.” He didn’t have threats. He was never any good at threats. He preferred just being honest.

“Uptight?! Look, I was just dragged here against my will, this definitely isn’t my kind of crowd. I mean, look at me.” He let out a sarcastic, empty laugh, glancing up at the other man only to retreat his gaze back to the table immediately. Urgh, a mistake. The stranger must have been as drunk as the rest of them, but he still had charm and Zhayne was not good with these types of people. He could feel himself being stared at all of a sudden and his face flushed– a cloud of steam escaped in his breath and he covered his mouth to hide it, almost choking. “I mean– don’t look at me.” How embarrassing.

“I don’t need any kind of entertainment, you can just… let me sit here and suffer for a few more hours so I can go. It’s really, super exciting to me when I’m ignored. That is my wish, as your guest on the ship. Alright?”

#etherealpruna #(( fuckign ))

"I may be a bit of a fairy but I don't grant wishes dear." Even if this man wasn't looking for any kind of entertainment or present company, this was an opportunity Isaiah just could not overlook. A chance to entertain himself, he'd found his own bit of excitement for the night. He smiled as he let a waitress refill his drink whole-heartedly.

"And, I don’t wanna leave you alone, I do wanna know why you’d let yourself get thrown into somethin' you don't even enjoy. I mean you seem like you’d handle yourself well. Probably say No to a lot of stuff like this huh." As he spoke he kept staring the soldier up and down, mumbling unheard and undecipherable compliments for his physique under his breath. Isaiah took another sip from his drink, peachy and sweet. He needed it.

"Also I see why people were so interested in you, you're kinda handsome for a sourpuss. Got a weird charm to you, I like it."

One stomp of her boot, and a 5 feet tall crystal shot out from the ground with a loud, rumbling roar, aiming itself at the Vagabond’s throat. A devilish grin curled on Aeon’s lips. “Oh believe me, I woulda killed ya already if I wanted to. But I’m already away from those buffoons, so what’s the point in doin’ that now? It’s not like I’m in danger of you killing me.”

Of course she would never use her precious crystals to harm anyone, but they worked fine enough as threats.

“Did you think I’d get a kick out of kidnapping and killing you when nothing comes out of it? Like some savage? I may be a pirate, lad, but I’m a pirate that can’t be bothered with that kind of behavior.” She held her hands at her hips, sizing up the stranger. Weak. Defenseless. He probably had something other than strength to offer the Vagabonds if Ying had kept him around. He was all-in-all, someone Aeon would have never talked to or even thought to glance at. Situations changed when you needed a good hostage, though. It seemed like they never even cared to protect him from her, too, which she cackled at because it just seemed so damn funny.

“You’re annoyed too, aren’t ‘cha? Almost seems like you lost a bet. Pulled the shortest stick outta the lot, huh? What the hell do you do for the ‘ol Vagabonds that makes them think you’ll be ok leavin’ with me, I wonder?” Or maybe they just saw a chance to throw him out to the dogs. The captain couldn’t care less.

#crystalluscre #(( tfw aeon is in the room w me writing ths reply holding me at gunpoint ))

Flinching only at the initial sound of the ground tearing itself open, Isaiah stared at the luminous structure that the sea-devil herself seemed to have conjured from thin air. Or rather from precious earth. Beautiful, imposing, he was in awe. It'd stopped inches from his windpipe, and he hadn't even tried to move out of it's line of trajectory. That worked out well. At least he knew she was telling the truth seeing as he sure wasn't dead or dying. Lucky him.

"Sorry for assuming."

Now he had to actually talk to her. And he didn't rightly know how to. Her demeanor and personality, the way she talked, screamed that she was bold and in charge. She had clear morals too, something Isaiah didn't even consider. His hands retreated into the sleeves of his sweater and he rubbed them together nervously.

Aeon was a formidable force to be reckoned with alright.

"I,, don't really know what to say to you honestly-" Throwing him for a loop, as he never would've bothered to answer anyone else's questions. With her being a captain though, he didn't want to disrespect her.

"-Look, I'm easy pickings okay? Plus you grabbed a medic? Someone who everyone always looks over but is also kind of important to the whole vagabond operation. Hah, operation- BUT, uh, you probably shocked and surprised a lot of people when you grabbed ME out of, everyone. Also really clever of you to do, without knowing. Pretty neat actually. I get the feeling you'd outright ignore me in any other setting."

With as nervous and unsure of himself as he was, he gave himself credit for at least holding eye contact with her the entire time.

@kindkatze

It was always demanded by the Vagabond’s leader that no fighting between pirates and nobles would happen aboard her ship, not when they still remain neutral in the war. That’s what made him so uncomfortable to be there that night. How someone had managed to drag him to the shadiest part of the interior of the ship, he’d rather not remember. It involved a lot of half-assed convincing followed by the others giving up and just dragging his body straight to the Vagabonds for them to toy with. Though the area was on neither side, there were of course, a staggering disproportionate number of pirates on the ship versus noble soldiers. Most nobles didn’t want to be seen anywhere near a sailor, after all. That made it all the more dangerous for him to be here when he was practically alone.

Zhayne sat at a corner table with his arms crossed defensively across his chest. He would wait until the acquaintances who brought him onto the ship to get too drunk and pass out before he’d make his escape. He had no business being there, after all. It was practically a brothel inside!

The soldier avoided the gaze of everyone who approached him, giving them any excuse to get away from him. “I don’t want anything. Don’t touch me. Leave me alone. I’m waiting for someone. Goodbye.”

#etherealpruna #(( NYELLO ))

All walks of life took part in the festivities of the Jade Palace. It was the place to be if you were looking to waste a couple of hours and end up forgetting the events that took place to begin with. Most came in with their wallets stuffed to the brim and left with nothing but dust and a few crumbs to part with. That's just how it was on board, fast paced and laced with excitement. Xiuying encouraged a good time and that's exactly what you'd be having. For the most part.

Isaiah tolerated many familiar faces deep within the ship's walls. Pushing past the hustle and bustle of pirates and vagabonds alike celebrating god knows what, anything worth making a fuss about. Celebrating calm waters that day or a good haul that benifited everyone. All he wanted was to get a drink and sit down, really. Finding tables crowded and others beckoning him for, well, a good time. He laughed, being very used to this charade.

He'd been watching the odd looking noble for quite some time though, deciding to go and make conversation since the man was in the most ideal position. In the corner. All by himself. Brushing off the immediate ' that seat is taken ' in favor of taking the seat across from him anyways. Setting his half empty glass down with a delicate hand.

"Oh please, you're not holding this table for anyone! You've turned down everyone that's come over here. Why so uptight hm? Need someone to entertain you?"

@kindkatze

It wasn’t like Aeon ever intended on dying in this hellish enclave. It wasn’t the first time she had been surrounded by enemies– nobles, vagabonds, and townspeople alike. They seemed to think that they could truly take her if they all worked together or something. Maybe that’d be so, if they were an actual threat to anyone in her crew, much less its captain. The ambush tried to surround her at all sides while she had been going for a little stroll.

Aeon sighed. What did a lady have to do to get a little peace and quiet around here? It wasn’t like she was setting their land on fire today. Maybe yesterday, maybe tomorrow, but not right this second. Grabbing an innocent bystander and holding a dagger to their pretty little neck, she smirked at the angered people. “Would it kill ye to let me be for one damn day, lads? This is one of yours, right?” The Vagabonds’ will to fight dropped significantly and she knew she had landed a good hostage. “See? No funny business, now. I will kill this one. Let me go, and you’ll see ‘em stumble back home later.”

It was a quick, temporary solution, but it worked. Dragging the dark-haired Vagabond boy with her, she retreated into the wilderness that surrounded Maneater Lake. She shoved the hostage away from her once the coast was clear.

“I might’ve apologized, lad, but you were truly asking for it by standing too close to the dangerous pirate captain during an ambush. The hell is wrong with you Vagabond kids?”