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Post by CJ on Jan 19, 2015 0:56:39 GMT -5
Connor had partially hid behind Solaine until Jean's men recognized her. He stepped out nervously grabbed at this ponytail with one of his gloved hands. He wondered why so many ships had come into the area recently. Was this island a hub for trading? How big was the city hidden in the trees? Embarrassingly enough, he hadn't asked what the name of the island was.
"Um... hey. I'm Connor. We're looking to talk to Jean. I'd be lying if I said this wasn't related to the Grand Path, though I'm not looking for a fight until we make sure we're both on the same page. I wouldn't want to drop a battle on her unexpectedly... even though she'd probably win anyway..."
The chef seemed to forget for a moment that Beth was there too, but already, their plans were falling short for this encounter. He almost hoped that Jean would be too incapacited to fight so that they'd have to pick a future date. He hated getting others involved, but if the Smith twins were healthy, they could have had some advantage going for them. Though Connor wondered why Beth would ever come up with such a plan at all if she was so scared of the consequences she thought could occur.
"You said Jean went inland," Connor continued, getting back on track. "Did she say anything about where she was going?"
At this moment, Beth too emerged from the deck, though held off in her usual stampede for Kaede to take as much (or as little) time as she wanted. She looked rather annoyed, though wouldn't hesitate to show a rather awkwardly half smile to anyone who met her gaze.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Jan 30, 2015 1:32:27 GMT -5
"Looking to talk with the captain? Well you'd have better luck speaking in person, you didn't miss her by that long. I'd wager you could catch her before she gets wherever it is she's headed to. Her and that fellow she's taken a shine to, with the metal wings."
As he spoke, the fellow who could be assumed to be the first mate, brought his hand to his chin. It sounded like he didn't know too much about the situation, though not for a lack of curiosity. As it were, the crew had not followed after Jean probably for some pertinent reason, and likely had been bidden to stay.
"Ay! Another ship on the approach." called a fellow hanging from some of the rigging higher up.
"See, everybody just coming and going these days. Maybe these ones will make for the shore."
"...the others haven't?" Kaede spoke up, having made her way to the other side of the ship when hearing of a new arrival. She had been curious about the supposed high traffic to the area, and it didn't sit right with her.
"Oh no, a good few have so far, it's just that none to make for the island have departed yet. Can't help but feel a little uneasy with so many strangers on the island with the captain, but she can handle herself."
"Also, somebody has to keep an eye out on the ones that don't touch down. Most have just sailed through these waters and been on their way."
True to their word, Kaede could make out a small collection of ships of varying sizes stationed about the island, although much closer than Jean had brought her ship. A concerned look was apparent, as she looked over a map of the island again. Solaine meanwhile, had backed away from the other ship and crew, and at a certain point just walked towards the back of their own ship and was conversing with the hired crew. She seemed intent on speaking quietly, or at least enough that no one on the other ship would hear. Whatever it was though she was talking of, was probably soon apparent as the hired crew began to take their places aboard again.
"So then, good to know! We'll just take our leave then, right? Don't think we have any more questions, so thank you for your time!"
Clearly intent on leaving, she did at least wait though, for the Andersons to have their bit. She was clearly uncomfortable, but they were the reason she was here, so as per usual in performing her job she was prepared to cater to their needs.
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Post by CJ on Feb 5, 2015 23:09:48 GMT -5
At the mention of "metal wings," Connor's face contorted in disgust.
The mere thought of the warlord was enough to set him off. What did he mean by "taken a shine to?" No, it couldn't be. Then again, with the way they were acting at that party a while back, it wouldn't be hard to assume they were an item.
If Uzo was here, things were going to get a lot more complicated. But it didn't make any sense. Why would the warlord encourage him to pursue the Grand Path in the first place? He had to have known that Jean's life could have been in peril as a result. He didn't understand it.
He felt Beth's hand on his shoulder. He attempted a smile for her and tried to calm down. They weren't here for Uzo. Well, they were here for him, just not the version he despised. He had to focus on the mission at hand. If Jean was ready, they had to be prepared for a fight worse than Devastis and any fight they'd been through before.
Beth still hadn't completely physically recovered from her fight with Devastis. Her hand was wrapped in heavy bandages. She was more quiet and reserved than usual. She seemed disinterested in what was going on at hand. Even Solaine's behavior, which was suspicious enough, didn't seem to bother her. She was going through the motions now. It frightened Connor to see her like that. He hoped getting through today would mean she would move on from her trauma with Devastis. He hoped it would all be worth it.
"We're ready if you are," Beth said dully, as though they were going out for a picnic.
"Whatever she says," Connor continued with a nervous laugh.
He turned to Kaede with a smug look on his face. He wished he could confidently tell her he could carry her on their journey, but he knew he wouldn't be able to lift her for even a minute.
"If you need any help when we're traveling on the island, let me know."
He wasn't sure what he could do, but it was worth a shot.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Feb 27, 2015 0:37:37 GMT -5
It didn't take long at all to approach the island, indeed most of the time went into the trip from the ship to the island by way of rowboat. With Solaine opting to stay behind with the ship and crew, nothing of much interest happened, other than as had been seen already; a surprising traffic of vessels both coming and going. Some more still continued to reach the island even ahead of them, but none yet seemed to have left.
---
While it was unclear if the island was actually inhabited or not, there were certainly signs or at least vestiges of civilization. Beyond the faintly visible ruins amidst the jungles of the island interior, most obviously the remains of some kind of dock. Or what was left of it at least, only the stone foundations barely protruding from the water, assumedly any wooden extensions or otherwise long since decayed. The person actually rowing the boat, a fellow by the name of Randy, skillfully pulled aside the largest contiguous stretch of foundation that had not eroded beneath the waves. Though it was still water swept, he managed to sidle up and personally hammer a spike into the stone by which to tie the boat off. Making the first step himself, he kept a foot in the boat and offered a hand to anyone who wanted it in order to reach solid ground.
"Take as long as ya'll like, I'll send a signal if anything should happen." he said, meanwhile he toyed with some kind of odd-looking bright orange pistol while unoccupied with helping the passengers.
Kaede meanwhile accepted the help, but only enough so that she could manage the rest on her own. This being, having Randy hold her crutch while she clamored onto the foundation, before she could stand upright once more. Of note that she had made sure to leave Bader behind this time. Her reasoning was less the robot's attitude, for normally she could handle it and would, in order to benefit from the assistance it provided. In this case though, from what little she had seen and already knew of the island, she had a feeling that subjecting the robot to any sorts of unnatural interference they could encounter was not a good idea.
She did of course make sure to have the robot administer a sufficient dosage of medication before their departure though, and informed Connor at least of this, so that everyone's minds could properly focus on the task at hand.
"The quicker the better, I think. I'm liking this place less by the minute."
The scene before them of the foundations leading towards the shore and some ruined buildings, all overplayed by the verdant flora of the island, didn't seem to catch her attention much. Her eyes were on the surf, in particular the water against the foundation they were on. She had noticed and made an effort to at least point out but not speak towards an odd trend of the sight and sound of the water not exactly matching up. It was hard to notice at first and could easily be missed amidst the total sum of sound from the tides all around them, but even something as simple as a small wave washing across the foundation, didn't actually have an appropriate accompanying sound until some moments later.
It seemed though in her noticing that she had missed something perhaps more disconcerting; the sight of footprints and the squelch of water beneath them actively moving along the foundation, though with no clear owners.
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Post by CJ on Mar 2, 2015 17:04:25 GMT -5
Connor was so focused on the pistol in Randy's hand that he nearly let go of Beth as he assisted her out of the rowing boat. To those that didn't know much about the couple, it might have seemed odd that Beth actually picked Connor up bridal style and placed him on the dry shore. It would be incredibly inconvienet if Connor were to fall into the water and be knocked out before they even found Jean.
It wasn't long before Connor caught onto what Kaede was witnessing. It was surreal, almost dream-like. He brushed at his hair and tried to figure out if he was awake.
"Are you guys seeing this?"
"Seeing what?" Beth asked ignorantly.
"This island isn't right," he said with a whisper, as though afraid someone could hear him. "What's going on?"
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