Unknown Seas Mods / NPCs (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bathymetric) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
unknownseas2021-01-24 10:36 am
bathymetric) wrote in unknownseas2021-01-24 10:36 am
COMMENCE VOYAGE
Fun Fact: Did you know the Atlantic Ocean has a surface area of 41.1 million square miles? No reason.
...
There's something uneasy in the air as you come to.
Well, "come to" is an interesting word in this case. It implies waking up, which is not exactly what happens. None of you are in beds, nor are you really asleep in the traditional sense. One moment you're somewhere else, doing something else with your time, and the next? You're somewhere on board a massive cruise ship - maybe lounging on a deck chair by the pool, maybe getting some Gains in the exercise room, maybe enjoying the tasteful décor in the buffet - and you have no idea how you got here or how you might get back. This is not your beautiful house. If you have a beautiful wife, she isn't here.
What you do have, apart from 25 other unlucky souls, is a small smartphone-like device in your pocket with only a handful of things on it: a clock reading 11PM, a pdf of a ticket in your name on a special Atlantic Liners New Year's Eve Cruise, an app labeled Passenger Profiles with some basic information on your traveling companions, and a message:
Welcome aboard, passenger! Please feel free to partake of any of the facilities while you wait for the big event! Remember: when midnight comes, you better make your way to the theatre at the back of Level 1 for the main event! The Captain and the First Mate will be there to take care of you all personally, and to help you ring in the new year in style!
Well, that's a start. But what you do until then, it seems, is up to you!
...
There's something uneasy in the air as you come to.
Well, "come to" is an interesting word in this case. It implies waking up, which is not exactly what happens. None of you are in beds, nor are you really asleep in the traditional sense. One moment you're somewhere else, doing something else with your time, and the next? You're somewhere on board a massive cruise ship - maybe lounging on a deck chair by the pool, maybe getting some Gains in the exercise room, maybe enjoying the tasteful décor in the buffet - and you have no idea how you got here or how you might get back. This is not your beautiful house. If you have a beautiful wife, she isn't here.
What you do have, apart from 25 other unlucky souls, is a small smartphone-like device in your pocket with only a handful of things on it: a clock reading 11PM, a pdf of a ticket in your name on a special Atlantic Liners New Year's Eve Cruise, an app labeled Passenger Profiles with some basic information on your traveling companions, and a message:
Welcome aboard, passenger! Please feel free to partake of any of the facilities while you wait for the big event! Remember: when midnight comes, you better make your way to the theatre at the back of Level 1 for the main event! The Captain and the First Mate will be there to take care of you all personally, and to help you ring in the new year in style!
Well, that's a start. But what you do until then, it seems, is up to you!
no subject
[Still, that answer is...Plumeria doesn't know what to do with it You are a strange one, Sylvando. So says the fairy in the thorns and skimpy get-up, but she pauses for a bit and Sylvando can probably practically hear the gears turning in Plumeria's head.]
...Ugh. That sounds like something Peony would say. [Plumeria simply makes a small 'hmph' sound and turns away.] Well, hopefully your optimism doesn't wind up misplaced. I can't imagine it'd be easy for most people to follow your example in such a situation.
no subject
[Not that he knows who Peony is, but they seem like his kind of person.
Also is Plumeria just trying to exit the conversation here, because Sylvando's not one to be shut down so easily.]
Oh, I'm well aware. That's why I always try to lift the spirits of those unable to do it for themselves! Sounds like you could use a bit of optimism yourself, for example.
no subject
...Meanwhile, Plumeria was...actually expecting Sylvando to leave, and when he says that much, she turns back to him with an almost bewildered look, because--]
I beg your pardon? I'm not pessimistic, I'm being realistic!
[She sounds so affronted??]
no subject
Also jeez, that sure is a reaction. Sylvando takes in stride though!]
You can be both realistic and optimistic, you know! I know a smile's not going to completely overturn a dire situation, but they do more good than you might give them credit for. Besides! I think a smile would look a lot nicer on you than that scowl.
no subject
You--You're utterly daft, aren't you? [That comes out in a very incredulous tone. How dare you encourage her to have a positive feeling??? Plumeria recoils a bit, like the very notion is going to give her hives.] What exactly is a smile going to do to help this situation? We're still going to be stuck on this filthy ship!
no subject
Because even in the worst of times, smiling lightens the load! It puts you in a better mindset to face your troubles! Doom and gloom is only going to bog you down!
I have a better question for you, darling: What about the thought of putting on a smile is so repulsive to you?
don't mind that last tag i actually did not like it very much so, rewrite whoops
Well for one, I'm not about to take suggestions from a human; I only take such things from Lady Freyja. For two, you're acting utterly presumptuous in assuming that something so simple can put a bandage on this mess.
[But really, it's frustrating because Plumeria doesn't exactly have an argument against this that isn't just petty, and really, she doesn't--]
Why are you so insistent upon this?
all good!!
He keeps that in mind for now, choosing to answer Plumeria first. His tone is a bit more subdued and serious this time.]
It's simple. I just like seeing people smile rather than suffer. Is there something so wrong about wishing to deliver a ray of light to cut through the gloom?
no subject
...You could stand to be far less rude about it.
[But even that's just kind of the best she can do at this point, and for all of her prickly thorniness, she doesn't...actually know what to do with this. He's so genuine about this??
...Ugh. Plumeria sighs, but if it'll get him to just stop acting like that then--fuck it. The smallest of smiles comes onto Plumeria's face. Just because she's doing it doesn't mean she's gotta like it!!]
There. Is that better?
[Plumeria's eyes are just kind of closed right now and she kind of wants to fall back into her own reality now.]
no subject
It is! Your smile looks very nice!
[He knows it's a forced smile, but the fact that she even humored him means a lot.
With that said and done, when Plumeria opens her eyes, she'll see Sylvando bowing.]
I'm sorry that I came off as rude. It wasn't my intention at all. I shouldn't have pushed it so hard. But from the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving it a shot.
no subject
Just--just don't get used to it, human.
[Her eyes open and honestly, this was a mistake? This was a mistake. There's just a minor groan that escapes Plumeria, not even sure what to do with this.]
...I don't understand you at all. [why? are you being so nice?? when she's been nothing but nasty???] If you'll excuse me, then, I'm going to take my leave.
[Just. Excuse her while she walks right off, trying not to internally die from the strange sort of kindness that's been demonstrated. Gross??? Gross.
(and once again, I apologize to Sylvando, jesus fucking christ)]
no subject
[Much to Plumeria's displeasure, probably.
Still, though... Sylvando's smile turns to something soft and sympathetic as he watches her walk away. What a strange reaction she had. Is she really so unaccustomed to such things?
It's...sad to think about, really.]