sailmods: (Default)
sailmods ([personal profile] sailmods) wrote in [community profile] come_sailaway2022-05-18 12:35 am

pleased to meet you

CW: murder

[it is the morning of the 17th when the usual morning announcement is replaced with the sort of tentative, nervous tone that Friday takes on immediately before something insane happens.]

Good morning, passengers! It's, um... Well, I sure hope everyone had an interesting time on their shore excursion! The Captain sure did! In fact, he had such a good time, he's asked me to inform you all that, tonight, he's going to be hosting his usual captain's formal in the main dining room, but with a twist! This time, it's going to be a, um... victory party! For Natsuno! Because he won! [small laugh] And also to celebrate the opening of a new shop on the Promenade! Gosh, and that really is something to celebrate; I haven't seen that happen since he--

[LOUD STATIC NOISES]

-- Yes, well! The dress code will be cruise formal; everyone can find a new set of clothes in their cabin to celebrate the occasion! I-- Oh, right, we'll see you all tonight! 8PM sharp!

[the connection cuts off. today, for the first time that anyone can remember, Friday can't be found in the atrium. or any other room. smoke 'em if you got 'em.

at 8PM sharp, the door to the dining room swings open. it is mostly empty: the only tables left are a dozen or so under the main chandelier. there are name cards at each table setting, written in Friday's neat script; the seatings seem mostly random, except for everyone who was on the island, who will find themselves at a table with their killer and/or victim(s). except Natsuno, of course, whose name is displayed proudly at the head table, next to an unnamed place. once they are inside, all of them find themselves under the same sort of compulsion that they felt during the muster drill, and their legs will stop working until they have gone to their assigned seats.

Friday enters the room first, dressed up nicely, but with hunched shoulders and her hands clasped firmly in front of her. the door shuts behind her. she says nothing, and acknowledges no one, not even Natsuno, as she takes her spot behind the chair.

a few fashionable minutes pass. it starts as smoke pouring out from under the door, moving towards the table as it slowly solidifies into the form of... a rather normal-looking man. he sits, cross-legged, in the chair that Friday pulls out for him. he looks over the assembled crowd, visibly considering something... there is a flash of silver in the light, and the knife he'd had in his sleeve is across Friday's throat quicker than she can react, and she falls bonelessly to the ground, a spray of arterial blood across the table setting.]


There, perfect.

[he looks out at them again. and he smiles. the knife is placed back in his sleeve, and he holds his hands out, palms up.]

Well. Here's your chance. [he waves a hand lazily, and the compulsion keeping them seated fades like pins and needles.] Try not to embarrass yourselves.
luminessense: (angy)

[personal profile] luminessense 2022-05-25 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The fact that Ebalon is approaching at all is enough to make Lumine's posture stiffen. Scrutiny is already happening here in this Chili's tonight. But Lumine doesn't try to summon a sword or a gust of wind or anything like that, so… small victories?

She certainly isn't saying "no," either. Not after all the people she's talked to tonight. Captain included. Congrats, Ebalon, you're not worse than the person who literally kidnapped them all and put them here to literally kill each other. Once again… small… victories…? ]


I don't know if willing is the word I'd use. [ Clear the beaches! Snark attack. ] But I'll listen, regardless.
selenokinesis: (c. 60)

[personal profile] selenokinesis 2022-05-25 11:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Small victories. He could be worse if he wanted to! But he doesn't. Yet. Let him repair broken bridges — making a more united front against the Captain is much more worth his time right now, and to do that, he needs people to side with him. So!]

Well, that's quite fair, though I do appreciate it sincerely.

[He puts his hand to his chest.]

I will not excuse my behaviour. While I was almost certainly not myself during that event, I should have made an attempt at getting a handle on my feelings. The only thing in my mind happened to be "revenge"... quite immature of me, I know. With that aside, that is, as stated, not meant to be an excuse, but rather an explanation. I am terribly sorry for attacking and killing you.

I would not ask for your forgiveness, as I do recognize how much of a stretch it would be to do so out the gate, but I do hope you will take my words into consideration regardless.
luminessense: (it woulda been good to use a song)

[personal profile] luminessense 2022-05-26 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
[ …

That was actually a very good apology on it's own. Were an apology enough to fix what he did, it would have been enough, really. But as Ebalon even says himself, getting forgiveness from this alone is a big fucking stretch. She sits there, though. And she does consider his words. Mostly, though, she's biting her tongue to avoid telling him that he should be locked away and stripped of his magic somehow and even then would that be a mercy.

She's so fucking angry, but her sense of working together and self-awareness that an event like this was supposed to tear them apart is… a frustrating mixture. ]


At least you're aware enough of other people's mental states now. I don't think "better late than never" applies here, though. So, allow me to return the favor. I know you can do nothing right now to prove these pretty words aren't just empty attempts to kick away your problems, and if you're serious about it, I'll hear you out. But I have negative reasons to trust you at face value.
Edited 2022-05-26 04:49 (UTC)
neverleave: (do you still think she's dead?)

[personal profile] neverleave 2022-05-26 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
[While Clarke is trying to convince Mizuki to dump Ebalon's ass, Natsuno is eavesdropping on this very sincere apology. He'd rather avoid the Moon Fucker forever, but he's worried about Lumine. She's not buying his bullshit, which is good, but still - ]

Don't even hear him out. You know it's crap. He's not worth it.
selenokinesis: (a. D-01)

[personal profile] selenokinesis 2022-05-27 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Looks at Natsuno like ✪ ω ✪ (okay no he doesn't do that but I wanted to make the joke)]

Do you mind? I'm trying to start to make a serious attempt at righting wrongdoings. I do not mind, nor blame you, if you won't take it seriously, but you do not know me or my rationale — I would kindly ask that you allow me to try and make an honest attempt. Thank you.

[Turning back to Lumine:]

I hardly expect anyone to have reasons. But I am trying to make an attempt regardless, as I have said. There is nothing to be done now, of course, and you are right to point that out. If I wished to kick away my problems, I would not be making this attempt — in fact, I would simply avoid everyone. Let it be known that, even if you do not believe me, this is genuine in intent.

[Actually, if he wanted to run away from his problems, he would simply either TPK the party or start mind-magicking the shit out of people. But, can't say that.]
luminessense: (CRAAAAWWLING IN MY SKIIIIINN)

[personal profile] luminessense 2022-05-28 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ Audible exclamation mark sounds at Natsuno when he arrives. ]

I- [ "wasn't going to accept his apology", but she figures that Natsuno's probably picked up on that much already. It's not like she wants to even consider listening to Ebalon. Especially not after covering the both of them in lacerations before playing games with them. That was a whole load of bullshit, and it's going to take Lumine a while to get over it herself, not to mention forgive her killer. She's not a huge fan of dying, thanks! However, avoiding him entirely on the ship is going to be hard and, perhaps, Lumine is far too much of an anime protagonist to not at least hear someone out. ]

... I acknowledge your attempt. And, [ Mostly to Natsuno. ] I am at least vaguely aware that the game the Captain had us playing was intended to put rifts between the people here. But... [ And back to Ebalon. ] I am not so naïve to believe words over actions.
selenokinesis: (c. 80)

[personal profile] selenokinesis 2022-06-02 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I appreciate your acknowledgement. I do not, however, expect you to believe words over actions — I am simply stating my piece. I have made promises to multiple people thus far to put in the work, and wished to include you in that as well. It would be remiss of me not to, after all.

[He offers a half-bow, hand to his chest, his usual I'm-being-polite thing he does without really thinking about it.]

That is all I wished to say.

[Which means, unless Lumine needs to say anything else, he's going to take his leave with the rest of the partygoers.]
luminessense: (aaaaaaaa)

[personal profile] luminessense 2022-06-03 11:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ Were Lumine just a bit ruder, she may have made obscene gestures the moment Ebalon turned around. Alas, she's actually making some attempt to be amiable to all the people that really didn't deserve it at this party. Even the Captain, somehow. She didn't even try to stab him. Mostly for her own sanity had he tried something like he did for Watson, admittedly, but still.

She turns to Natsuno with a slight bow of her head once she's certain Ebalon's out of earshot. ]


Thank you. I... I don't believe a word of it, of course, but... I fear what may happen if I don't make some attempt to at least not be hostile at this point. Not with him, just... in general.

[ Something something anime protag, something something people have good in them, something something strength in numbers. It's a whole thing, the spiel's been done before. ]
neverleave: (pensive)

[personal profile] neverleave 2022-06-03 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[He keeps glaring daggers at Ebalon's back until Lumine speaks.]

...no, I get that. We shouldn't waste time fighting each other.

[It's pragmatism, not noble ideals. Natsuno just doesn't want to be distracted from the real enemy. He already regrets losing control on his anger and taking it out on La Pluma.]

But I think it's better to ignore people like him than even humor them in conversation. If you want to keep an eye on him, I guess it makes sense, but... don't waste your time and energy on this freak.