APRIL EVENT: YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME (EPILOGUE)

[sailmods]

[one by one, they are brought out of the dream, finding themselves in a brightly lit world of sand and broken glass, of familiar faces and audible relief.

as they pass through the crew quarters, they may notice that some tubes seem to be unoccupied, merely sand and empty air.

when they finally push open the heavy door, they find themselves on deck zero. the familiar terrain of the Serena Eterna. they never really left at all.

it is still and quiet; none of the usual ghostly presences can be found anywhere on the ship; in fact, it seems as if there’s barely enough of… whatever it is to keep the lights on, and they’ll find that all internal locations are dimly lit, making it difficult to search them. and they will be searching.

because Fio wasn’t in any of the tubes.

and neither was the Captain.

and Sparkles is somewhere to be found.]

Comments

[ossie_oswald]

Oh come now, Johnny, don't be modest and act like you haven't been paying attention.

[ Ossie leans a hand on the table, looking out at the assembled crowd. ]

Although if you were asking me, I think our little rift down the middle is the cause of some of that confusion. The edges aren't neat, true, but they are jagged. You saw the attempts at unity earlier in the lobby- or I did, at least. All... mutual suspicion and hostility. If it were me, and I weren't a dyed-in-the-wool coward, I'd be going over both of their heads. Posture as they might, neither side actually runs the ship in any meaningful capacity. And in any case, if they dislike the idea, you can simply blame the boss for it.

But that might need to wait for when the homicidal sprog isn't threatening his life, wot.

[businessorlibation]

Oh, would that I had the excuse of cowardice that you do, Ossie.

[Hear his exasperated sigh, directed at no fool more than himself?]

But you’re right, it’s a not yet. Fortify me further for when the moment is right?

[ossie_oswald]

You really ought to try it, sometime. I find it a most healthful practice that has kept me in possession of my life for longer than some.

[ He taps his jacket, ] in the form of dutch courage or rallying words?

[businessorlibation]

Both, ideally. Though both can lead to recklessness, in excess.

[ossie_oswald]

Then let us exercise moderation in both.

[ Ossie withdraws the small bottle of gin from his inside pocket and pours a tipple into Johnny's tea. ]

You managed to convince him to officiate your wedding, old boy. I'm certain you'll do just fine.

[businessorlibation]

You know he did that on a lark, not out of any affection for me.

[Sip.]

Should have seen how César and Watson reacted when I told them about it. Apparently they hadn’t figured I’d do anything of the like.

[ossie_oswald]

Oh, I wouldn't bet all of my money on that. You didn't hear it from me, but there's surprising depth to the fellow.

[ Safe to talk about while the Captain is literally under threat of death but he's almost certainly never repeating it again. ]

Really? That's surprising to me. You'd think those closest to you would see that puckish nature more clearly, not less.

[businessorlibation]

Puckish? Me?

[The memory springs unbidden of Rich saying Erin had told him Johnny's a gremlin or a goblin or something of the like. He'd always thought he maintained the mask of dignity quite well.]

[ossie_oswald]

You're an intelligent, observant, charismatic fellow, which means you're just the sort of fellow who would be the reason I'd end up in a lake or arrested in my university days, [ he practically purrs, standing back up from the table. ]

I could be wrong, but it's a particular sort of man who asks the Captain to officiate his wedding on a lark, is it not?

[businessorlibation]

I was being polite. It's tradition for a captain to marry people on a ship, so I was giving him first right of refusal. He wasn't expected to say yes.

[Johnny's gaze follow Ossie like heliotrope follows the sun.]

[ossie_oswald]

[ And like a sunflower to the sun, Ossie watches him back in turn. ]

Oh, my mistake, then. Apologies, old thing, didn't mean to slander.

[businessorlibation]

No offense taken, good man. Maybe it was a little impish to do it without telling the fellows first.