come_sailaway | very late may thing

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very late may thing | Open

Who: Kore and OPEN
When: Month of May
Where: All over the ship
Summary: Kore is trying to settle in and pretend the Battle Royale didn't happen
Warnings: Historical nudity if you run into her in the Spa or Gym

Over the course of May, excluding the ill-fated excursion and few days after, Kore had a semi-predicable pattern, morning meal quite early, touring the ship until her midday meal which would be early by modern standards, taken to Calgona for the afternoon to use the gym as much as she knew how and the spa for 'baths' in the Roman style (what's a bathing suit and why?), then for a light evening meal around sundown and more wandering after. She may return to her cabin to work on her clothing (made from stolen linens largely and made up in typical Roman style - either wraps or tubes of fabric) or visit with people after and have a light snack before sleeping.

She can be found using ink from pens, mixed with alcohol, and tiny make-up brushes or toothpicks to paint or draw patterns on the clothing she's making, once spending several days (and several knives) carving a hairpin from a bone. While she has figured out how to 'shop' the modern garments are too strange and uncomfortable for her, largely.

After the events of the Excursion and 'dinner', Kore had all but locked herself into her cabin, leaving only for quick, brief meals while she tried to settle herself into something. She could be heard muttering prayers under her breath for protection and pleading for forgiveness. She wouldn't avoid people, and wouldn't ignore someone who spoke to her - but she wasn't seeking them out and was clearly calmer, the closer to her cabin she was.

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Diana had a routine herself, although hers didn't start until sundown, when it was safe to leave her cabin and her terrifying Care Bear of a room mate. Somehow, inevitably, her early evening always took her to the theatre, her guitar thumping lightly against her back as she made her way up onto the stage.

It wasn't exactly affectation that she was most comfortable on the stage. There was just something about the stillness and the acoustics that quieted her mind. And hers was a mind that needed constant quieting.

She'd survived the weird blood. But who knew what would happen if the little beast managed to get out? Diana worried she was on borrowed time.

Settling down on the floor, she began to play. Each night was a different concert. She just picked whatever she was feeling and went with it. Tonight was a Pippin kind of night:

Simple joys have a simple voice
That says, "why not go ahead?"
And wouldn't you
Rather be a left-handed flea
Or a crab on a slab at the bottom of the sea
Than a man who never learns how to be free?
Not 'til he's cold and dead...

Kore had taken to wearing her palla pinned with her hair stick, two corners tucked into her body chain, and the final trailing in the breeze. It was airy and felt pleasant to her. And the colors set off her dress and her face nicely.

The light fabric and her bare feet (not to mention a lifetime of practice) made her all but silent to human ears, and it allowed her to listen closely to the words being sung and the instrument at play. She hung back as Diana played, giving her space and quiet, but enjoying what she thought was practice.

For better or for worse, Diana didn't have human ears. And she was a sucker for an audience, anyway. She glanced up when she picked up on Kore's heartbeat, giving her strange friend a small smile.

She kept playing, as she finished the chorus, but called out to her instead:

"Hey, lady. What brings you to my corner of the sky?"

Which was a hilarious joke. If you knew the score of Pippin.

So. Yeah. Only funny to Diana. But whatever.

As Diana didn't seem to mind, Kore kept watching but her posture relaxed and smiled back at her. Given how strange everything was, Kore has been slow to make friends but that means she cherishs the ones she has even more. Even if...that simply counts as 'one' - still unsure if her cabinmate is merely a friendly person who shared her cabin or a friend.

"I heard you playing." Only funny to Diana, sure, but Kore answers anyway, walking down to her. "You sing beautifully, and the amphitheater shows you off so well." She'd remember it was simply 'theater' eventually, but not today.

Diana dipped her head. She knew she was a good singer, but she also had enough manners to accept a compliment with grace. And given the fact that Kore sometimes reminded her of a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, she knew it was no small thing for her to say something like that.

Music was the closest Diana got to magic. It had a power over people. To help them feel, to bring them together.

She never wanted to take that for granted.

"I'd offer to sing one of your favorite songs," she said, "but I probably don't know any of them. I'm sorry about that."

She had reason to be skittish, especially now. She would eventually out the trauma back and find her core of strength again but such rebuilding takes time and support. And support meant friends which Diana was.

And while she didn't know why, didn't know the music, she knew she felt better around it. Diana made her feel better.

"No offense is made by not knowing. I enjoy watching people in their element. They shine as the Graces guide them." Which was something Kore loved to see - people excelling in a thing they enjoyed. It was her kind of building

If only her father had named his daughters after the Graces, instead of goddesses of the hunt. Diana was sure that she would have been able to totally rock the name Thalia.

But then, she supposed, if she'd really wanted to, she could have changed her name decades ago. Lots of Cainites did.

She was too sentimental.

"Well," she said, smiling slightly, "I still know thousands of songs. I could probably find something you'd like. What kind of music are you into? Sweet? Militant? Maybe something kind of inspirational?"

"I'm used to hearing the kithara play somewhere in the villa. I suppose it would be sweet?" She can hum some of the melodies - she learned them if course and how to pluck them off a kithara - but she hasn't actually been able to touch one in several years.

Diana laughed her little, lithe, bell-like laugh. "Well," she said, "sweet is something I can definitely do."

Yes. She was too sentimental. But sometimes, that wasn't such a bad thing.

"Here," she said, strumming a few stray chords. "Try this one on for size. See how you like it."

Since she was in a Stephen Schwartz mood, she transitioned effortlessly into Children of Eden. While Diana refused to admit to having a favorite--choosing a favorite composition of hers would be like choosing a favorite child--Children of Eden was special to her. And she knew it.

In whatever time we have
For as long as we are living
We can face whatever comes
If we face it now as one
I could make on my own
Let me know that I don't have to
No one really wants to be alone
In whatever we time have

On one hand, it didn't matter if the music was to Kore's tastes or not - the effort in trying to find something she would enjoy meant a great deal. And Diana was very talented which made the music she played all the more beautiful. But the lyrics did mean something to her. Both back home and here. She'd found strength while with Spartacus' Rebels by finding friends, she'd endured Tertulla's harsh tongue and slaps by finding comfort in Marcus and her friends within the household, and here...she's struggling. Because she's largely alone, save two people. Which she knows herself to know what's not enough. That makes her sniff a little and one Diana is finished...

...Kore closed the distance to throw her arms around Diana's shoulders and hugging her. "That's lovely!"

Diana laughed, more than happy to hug Kore back.

Too sentimental, yet again. But what could she do? She loved hugs. Especially hugging humans, with their warmth and their moments of wonder.

And Kore? It seemed like she kinda needed it too.

"Well, this is def the best reception I've gotten in a while." She patted her back, gently. "I'm glad you like it. It's a favorite of mine."

There's nothing wrong with being sentimental, even the Gods are. Or some of them anyway.

But she did need the hug. There's a security in a hug, a safety, and a reminder that one is not alone. She needs them all but she also enjoys being the one to grant that. And when she pulled back, she kept her hands on Diana's shoulders, just to enjoy having her friend. "I do like it. Do you play in here often?"

"Pretty much every night," Diana admitted. "Helps me clear my head." She laughed. "Not that there's much in there. My sisters always said I was nothing but a rag-headed doll." Which...she believed because her sisters were smarter and more capable than she would ever be.

Much harder too. But therein lay her secret strength.

That and the fact that she gave great hugs.

"It...keeps me calm, I guess?" She shrugged. "I mean, this situation is way out of my control and all. But music? Music, I get to control."

"I can understand that reasoning." And she could, completely. It's why she attempted to keep to a routine most days, tried to keep her skills and her physical strength up. Because it was something she could control.

However.

Kore gave Diana a look of very gentle, kind rebuke. "That isn't true, by the way. Learning to play instruments, memorizing music, it's not easy. It's a talent, and talent is a gift but it's also patience, and practice, and pressure. People who doubt the intelligence of such are doubting the wisdom of emotion. It's why we developed things like mercy and forgiveness." Things so very important to life. "You should be as kind and loving to yourself as you are to others. Their friend deserves it too."

What a sweetie. Diana clucked her tongue fondly, giving Kore a small smile. "You're right, of course," she said. "There's wisdom in emotion. Just don't ever try to convince my sisters of that."

Fortunately, Kore and the rest of the ship were likely safe from their influence.

It wasn't that Diana didn't love them. She loved them very much. And knew that they loved her.

This just...wasn't a good scene for either of them.

"May they learn eventually, even if it takes time. After all, they need not be the emotional ones - they have you to lead that strength to them." No one could master all strengths, after all, and some contradicted each other.

"Do you want to play more? I'm happy to watch you. Or we could walk about the ship." She didn't have plans really. Routine, but not plans.

Diana shook her head. "Nah, let's go for a walk," she said. She always enjoyed strolling with Kore. There was something kind of wonderful about seeing the awe on her face when she was introduced to some new modern marvel or other.

And Diana knew they would run out eventually.

Best not to miss any more.

So she slid off of the stage, looping her guitar strap over her shoulder, her guitar gently thumping against the small of her back.

They might run out of new things eventually but honestly it wild likely be a while. Rome had somethings which were very like things on the ship but not on a ship. And somethings were strange - the cheap, poor quality clothing mostly, the shoes were...she couldn't help make a face at them.

But she liked Diana, liked having a friend who understood she didn't understand most of this place and wild explain it to her. And it was comfortable with her, walking beside her. "Have you found anything interesting lately?"

"Oh, I would say that depends very much on your definition of 'interesting,'" Diana said, looping her arm through Kore's as they walked up the aisle, out of the theatre. "Have you heard about the gang of pirates trying to assemble on board?"

Because that definitely qualified as 'interesting.'

Even though Diana wasn't entirely sure they really qualified as 'pirates.'

"That could be trouble." For who she doesn't say but as the passengers have little to be ransomed with, it's unlikely to be them.

"How many are they? And what type of pirates?" The latter is whispered in a conspiratory tone, much the hidden gossip.

"About twelve," Diana replied. "I'm not exactly sure how I ended up in that mix, but it's good to be in 'the know,' you know?"

Especially since she missed half of every day on board.

Stupid sun...

"And if I had to give them a 'type,' I think I would say...inexperienced."

"Indeed. Twelve wild be a small crew but could be effective." She knew of smaller crews which had been used to great purpose. "And being trusted with information is always a blessing of Fortuna."

Kore missed things due to being unsure of her footing and trying to grasp at control via schedule. It wasn't as strict of course.

"Also a blessing if an organized person with purpose were to lead." She could certainly see how that could be useful.

"I'm not sure I'd call Captain Bonnet 'organized,'" she said, the air-quotes implied, although she didn't use them. "He's definitely got...a good vibe. Charismatic, in a way. But I'm still not exactly convinced he knows what he's doing."

Not Prince material.

But she'd seen people do a lot more under worse situations. Give or take the involvement of a multiverse.

"There are many ways to lead, not all need to be leader in name." She wasn't talking about Captain Bonnet, in other words. Especially if he was charismatic but clueless.

"Can you describe them to me?" She was curious about the group anyway.

Diana shrugged. "I didn't get to know all of them too deeply. But let me think...there's Stede Bonnet. He's well-mannered. Collaborative. Kind of aristocratic. I get the sense that he's probably had a pretty soft life, until lately."

Said without judgment. She'd had her share of softness as well. It had shaped her. Both the good parts and the bad parts. Same as anyone else.

"I also think he's a bit of a dreamer."

"How did he end up a pirate?" That seemed an abrupt shift in life and she didn't understand it. No judgment either, just confusion.

"That can be good if dreaming heart is set on grounded feet." Which is didn't sound like it was in this case but regardless, she wasn't coming down harshly on the man.

She sucked in some air between her teeth. "You know, some people have some very, very romantic ideas about pirates. The idea that their lives are somehow, I don't know, freer. They can go wherever the wind takes them. Do whatever they want. Stede might be a victim of those fantasies."

The reality, she knew, was a little more complicated.

Loss of life and limb. Scurvy. And the chronic issue of boredom. Still, she had to admit, back in the day, before knowing all of that, she could have been seduced. The person that she was now could have been, anyway.

"But I don't know," she said.

"What a strange belief." Says the young woman who has helped Marcus Crassus contact them to bully various people into bowing to his wishes, had heard about many, and lived in the reality of pirates disrupting life at the most harmless.

Such as Casaer had been taken.

"He sounds like he needs a-" Kore stops, searching for the correct word. What she means is someone like her, but only if he respected the position and the body, which wasn't promised. Not a nurse, as he wasn't a child (clearly). Not a master, as well. Clearly. "-keeper? Someone to help mind him."

"Babysitter?" Diana suggested. Probably not ancient Roman vocab, but the sentiment was real and probably a little right.

No offense to their illustrious captain.

But still...

She nodded. "I think he has this friend named Edward who knows a little bit more about how to be an actual pirate. Can't get a solid read on the dude, though. Haven't had the chance to talk to him."

Malcolm doesn't visit the spa very often, but today he's trying to relax. When it comes to him, that might be like trying to get blood from a stone, but without his usual methods of stress relief, Malcolm is turning to more traditional ones.

He enters the spa with some lavender soap, minding his own business. Looking up, he realizes that he isn't alone. When he sees the woman's state of undress though, he quickly looks away.

"Woah, um.." He clears his throat, his cheeks turning red. "Pardon me. I-I'll... come back later."

Baths in Rome were almost always segregated by sex. Kore herself hadn't been to one for women and small children since Tiberius was toilet trained. Marcus had taken the boy (and so her) to join him. And later, she was Marcus' body slave and accompanied him. Having naked men bathing around her was nothing new or alarming, nor was her being naked around them.

What was new was a man seemingly being embarrassed. That was a concept entirely strange to her, and so she assumed something else must have startled him. Kore did turn so most of her body was away, although that really simply left a side view. "Is something amiss?"

Edited (we'll pretend i can html ok?) 2022-05-30 02:15 (UTC)

Meet someone from the comparatively very prude United States in the 21st century. Bath houses aren't really a thing any more. Even spas try to keep high privacy standards if clients are semi-nude.

"I-I didn't mean to walk in on you," Malcolm says. He also didn't realize that people were bathing nude in the public areas, but it's not really that much of a surprise on this ship. "You should, um.. have your privacy."

He's able to look up, now that she's turned to the side, keeping his eyes firmly at her neck or above.

"Oh." She is starting to understand the problem, even if she doesn't completely get it. "You haven't disturbed me." Kore falters for a moment - honestly, she's almost always alone outside the gymnasium - "There isn't a man or woman section. Is that what you mean?"

"I mean... I didn't expect you to be naked," he says bluntly. "I didn't know people bathed in here without clothes on. But, um, it's okay. I mean..."

Is he going to get in the water with her being naked, or is that going to be way too weird for him?

"I'll just stay on this side... if that's fine with you?"

"I'm not sure many know about it. Or they are not used to proper baths." Which did make her despair about the state the rest of the world.

"Please, be comfortable." She motioned to space, but also relaxed back into the water, using her arm to cover her breasts. Not for her sense of modestly, but for his. Still she was relaxed, and her voice was friendly, "My name is Kore, of Rome. I haven't made your acquaintance."

"People bathe where I come from, just not usually together. In public spaces, they usually wear a swim suit." Thus the shorts he has on.

When she goes back under the water, it's less easy to tell that she's naked. Not wanting to shame her or her culture, he moves a little bit closer so that they can still have a conversation.

"I'm Malcolm... of New York, which I'm going to guess is a place you haven't heard of before," he replies. Based on the fact that she's nude in the hot tub and that she introduced herself as being from Rome, he can surmise that her Rome is probably of the ancient variety.

"I've seen those in the shops but they look so uncomfortable." And she hasn't counted 'swimming' as 'bathing'. "The fabric is strange." She assumed his shorts were made of the same but 'shorts' isn't what she would have called them.

Underwater, she's relaxed and has her legs stretched out, although away from Malcom.

"Diana has mentioned a New York to me but no, it I'd not a place I'm aware of." He'd not be wrong at all. The Spartacus Rebellion has literally just ended. "But I'd like to hear of it if you are inclined?"

"The fabric is kind of strange," he concurs, thinking of the spandex that most women's suits are made out of. That is a completely foreign fabric for somebody like her.

"I can try," Malcolm says, settling down in the hot water. It does feel relaxing. "It's a very large city, kind of like Rome, with many, many people. The buildings are huge... towering.. stretching nearly to the sky. It's a center of commerce and the arts." When he had to move back home, he had been dreading it, but it didn't take Malcolm long to realize that he'd missed the city. There's no place on Earth like New York.

He looks over at her. "Will you tell me about your Rome?" he asks.

Palamedes has always been a light sleeper, and he had noticed quite quickly that Kore was the same. Sometimes, the thing keeping him up at night is as benign as a good book; other times, he is woken by nightmares of his own, or plagued by questions whose answers lie just out of his reach. And like Kore, he also grows more agitated after the events of the strange and awful excursion. He might not have been on the island, but he had watched helplessly from afar as his friends were slaughtered—including the woman who shares his cabin.

One night, so late it’s almost morning, Palamedes sits up in his bed, a notebook balanced on his knees. Out of respect for Kore, he had kept the lights off after awaking with a start a few hours earlier, and his only illumination is the glow from his phone, which rests nearby. Gradually, though, he realizes that he might not be the only one who is awake after all; if he is not mistaken, he can hear a quiet, insistent murmur of prayers coming from the other bed. “Kore?” he whispers into the darkness.

Given Palamedes' tendency to work late or odd hours, and how caught up he could be, when Kore had woken and seen the dim glow of light, she'd tried to settle herself into sleep. Only for the dark and gory images that had been lurking in her dreams to stare at her from behind her eyelids. So she'd tried to recite prayers to the gods to bring herself to calm.

It didn't work.

It never did here.

And then she heard her name. She swallowed, willed herself to stop fidgeting her hands, and answered, "Yes?" in the same volume.

Pal usually does his best to respect Kore’s privacy, and she does the same for him; she tosses and turns through the nights, sometimes crying out, while he deals with him own insomnia by scribbling theorems in midnight darkness. Both have been kind to each other, but neither have been very forthcoming about their demons, or the horrors they tend to imagine when they close their eyes.

But his silence on the matter hasn’t stopped him from worrying about her.

He sits up on the edge of the bed. “I was thinking about going to the buffet for a cup of tea. Would you like me to bring anything back for you?”

Kore was used to keeping her troubles to herself - not because no one cared, people had, but simply because she took care of others.

And she wasn't blind to Palamedes' being up odd hours, working of something or another. Still, he'd always been kind to her.

"Tea would be lovely, gratitude. What are you working on?" It would be a good distraction, even if she didn't understand most of it.

"Ah, have I not told you about my latest puzzle?" Palamedes switches on the lamp beside his bed and begins to search around on the floor for his shoes. "Our leis have unique properties that I'm trying to understand. If I'm being honest with myself, I should have started my investigation sooner. Absolute arrogance on my part." Despite his self-flagellation, he sounds cheerful. "They may be able to offer us some kind of protection--though precisely how continues to evade me."

He looks up at her. "You still have yours, yes?"

As he sat up, Kore did as well, sitting up alert. "No, I haven't." The leis has been she thought just jewelry. She'd kept her's from habit but she hasn't worn it since she was given it. But that it could be a protective amulet hasn't occured to her.

"Yes I do." Kore rose, graceful despite everything - the hour, her curled position in the bed - and opened a drawer to remove it. "It's right here."

"Good! Very good." Palamedes almost claps his hands together. Hopefully, the lei will keep Kore safe someday. For now, Pal wonders if it might provide him with another datapoint. "Would you mind if I took a look at it? I promise to give it right back."

He'll go fetch his midnight snack in a little while. For now, he has an experiment he wants to do.

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