come_sailaway | [open] come on, make a joyful sound

Entry tags:

[open] come on, make a joyful sound

Who: Skulduggery Pleasant & anyone who wants to deal with him
What: you'd think after an announcement like that one, he'd be making himself scarce, but nope!
When: July, up until the excursion.
Where: Around the ship, by the pool, and also the Chatterbox, obviously. but NOT at Bobby B's. nope!!!!
Warnings: None at the moment, other than potential being-a-dickness from Skuls
Notes: with the Bobby B's prompt, if your character can see through magic invisibility, let me know :)

[AROUND THE SHIP] if you will believe in your heart
[Skulduggery can be found wandering the ship at any point during the day or night. to the untrained eye, it may look like he's pacing, but you couldn't be more wrong. this is simply idle exercise for an old man who is definitely not churning over a lot of thoughts about what his plans are for the future.

he won't stop to talk unless a familiar friend waves him down, but he's more than willing to Aaron Sorkin this shit if somebody decides to pull a walk-and-talk with him.]

[CHATTERBOX] and confess with your lips
[alternatively, Skulduggery can be found in the Chatterbox after midnight for his own private hour-long karaoke session. it isn't quite the same, now that the karaoke machine isn't inhabited by any ghosts that may or may not have ever existed in the first place, but he seems to be making the most of it.

actually, he's having a little too much fun. anyone who tries to have a conversation with him here may find themselves subjected to a musical response in lieu of a real one, and woe to anyone who tries to take the microphone out of his hand before his hour's up.]

[POOL] surely you will be saved one day
[and finally, Skulduggery can occasionally be found lounging on a deck chair with a book during the afternoons and early evenings. he's even dressed down on these occasions, with his shoes tucked under the chair and his jacket folded neatly over the back. he can't seem to stop humming the same few bars of Time after Time... that song is such an earworm!

if someone is looking to corner him, this is liable to be the best time, because he isn't inclined to start a fight in the middle of the day.]

[BOBBY B'S] don't see what the point is in even trying to fight
[there's no skeleton detective to be seen, which would make this a pretty terrible prompt for a roleplaying game. luckily, there is one thing that seems curiously out of place inside Bobby B's: an unattended ship-branded pad of paper and a pen, resting next to an ashtray with a half-smoked cigar stubbed out in it. written across the top of the page are the words: SKULLDUGGERY PLEASANT. underneath that is a list, written in seemingly several different fonts:

- can remove & replace limbs (head too?)
- senses movement thru air, flies
- latent necromancy?
- always armed (2 guns)
- charming (talks way out of problems)
- irrational & mentally unstable
- easy to anger? (no)
- death by car crash
- death by spike pit??? HOW

and then, at the bottom, hastily scrawled and underlined: how do u kill a skeleton?

huh. that sure is weird. it looks like mutliple people have added to this list with the same left-over pen. maybe somebody else has something to add?? or maybe they're trying to figure out why there's one less bar stool at the bar...]

[closed to Darcy] getting into knives
[the cloaking sphere isn't the only thing that Skulduggery picked up from the sundries shop. alongside two relics that would make extremely fitting gifts for a newlywed couple, he's also been given a deceptively simple item that he thinks is just perfect for Darcy. their birthday was... some time ago, which makes this rather belated, but he figures that there are enough extenuating circumstances to keep him from feeling too guilty about that.

he texts Darcy to meet up at Sand Dollars for a surprise (conveniently on his way to Bobby B's for a spot of enemy-watching), and even though he doesn't need to, he invites them to bring any of their million+ swords along. might as well ensure the gift works the way he suspects it will!]

[wildcard] look for the bigger picture when I close my eyes real tight

(Throw something up at random, or throw me a line on Discord to plan something!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Say it isn't so! He got one thing she's upset about. Fio still doesn't face him entirely, but she suddenly stops fidgeting with the stuffed rabbit's arms. A long pause while she tries to process this reveal, heat rising to her cheeks. ]

...How'd you know I saw it? [ She squishes Lepus close to her chest, muttering: ] But the writing doesn't look like yours... like different people wrote it...

I wrote with my other hand. [which is mostly true... aside from the part where Clarke entered her own words, and later when Rita and Darcy both made their marks.] And... I was hiding. I have a new... toy, let's say. [the Sanctuary would be scandalized to hear him call a cloaking sphere a toy, but that's what it is at this point.] It lets me be invisible for a little bit of time. I am very sorry that I didn't immediately tell you what was going on... but I was very happy to see what you wrote.

[ A long pause. ] So you used a magical treasure. [ She says in a rather awed, loud whisper. Wow! Calling it a treasure sounds fancier than calling it a toy. Fascination is short-lived though. She still needs to chide him over the list. ]

That was a mean and stupid prank to play on Darce. [ Still not smiling! Okay, maybe it was a little clever? But it was mean and she got scared for him. So she's calling it stupid! At least she feels some relief there's no one actually planning to kill the living skeleton. She's watched her adoptive father back home get murdered in cold blood before... ]

...I wrote the best answer. [ She would like to say it's the "correct" one, but she knows that's not true. She just really doesn't want him to get killed! ]

Yes, a hard-to-get treasure. I can show it to you sometime, if you'd like.

[maybe when she's not as upset with him... for now, he'll focus on making amends as best he can.]

You are right. I was being mean to Darcy. If it makes you feel better, she caught me out almost immediately, and I did apologize. [well, maybe not, but she did trip him pretty good in retaliation.] And right again. Your answer was by far my favorite.

[ Slowly, she flips onto her side, turning towards him. Still not looking directly at him. Wow, it sounds like this hard-to-get treasure might have a very interesting story behind it just like the bedtime stories he tells her sometimes. Yes, she would absolutely like to see it...

But no. Not yet. She's not finished expressing her disappointment. Instead, there's another loooong pause as she fiddles with the rabbit's plush ears. ]

...

I don't feel any better... 'cause I know you're gonna die on the next excursion...

Ah. Hmm.

[that's a trickier bit of information, and one that's impossible to talk around or recontextualize into something more palatable. here, honesty is the only choice.]

It's true. Whatever happens on the next excursion, I will die. [it's a harsh truth, but he delivers it as gently as possible.] But I'll come back afterward. The Captain is going to look after me until I wake up, and after I do, I can come find you.

[he doesn't quite know how to explain the why, but he'll try when she asks.]

...And I'll always, always be waiting for you to come back, no matter how long it takes.

[ The tears will come later on the day everyone disappears for the excursion. But right now, she breathes in and heaves out a loud sigh, hugging Lepus the stuffed rabbit close. ]

Why do you have to die? Isn't there any other kind of... "fuel"? I don't like that you have to die. I don't like that anyone has to.

I don't like it either, and if there were any other way, I wouldn't have signed up.

[the easiest part of this conversation is agreeing with Fio. as much as he's trying to make the most of these excursions, using them to learn what things will kill him so to better survive in the future... he doesn't want to die. he doesn't want to put his loved ones through the experience of seeing him perish, or worse, force them into doing it themselves. but for now at least, it's the only resource they have an endless supply of.]

But right now, it's all we have. The ship was designed to take our pain and suffering and turn it into power, long before we ever arrived. So, that's what we need to give it. It's a bit like... hm. [she doesn't understand cars, so the comparison between petrol and diesel engines won't work. but there is one simile she may understand:] Our happy emotions are like candy and sweets. We can't survive on them alone.

[ If there were any other way, she would have pleaded to him and the others that signed up for them not to go. But she already knows it wouldn't have changed anyone's minds when they haven't found another solution to keep the boat running. She wishes she could think of something...

If happiness is sweets, then... ]

So the pain and suffering is like... the veggies? [ She makes a face as she tries to compare their pain and suffering to food in a healthy balanced diet. That sounds a little weird... ]

[it's not a perfect fit, but it's a good foundation for understanding.] Yes, sort of. Imagine that the vege is poorly cooked and tastes terrible, but it's the only thing that you can survive on. Right now, that's the only thing that the ship can eat. It can take in other things, like sweets, but those won't give it enough energy to keep us alive.

It... it isn't ideal. But it won't be forever. I'm going to make sure of that.

So... we've gotta help the Eterna find a better diet. Like a healthier, well-cooked vegetable that it can eat!

[ She thinks of it almost similar to her old living situation, when she and her family went by days stuck eating thin gruel and solid bread loaves. They just accepted the roles. No change for the better and too many people feeling powerless to enact any change. But the Eterna has help from them, the passengers!

...And she's sort of thinking of the boat as almost like another person that needs the encouragement to eat healthier. ]

I wanna make sure things aren't always the same forever too! [ Don't make it sound like you're going to do this by yourself, Skulduggery. But she's been sort of stumped on ideas... ] I just don't know what I can do. You're always off going through the scary things because that's what you have to do...

Exactly. [he isn't sure that's possible at this point, but if they're forced to extend their stay on the ship for more than a year, it's going to become necessary. they're going to need some way to encourage others to join in on refueling the ship, something other than the pain and death of their friends...

his gut instinct is to tell Fio that she does enough as it is, providing moral support and inspiration to help people through their darkest times. but that won't be enough to sate her desire to be useful, which is the real concern. she needs a proper direction, just like Darcy or Vance.]

You already help people feel better when they're sad, which is very helpful. But I know that isn't always enough. Hmmm. Let's see... Well, let's start with this. I go into scary situations because that's what I want to do, and I know I'm good at it. What sort of things do you want to help with?

[ Their talk of a different kind of fuel gives her somewhat an idea of what she wants to do. Falling silent, she mulls over the question to try and confidently form the words. After a few seconds, Fio wiggles upright to sit properly in her beach chair, having sunk a little too far down after her earlier pouting. ]

You're really brave, so you're good at facing scary things. And you're gonna do that again soon, 'cause there's no better way to fuel the ship... [ A pause. Fio's not much of a detective, but... ] I wanna help find answers! I wanna find another way so everyone doesn't have to go off and get hurt all the time.

[she might not be a detective, but it still pleases him to hear her desires to spread her investigative wings. he chuckles, nodding his head.]

I think that's a good goal to work towards. It means you may have to talk to the Captain and Friday. ...Or, maybe you could start by asking Sparkles to help. It would know how things started -- it may be able to help explain why pain is so powerful.

[Friday and the Captain are the safer choices, in his opinion, but it's difficult to ignore her connection to Sparkles. if anyone could convince that part of the Captain to look for alternatives, it's Fio.]

[ Usually, she takes the strangeness of everything with stride and without much question. Places like The Cage... and the Serena Eterna. The realities they've visited. But if she wants to continue to have a place to call home, she can't remain complacent. She can't accept their pain and suffering being the only answer to their fuel situation.

She looks down at Lepus, gently stroking the rabbit's plush fur. ]

I can try talking to Sparkles first. [ A nod. ] Sunshine Princess is on the case!

[ She doesn't think of it as someone dangerous for her to be around. This also gives her an excuse to spend more time together with it... ]

But I... haven't talked to Miss Friday or Mister Captain in a while. [ She hasn't paid lengthy visits to guest services as much as she used to. Or the bridge door. She's seen the Captain's appearance at prom and that's about it. Her thoughts have been mostly preoccupied with how she can continue to help Sparkles get used to being around others again. Oops. ] I hope they've been feeling okay.

I believe in your abilities. You're going to do great work.

[the sentiment could be considered patronizing, but Skulduggery genuinely means it. there are very few people aboard who could be as relentlessly optimistic as Fio, and it's that optimism that will best suit the search for less tragic fuel.]

The Captain hasn't given me any reason to think he isn't alright. But, I think that the situation may be weighing on him more than he lets on. He's very private, you see. I haven't spoken to Friday in a while, either. I keep meaning to, but... [he chuckles quietly.] Truthfully, I'm not sure she likes me very much.

[ Well, she doesn't interpret it as patronizing. It feels like she's been entrusted with a very important mission! A wide grin spreads across her face and briefly squirms with a little excitement in her chair. She's eager to make him and everyone proud.

Then a pause. ]

...She doesn't like you? How come? I don't think Miss Friday really likes me either.

[ Because of the whole Sparkles thing. It has been some time since then, but she will never forget how upset Friday was during their last conversation at the guest services desk. ]

It's just a hunch I have. Maybe it's because I'm close to the Captain, or maybe she blames me for Jenny leaving again... I'm not sure. Friday isn't supposed to be able to dislike any passengers, but I think she may have developed that ability over time.

[he extends a hand to poke her forhead gently.] But she'd have to be crazy not to like you.

I'm sure Miss Jenny will come visit! Or we'll run into her.

[ If there's anyone that she cares about on the boat, surely they'll run into each other again! She tries to remain optimistic, in the same way that she believes that she'll one day reunite with Levania.

She wiggles a bit as he pokes her. ]

...I haven't really said "sorry" to her yet. [ She bows her head shamefully. ] And I don't think I would've left Sparkles all alone no matter how many warnings she'd give me.

Yes. I'm sure we haven't seen the last of her.

[his tone is light, but Jenny's return is truly something he dreads. the Captain may not think she's a threat, but he can't shake the feeling that nothing good can come out of her escape.]

No, I don't believe you would have. You're too kind to ignore someone when they're suffering. And, despite the torment it put us all through, I'm glad that you reached out. It needed to be freed. Friday was just worried... but I'm sure if you talked to her now, she would be willing to forgive you.

[he knows she will, because that's what she's designed for. but he hopes that she would mean it of her own free will, as well.]

[ A deep breath. ] ...I'll try to talk to her soon. [ Maybe she should bring some kind of gift. She does have a plush puppet of Jenny and Friday that came from the sundries shop a while back. Her collection of toys is already huge, so she can let go of a few. ]

Mister Captain, Sparkles, and... Miss Friday. They remind me of Mister Monster. [ Maybe closer to the Captain and Sparkles. The dream-eating monster had a smooth face though, like Friday. ] In some ways. Like...

[ A pause, as if she's trying to figure out the words to say. The observation's crossed her mind not long ago and it's become something she's started to think about more. Only now, she's voicing the comparison out loud. Levania had a similar awkwardness and uncertainty around others. ]

It seemed like... he found humans confusing. And he was learning how to be around people too. A bit like Sparkles and Mister Captain.

That's a very clever observation, Fio. [he's thankful that his investigative mind is the one thing he's passing over to the kids who look up to him, rather than any of his less savory traits.] The two of them have limited experiences with people, and they haven't been good ones. I'm sorry that your friend isn't here. You talk so highly of him, and I'd like to meet him in person one day.

[ Thinking how long she's been here as a passenger and the last time she's seen Levania, it's almost discouraging. Almost. She doesn't let the passage of time crush her spirit, no matter how long it is. When she sees Levania again, she'll introduce him to her new father, all of her friends and show him how much she's grown and how much stronger, braver she's become. ]

It's okay. [ She smiles wide. ] One day, we'll see each other again and I'll introduce you to him. I'm sure of it!

[Skulduggery can't say with certainty that they'll ever see the people they loved from their original homes. he can't say they'll even ever know what happens to them at the end of their stories. but for Fio's sake, he can only hope that they will.]

I can't wait for that day to come. I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun for all of us.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[open] come on, make a joyful sound

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject