if you'll be my star, i'll be your sky

[nyktifanis]

Who: Pollux & OPEN
When: August 24
Where: Around the place!
Summary: Arriving on the boat. Castor where?

---

1.) but you can skyrocket away from me

arrival, early morning, dining room.

( with a paper in hand and the location set, she stares at the peculiar spiral that hardly helps her situation. normally, she'd lift her head and turn to face her counterpart curiously to converse about this strange sigil, but that's not the case this time. he's nowhere to be found in a (un)familiar place, but this isn't the first time she's been on a ship so she's stuck between a sense of relief but also worry. it is unlike her brother to be apart from her, he's almost like the responsible one by wanting to stick by her, but an uncomfortable feeling dawns on her as a tingling feeling rolls down her back. she feels incomplete, and for a moment she finds it difficult to breathe as she tries to catch her breath and remain stable. pollux closes her eyes, taking in a deep breath, and regaining her composure almost complete as she focuses on the paper in hand. )

Dining room, if that's all I have to find, then...

( everything should make sense. all she has to do is push her way down the halls, take a few turns, and it settles in the back of her mind that she's going in the right direction towards the dining room. the time written is unknown, and so she just has to trust herself that it means to come as soon as possible. what else would a cryptic message mean if not having the answer that she desires, so upon entering the room and spotting no one; pollux finds herself at a loss until she notices someone sitting at a table all alone.

her eyes light up, her mouth part in a small gasp as she walks over and places the paper on the table before them no different than a dealer laying out their cards. )

You must be who I was looking for, are you... my Master?

( because that person would know where her brother is. )

2.) and never come back if you find another galaxy

afternoon, photography room. IMPT: threadhop permission for castor, y/n?

( browsing up and down, side by side of all the pictures around, pollux finds every picture to have their own charm to them. humans in their natural habitat on a ship as they relax happily, or if they're being threatened by some foe. she believes that jason too should have something as nice as this, but being so dated back, they didn't have the concept of cameras so it's nice in practice. hm, perhaps someone could have drew the scenes and placed them there?

there's one photograph that stands out to her, causing her to reach out to pluck it off the wall in order to inspect it properly. what she has in hand is just a simple snap of a thunderstorm outside, and the clouds a murky grey that shows that good sailings weren't in favor of the boat's travel. unable to remove her eyes from it, she glances around curiously. )

Excuse me, how much would this photograph cost to take with me. My brother'll pay a hefty sum!

( yeah, she's talking to you. )

3.) far from here with more room to fly

afternoon, calgona. IMPT: threadhop permission for castor, y/n?

( she should familiarize herself with the ship and it's various locations, and it brings her back into the mind of the old days when she sailed with jason and his group along with her brother. there was nothing short of excitement on the ship which always offered her an amazing surprise, and that's why she's intrigued here just as well. it seems the calgona is enough to lift her spirits despite the rocky morning she had suffered. clapping her hands together gently, she proceeds to read a board of all the activities that can be found in the room.

while she could be normal about this and take a massage, she opts out in favor of something enjoyable when she notices someone close by come up to the board as well. )

Are you interested in a place like this too? It'd be a decent place to spar, don't you think?

4.) just leave me your stardust to remember you by

anytime anywhere, wildcard.

( got something you want to do with pollux, or both of them? just hit me up through dms, discord, or even sakasaki )

Comments

3, castor welcome to jump

[neverleave]

[Natsuno is passing by on his way to the library, ready to ignore the photo display like he always does, but stops when the girl flags him down. He doesn't recognize her, and no wonder - only a new arrival can ask this question.]

Just pretend to pay at the cash register. [He gestures in its direction.] Nothing here actually costs money, but unless you go through the motions Friday will show up to scold you.

[If Pollux paid attention to the other photos, a few of them feature the teenager before her: lying on the deck, soaking wet and hugging a creepy swan floaty; caught mid-flight as a girl his age uses a water spell to launch him out of the pool; standing blankly on the deck, wearing blood soaked school uniform, a flamethrower in one hand and a crab in another; collapsed by a metal detector, covered in zombie gore and clinging into a similarly dirty and exhausted blonde girl.]

your fate has been sealed!

[nyktifanis]

( she paid attention during her first scope, so it's immediate that she notices the resemblances between him and the photos. first off, she wants to express her gratitude, but there's no reason for him to be so kind— with his photos pinned up against the wall as well, maybe he actually owns this! there's always humans who are too afraid to own up to their possessions, and it would be wrong just to take from them.

besides, looking towards the cash register and seeing no one truly doesn't help his case. )

Please, I insist. When taking something from humans, one is meant to offer something back. I wouldn't want to take from a hard-working warrior like yourself.

( is she going to ignore him being thrown around like a rag-doll in these photos? yes, of course, the fact that he's there is what confirms her suspicions of him being one, and she even lifts one hand to point at a picture of natsuno, specially the one where he's covered in gore. )

I love tales befitting of sailors and heroes, so then may I have that one as well?

( her gaze falls down on the photo again before looking towards natsuno with a gentle smile, waiting patiently for a positive response. she doesn't see any reason for him to say no, who wouldn't want their heroic endeavors taken by others?

well, maybe friday doesn't want it shown... whoever that is. )

[neverleave]

[For a moment Natsuno just stares blankly. Apparently she's not human, but that's hardly news anymore - neither is he and neither are many other passengers. No, what matters is the photo she's holding up.

It's the aftermath of the battle royale, when he returned to the ship after everyone else died, after he spent three days covered in his best friend's blood. After he was welcomed with multiple screens declaring him a winner and playing a "best-of" reel of everyone he cared about getting slaughtered on camera.

He shakes his head and scowls, trying to figure out if she's mocking him with that patient smile.]

I'm not a warrior. It's not a depiction of heroic deeds, it's a sick game the captain plays to torment us.

[Natsuno's voice and expression are eerily calm, but his movements are forceful is he removes the photos of the battle royale and the more recent zombie excursion.]

Take what you want, but these are my business.

[nyktifanis]

( there's nothing on her expression that states that she's mocking him, but she grows more confused by the second as he explains the image. a sick game he calls it makes her stomach turn, a raise of her brow as she watches him pluck one photo after the other. )

That doesn't sound right... your very own captain is causing you undue harm?

( pollux zeroes in on that aspect specifically, brows furrowing as he continues to hold her one picture of a storm in her hand. perhaps that explains why the storm here looks so horrific. she's heard of sails that hold horror stories, but she wouldn't have thought this place to be one with how... luxurious it appears to be. what do they say to never judge a book by it's cover, and so she has to read the contents when presented to her like now.

without delay, she watches natsuno for a moment longer before speaking. )

How are you holding up? Please forgive my negligence, I wasn't... aware of what tales this ship withholds. In the photographs, you were able to see it through and prevail.

[neverleave]

[After plucking the photos, Natsuno goes through the motions of paying and shoves them into the pocket of his cargo pants. Once he's along again, he will tear them into pieces.]

Seeing something through doesn't mean I wanted to go through it.

[Natsuno's tone is still calm, and we turns back to Pollux, all traces of the earlier scowl are gone in favor of a neutral expression. The discussion about his experiences in the photos is over, as far is he's concerned.]

You just showed up here, right? Then you should know that the captain of this ship [Not their captain - the distinction is important] brings passengers so he can use their suffering to fuel his "research."

4, Welcome Home.

[ninetoes]

[Israel Hands is a man of routine. Every morning he wakes before dawn and has a morning scrum with his colleague Lucius Spriggs. After that he attends his captain with anything of import from his previous meeting and then moves on about his day. Edward has requested more time on his own, more chances to do things for himself, and as there are no tasks on the ship to be done, Izzy takes a small breakfast and goes to train alone on the sports deck.

When he's finished, he reads or chases leads on the crew, and then goes back for more training around lunch time where he meets his young right hand Darcy. His protégé, if you will. He's called her as much, but it's more than that. She is the woman he's elected to train to replace The Dread Pyrate Blackbeard when the man retires. It's years off and Izzy may not live to see it, but they're starting now. Most days it is the only thing that keeps him sane.

Come dinner he dines alone, usually with a book and a scowl to force off any unwanted bothering. A lonely life, but such is his lot. Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat. He tells himself he doesn't mind. Routine is good for him.

And he really doesn't like it when his routine is broken. Say, by coming back to his room to find it inhabited. A clean man of ritual and little belongings, the place is fairly spartan. The bed is made with tucked corners. The closet is full of ugly Hawaiian shirts pushed as far back as they will go and all but the darkest shades still have their tags on. There are a few books and a journal on the bedside table and a small tin of Earl Grey tea on the dresser next to the room supplied kettle.

Everything neat and tidy. Everything in it's place. What does not belong there is another soul.

Having just come off the back of parlay with The Captain, Izzy can't say he trusts anyone he doesn't know. Hell, he barely trusts anyone he does know. So forgive him as he immediately stops in the door and half draws his sword. A standard issue 18th century cutlass.]

Who the fuck are you!?

welcome home roomie!!!!!!

[nyktifanis]

( it's been a long day for her— having been separated from her brother only to find him again through unfortunate circumstances, though she's unable to ignore the bright light at the very ends of the tunnels that she's found. the people she's met for the most part have been kind, and she hasn't seen a negative soul rouse her anger while being here; there's a comfort when she's able to oversee humans, especially when it's on a cruise ship that's charted to places unknown. normally she can make heads or tails of that, coaxing the winds with a gentle voice so that they allow safe passage through the seas, but without that... she limits herself to watching over those that cross her path.

that's why she must grow accustom to their way of living— this place in a way reminds her of chaldea, a living space that keeps them shelter from impending doom, and this voyage is almost the same if it wasn't for the weird quirks she's stumbled upon. it's not normal in her opinion, and so she's able to feel as though this is a place she can excel in. ghosts, ogres, and other beastly creatures are no match for her, and she finds nothing terrifying given that she's seen worse.

the darker side of herself, the death of her brother right before her eyes, and that misfortune is enough to shake her. not this place. it's why she carries herself with a smile, interested in the cabin that she's been assigned— normally she shares with her brother, and since it's made for two people then... it's perfect! it's unlike jason's ship which was a bit dingy in some areas, but this room feels so inviting and welcoming, along with being kept up that she's satisfied with this location.

what she focuses on first is the closet, and it's not everyday that clothes are already in place for visitors. usually it's the occasional bath robes, but this time, she's been offered hawaiin outfits. there's no hesitation in her actions as she flips through them, and picks up one of the darkest shades. with the tag still attached, she holds up the attire to eye the detail, and brings it up to her chest to see how bit it is. it's not her size at all, and so she wonders if her brother could don something so loose.

well, she'll never know if she doesn't try... it on, that is. so she's halfway through the procedure of pulling the shirt over her head, making sure the crown she wears doesn't make any tears as she begins to pull it down onto her body properly. it's very loose, baggy she finds, and her suspicions seem to be correct that this wouldn't be a great fit for her brother, but it'd do well en—

the door opens, an unknown voice appears (do these rooms not have locks?), and she's quick to spot the weapon before taking note of the person's features. the weapon is specific, that she knows, common in the age of sail, and she doubts that anyone would prefer such a weapon in such a modernized cruise ship. her eyes only linger for a moment as her own hand reaches to her side, and there's no weapon there for, and rather than manifesting her blade, she slowly curls her fingers into a fist. )

Are you initiating battle in exchange for a name?

[ninetoes]

[Izzy's focus slides from the woman, to the shirt she's wearing, to her fist, and back. What the fuck is going on. What the actual fuck is happening?]

I may in a fucking minute. For a name and an explanation as to why you're in my cabin wearing my fucking clothing.

[Now, Izzy is not a large man. It might fit her better than you'd think, but it's still a man's shirt and Stede had sent larger than necessary clothes - no doubt a fat joke in there somewhere. Petty pig of a human he is.]

[nyktifanis]

( she's trying to stay warm, have you seen how she dresses!! this shirt is a luxury, hawaiian and all! for the most part maybe this means she could give this outfit to her brother, well, until he states that these are his clothes. )

A name doesn't address the problem at hand, a simple request of your clothing back would make this easier.

( that's the normal way of handling things, and as much as a small fight would be fun to duke it out over who obtains what; she understands that this isn't her attire. she didn't even know that there was someone also living here when she's too used to living with her brother, so why wouldn't she think the second bed was for him? )

Your weapon tells me you're no stranger to crossing blades, and I don't mind using my fists against them if you'd like to settle it that way. But... I'll take an alternative route.

( if she can help it, she wishes to deter from harming him as she relaxes her hands down by her side. the outfit still hugs her body well enough, and the tag hangs showing she didn't cause any harm to the fabric. it's still good as new if he washes it, but hopefully this isn't the first time it's being worn... )

We, the Dioscuri, have manifested here. ( a hand comes to her chest, settling over her heart. ) I am Pollux, Class Saber. Cabin 143 was written on a note signed to me.

[ninetoes]

[For a moment, Izzy simply watches her. The shirt has never be worn and to be honest he has no intention of ever doing that. Look at him, he's in head to toe leather with a bishops sleeve shirt and a single leather glove on his right hand. He is not a Tommy Bahama man. Is it a pain? Yes. Is it hot? Absolutely. But he just.. he isn't ready for that leap yet.

For another moment he thinks she may be a manifestation of the spirits The Captain likes to fuck around with, out there somewhere roaming the eternal seas in a ship just like this one.

But then she mentions the note and the vague shape of the idea clears. The veil is removed. His stomach hits the floor. Oh god, no.]

Shit..

[He takes a tight breath and lets it out with a huff, putting away his weapon. He's heard of this, he knows of this, but he never thought it would happen to him. Arrogance, maybe. Definitely. Is this punishment for his being sassy with The Captain? Almost certainly. Will they have words? Almost certainly.]

We're bunk-mates.

2, threadhop OK! ⭐️

[winepouring]

[ What an interesting assortment of pictures...

Shi Qingxuan wholly unaware of what a camera and photographs are. The tiny pictures look far too vibrant and detailed to be normal paintings of any kind, but as for the actual nature of the pictures, well, he doesn't have the slightest guess. That doesn't stop him from standing before the wall of photos, though, closed folding fan pressed to his chin, as he peers at each of the photos like he's appraising works of art on display.

Then, he hears a voice beside him. ]

Ah! That one...

[ His eyes fall down to the photo, giving it a moment of contemplation. Of course artwork like this wouldn't have prices listed on them like vegetables at a market. The same is true here, too. ]

I'm sorry, but I'm not actually sure. [ He answers apologetically as he meets her eyes again, lowering his fan to tap against his palm. ] This is my first time visiting this shop, so I'm not sure how much these little pictures usually cost...

[ Saying she wants it with such conviction though, it must be important to her. So of course he's curious! ]

Do you and your brother collect storm pictures such as these? The sombre mood of that one is very strong.

your fate as WELL has also been sealed :] ⭐️

[nyktifanis]

To have these pictures up with no vendor, they couldn't be asking us to steal, are they?

( which she doesn't mind...

so her search for the seller was a bust, but she does enjoy small conversation when she's able to have them so she takes part in this while inviting the other to prolong it. if she asks a questions about him, then she's able to learn more which happens to be the best part when sailing. she glances down to the picture in her hand, her thumb brushing against it gently with a smile before turning her head back towards shi qingxuan. )

Ah... this however. ( she offers the image to him, allowing him to take it because she doesn't mind explaining. ) Is a picture of my father. There must have been something remiss for him to look this way, but... he's rarely in a pleasant mood.

( that's said with a smile regardless, she knows how their father is, but the question about whether her brother would also pick up pictures causes pollux to shake her head. )

We could find a picture that stands out to you, and once that's complete, perhaps we can search for my brother and ask what picture interests him. A souvenir for first meetings.

[winepouring]

Your father??

[ He takes the picture from her, looking down at it with searching eyes as she continues. She said it's her father in an unpleasant mood, but there's no person in this picture... Does the picture appear differently in her eyes? Is there a man there? Or is it that something tragic occurred in the past, and now when this young lady looks at the cloudy skies, she thinks of her father being there and watching over her—?! She said it in such a pleasant way with a smile, is that not true fondness??

Ah, no... He pulls himself back there, nodding along with her explanation of the photo. There are ways to figure this out without jumping ahead of themselves!

Thus, Shi Qingxuan is choosing to just choosing not to comment rather than lie or pry into things outright. Besides— ]

That's an excellent idea! Sharing things like this one of the best ways to get to know about one another, and in the end, won't the three of us have a good, permanent memento to remember each other and the occasion together?

[ Smiling and chatting with this sunny and excited energy as though the entire question of her father's photo is in the far past. ]

But first, let me introduce myself! My name is Shi Qingxuan, of the Yongfeng Temple of the Wind Master. And yourself?

[ He extends his free hand out! He learned that handshakes are how people do introductions here...probably. ]

[nyktifanis]

Do you see him? Our uncle is also there, but the way the photograph is taken it focuses on more father more.

( he must see the clouds, the terrifying greyness that colors the fluffy white clouds that should have been before a terrible storm. whatever could have caused him to be so grouchy is beyond her, but perhaps it's whatever that's been happening on this boat as of late. that's something she can find out with him, she believes, keeping her place by the other's side as his enthusiasm literally bleeds; it's comforting. )

Yes! I'm happy to share this experience with you, Shi Qingxuan. ( she lifts her hands, both of them, clasping the one free hand that's offered to her. pollux's hands are warm, like a surge of energy that radiates from her touch as though she's offered her blessing. a smile pulls along her features as she continues to keep holding his hand.

sure, she should retract them, but who has time for that? )

A pleasure. We are the Dioscuri — my brother and I — but you may refer to me as Pollux. This is a first that I've heard of a Wind Master, are you too able to manipulate the wind?

( zephyrus could since that was in the realm of his abilities, and she's met a few servants who can, but to be from a temple of wind masters? now that's new. )

[winepouring]

[ Ah... He should just be honest. ]

I'm sorry, but could you point them out to me? I want to see your family, but I can't seem to find their faces at all in that picture?

[ It feels bad to admit, but lying feels much worse, especially when she's acting so fond now...

...Very fond, he thinks again, when both of her hands wrap around his. How sweet!! There's a warmth there that leaves him feeling comforted, and it's unexpectedly refreshing to actually meet someone even more friendly than he is; he can't help but laugh. Well, he'll shake their hands together anyway, since that's what he's sure is meant to happen, but he doesn't retract his hand first. ]

Lady Pollux of the Dioscuri! It's an honor!

[ He repeats, committing the names to memory. It doesn't surprise him at all that the names are unknown to him, yet the way she introduces herself makes it sound like her and her brother are well-known where they're from. And although he hadn't intended to imply that he himself is the Wind Master...answering her question doesn't really blow his cover, either, in this case. ]

Yes, controlling the wind is my specialty— Would you like to see? That is, after we find the perfect pictures and meet with your brother, of course. It's more fun in groups, after all.

1

[elysiantern]

Yes. I am.

[ Elysium looks up from the book he's reading (such an intelligent scholarly man he is). A master, him? Yes. Absolutely. He stares resolutely into Pollux's eyes, seeking the spark of flame, the unspeakable connection that must form for you to get a girl with insane shoulderpads to call you master.

Then he winks and throws fingerguns at her. ]

But only if I can also be your humble servant too, miss!! Or should I also say master? I haven't played like this in a while.

OH HE MAKE ME WANNA KWORDLE SQUIRTLE

[nyktifanis]

Thank goodness, I've found you then...

( her worry turns into a smile, bright and heartfelt as she sizes the other up who so claims to be her master. if he truly is as he says, then he should know where her brother is. why did his summon go awry, is that book meant to help him because it doesn't seem to be "summoning heroic spirits for dummies".

why is he winking and fingergunning. hm. )

That wouldn't do. As you are the one who called me, I couldn't overstep those boundaries, but if you wish to praise me then you may.

( this isn't a game, devote yourself to her worm! )

If my Master wishes to call me Master instead, then that is fine as well.

the last thing you see will be this super handsome face!

[elysiantern]

[ No, he's reading The Windflower by Laura London. Don't mind him. This is important research. In fact he even puts it down to make sure he's giving Pollux 100% of his attention. ]

Master, I'm not sure I follow!

[ Will this get confusing? Yes. ]

We need to work out boundries as a Master and Master! If there aren't any rules, this gets way too intense man... You need to let me know what you're uncomfortable with, or um...you'll need to find another guy!

STOPPPPPPP when i tell zues about his handsome face

[nyktifanis]

Yes, Master.

( this makes no sense at all, she's a goddess! it's embarrassing enough that she flusters for just a moment, the tinge on her cheeks disappearing afterwards. to have your supposed master try and send you away... that's bad! )

The only rule is that I need you to help me, can you do that?

( he should be able to if he's really her master, but with how easy he's trying to flip the script on her; perhaps he's just a man who's interested in the idea of being controlled than being the controller? )

Only you can remedy this misfortune that weighs on my shoulders.

1

[dokkans]

Hmmm....

[ Well, this had potential. She has no idea who this may be, and she was simply just looking to have a bit of lunch before she went back to existing on the ship... but, suddenly she's being presented with a contract? Or fanmail? Something?

Oh, she doesn't read anything unless Mr. K gets to look at it first. Or unless it sounds good from the jump. Which, "Master" does sound pretty good. ]

I may be! Gosh, I didn't know we were being served like this so soon.

thinking about the clones

[nyktifanis]

Then you should know the summoning failed. You have to try again.

( she cuts no corners, and despite the weak expression she wears, pollux manages to focus her eyes on the young girl before her. if this is her master then they should be able to draw another magic circle, use another catalyst, and call her brother here.

she's weak in this position without him by her side. )

If you need an animal, I'll hunt one down for the summoning circle. I'm in a weakened state in this form.

3, castor hopping in is a-okay!

[myagic]

[Rita's done enough world-traipsing to not be a totally out-of-shape nerd, even if she's not athletic, either. Sometimes she comes up Calgona for some simple stretches when she doesn't feel like baking out in the sun on deck.

Still... sparring? She blinks at the unfamiliar person--a newcomer, or just someone Rita hasn't paid any attention to before? (It could go either way, really.)]

Huh? Sparring? Do I look like a fighting nut to you?

[There are a couple of fighting addicts she misses, but, well...that's neither here nor there.]

[nyktifanis]

( perhaps this human uses logic than getting her hands dirty, or maybe it's as simple as wielding a gun to protect herself from others. it works, but sparring helps a person be attuned to their body, and even supports them mentally and physically— it's all exercise anyway. )

Training can go a long way, especially when it has more uses than just garnering praise.

( one couldn't tell by looking at pollux she's that interested in the activity, but she seems to be eyeing the girl next to her to see if she fits in the category of a sparring partner. )

It's better when you have someone to join you.

[myagic]

[Rita isn't carrying any obvious weapons, and she's built like a twig--but those details aside, she's still surprised anyone would ask her about sparring. After all, she's totally not the aggressive type (says Rita, about herself, not at all biased).

On the other hand, Pollux doesn't really look like the musclehead type either, as Rita glances her over...]

What, are you looking to become a fighting nut, then? Or do you already like getting knocked around?

[nyktifanis]

No, no! If anyone's doing the knocking around, it's me!

( is it so wrong to have someone to knock around with? her company seems less enthused, but she never actually said no so the offer still stands.

she lifts a hand to place against her chest, and her excitement is radiating. )

I want to do my very best protecting all of you, and so being able to try my chances with various individuals means I'll learn even more fighting styles.

( what if they happen to turn on each other, at least she'd know rita's weakness. then again, she is trying to sense if the other is a complete human or something supernatural which she can change the activity if not sparring. )

Or jogging could be good to shave off excess energy.