SEPTEMBER EVENT: SKULLY'S ANGELS

[sailmods]

[around 10:30PM, after Friday has returned from bringing all the other guests back to the ship, she parks the tender just off the shore, idling. she sticks her head out of the door.]

Good luck! Just come get me if you need anything! [beat] But, only if it’s something I can do without stepping outside! [beat] Have fun!

[she then pops back inside. they’re on their own, for now.

the salamander villagers have returned to their homes for the night, it seems… all but one, a smaller one, bedecked in leather armor and carrying a spear. they watch the group as they leave the beach, eyes fixed… and then, slowly but distinctly, they toss their head in the direction of inland, and turn away from them to begin a sort of watch.

perhaps that was salamander for good luck. you’ll need it.]

Comments

[light_mischief]

[Ah, a second wind of irritation -- the only warning is the weird tongue-clicking noise he makes when he's mad, and then:]

Because she chose to help us instead of murder us on that island. Because obviously she has more connections than you, therefore more information that might help both of you. Because you're the reason she's like this! Maybe because I believe you have the capacity for compassion, and I would like everyone else to see the same!

[It goes pretty quickly from frustration to something more like pleading, the sharp edges of his words going momentarily rough.]

I don't know, pick whichever one suits you best!

[saltwaterlungs]

And because we have a cool knife to give you if you do it.

[sictransitgloriamundi]

[his expression remains neutral, but his brow furrows... and then goes back to entirely neutral when Darcy speaks. he closes his eyes once, then opens them again.]

... She's too far gone. All I can do is bind her to this realm before she dies. She'll revive here, the same way you all do. The exact same way. [pause] And I refuse to be the one to deal with how mad she'll be if I do this. You want her to live? You get that job.

[light_mischief]

[They have no time to spare and he has no time to bargain or deliberate. But there's only one person he needs to consult. He waves his hand, gesturing hurriedly at Darcy to come forward with one hand. He can't quite tell her that she's a distraction, but it'll have to do.]

Darcy, give him the knife. Friday, help Izzy and me with Jenny.

[It makes sense, he figures. Constructs are meant to be helpful, Ava, Jade and Max are all still recovering from the last bout of curses, and of course the man wants the knife, even if that wasn't the deciding factor. He shoves the bag into the Captain's arms and hopes he grabs it, turning immediately to the more pressing issue at hand.

When his back is turned, he tilts his head just a little in Friday's direction. The sort of faceless head-tilt that implies a direct side-eye. He says, as though speaking to Izzy,] Well?

[Any positive or negative gesture will be enough, but he doesn't know Jenny. He doesn't know which she'd prefer -- death, or returning to the Serena Eterna.]

[saltwaterlungs]

Why do I have to give him the knife? He hasn't even said he wanted the fucking knife?

[ Unfortunately Skulduggery is doing the equivalent of leaving her at the check-out when the line is drawing dangerously near to the front and she has no way of paying. Dad, dad please, dad please don't leave her there. ]

Do you even want the knife?

[sictransitgloriamundi]

[blinks]

I already have an athame, so. [beat] And that isn't the right one.

[saltwaterlungs]

He doesn't even want the-

[ Pause, ]

Okay- so why did you want the cool knife if you already have a cool knife?

[sictransitgloriamundi]

I want things other people have.

[saltwaterlungs]

... then why did you give it back?

[sictransitgloriamundi]

... [shrug]

[saltwaterlungs]

[ ... ]

If you don't want it I'm keeping this knife.

[sictransitgloriamundi]

Have fun, I guess...

[palfriday]

[Friday doesn't turn to look at him, doesn't pause her stroking back Jenny's hair. when she speaks, her voice is soft and low.]

If she was awake... She'd tell you to let her die. To let it end.

[a sharp intake a breath]

Don't let the story end here... Don't you believe in happy endings?

[light_mischief]

[Jenny would probably be the one making the right decision.

But unfortunately for her, Skulduggery is tired of tragic death after tragic death. And there are three more souls on this ship who would want to see her again.]

Alright.

[Hey he probably actually doesn't need to carry Jenny anywhere, does he? He should have asked. So he turns right back around to the Captain and summarily interrupts Darcy, who did just such a good job without realizing it!]

What do you need to do? Can it be done here or do we need to take her somewhere?

[sictransitgloriamundi]

It's already done. [allows himself a slight smirk] Friday will take her after she passes, as per usual.

[his gaze leaves Skulduggery, falling squarely on Friday.]

It is your will, isn't it?

[she does not respond.]

[light_mischief]

[It was inevitable that he'd notice. She's his construct after all. It would be impossible for him not to see that she's been... growing. That's never seen as a good thing, and there's no telling how it'll be taken here and now.

Skulduggery steps to the side in order to cut the Captain's view. They have actual, important things to deal with; the issue of constructs and free will can be dealt with later. For now, he gestures towards the bag.]

There are a few things in there. I don't know what, given that we were all being afflicted with an array of curses at the time. Are any of those what you're looking for?

[saltwaterlungs]

[ Relieved to no longer be dealing with him, Darcy retrieves the red gem and the ape paw from her pockets and hands them off to Skulduggery, to slink back with the rest of the b-roll crew. ]

[sictransitgloriamundi]

[a pause. shakes head.] No, but... You do have it. You have it.

[he glances around the tender with visible disdain.]

I realize you trust these people, but the feeling is not mutual. For either side of the party.

[beat]

You know where I live.

[and, with that, he's gone.]

[makesomedeals]

[His sigh of disdain is probably audible all the way to the Captain's room. ]

[saltwaterlungs]

Dibs not dealing with Jenny when she wakes up.

[ If the Captain's gone and everything else is resolved... there's nothing else for her to do. Other than go back to her cabin and immediately fucking collapse. Maybe kiss Undine a bit. The rest of her night is pretty free now.

Izzy gets a gentle slap on the shoulder, and Skulduggery gets... not an outright hug, but leans her shoulder and head into his arm for a moment as she's going past. Like a cat. ]

I'm gonna go sleep for a year. Let us know how the talk with the Captain goes, ehn?

[ And then she slips away back onto the ship proper. ]

[light_mischief]

[He stuffs the items in his pockets and gives her disappearing back a thumbs up.]