come_sailaway | I Was Looking for a Breath of Life

Entry tags:

I Was Looking for a Breath of Life

Who: Valdis and Open!
What: New Arrival tries to cope with being dropped into a new place after a massive bloodbath
When: November
Where: All over
Warnings: Headaches, grumpiness, will warn if it gets worse than that.

1) Arrival: Her head screamed at her, sharp pain cutting into her vision with every breath. Eyes closed tightly, Valdis does her best to breathe. The heavy death in the air, filled with lingering desperation and trauma tightened her chest. Of all the times to fall into a new world, it would be just after a massacre. With her head in her hands, her black hair hiding her face, she leaned against the railing of the walkway, trying to drown out the pain. This was definitely where it all happened. The pain was worse here.
"Haven't felt this bad since the last war," she muttered. "How many people died?"

2) Revelations: Valdis worked her way through the ship, avoiding her cabin as much as possible, seeking to memorize the layout of the ship and maximize her ability to move quickly should it be necessary. The Void is silent, a fact she should be grateful for, and in some ways, very much is. But now the silence is simply silence, and the feeling that the dead are around every corner sits in her gut. She can’t see them, except maybe flitting out of the corner of her eyes from time to time, but she can sense that they aren’t alone. Footsteps sounded from behind her, she’d been so focused on the dead that she hadn’t paid attention to the living. She turns around, hand on the hilt of the rather impressive sword hanging on her hip.

"Hello?"

3)Buffet: Without the ability to draw on the dead, Valdis must find something to soothe the very human feeling of hunger. She’d known the feeling from home, before her memories had begun to return, but now she found it highly annoying.

“What’s the best thing here?”

Second Week of November and Onwards

4) Library: Valdis has finally taken Erin's advice and found the black binder in the library. She is not thrilled with what she's reading and the tension is visible in her usually elegant jawline and the glowing red in her eyes. Fear isn't found anywhere in her demeanor or soul, but rather a thoughtful, yet tense, aura radiates from where she sits. She's so focused that almost anyone not touched by death could approach without her noticing. If they are touched by death, she may react poorly, so tread carefully.

5) Hurikane: She can't get drunk, but she sure is trying her best with pure vodka and whatever else she can find that's strong. She's not even really trying to taste it, just downing it as fast as the invisible bartender can deliver, and exhausting her healing abilities as she goes. It's still not enough to even give her a buzz though. Disappointing.

6)Wildcard round: Your turn!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A slow nod. "I collect them." Because he doesn't view fencing as a sport or the way other people here view swords. With dignity, honor, a vital skill. To him, they're weapons of war, trophies, and a testament of survival of the fittest. Well, to be fair, he was the same way back home. Always a weirdo! "This one is Souza Samonji, the conqueror's blade. Forged by the master Saemonzaburo in--" He does some brief calculations and translations in his head, even though it'd likely get translated anyway, he feels better eking out even a tiny grasp of control over the words, so at least if mistakes are made, he knows for sure it's on his own end, "1334 by Western calendar." His hand hovers over the shorter of the two katana also red and gold hilted, though the brand he placed on it it hidden beneath the sheath. "This is Heshikiri Hasebe, of the 1312 forgesmith: Hasebe Kunishige. He requires a strong hand to control as he can cut even with wind pressure." No, he can't. Nobunaga's just dramatic as hell. As if the red and black long ass heavy-cutter sword didn't indicate that on its own.

"I recently recovered one of his younger brothers," the sword has brothers. Yes. Obviously being poetic there. "I shall give to one of my samurai here. He tried very hard to earn it over the last month."

The air is thick with enthusiasm as the man goes on about his swords. Valdis manages to listen, and actually appear interested. He seemed the type to take care of his weapons, undoubtedly someone she wouldn't want to cross blades with unless necessary or in a friendly spar. His last comment catches her attention more than the rest, though she makes note of everything he has said in case she needs the information later.

"So you teach too?" She asks. "I suppose I'll have to keep an eye on you and your student and hope we never have to murder each other...I'm Valdis by the way."

"No." A firm head shake no. "I'll never teach swords. Guns, self-defense, sumo, archery, horseback riding -- not applicable here unless some island comes out and they had cars before, falconry, any weapons, but never swords. Where I'm from that is the purview of monks, and taught from birth. I would do better at teaching religion, and I declared war on most religions."

It's an important distinction. "There are many sword masters if you wish to challenge them, or their students. I know Maeve is someone I would consider possibly stronger than me, but I'm grateful to count her as an ally. Pratt is my samurai, because in his time in his lands, he's a deputy, and he's used to having to look after others, which alleviates a great deal of pressure on me personally."

A genuinely sad expression. "I take no pleasure in sword forms. Some here do, but to me it's survival, nothing more. It's difficult for me to hold back my inner demons when exercising the traditional forms, truly."

Valdis takes a breath, hiding every single ounce of surprise she can manage. She tilts her head slightly, listening to him more closely now, suddenly far more interested than she had been before...and she hated the reason why.

"Religion have never been kind to me, so I see no reason to be kind in return. Those being worshipped do not deserve it."

His sorrow is a quick turn from his delight in telling her about his swords.

"I also know a few things about inner demons and the dangers of releasing them, so I apologize for bringing up something painful. It does seem that you know yourself well, many people do not. This Pratt is lucky to have you as a friend."

The honesty from his words and in his demeanor leave her completely at ease, a feeling she's not sure she desires on this hellboat.

She draws her blade from it's sheath, revealing the gleaming silvery blade and a glowing red gem embedded near the hilt. She holds it out to him.

"I wouldn't advise you don't touch it, but I'd appreciate your trained eye. It only recently came into my possession, though I've been told it's been mine for much longer."

"It's all right. I never know whether to use my title here or not. The Demon King of 6th Heaven. It rarely means to anyone what it meant in my world and time, so usually I think it's better to leave it off." Even though he earned it, and ironically having been reassured it was not literal, he was more willing to embrace it again.

Is Pratt a friend? So far only Crichton and Klaus had declared themselves so, and Nobunaga had embraced that wholeheartedly, but Crichton was a non-combatant, and Klaus was even more than a friend now, but ex-army as well. Whereas Pratt and Teyrey thought of themselves as still military so Nobunaga fell into more of a commander stride with them both. Maybe. He'd leave it up to Pratt to figure out. Maybe Klaus since they considered themselves Alternate Universe twins.

Ohhhhhh it's glowy! Nobunaga is instantly distracted from his internal musings back to fanboy enthusiasm.

"Only recently?" A curious hum as he tilts his head, examining it as close as possible without touching it. "The Souza Samonji..." He gently pops it free and carefully holds it with both hands, showing off the brand he'd placed on it as a brash youth, "Is also considered a cursed blade. Supposedly those who wield it will inevitably become demon kings, conquerors. They covet those who wield it, and use it to extend their power's reach. I've always considered it foolishness; the same as all other religious beliefs, but here: things I took for granted as fake turn out to be true sometimes. All the same, I allowed someone other than myself to wield it recently, but he's experienced no change. No demon king urges, and no desire to hold onto the blade," a firm nod, still just checking out her sword from all angles.

"Do you know anything about its previous owners?" He can recite the Souza Samonji's entire owner history to his point, because he is an absolute lunatic. But he does highly value the swords' history, the creators, the trail of ownership, and all the documents he put together for all his swords, whether given away as presents or not; were his literal hobby.

Her words seemed to drop him deep into thought. She's no mind reader, but sometimes she wishes she could see what goes on when people go silent and become lost in their own minds. She's not sure how she feels about his title, but he's not like any demon she's met and he's far from the one she recently met. He seems more human than monster to her eyes at least. His eyes light up when he examines the sword, and when he holds out his own 'cursed' blade, she examines it with similar interest. The blade seemed to have a storied history, and it was well made.

His question draws silence as she debates on how much to tell him and really how much she knows to be true. The sword can't really be called 'cursed', its purpose and design doesn't really make sense to her, because if it were true, then the blade is a failure. Yet, she only knows what Michael told her and she's not sure she trusts him to tell the truth, despite the fact he has no reason to lie.

Valdis takes a slow breath, "There is some sort of truth to religion, at least in my world. This sword was forged by an archangel as a holy relic, designed to kill the unkillable." Not the immortal, because even immortals can be killed. "As to how it came to me? I'm not quite sure, it appeared when I needed it, and it burns anyone else who tries to hold it."

"Here too, religion is not all fake. Apparently I have a soul," a shrug. "Who knew." Not him. Actually... everyone else probably knew, but Nobunaga is a weirdo. "A holy relic, huh?" Nobunaga just gives a total cliche evil demon king laugh. "Bwahahahahah, then I'd best not touch it ever! I worried about asking the gods here about my soul in case they tried to purify me, I'll refrain from taking any chances!" Same with the Kusanagi, best not. He has a daft lack of common sense, but in this case, that means he'd rather be "evil." Weirdo.

A quiet hum and a giant grin to her, "You must be very strong to handle it so graciously!"

Souls. She's met people who didn't believe in the concept, but as someone who wielded death as a weapon, they were very much real to her. His world might possibly be different, but she doesn't feel that he is 'empty'. She tilts her head, amusement crossing her features when he laughs and expresses his thoughts on the matter.

The sword had 'purified' her in a manner of speaking, so his joking isn't exactly unwarranted. At least they had a hatred of religion to bond over.

"Or perhaps it really is cursed and is holding my soul hostage in exchange for its power."

Definitely not the case and she is well aware of that, but she's deflecting. This 'Demon King' may seem friendly enough, but she's not going to drop all her secrets on someone she just met.

"Mine too," Nobunaga just shrugs. It is what is. Conqueror's Blade gonna do what it wants. "Well, presumably not. You get tied to this place via your soul, but my blade came with me. When Klaus cut me down with it, I was possessed, but I wonder if I wasn't also held within the sword, to grant him some strength of my own? It's difficult to say how much is real or silly superstition. Poetry. I actually run the poetry club here, feel free to join! We meet in the lounge every evening except when something big is happening or other clubs are running."

The most ridiculous person on this ship. Right here.

The odd man seems to have several talents, swords, history, and now poetry. He's even managed to go through an entire conversation without giving his name, so he's clearly either too enthusiastic for his own good, or fairly good at manipulation and getting around such things. She's betting it's the former, but you can never really tell sometimes. His enthusiasm is at least genuine.

"I do enjoy poetry," she says, tipping her head slightly. She sheaths her sword and looks back at the buffet.

"Any other talents you care to share?"

Both. Though he's actually awful at deception, he just has an ability to confuse himself, and that therefore confuses his enemies (and allies!!!) alike.

"I ate 19 of the ice cream flavors in one day," THAT IS NOT SOMETHING TO BRAG ABOUT. Because he made himself phenomenally sick on it. And didn't even do tiny spoonfuls, just went full throttle. Absolute insanity. But moving on --

"Singing club." It's less a club, and more a bunch of weirdos who sing karaoke, and then Nobunaga uses it as an excuse to mentally collect every musician on board because they're one of his weaknesses(?) kind of. Long story. ANYWAY. "What year are you from? Oh, that's right."

A semi-formal bow, of extremely awkward stiffness, like he knows how it's done, but before being on the ship never once did it, and still is so far from getting the hang of it. "Nobunaga Oda, 1582, Hell Japan Earth." See that's one of hell an introduction. He even pauses and makes it worse. "Demon King of the 6th Heaven. But don't worry if all that is meaningless, there are a lot of aliens from distant worlds or even other universes." A nod! Totally helping. "Though you mentioned an archangel and if I remember right that's Christianity." Both hands up! "But correct me if I'm wrong. My brother is the convert, not me. One's following our father's footsteps to being a Buddhist monk, one's a tea ceremony expert, one's a Christian, Luis Frois was over the moon." An eyeroll. "Then there's me, the Demon King who doesn't want to be purified, and embracing the number of the beast and all that." Yeah. "So my talents are all over the place."

They really are. He is also a random expert in sumo wrestling??? And dance. But mostly war. But since he hates swordfighting, and can't treat it like sport, he doesn't mention that if he can avoid it.

"How about you?" An appraising smirk. "Any other hidden talents beyond swordfighting?"

So...the man, Nobunaga, is a well-rounded individual with many interests that don't all seem to go together. Valdis tips her head as he covers several topics in what seems like one breath. He sure is long winded, though, it saves her from having to fill the space.

"Pleasure to meet you, Nobunaga."

The name sounds familiar somehow, but surely this can't be the same person from the history of her own world. Perhaps they simply share a name. Nonetheless, there is no reason to bring it up or even really care.

"Christianity is a farce," she counters with a smile, "Yes, angels exist in my world, as do demons and heaven and hell and gods, but humans have created a lie that they cling to as full truth."

She hums, considering his question.

"I can shift into a giant black hound," she replies, feeling that hiding anything here is fairly useless. "I have a few other talents and abilities, but I think that's the biggest one."

Nobunaga can go on forever as long as he has a semi-receptive audience. He's weird and shuts down into silence if he doesn't.

And absolutely he is the first unifier of Japan, and absolute whackadoo. There are things no history textbook can really explain about him, because he's kinda really out there. The red eyes and armor are tough to fake but if someone could be the most dedicated LARPer ever, sure maybe. But then they'd probably try harder to stick to what history said, instead of just living their best life as a colossal weirdo and sugar fiend.

"Yeah?" She's not the only shapeshifter on board. "Be careful in the Tommy Bahamas. It's the closest thing Siffleur could find to forest, and he doesn't get along well with the wolf druid Ylva, I have no idea how he might react to another type. Is it a wolf hound?" Wolves and cats are white and red in Japanese folklore, why are they black in far Western? Who knows? He thought it couldn't be a yin yang thing, but sometimes he wonders.... "What religions are true then?" None of them. Maybe. Well he MET Amaterasu, but still...

So there's another wolf shifter, and...a Siffleur, whatever that was. Nobunaga is giving her more information than she could have dreamed of, and all in basic conversation. Fascinating.

"No, not a wolf hound....a Hellhound. Big, black, wolfish."

Think of a 1200lb horse and you'll have approximately the correct size, treat her like one and you're likely to lose a hand if not your head.

"I'm not sure any religion in it's current form is true. At least in my world. Humans tend to...twist things a little too much for them to retain the truth. I will still say they are the favored race though, for whatever reason."

"Sweet! You should join my army!" Because Siffleur was a cougar, and cougars have to be wild and free. But he will absolutely take a hellhound with a cursed sword into his army, WHY NOT?! Not that he's sure she'd join, but if it helps, this is the first time he's offered that since being on Eterna, with a half exception to Pratt who was kind of more just a samurai as a cop, and then gradually evolved to being one of Nobunaga's, because he also kidnapped Pratt's AU twin. Don't ask.

"Humans are favored?" Another laugh. "I believe you. Amaterasu is very fond of us, for whatever reason. Even if she was having troubles keeping her favorite lands out of slipping into Hell." Metaphorically. ISH.

"Ylva was raised by wolves. She is a druid and can take on forms other than a wolf, but that is her favorite. For obvious reasons. Oh, and Siffleur is a cougar. A talking one. He is just bored and feisty. Like most big human sized cats. So I bring him treats and make a game of hiding them in tricky fun places to hunt." Nobunaga slammed his fist into the opposite palm. "I forgot! Mikabo might be working again! Have you ever had sushi? That's what Mikabo is. It's a giant hibachi grill from my homelands, but also sushi. I can bring him a sushi bento instead of this other stuff!"

Not the desserts, those are for Nobunaga. Sweet tooth monster.

He jumps so quickly from topic to topic that she's not sure he's even keeping track of his offers or reveals. A talking cougar, a druid who can shift into different animals...it's all interesting information and of all the reactions she's expected, an offer to join an army is not one of them. She smirks at him, wondering just what kind of leader he is, or if he's simply a silly fool. Either way, it's not a bad idea to have an ally who might actually be useful.

"Sure, why not. Been awhile since I had an army. Yes, I've had sushi. I'm not surprised your goddess favors humans. And while I'm sure Siffleur likes such games, don't even attempt them with me."

Anything else you care to add Nobunaga?

Nailed it in one. He doesn't keep specific track, just sort of accumulates them all at once into a pentagram symbol (5 is the Sun Tzu number, albeit not Nobunaga's 6th Heaven Luciferian whateverness) but he definitely knows who he values and treasures and any psuedo-contracts (as one space Tradeliner Ari Teryrey would say) and all their terms and conditions. He has a frightening memory. Like a five year old learning the worst curses imaginable after hearing them only once and running around repeating it whether or not they understand.

Is he a silly fool? Well, there's a reason they called him the Fool of Owari, after all.

He's still a damn good leader. If he has to say so himself, but his generals and others would say so too, so it's fine.

"All games, or just not hide and seek with treats?" An absolutely devilish smirk. "I'm sure there must be some kind of treats you enjoy."

There have been many people throughout history with strange personalities that inspire people and are good leaders. If he's anything like the one from her world, she has no reason to doubt his ability; his quirks at least make him bearable. Those self-righteous leaders that take themselves too seriously are boring and not worth her time aside from plotting their downfall. But she doesn't do that anymore.

She arches a brow, adding her own teasing smile, "There are some games I like to play, I'm not going to tell you which ones though." It's far more amusing to have people try to figure it out. "As for treats, well...none I can think of."

"So not sushi," he taps a finger to his chin. "Have you ever played Go?" He also has about a million bad jokes about bones, but even HE has enough class not to stoop that low. For now. Belly rubs though, beware.

Honestly he's more amused trying to figure it too. This too, is a game, after all.

She quickly searches her extensive memory for an idea of the game Nobunaga mentions. Yes, she recalls it, not that she spent much time there, but enough to remember the rules.

"No, I haven't heard of it." There's no trace of her lie anywhere in her demeanor, so unless he can read minds, she's rather convinced he won't catch it. "Are you a master at that too?"

"Yes," a plain nod. Not a boast, just a warning. "I have never lost a game." He hasn't played experts -- other than Mitsunari Ishida, and Mitsunari is more his chief strategist (other than himself) so they rarely sat around playing go. Especially since the airhead was happier in the library reading, and Nobunaga himself was more likely working or hunting or doing something physical.

"If you prefer to stand a chance of winning," SO ARROGANT. Demon King of 6th Heaven means being the most arrogant, stubborn, proud bastard of all time, after all. "I am unfamiliar with European card games, things at the casino, and most sports after the 16th century."

"I used to play chess, but card games and gambling aren't really my style. I generally don't play games I can't win."

It's a simple truth, softer than his outright arrogance. It might be interesting to humiliate someone so proud, she's done it before. It's always fun to use people against themselves. And yet, it serves her no purpose here, and with all the abilities on display, she doesn't know if she can win. So it's better to not play.

"A wise strategy," a somber nod. And sometimes it's no fun to fight someone too much like himself. "Sports then? I do not mind being bested there, though usually I do not get to participate myself." Rulership stuff.

"Hmm, you mean like you summon a champion, and then I summon a champion and they fight on our behalf? Or perhaps riding? jousting? foot races?"

Old sports, not like football, or baseball or wrestling. Like the Kings and Queens of old. Still, it doesn't really suit her to have others spill their blood on her behalf anymore. And the others?

"No. Matches of any kind without purpose aren't really interesting either." She continues to smile, "Any other ideas to amuse me, Demon King?"

"No that's pokemon," the first part, "And I don't have any of the cards or whatever yet. You'd have to ask Pratt more about that." And then he just whines about riding and jousting. "I wish. I never knew I'd miss horses? I miss horses." A HUFF. "I've been riding since I was studying swords and knives. I was probably on horse before I could walk. And it's not that I'm some pampered prince who's never marched anywhere. You can't know the speed of your infantry without marching it yourself, but since this whole cruise ship farce is fake anyway, it's not truly sailing. At first I was excited because finally A METAL SHIP!" Deep breath. "I told Akechi, we could absolutely do ships this size, and he kept being like, 'My lord, could is not the same as should. The amount of metal needed--' and he's right, so we went with smaller ones for a fleet, but still! What's the fun if you never do any of the sailing process?!"

He's okay. "I misses horses."

He's okay. "Oh, but there's cars sometimes on the expeditions? So I'm told. I've never seen a car yet. Maybe next time."

Nobunaga loves wrestling the most after guns, swords, trivia, and sugar. Wrestling is his favorite sport. It is ancient actually. And he promoted it as a sport in the 16th century. But he's not sure about challenging women to beat the shit out of him in wrestling. Not because he wouldn't enjoy that, just ask Pollux -- but because he'd enjoy it, maybe too much.

"Do you prefer productivity or high stakes?"

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

no subject