A problem arises...

[hostclubshadowking]

Who: The crew of the Antoinette
Where: The Antoinette
When: December 1st, early afternoon
What: The captain is missing, and something needs to be done.
Warnings: None, possible mild language
Style: Any
Status: Closed to the crew of Antoinette

"Thank you for joining me."

Kyouya is, at least, finally properly on his feet. He's been eating better the last few days and really sleeping, so he's starting to recover the colour in his skin and his energy. Today, for the first time, he's been able to do rounds of the ship.

Which is why he called them all together in the first place.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news. It seems Miss Ludenberg is gone, which leaves us without a captain."

Comments

[oceanicbutterfly]

When Karen arrived she was quiet, neither looking at nor speaking with anyone. Neither changes now, but anyone who happens to be looking at her back will see her shoulders slump for a moment, before they straighten again. She's trying to focus on business, and for the moment she's succeeding.

"As the first mate, I would normally be in charge now. Given the current makeup of the crew, though, I don't believe I would be the most appropriate captain."

[hostclubshadowking]

"I feel our best bet," Kyouya murmured, considering the alternatives, "is what was traditionally done by pirate crews. They would democratically elect their captains. We could nominate, provide why we believe them adequate, and then choose as a crew."

/sliiiiides in

[totheright]

Kaoru doesn't look up from hand-sewing a collar onto a suit jacket, but judging by the frown on his face, he's definitely listening. "There are four of us left," he points out, pausing for a moment as he makes the next stitch. "What if we need a tiebreaker?"

[hostclubshadowking]

"...Four?"

Clearly, I can never get sick again.

"There's... only four of us."

Kyouya takes a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. And the island where they might find more crew -- people qualified to manage to sail a ship with them -- was barred from them.

"That's going to make this difficult."

[totheright]

"I nominate anyone besides myself to be captain," Kaoru announces with a derisive scoff, looking up as he brushes his too-long fringe out of his eyes. "I don't know if that helps or hurts, but I don't think it'd be very fun." It goes without saying that Kaoru isn't captain-material, and that being captain would most definitely interfere with the already overwhelming number of commissions he's taken on.

[hostclubshadowking]

"That isn't helpful."

It's sharp, snapped. Something Kyouya rarely lets show. But it's said, and it can't be retracted. A moment of honest, a moment of something close to fear. There are four of them, and there are enemies everywhere. Not cliques at school, not bullies, not older brothers, not overbearing fathers who will never be satisfied.

Real enemies. Enemies who can draw blood, who can kill. And they are weak, vulnerable. So the mask slips, just for a moment. But it does.

Then, he clears his throat, retraining his expression, and says, "But your refusal is noted."

[princelycharm]

For once, the host club king was sitting at a corner of the deck. He was quiet and he listened attentively at how his remaining crew mates tried to resolve the issue. Normally, he'd stand up and offer his services in aid of his friends, but this was a more delicate matter. This did not just involve making classmates and princesses happy... it was their lives on the line.

[oceanicbutterfly]

Carefully tracking the procedures made it easy to avoid thinking of her own issues, so that was what Karen was doing. So far things were going better than they might have--they'd narrowed the possible pool of candidates down to two, at least, so they wouldn't end up with four votes for four different people. And if worse came to worst, she could just step forward, name one of the two, and see if anyone protested.

But it was important to at least get some input from everyone if possible, right?

"Suoh-san. Do you have an opinion?"

[princelycharm]

It was some how painfully obvious that the choice for captain was either Kyouya or Tamaki, since their two other crew mates have expressed the lack of desire for the position. Though he had experience in leading his friends in their club activities and excursions, being a captain of the ship was an entirely different thing.

"I think before we start losing any more choices, we need to know the duties and obligations of a captain"

[hostclubshadowking]

"As I understand it? The safety of the crew should be the first priority. After that, their comfort." Provide for the needs, then worry about the wants. "Deciding what is best to do when, while still considering others' opinions."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Their decisions are what determine the lives of their crew. Whether there's food enough, money enough, how much danger the put themselves in as well as the level of that danger."

"At least," Kyouya murmured, all calm, but hiding that calculating nature behind it, "as I understand it. If others have a different definition, it's best to hear it now."

[totheright]

Another huff, and another irritated toss of his head as he flips his hair out of his face again. "I'm pretty sure no one's going to disagree with that definition, senpai. Can we just move on to the whole nominating and voting thing?"

[princelycharm]

The host club king listened quietly and thoughtfully whilst Kyouya spoke. This was a serious matter since it involved the crew, most especially two of his closest friends. They were closer than friends, they are family for Tamaki, and he will do anything to to protect his family. Not even life is a steep enough price for their safety.

Soon he found himself walking to the center of the deck with his usual confidence and a reassuring smile on his face.



"This is a heavy responsibility", he starts sternly. "And Karen-hime is yet to know and trust me more, but if you, my friends would allow it once more", he said looking at Kaoru and Kyouya, "I'd gladly be the Father or Captain of this ship!"

[oceanicbutterfly]

Karen finally turns around... so that she can stare in confusion. Karen-hime? she mouths silently.

[hostclubshadowking]

Kyouya manages not to laugh. His only smile is fairly restrained, too. He does, though, nod.

"I have no objection, certainly."

[totheright]

"Glad we've gotten it straightened out," Kaoru said, throwing up his hand in a lazy salute to Tamaki before going back to his work. "It'll be just like old times."

[princelycharm]

Tamaki nods respectfully at Karen thinking that her silent musings were directed towards him.

He stood there, his confidence unwavering as he waited to see or hear a response from his crew and friends. When he saw a smile on Kyouya's face an even wider smile flashed on Tamaki's face. And when both Kaoru and Kyouya spoke, he immediately jumped at both of them for a group hug, and gesturing an invitation to Karen for her to join the hug as well.