Serene Serenes (Sept 10-13)

[om_nom_namur]

Who: The Spades. Any allies that might still be hanging around.
Where: Serenes
When: 9/10-9/13
What: The crew goes to Serenes so their Heron Princess won't die
Warnings: Language?
Style: Action or prose, whatever
Status: Open

After a nasty prolonged battle, the Spades deserve a nice, peaceful retreat.

Comments

[kingkilvas]

[Naesala's sour expression deepens a little when he turns and sees the hawk in Ace's possession. But his gaze doesn't linger, and it mostly appears to be the norm frown when it comes to looking at his captain.

He doesn't budge other than a shake of his head.] Hmh. No, quite the opposite. Normally.

[hiken]

Huh. [Naesala wasn't often terribly amused by Ace, but it seemed to be a bit more critical a look than the norm when he set his eyes on the hawk. Assuming Naesala wanted to eat the hawk, Ace hugged it to his chest defensively--]

You can't eat it.

[kingkilvas]

[Not that ravens are particularly picky, but really.

Arguing about it is so not worth the headache, he decides.] I'm surprised you haven't already done so.

[hiken]

[Ace shook his head and gave Naesala a tight frown.]

Wha?! No, of course not! You don't eat your friends, Naesala!

[kingkilvas]

[Of course this is something Ace would do. Naesala almost rolls his eyes. Almost. Hawks, in any incarnation, are unpleasant reminders he doesn't need right now. And definitely aren't his friends.]

How silly of me. Your previous report with animals must have confused me terribly.

[hiken]

Yeah, well, none of those guys were my friends! I even hand-feed these guys and taught them how to fight!

[He added, sort of glowering at the hawk for a moment--] Even if they're getting a little fat and end up tearing the messages I try to send them out with.

[kingkilvas]

[Okay, admittedly, he does find that last part amusing.]

That's what you get for trying to tame them. [he snorts] What, was our current communication system and combat situation not good enough for you?

[hiken]

[Wow. He got a good vibe from Naesala for a second. That was weird.]

Ahhh? Well, I'm bein' told to relax and not stress myself out at the moment--

But, popping a stitch when they refuse to fly in the right direction... I can't help that, huh?

[kingkilvas]

[Good thing it doesn't stick for long.]

Just as you can't change a hawk's true nature. [shrug] You're in the right place to do so, at the very least, no matter what distaste you have for the forest.

[hiken]

It's not distaste. [Maybe a little distaste. Ace just frowned towards the trees, giving them another bit of a frown.]

I don't trust it.

[kingkilvas]

[While he has his own problems with the forest, his tone implies he finds the lack of trust ridiculous.]

Oh? Yes, truly only the peaceful islands should be put under an eye of scrutiny.

[hiken]

Honest enemies don't bother me. If I know someone's dangerous, I know what to expect. [Ace's scowl grew deeper.]

I had a really friendly ally, once. He was nice and respectful, always going out of his way to be helpful to everyone.

One day, he stabbed one of my brothers in the back and abandoned our crew for a treasure he wanted.

So-- [Ace relaxed, huffing out of his nostrils.]

I don't like things like this. When something's way too nice, it has to be hiding something.

[kingkilvas]

Hm. [Naesala, at least, can respect that point of view. Given that he is of the same untrustworthy reputation at home, designated backstabber.

He nods instead of arguing for once, and is silent for a minute before tilting his head to the side.]

And is Leanne equally undeserving of your trust?

[hiken]

The problem is that I trust her. I trust her to be kind and considerate and this is an island she's familiar with that likely ain't supposed to be here.

[Ace was familiar with weird things, but this was a weird thing he couldn't just settle into.]

I don't know if it's the same place for real, but we haven't been to any other islands like this.

[kingkilvas]

[Good answer, he thinks.]

We both could tell you it's a near-exact replica. I'm not entirely convinced it's the very same place, lifted from our world... [A tiny grimace. Yeah, it's weird for him too.] ...but if you trust Leanne, you should trust her instincts. She'd sense any corruption you suspect.

[hiken]

I don't question too many things in the world, but I don't like suspicious things like this-- [Ace frowned, realizing he had actually been harping on about it. What a pain--when Naesala of all people made Ace feel like he was thinking too hard about something. Usually it was likely to be the opposite of that.]

Hmph. I want to accede and let it go to Leanne's judgement, but I know there're folks here who can do really incredible things with their abilities.

[kingkilvas]

[Naesala shrugs again.] It's only a suggestion. If it bothers you this much, there's obviously little to do to change your mind.

But the forest has already been ravaged once by angry, distrustful humans and paid quite the price for it. I'd rather it not happen again, hm? No matter what little faith you or the crew have.

[He's not quite sure what Ace entirely means, but the last thing he wants is an argument about it. Or anything that would lead Ace or anyone else he's talking about to go too far.]

[hiken]

Ehhh? You figured I'd just try to wreck the place?

[He gave Naesala a bit of an arch look.]

I don't go outta my way to start fights with enemies. They come to me, first. So--I won't begrudge Leanne her happily, but if it turns out to be bad judgement and something happens, I won't hesitate to defend the crew.

[kingkilvas]

...Call me overly-cautious. I'm as protective of Leanne [and Serenes] as you are of your own crew.

But no, I get it. Understand that if this world sees fit to use this place against us, I'd be fighting alongside you.

[In return, he gives Ace a look that reads I'm not stupid.]