Like Clockwork

[seadevil]

Who: The crew of the Katabami
Where: Aeolipile Isle
When: November 10 - late November-ish
What: General crew log for visiting Motochika's new favorite place in the world
Warnings: Robots
Style: Any
Status: Open to whoever's in the area

It's just been luck and circumstance that's kept the Sea Devil of the West from the island of steampunk wonders. Unfortunately for the crew of the Katabami's budget and sanity, Kodachi wants something to power a jukebox and that means the greatest shopping spree of Motochika's life.

Hope the rest of you enjoy those hot springs...

Comments

[buttwarmed]

[1]

Yasaburo's got himself invited to a ball on a great steam-yacht. He's among groups of opera-glassed, top-hat wearing neo-aristocrats and is having the greatest time for several reasons, not least of which is that these bouergoise are right now being charmed by a canid. It'll launch from port soon. Spotting you looking at it, he disengages from his conversation and grabs you by the sleeve.

"Come on, I can get you on!"

[2]

"But where do you go when you're...down and out? Or looking for a good time you can't find in polite society?"

He's grilling one of the hapless locals. He's puzzled by the complete lack of slums and is investigating it to his fullest.

[cherrybombpie]

Kodachi couldn't help but overhear Yasaburo's inquiries from where she was perched at a rooftop.

She leapt down effortlessly, scaring off the person that he'd been interrogating.

"Yasaburo-san, you're not going to the brothels, are you?" she asked loudly, making everyone around them either turn to them in surprise or hurry away.

[buttwarmed]

Yasaburo yelped and stumbled back so quickly that he ended up somersaulting backwards. His tail popped out for a second, an embarrassing mistake and one he was quite beyond making back home. But back home there wasn't anyone who had Kodachi's talent for sudden entrances. He picked himself up, stuffed his tail in.

"...Well not specifically. I just think it's kindof weird that this place doesn't have any...well, slums, red light districts, things like that."

Wait. Would Kodachi even know that that kindof thing is normal? She was from old money, after all.

1

[reluctantjinrou]

To say Natsuno was bewildered is far beyond accurate. He blinks when his sleeve his grabbed and he glances at Yasaburo with mild confusion.

"I'm sorry, pardon?"

[buttwarmed]

Yasaburo, in his role as the Katabami's Manic Pixie Dream Boy, has decided that Natsuno needs to have some fun.

"This is where the elite of this society goes to let loose. Aren't you at all curious?"

[cherrybombpie]

A
[Kodachi hadn't had a bout of homesickness for a while, but it all came rushing back when she saw the hot springs. Granted, they didn't look anything like Japan's onsen or even the natural hot spring that the Kuno ancestors had managed to build their estate upon, but it was the idea of it that mad her suddenly long for home.]

[Thus, it was with a little hint of melancholy that she visited the springs, fully intent on taking a long, hot soak.]

B
[The Black Rose hadn't been lovesick in a while either, and she fully didn't expect to be anytime soon. However, one of the locals - a pretty, rich boy - had fallen in love with her at first sight and had taken to bestowing gifts upon her.]

[As such, Kodachi could now be found on deck, pondering what to do with the intricate steel roses that she'd been given. They'd been shaped dexterously from sheets of metal, and they were honestly a work of art. However, she didn't care for them much.]

B

[seadevil]

Those are a pretty bit of work!

[Roses weren't exactly what Motochika would choose to make, but he could appreciate craftsmanship when he saw it. He leaned down to get a better look at the little bouquet, but the closer proximity only made him aware of the less-than-pleased expression on Kodachi's face.]

What? Not to your liking?

[cherrybombpie]

[Kodachi glanced back at her captain before shaking her head. She could certainly appreciate the beautiful craftsmanship, but that was about it.]

The man who gave these to me can't even hold his own in a fight.

[All of this was said with disdain. The day that Kodachi would fall in love with someone who couldn't save her, knight-in-shining-armor style, was far and away.]

A

[reluctantjinrou]

[Walking behind her on the winding path to the hot springs is what seems to be a vampire shaped shadow. It isn't really like that however, Natsuno enjoys hot springs and the last time he was here, he has some fond memories of it. It's a little bittersweet to come back alone, but soaking in the water should help relieve some tension. He doesn't call out to Kodachi, but he is watching her since she's the only person ahead of him on the path.]

[cherrybombpie]

[The back of her neck prickled, and she glanced behind to see who was following her. The chi radiating from him was different, and she was still growing accustomed to his presence.]

Oh, it's you.

[They haven't spoken much previously. He seemed to always keep to himself.]

[seadevil]

[A]

[This island is heaven for Motochika. He can be found getting in lively arguments with local artisans, carrying huge armloads of dangerous looking materials back to the ship and, most importantly, constructing what looks like a giant mechanical spider on the beach with the aid of some local craftsmen. Ah, his beautiful Rising Sun. He's missed it so! Ideally, he wants to build it, break it down into portable parts, and store in on the Katabami in case he needs it later. Someone might want to discuss that with him.]

[B]

[Motochika did indeed promise that he would build a power source for Kodachi's jukebox. Somehow, that became "build a jukebox from scratch" in his head. While the ship is in port, the deck of the Katabami will be strewn with blueprints, tools, pieces of metal and woods, and countless little bits and bobs. There may also be the occasional explosion, but that's to be expected when the captain is at work.]

[C]

[All of that construction work tires a body out! When he's not busy building clockwork monstrosities, Motochika can be found drunk off his ass somewhere adjacent to the hot springs. Possibly drunk and in the hot springs at the same time. This is really the best island ever.]

combination of A + B!

[cherrybombpie]

[Motochika looked like he was up to a lot of things, and Kodachi peered at his blueprints curiously as he tinkered about.]

Is the jukebox going to be spider-shaped?

[It was an honest question.]

[seadevil]

[Motochika paused mid-sketch and looked up at her. You could see the wheels in his head turning, weighing just how appealing an idea that was.]

It's...possible. Nothing's set in stone, of course, but it is a rather fun motif to work with. Would that be a problem?

[It wasn't like he had to, but now that she mentioned it...]

A

[reluctantjinrou]

[There's a giant spider on the beach being constructed. It's so surprising that when he's coming back from town and notices it, he does a double take and blurts out the first thing in his head.]

What the heck is that?!

[Oops, that's a little more rude than he intended.]

[seadevil]

Ahoy, Natsuno!

[Motochika beams and waves excitedly. He's currently directing some local craftsmen in how the face of the beast needs to be carved. It's a very important feature, after all.]

This is my Rising Sun! Isn't it a beauty? You'll never see the like of it anywhere else.

C

[curseking]

[Motochika has repeatedly impressed upon him the importance of enjoying one's life, and Mitsunari has finally agreed to making an effort to do so. That is why he's found himself soaking in the hot springs. He's not feeling very relaxed at the moment, and the water is a little too hot, but damn it, he made a vow. Mitsunari is probably the only person alive who needs to be convinced to have a good time.

Upon spotting an apparently drunk Motochika, he figures he may as well say something to him.]

Do you find this enjoyable?

[rebellions]

A.

[How Ragna managed to stumble from the sleeping quarters where he woke up all the way up to the deck is anyone's guess, though if one was curious enough to trace back the route he went they wouldn't have trouble with that thanks to the trail of blood he's left behind. It's only when he reaches the main deck that he stops to think about why it felt like he knew which way he was going─ and where he even is in the first place.]

... Sea...?

[Not Ikaruga, then, that's for sure. The man presses his hand against his chest in an attempt to stop the blood that's still seeping from his wounds, though frankly, he finds the pounding in his skull even more annoying. He lets out an irritated groan, desperately trying to sort the thoughts and images in his head. Nu's swords stabbing him, Terumi's laugh... the feeling of the entire world becoming distorted, as if reality itself was being bent out of shape and─

Katabami.

With that single word, everything clicks in place. Where he is, why... and perhaps most importantly, who else should be around here.]

Don't tell me... this is the effect of phenomena intervention, too...?

[He'd like to say it's not possible, but after witnessing the scale of the Imperator's intervention from just a moment ago, he's not really sure about that anymore. Though even if it was plausible, then why? Why would his little sister want to send him back here...? These and tons of other questions run through his mind, resulting in nothing but a headache. It's way too confusing to consider all of this, especially with the pain in his chest and stomach becoming more and more unbearable.]

... Shit. This ain't... good...

[That's all he manages to mumble before his body finally gives in; with his legs no longer being able to support his weight, Ragna falls to the floor with a thud.

A little help here?]

B.

[It's probably not a surprise that with injuries like these, Ragna simply passed out shortly after being placed in bed/hospital/inn/wherever you guys decided to drop him so that he doesn't bleed all over the captain's hard work. A few hours later, he wakes up, though thankfully he doesn't seem in the condition to throw a shitstorm just yet; instead, he remains where he is for the time being, staring at the ceiling and trying to put his thoughts in order. With everything that's happened back in his world that's not an easy task at all, and the fact he somehow ended up here once again only makes things more confusing... What the hell was even the point of him going to his world like that? To find out he might as well be chasing his own tail, or worse yet, playing into Terumi's hands? And now he's back to square one with collecting that shitty gem while waiting for another miracle to happen? In the end, he only manages to grow more frustrated.

Feel free to visit him, though don't except it to be appreciated.]

C.

[Saying Ragna the Bloodedge is a difficult patient would be an understatement. It hasn't even been a full day since his reappearance on the deck of the Katabami and he's already up, exploring the island. Well, "exploring" is a bit too much; he's just walking around the town without any goal in mind. One would think that after over a year spent in this world it would be fairly easy for him to get used to it all over again, but frankly, he finds it near impossible to focus on anything, still caught up in the events of the past few weeks─ or what was weeks for him, anyway. The fact it'll probably be who knows how long before he gets the chance to go back to his world again, along with not even knowing where or when that would lead him to, given the large scale phenomena intervention that was underway when he left─ all of those leave Ragna incredibly pissed off, even by his standards. In fact, it causes him to act even more hostile to people than usual, as the unlucky residents of Aeolipile Isle are quick to find out.]

... You wanna pick a fight, asshole?

[Those words are directed at one shopkeeper, who just invited the Grim Reaper to take a look at his fine selection of steel ornaments and jewelery. Please don't let him hack the poor man apart.]

D.

[It's hard to imagine an SS-class criminal known as the Grim Reaper visiting a tourist attraction, much less one like hot springs. Surely enough, under normal circumstances he wouldn't bother checking them out─ but given the injuries he sustained during his short trip back to his world he's willing to give it a shot, especially given his experience with the Kaka Hot Springs. If these can help him recover faster, then he doesn't really mind a trip to the mountains. It's a rather popular location, so it takes the ever-antisocial Ragna some time to find a remote place for himself, but all in all, it was worth it. Having any company would only invoke weird stares and questions about why his right arm along with shoulder and side are pitch black, so he's rather pleased with being alone.

Not that he can really prevent you from either joining him or asking about that.]

D

[seadevil]

[Motochika knows when a man needs his space and generally when a man shows up bleeding all over your boat, it's a sign to give him some time to himself. However, Motochika also is incapable of keeping his nose out of other people's business for long. He's given Ragna some time to recover in peace, but now that he's out and about, he's fair game.

He's quite fond of these hot springs and he's been spending a good amount of time around them, but it's still a total stroke of luck that he manages to catch sight of Ragna disappearing to one of the more remote spots. To his credit, he decides to leave him alone. Until his curiosity gets the better of him.]

Feeling a bit better?

[He'll just invite himself in. Pirates don't ask permission.]

B

[cherrybombpie]

[Kodachi had been one of the ones to find him - the presence of his life force suddenly on the Katabami woke her from her sleep, and she simply had to follow the trail of blood to find him collapsed on the deck. She'd screamed, cried, and thrown a fit, of course, but in the end she'd cleaned his wounds and bandaged him up.]

[If he woke up to find her staring at him, he shouldn't have been surprised.]

Where have you been?

[Her voice was a deathly whisper.]

A

[reluctantjinrou]

[Where there's a trail of blood, it is pretty easy to find the source for him, although his sense are screaming out at him to do something other than help Ragna, fortunately Natsuno has a tight control on these things.

He stands over Ragna for a moment before tearing off and heading to the galley. He returns a moment later with a clean dishtowel. Not ideal, but it will work. He drops to his knees and presses the towel to the wound.]

Hey. [He speaks in a firm tone.] Are you awake?

[Natsuno's eyes have turned red and there are two pointed fangs poking out from his lips, but Ragna should ignore those.]

[harbouredheart]

A - During Ragna's Absence

[When she's sure that it's empty, Xun Yu quietly slips into the men's quarters and looks around for Ragna's belongings. There's a good chance that he's simply been spirited home, but Xun Yu feels that after what he told her about the Azure Grimoire and his plan to leave if it acted up that she should investigate his absence a little more thoroughly.

Especially after the events of the end of October.

Once she finds his things she begins scrutinising them, not disturbing anything, but snooping nonetheless. Surely even Ragna would take a few things if he left by choice, like money or valuables that could be traded, or (much less likely) small mementos.]


B - Mingling on Aeolipile

[Aeolipile's high level of culture is appealing to Xun Yu; she switches her armour for her expensive hanfu and golden hairpins and jewellery and engages every native who is willing to talk and share their expertise, whether it is artistic of scientific in nature. She's practically intoxicated on knowledge as she gracefully socialises. It's a side of her she doesn't normally display -- usually she rserves it for the imperial court back home.]


C - Hot Springs

[Hot springs aren't a luxury Xun Yu has ever tried before -- as it is, she cannot help but wonder if there is any set ritual accompanying their use. Glacing around she spots one of the crew, and with a tiny sigh of relief, makes her way over to them.]

...Is there an etiquette that I should be aware of?

[She asks discreetly, not wanting to offend any of the locals.]

A

[seadevil]

Xun Yu? What are you doing?

[Not that there's a reason for Motochika to be looking into the men's quarters, either, seeing as he has his own private living space. But it's still his ship and he's entitled to stick his head in wherever he likes. Especially if there might be something interesting in there to, er, look at. He would never steal from his own crew, but looking isn't stealing.]

Are those Ragna's?

C

[cherrybombpie]

It's not as familiar to me as the hot springs of home, but I suppose I can do what I've always done.

[Kodachi gestured to the showers that lined the outside of the hot springs.]

We must first cleanse ourselves thoroughly to ensure that we do not dirty the springs.

[With that, she gestured to Xun Yu to follow her as she made her way to a shower cubicle. Soap, shampoo, and conditioner were already provided, as well as other amenities - this was a luxurious hot spring, after all, and they were appropriately stocked.]

[wateringthehomolust]

[A]

[Tohru likes this island. It's much more exciting than Empieza and it has hot springs. And he has a decent amount of money on his person, so he's spending much of his time on land browsing the local shops for interesting souvenirs.]

[B]

[One thing he's taken a particular interest in is an outdoor shop selling toy steam-powered robots. They're sort of expensive, but they're fun to watch wobble around, so he's not sure whether or not he wants to buy one.]

[C]

[If you're in the hot springs and Tohru knows and has spotted you, congratulations, you now have a hot springs buddy. Hope you didn't want to be alone. If Tohru was there first, you're getting waved over because he doesn't want to be alone.]

C

[reluctantjinrou]

[It seems entirely likely Natsuno did want to be alone, however there was no stopping Tohru sometimes. He was soaking in the warm water when Tohru arrived. He exhaled a little and glanced at him.]

Tohru-chan.