Meeting of the Minds

[breakfastmetaphors]

Who: Everyone who chooses to participate
Where: Breakneck Cay
When: December 5th
What: A summit to get down to business and get this situation sorted out, L-Elf-style
Warnings: Possible violence?
Style: Any
Status: Open

Upon arriving on Breakneck Cay, if you can navigate the shoals safely and find safe mooring, you'll notice that the beach is more or less abandoned unless you count the countless shipwrecks an snarled piles of debris strewn across the shore. If you approach the jungle, you'll notice a makeshift sign pointing towards a path leading into the trees. There's a lengthy note tacked to it with a detailed map, an exhaustive list of rules and etiquette for participating in a military summit, and probably more if anyone actually got past the part with the map.

The meeting is to be held in a strangely silent clearing. Upon arriving, you'll find L-Elf sitting on the huge stone in the center, fast asleep. It's immediately obvious that this is not a social occasion or it at least wasn't planned by someone with any idea how to make guests feel comfortable. There's nowhere to sit except on the ground and definitely no refreshments. It might be a good idea to send someone back to the ship to pick something up if you want to make it through this thing.

Comments

On the Beach

[breakfastmetaphors]

It's been a while since we all saw each other, hasn't it? Feel free to mingle! This can be for threads before arriving or for running back to the ship to pick up a few things because of your host's distinct lack of hospitality.]

[seadevil]

[L-Elf might not know how throw a party, but the captain of the Katabami knows how to host pirates. Motochika has left the clearing for the time being to liberate a rather sizable supply of booze from his personal stores and is hauling them back to the clearing. He has a barrel of wine shouldered and has packed a small cart with casks and bottles of rum and hitched it to Yo-chan, his pet armadillo monster, who is rather dutifully hauling the booze along.]

Fine day for a meeting, is it not?

[anelegantmyth]

Need help with that?

[That's a huge N.O. right there. But she's still nice enough to offer help in carrying some of the booze. Both her poots were big enough to carry barrels, and her dragon was right behind her waiting for a command.]

And keep that stuff away from my captain.

[youhearthebells]

[What glorious timing! You are way cooler than your namesake from his world, Motochika. Gan Ning manages to fall into step alongside, just in time to maybe help with that barrel]

It is now! You got the right idea, man.

[arcadiasailor]

[Harlock doesn't even bat an eye at the large armadillo with the casks of wine tied to it. At least someone thought to bring refreshments.]

It could be a bit warmer but that's what Rum is for.

[He's got the feeling he's going to want a shot or do by the time they call their first brake.]

[redcinemareel]

[Grell is impressed that he came prepared for the meeting.]

It is, indeed. How shameful of me to come empty handed! I should fix that, perhaps. [She's sure they have a barrel to spare of some alcoholic beverage.] We all should follow your example~!

[blowfishabq]

"Oh man, this is the king of bad ideas."

It was said to himself- mainly because Jesse was currently the lone representation of his crew, or at least he appears to be. Everyone else was still back at the boat, setting up or milling about, but Jesse had gotten bored quickly when he'd heard voices up at the island.

Now, looking around, he was getting nervous. Maybe this demonstration had been a stupid plan. Not that there was any backing out now.

So he just shoved his hands in his pockets and headed up towards the crowd. Maybe he could make some customers the old-fashioned way.

[english_dignity]

[Finally healed up from the unpleasantness of a month or so ago, Arthur wasn't about to stay on board the ship when there was a meeting going on. He headed from his ship with his familiar on his shoulder.]

This all seems rather familiar.

[under_the_wire]

[Ja'far doesn't have a whole lot of faith in his crew's ability to pay attention to the summit and retain any important information that doesn't directly relate to them, so he's hauling his ink and his pens and an armful of parchment in a crate that a bit overly large for such a small person. He's probably not anyone's first choice for a scribe for the event, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

He stops when he notices something strange sticking up out of the sand. Curious, he sets his crate down and pulls on it, unearthing what seems to be a human femur.

Well.]

Are we sure this is a good place for this?

OTA + free FOOD :3

[crankyshark]

[Thash wasn't by any means one of the first people to show up... He had no idea what this was all about and hadn't really been invited. But eventually curiosity got the better of him and he decided to show up. He wasn't sure if there was going to be food at this thing, and if there was, would it be highly suspicious food like at the Feast of Fools? Screw that, he'd bring his own food. And while he's at it, he'll bring some to share]

[he walked into the clearly dragging an enormous 20-foot long saltwater sturgeon over his shoulder. He didn't talk to anyone yet, just setting about making a spit big enough to cook the thing in sections, then building a series of fires under the sections. Eventually, the enticing scent of roasted sturgeon would drift through the clearing. Come get some food!]

[harbouredheart]

[Xun Yu's quite happy to observe the gathering from the sidelines as a graceful, armoured wallflower. She's curious to see who chooses to turn up and in what volume, but honestly she's also approaching this with a degree of caution.

The diplomat in her sees the opportunity for alliances, or at least valuable knowledge, but the strategist in her sees the potential for ambush. At least the Katabami's crew excels at messy fights, if the worst should come to pass.

Provided that they don't get too drunk. She sighs softly to herself.]

Oh look! A petting zoo.

[anelegantmyth]

[She wasn't really sure what to talk about during the meeting. Plus Cynthia saw the amount of alcohol heading to the designated meeting spot. So she knew she had time before anyone notices she was missing. Knowing her captain, he probably wouldn't notice, period.

The pokemon were out, playing in the water, playing with each other or playing with the poots. While her? She was sitting close by with a bowl of poffins in hand, probably thinking about what to talk about when she heads back. ]

[borntochangetheworld]

[Sinbad doesn't really walk, but saunters his way up the beach since his arrival. His eyes are bright and he's incredibly interested in whatever is going to become of this pirate summit. Sure, it seems foolish to just wander into a den of possibly bloodthirsty pirates, but where's his life without the excitement?

He can be found, not gorging himself on alcohol, but snacking on any food he happens upon that's being offered to the collective. Any people passing by him are likely to be sucked into a conversation if they get close.]

OTA but he might not talk much

[fierybluebird]

[Just because he's been elected captain doesn't mean he can turn off being Marco.]

[And one of the things about Marco being himself is that he trust other pirates... not at all.]

[He trusts them to generally act in their best interests, but that doesn't mean that won't be erratic, conniving, and a general pain in the butt.]

[And if there's anything Marco hates most, even MORE than marines, navy, and second only to traitors and mutineers -- it's politics.]

[He leaves that stuff to Thatch who is not only good at it, but good with people. Marco is not a people person.]

[He's a bird. And while he'll be at the meeting, it's mostly to watch. He'll offer advice if it actually seems like it'll do something, but mostly the peacock looking phoenix either lounges with other birds or simply watches the goings on. If anyone is crazy enough to pet a phoenix though, he won't bite (probably) and the flames don't actually burn. At most they just feel emotionally soothing to the touch.]

OTA

[thatched]

[have a seven foot bepompadoured pirate loitering around, holding a drink usually or with his hands in his pockets. He has an affable look on his face as if he's pretty pleased to be here and will greet everyone who comes his way with a smile]

[booyaka_boom]

*Quite clearly, Selphie was less than impressed by whoever was hosting this thing. They clearly weren't as good at planning and hosting events as she was. So, to make up for it, Selphie was carrying some bags over her shoulders carrying bottles of rum and plenty of snacks, including chocolate. If anyone is standing around looking empty handed, she'll happily step up and offer a refreshment with a bright smile*

OTA!!!

[thetruehistorian]

[Robin walks along the beach, just beyond the reach of the waves, lending a hand (or... ten) to those bringing in supplies if they want them. Otherwise she can be found enjoying the hot, humid island sun with her arms propped behind her head in the sand, or possibly taking refuge under a giant palm during one of the sudden thunderstorms.]

Down To Business

[breakfastmetaphors]

[Once everyone is present and accounted for, L-Elf will gather his notes and stand up on the rock he's been napping on.]

Today we will be discussing our crews' plans for the following: whether to focus our efforts on finding a way to return or how to make a place for ourselves in this world and how the shards of the gem and future hunting for them will be managed. If anyone has another topic that they want to be added to the agenda now is the time to speak up. I have no interest in your crew hierarchies. We speak as individuals here and if you have something you wish to voice that goes against your crew or captain, you need to say it. If it is held against you, actions will be taken.

[It's not even that veiled of a threat.

Once he's said his piece, he looks out over the crowd, expecting an orderly voicing of concerns.]

[sun_goddess_sacrifice]

I feel that we should consider the power of the shards first, and this supposed wish we may gain by collecting them.

[That's what concerned her most, one wish... it seemed so unfair. Depending on who managed to gain it, it could cause trouble for everyone else. It was also the thing people didn't share so readily, understandably.]

Considering that we may then plan on the best course of action beyond it, of staying or focusing on leaving.

Re: Down To Business

[arcadiasailor]

[ That last bit more of less made the kid's original proposal of representatives pointless in Harlock's opinion.]
Depending on
We should disuses the fact that our best local source of information was reported catatonic nearly three weeks ago. Her apprentice isn't exactly ready to succeed her. [ "Ever" Goes said. Meep pulling himself together without someone to slap him a few times was about as likely as Zero leaving the military and becoming a pirate.]

[youhearthebells]

[he lets some of the other business be discussed and hashed before bringing up one small thing that bothers him]

You mentioned makin' a place for us here. Gotta say, I ain't keen on that. I got experience in that department, and it never ends well. It's always the guys ya don't want rulin' the world decidin' they're the best men for the job, and then there's war.

[redcinemareel]

HOWEVER!

[Grell interrupts before they can get too far.]

In regards to the shards, how do we even know if putting them all together will even work?! As it has been stated, all their truly capable of doing now is starting fires, Even I can, and have, done that much! Also, keep in mind that Scurvy Dog has no idea of whether or not the shard in its original form had ever been used!

[She crosses her arms at her place.]

I say, we should make a place for ourselves first, THEN look for the shards last! We'll be guaranteed a safe haven whether or not we're successful.

[harbouredheart]

[Xun Yu is happy to let others say their piece and listen, absorbing their words. Eventually she contributes, offering speculation. With luck it will prompt information that she's not encountered before.]

There won't be consensus on the former matter. The shards, however... what do we know of the gem? Once it was whole and belonged to Davy Jones. At some point it was shattered, and Davy Jones died and became a ghost rather than passing into the afterlife. He transported us here to gather the shards, which implies that the natives of this realm are unsuited to the task in some way. There is an expectation that the gem can be remade, which implies that no shard is irrecoverable. Why is no one in the native population independently seeking to rebuild the gem if it's widely known that it grants any wish? Is there a price to be paid for wielding its power?

What is the history of the gem and Davy Jones himself? What shattered the gem in the first place? Are there any precedents? We shouldn't ignore the past even as we look to the future, lest we overlook knowledge vital to our cause.

As for what they can do... we know that the shards have some kind of innate resonance with the natural magic of this realm. I suspect that they amplify magic in general, and their effectiveness is determined by their mass.

Intermission

[breakfastmetaphors]

[For when our friendly local weapons dealers decide to interrupt the proceedings.]

[blowfishabq]

The representation of the Blue Sky Pirates had been silent during the spirited discussion so far- just Jesse fidgeting next to the silent man in the black hat and sunglasses. Voices were getting louder, people were getting more and more involved in the argument at hand, and it seemed like the perfect time. A hand slipped into a pocket, unnoticed, and then-

In the center of the circle, at the feet of those currently bickering with each other, an explosion rocked the clearing. Dirt flew into the sky, obscuring vision, and when it settled, there was a deep crater where the explosion had detonated- not to mention a sizable hole in the base of the boulder that had been L-Elf's seat.

The ragged circle of pirates was surrounded by a triangle of weaponry- Finnian with a boulder over his head ready to fling, Guy with a navy pistol aimed into the crowd, Ringabel with flames swirling around an outstretched hand. Jesse stood before his captain, a second pistol raised protectively.