high_seas | Intro Log: February 2015

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Intro Log: February 2015

WELCOME NEW CHARACTERS!
Have an intro log for the month of February!

Who: Any and all new characters, as well as anyone hanging out on or around Isla Empieza!
Where: Near the fountain in the town center.
When: New characters will arrive around February 8th! The log is good for as long as you need it.
What: You've just been dropped on your head in a weird new world. Time to figure out what the heck is going on!
Status: VERY OPEN.

This time of year, wouldn't it be nice to have one last picturesque snow fall to round out the gentleness of winter? Too bad it’s a raging blizzard and ice slicked streets that await you upon your awakening to Empieza. The most you’ll find to greet you outside is snow, cold, the occasional ice pellets to the face, and a small herd miniature yak that have somehow gotten loose from their pen and seems largely unaffected by the cold as they roam around.

Inside you will find open hearths and warm greetings; explanations, too, if you need them. The locals have grown quite used to outworlders and can tell you most anything you need to know. While you’re tucked up by the fireside, you’ll be sure to see certain fliers for some kind of Frosty Heart Festival. What could that be about?

Feel free to throw your characters here if you need a place for them to get situated and start figuring things out! Start new threads, tag into others, meet the people who might just become part of your crew! Older characters will be in and out, too, depending who is on the island at the current time.

HAVE FUN! And welcome to High Seas!

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February 8th

The morning found her back very, very sore and her entire body very, very cold. Which unsettled Azula greatly. She ought to have been asleep on her ship, headed home to the Fire Nation, wreathed in victory. Yet, she was sleeping on the ground in a place she didn't recognize.

There was no way they were defeated without someone rousing her. She couldn't have been kidnapped.

Unless she was drugged.

But was Long Feng really that clever? She doubted it. The Dai Li were hers. They wouldn't slip something into her tea to hand her over to someone else. Especially not someone who would just leave her on the street.

No one in her father's imperial forces was that foolish. She was sure of it.

Unless her uncle convinced them.

This was precisely the sort of 'punishment' Iroh might think she needed. Something to teach her. The man might play the fool, but sometimes Azula thought there was far more to him than he let on. He had a hidden danger in him.

If this was his doing, she would find him, and she would kill him herself.

First, though, she had to handle this situation.

She found money in her pocket when she checked. That was a relief -- strange, but a relief none the less. She could smell the sea. The coins were strange to her, so it had to be some independent settlement that didn't answer to any of the four main kingdoms.

She knew she ought to have this sort of geography memorized, but all her studies seemed inadequate.

So, she had to gather information.

Her first stop was to secure lodgings. The innkeeper seemed a bit exasperated but willing enough to take the coins, and he promised her dinner and breakfast every day for an additional fee. After that, she bought a book.

It was some cheap, obviously hastily written romance.

But it would do.

With it, she sat by the fire at the first tavern she found near the fountain and listened. People spoke most freely when they assumed no one else was listening, so she attempted to look as indiscreet as possible and hear everything she could.

February 9th & on

Azula settled in fairly well.

Even after admitting to herself that this was not some trick of Iroh's (or, if it was, it was a very, very good one), she regarded everything she heard with a sense of caution. Anyone could be lying to her, she knew, but most of them probably had no reason to do it. So, she took everything into consideration but gave none of it more weight than anything else.

Mornings and evenings found her in the inn -- The High Noon -- having the two meals she paid for at one of the technically-communal tables. Most of the other patrons, though, seemed to be giving her more than enough room.

In the afternoons, she usually walked the docks, examining the ships. She still wasn't sure whether she wanted to venture out on her own or join with others for a time.

One sailboat, however, was visited more frequently than others. If she did go it alone, that would be her craft. She'd already decided it.

At sunrise and sunset, however, when the sun sinking below the horizon reflected off the ocean and made it difficult to see things clearly, she left the main part of town and stood on the shore, practicing her firebending forms. She wasn't keen on advertising the fact that she was Fire Nation, even if no one here seemed to know what that meant.

Edited 2015-02-08 08:25 (UTC)

"Perusing your options?" Johnny said, calling to her from up on a nearby roof, which Johnny was using to get his own view of the harbor. He lowered his sunglasses to get a better look at her, before hopping down to the ground.

"I figured you're an out-of-towner like myself, given your attire. I find myself in much the same dilemma as you. Not uncommon, from what I've read," he said, momentarily removing his hat and bringing it across his chest as he bowed to her, "Johnny, Captain of the Jellyfish Air Pirates, at your service. Nice to meetcha', Miss."

Manners. It was one thing when it was Zuko and her uncle. Their lapse was understandable. And, yes, among the rabble, it might well be something that passed as acceptable conduct. However, so far as she was concerned, anything that was said before a simple greeting was offered was worthless. And not something she would deign to reply to.

"Princess Azula of the Fire Nation. Good afternoon."

That he was a captain was worth noting. The phrase 'Air Pirates' also intrigued her, but her questions could wait. After all, if she wanted someone to act appropriately, it was on her to demonstrate that behavior.

"Oh ho? I'm in the presence of royalty, am I? Well, even more reason to mind myself, I suppose. It's a real pleasure, your Highness."

The hat was soon back on his head as he pushed his sunglasses back up his nose. His gaze went over the ships, a mild look of disappointment on his face.

"Unfortunately, it seems they only have wood-hulled boats. I was hoping for at least steel or iron. This place is very technologically backward, compared to things back home. I'm glad I learned to navigate a sea-vessel, before learning to ride the skies."

Azula gave a slight nod at the question about royalty. She was, as a matter of fact, and proud of her lineage. That he made no further reaction to her being from the Fire Nation was curious. However, Ba Sing-Se was, for the most part, unaware of the war, so it wasn't impossible that another set of islands with currency she'd never seen before might be equally separate from the matters.

"I'm more familiar with metal as well, driven by steam, as well." The ships of the Fire Nation were her home, the things she knew so well. Still, sailing wasn't something completely foreign. "Though these seem to be solid in their construction, I would say."

"Solid enough for what they are, but still nowhere near what they should be. What if any of these boats smash into ice? These hulls will splinter apart, and you can't weld wood to repair the side of a ship, or an internal line."

Johnny's attention shifts back to her as he tries to place her garb. The designs seemed familiar, at least. Definitely Eastern in design.

"I'm not sure where your homeland is, I'm afraid I don't know any Fire Nation. You may be from a whole other world than I am. Which is probably a whole other world from this one."

"You can carve wood, however, and attach it with nails and caulking." The Fire Nation used metal for their ships, but not every nation did. Besides, that was the Imperial fleet. Merchants and fishermen still used wooden boats, and she'd learned enough about them to be able to speak on the matter. "It's equally difficult to weld metal to repair damage to a hull below the waterline, and metal is a far more difficult resource to replace than wood, as wood doesn't need to be refined."

His talk of 'worlds' was... interesting. It made him sound something like a madman, but she would let him ramble as he pleased about the subject. It could well be that everything out of his mouth was some fiction his mind had long ago convinced him was true. She'd heard of it happening, certainly.

"The price asked for the craft also seems quite suitable, given their material and structure."

"That is a plus, I suppose," he nodded, crossing his arms, "Small favors, but favors nonetheless. You seem well-read on this sort of thing, for a noble. Most of the 'elite' of society haven't impressed me much. They tend toward the pampered and greedy end of the things."

After pulling out his wallet, he rifled through old photos. He hoped what he'd heard about them being outside time was correct.

"Do you have family back home? Friends?"

"The Fire Nation's military force is naval-based. As the heir to the throne, I will take the responsibility of not only ruling my country but commanding the military as well."

To her, it was obvious that she needed to know what she was dealing with. She needed to know not only the pros and cons of her forces but those of the enemy as well. How fast or slow another ship could go, how easy or difficult the turns might be if run into a corner. The sails, she was willing to admit, would be much more agile than the large metal ships of the Fire Nation.

At his question, her brow arched, and she rested a hand on her hip.

"Yes, I do. Why?"

"Just curious," he said, flashing a picture from his wallet, "I'm a bit of a commander-in-chief, myself. The Jellyfish Fleet comprises several large, deep-hull airships, each stocked with some of the most well-trained young ladies you could ever meet. Though I trust my second-in-command, she can be rash in her actions."

After putting the picture away, he flipped through a few others, making sure nothing had been taken away when he arrived.

"I'm sure you must miss your own family, as well."

So, your second-in-command is a whore. It was the only thing that went through her mind for several moments after seeing the image. What exactly it was, she wasn't sure. It wasn't a painting, but it was some replication of something. Granted the 'well-trained young ladies' remark did nothing to change her mind on that thought.

"I've only been away from my friends for a couple of days. My family a bit longer, but I've been on assignment from my father," she replied. "So, no. As of right now, I don't really miss them. I'm quite capable of managing on my own."

"Oh really? How surprisingly mature!" he laughed, before picking up the melon he stole for lunch, "You hungry, Princess? Never can have too much nutrition or hydration, especially if you're out to start a sea journey. It's not exactly a royal banquet, but these are quite good."

"Thank you, I've eaten breakfast for the day and have dinner waiting for me when I retire this evening," Azula replied.

The insult didn't escape her notice, but she knew all too well not to say anything about it. She was good, after all, at baiting others into reacting. Remarks about her maturity and it being surprising would not get a rise out of her.

He tossed the melon into the air. There was a flash of steel that passed in a split-second, followed by the melon splitting in two, several moments later. They were both placed beside himself, where he could eat at his leisure.

"You talk of your Naval prowess, but I wonder, how do you apply it? What kind of mind-set does the Fire Nation have? How do they treat their neighbors?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, "It certainly sounds very imposing."

A braggart. Interesting. One willing to at least demonstrate the skill he was intent on boasting about. Albeit on something that could do him no harm, so the display paled in comparison to the things she could imagine. She played games more dangerous as a child that were less extravagant than his manner of proving he could handle a sword. Still, she merely raised an eyebrow and shrugged her shoulders at his question.

"We have the mindset of a prosperous nation, eager to share that good fortune with the rest of the world."

Forcefully, as they had proved that quite necessary. Still, that did not need to be said outright. Their methods were their own, and they did what was required.

"Well, that's certainly an admirable way of doing things. Do you plan to be as generous, on the ocean?"

"That depends," Azula admitted, "on how prosperous I prove to be. Without success, there is little to be shared."

But if she could carve a place for herself -- especially if the return home proved difficult -- she would make sure these islands knew the glory of the Fire Nation. It was, after all, her duty to share that with them. With the whole of the world, as her father and grandfather and great-grandfather had done before her.

"I certainly hope you succeed, then," he said, chewing into some of the melon, before wiping his mouth on the back of his sleeve, "The temptation to misuse power when one has it is incredibly strong, but you seem to have a very resolute mind-set. I doubt you'll have too much trouble finding a like-minded group of crew-mates."

One rind was tossed behind his back and into a nearby trash bin.

"What of your offensive capabilities? Were you trained in self-defense? Weapon use?"

"I am capable of protecting myself when I must," she replied.

It was vague, but she preferred it that way. Let him interpret it how he would. After all, if he didn't know of the Fire Nation, he wouldn't know what she was capable of or might know it by another name. For all she knew, his ignorance was a lie to make her lower her guard. Perhaps by some last remnant of the Air Nomads, more given to violence than their long-deceased monk brethren.

She would treat him with due caution.

"That certainly helps," he said, lowering his sunglasses again, "Forgive me for being presumptuous, Highness, but you don't seem particularly talkative. One might think that you find me just a bit suspicious. I assure you, I have no ulterior motive."

He removed his glasses all the way this time, casually cleaning them as he spoke.

"If I give offense in any way, I'd be much obliged if you let me know."

"I am stranded in a strange place with limited foreign currency and no memory of how I arrived. I would not trust my own brother approaching me under these circumstances, much less a stranger."

Granted, trusting Zuko usually proved foolish, but he had, last time, not wholly disappointed her. He'd made the right decision, ultimately, at least. Still, this man didn't need to know about her family matters, so the remark could stand on its own.

"And I am in much the same position as you, Princess. Yet I don't let it curb my tongue. I find it preferable to extend the olive branch to my possible competition or crew-mates as soon as possible. Though I suppose I have had plenty of lectures about talking too much."

He hops to his feet, stretching out as he picked up the other melon slice.

"Well, I'm sure you'll find your path, regardless. As for me, I need to do a closer inspection on these vessels. I look forward to seeing what name you make for yourself, Princess Azula."

2/8 - Evening

The feeling of not waking up on his ship was, strangely enough, a feeling that wasn't entirely unfamiliar to the good captain. He soon realizes, however, that this is not Pan's doing. There was a certain air to the way he and his rival went about their business.

For starters? Whenever Peter saw to it that Hook was moved during the night, Pan never had the decency to put the captain's best outfit right next to him.

The fact that it was freezing out only helped to add to his suspicions.

He does his best to ward off the cold; he throws his coat and hat on over his pink dress shirt and begins to clean himself up. James found that whenever he was in unfamiliar territory, it was always best to look your best. If the land is civilized, you are recognized as a distinguished gentleman. Should it be filled with savages, well, you're just making a powerful impression on them.

So, he's going to explore. He hardly pays any attention to the fountain, content to take his belongs and run off into the night.

The inn would have to do for the evening. Hook finds some strange coins in his pocket, quick to brush them off as treasures from some expedition on the island that he's too tired to remember. He skips the tavern, heading straight up to his room and calling it a night. This is far too strange for him, even as a man who deals with mermaids and indians on a regular basis.

2/9

When Hook awakens, he has to remind himself that this is not a dream.

There's a certain glee he has about this discovery. Though he will miss his hearty crew, he is perfectly happy to know that he will never have to see Peter and his band of miscreants again. Why, this is a whole new start for Hook! His first thought is that of a return to piracy, but then it somehow turns into the idea of starting a new life on the isle. After all, how many men have this opportunity?

...Nay. He was born for this. After all, what would the world be like without Captain Hook?

What follows is a careful analysis of his surroundings. The island appears to be a fairly standard port town - the locals are friendly enough, and thanks to that, he decides to save raiding the place for a later date.

With that being said, Hook does not take the time to explore the town piece-by-piece. He takes the time to get a general idea of where everything is, but does not check every nook and cranny. James knows he won't be docked here long, and for that reason, does not bother learning everything he can.

At one point, he stops by one of the fruit carts and impales a pear on his hook before...eating it off it. It's an odd sight to be sure, but he barely pays any mind to the wandering eyes of the locals.

On her way back from the dockyard -- and a small discussion with the master of the yard about at least putting a downpayment to hold a particular small craft she decided she was rather fond of -- Azula saw the richly dressed man. The metal on his hand, in particular, caught her eye. It was a strange sight, not something she was familiar with.

Still, she had cause to buy some fruit as well, so she approached the stall.

"Good afternoon, sir." A polite greeting to him with a slight nod of her head as she takes a piece of fruit and passes a piece of coin to the vendor.

"Good day." James replies, almost a bit suspiciously. It takes Hook a few moments to process that anyone is actually speaking to him - in his day and a half on the island, he hadn't been spoken to by anyone whom he didn't speak to first. It might be a pleasant idea to actually engage in conversation, after all, this woman might even end up of use to him.

"Pardon me for intruding, miss," the captain speaks to the woman while attempt to sound as sincere as possible. "But I can't say that I recognize your style of garment. Pray tell, where did you acquire it?"

It's not like the man was lying for the sake of conversation. As well-traveled as he was, he couldn't claim to have seen anything even similar to what Azula was wearing. Hell, he had hardly seen anyone like the woman herself.

Edited 2015-02-09 23:03 (UTC)

"I am equally unfamiliar with your clothing, so it's no intrusion." Besides, he'd had the civility to return her greeting before offering any questions, just as she'd been prepared with her own. Simple manners shouldn't be so rare, but she'd found they seemed to be. Still, he could at least play the part, and there were many uses an older man could have, especially to a young woman alone.

"These clothes are common among the royal family of the Fire Nation, which is my home."

Even with the metal attached to his arm, there was no danger in admitting to her title, even if indirectly. She could hold her own if he decided to attack her. But she wouldn't offer that threat. For now, they could at least play at social niceties, even if they might both be planning to kill each other.

"It seems most people here aren't familiar with my homeland. None of the merchants or innkeepers I've spoken to know of it, which makes it unlikely I arrived here in the course I thought I did. Where are you from? If I may ask."

"I presume I am speaking with royalty, then?" Certainly meeting a member of a royal family at a fruit stand is a bit odd, but Hook thanks his stars regardless. This is an excellent addition to what otherwise would have been a fruitless day, and he welcomes the opportunity to acquaint himself with this woman. After all, getting acquainted with royalty might actually be of some use to him down the line!

Of course, that probably just meant he'd kidnap her and hold her for ransom. There were other possibilities, but he could think of them later.

"I hail from England, madam. Though, I can't admit to having seen the place in years. I've been on the sea for quite some time." There's more to tell, of course there is, but speaking of half the things he has seen in his time in Neverland would make him look like a loon.

"Princess Azula of the Fire Nation, daughter and heir to Fire Lord Ozai." The latter might not be as true anymore, not now that she was bringing Zuko home. Still, he wasn't here to argue with her, and Father hadn't officially welcomed him home as his first-born and son. Until that happened, the title of 'heir' was hers to claim, especially in a strange land such as this. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir."

It would do her well to act the part of a princess, even moreso than she felt she did at any particular moment. Her combative abilities were of no importance right now, but her breeding could cultivate alliances, even where her heritage was unknown.

"I've never heard of England, but it seems that, in this place, there is much I haven't encountered before. I've traveled most of the known world where I am from, and what I haven't seen for myself I've read about, but I'm afraid that still leaves me ill-prepared for anywhere like this."

"Captain James Hook at your service, m'lady." He takes an overdramatic bow for the woman, using his free (and only) hand to remove his hat. Though he didn't like bowing for most people, it would do well for Hook to make -some- sort of connections while he's on this wretched island. He notices that the pear is still latched on his hook, and he lets the fruit fall off and roll to the side. No point in looking bad in front of the woman, besides, he was practically done with the thing anyway.

"Aye, this is true. I fancy meself as a well-traveled man, but this island is a mystery to me. Why, I can't say I was even familiar with the place before yesterday evening."

"A captain? How wonderful." She offered a bow as well, though hers was at the waist only, but it was appropriately low. A little lower than she would use for a captain in the Fire Nation's ranks, closer to that she'd give an admiral. But this man was a stranger who could prove useful. She would treat him respectfully as long as he did the same. "The dockyard master has been quite eager to sell me a boat. It seems most newcomers are expected to take to the sea."

Though... Only yesterday. That notion caught her ear. She'd have to discuss it with him, certainly. It had a great deal of bearing on her mind. She, too, had arrived yesterday. And the man she'd spoken to at the dockyard had been a newcomer as well. That spoke to something far bigger than the treachery of her uncle.

"Indeed. I suppose that I shall be commandeering a ship meself down the line." As worthless as the day had been prior to meeting Azula, he actually somewhat enjoyed the bit of serenity and peace that the island was offering. But he knew that the sea would be beckoning to him, and he was very eager to exploit a return to piracy.

"Pray tell, does the dockyard have worthwhile vessels?" Hook had only passed by the ship in his travels about the island, but hadn't actually given the place a thorough investigation. "If I am to take to sea once more, I would like to do so with something sturdy at least."

"If you're familiar with wooden hulls, they're good enough. My country uses metal mostly, but I am familiar with wood." And then, the plant. The perfect place to introduce a hint of an idea that was beginning to settle into her mind. "Though I lack the experience to command such a vessel myself, especially alone."

The man looked like he was used to wanting for little. That agreed with her. His actual manner would need to be assessed, but there was time enough for that later.

"I have naval knowledge. The Fire Nation is the primary sea power where I'm from, do I've been to sea and studied with admirals. Perhaps I can find someone in need of my assistance."

Oh, believe me, he is very familiar with wooden ships. He could hardly even imagine commandeering one with a metal hull, but to him, it sounds too fancy. Are those things even publicly available? Before he can even blurt out a response, he is cut off by her next few words.

The same ideas twirled through his head, though he doubted this woman would hardly be up for his style of sailing. Still, if this was meant to be a lure, then she had Hook ensnared. Admittedly, this was fairly delicious bait, if that counted for anything.

"It appears as though we have similar goals, then. Tell me, my dear, when are you planning on leaving Empieza?"

"I haven't decided exactly. Whenever I find a suitable vessel and sailing companion," Azula murmured easily enough, keeping her voice young. Young enough not to sound like a threat. "Soon, I think."

They could help each other. Whatever came of all this, there was a bargain or two to be made before they wore out their usefulness for another. First things first, though.

"Would you care to join me for dinner, Captain? We could discuss business a bit more thoroughly."

Normally, Hook hates anybody even remotely youthful. But Azula seems...different. Educated. Perhaps it is her alleged ties to royalty, but for whatever reason, Hook can't help but be somewhat charmed by the way she speaks.

"I would be delighted to accompany you, madam."

This would be the start of something beneficial to the captain. At this point, he was sure of it.

"I stay at The High Noon. If you'd meet me there at... say five o'clock? I'm not sure what hour you're accustomed to having supper."

She knew how to speak, certainly to an admiral, as she'd decided to consider this man. So, it was simple enough to make the offer. He'd certainly prove a useful ally as she acquainted herself with sailing.

Hook truly didn't care about what time he'd be eating his dinner, nor the dinner itself. This was an opportunity for an open forum between the two of them, and he likely would've taken whatever time or place she offered. After all, this woman was indeed looking to be a valuable asset.

"Aye, those are agreeable arrangements. It's settled, then?"

Edited 2015-02-11 03:28 (UTC)

"Excellent."

She offered her own style of bow again, giving the faintest of smiles. It was a cautious expression, certainly, but there was hope. He did, at least, have a good amount of experience she needed.

"I look forward to then, Captain."

"I as well, my dear."

The captain does not give another extravegent bow, instead offering a simple nod. There's no need to make a ham out of himself at that point, considering how he was no longer trying to impress this woman. With a simple "take care, princess", Hook is quick to walk away. After all, there's hardly any need to converse no that their business here had concluded.

It was disorienting, to say the least, to wake up in the snow, by a fountain, in a strange town one has never been to. Shanoa is no exception to this. This place is certainly not Wygol, or any other village she has seen in the Transylvania Mountains.

After she fiddles around with her new journal and realizes she can speak to it, she makes her way inside to get warm. It was towards the end of autumn back in her own world so she is ill prepared for the such bitter cold.

She goes to sit by the fire to warm up as she considers what she can do next.

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Intro Log: February 2015

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