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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"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."

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Intro Log: February 2015

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