Any port in a storm...

[hostclubshadowking]

Who: The crew of the Antoinette
Where: Three Moons Tavern and Inn, Island Empieza
When: January 12th-19th
What: Time to get reacquainted, make new introductions, and weather the storm until they can return to their ship. And collect black coral from the beach.
Warnings: Possible language?
Style: Any
Status: Closed

(Please feel free to make new headings [for your character, for a day, for your character on a day, WHATEVER] and/or threadjack and/or use this as a mingle log. Backdating, forward dating, etc., all more than welcome.

ETA: With regards to Dog's suggestion of the coral, the evening of the 12th will be used to arrange the next week's rotation for keeping Tamaki company and checking the beaches for coral.)

Comments

12th, evening

[hostclubshadowking]

[Tonight, at least, the crew's meals are paid for out of Kyouya's pocket. That doesn't leave much left, but at least it's good food. Better than anything he can make, certainly.

He, at least, will be eating in Tamaki's room, after bringing Tamaki a plate. Needless to say, he made sure there was a stated open invitation for any of the others to join him.

The months he's been here show in his weather-roughened skin, now deeply tanned, and his hair, untreated by products -- though at least now cut to look presentable again --, and, perhaps most important, in the drop in weight and slight gain in muscle from the hauling of the lines and other manual labor necessary on a ship.

Most telling about the current situation, though... is the scalpel on the desk he sits near. It's well within arm's reach, and he glances more than once to make sure it's still there. If anyone wants to try and hurt his friends -- his family -- or his crew? They're going to learn how dangerous a small, sharp blade and medical knowledge combined are.]

[princelycharm]

[His family was here. There's Kyouya the mother, Hikaru and Kaoru his sons, and Karen and Haruhi his daughter. Though he hasn't thoroughly discussed it with his friends, in his mind, Karen has been like an adopted daughter. So it was one happy family. Now all he needed were their neighbors, Honey and Mori-sempai. However, even with his current family, Tamaki was very very happy.

When Kyouya entered his room, Tamaki squeezed his body to the far corner of his bed. Folding his legs to make as much room as possible. His back was against his pillows and the walls. He wanted to make sure all his friends had enough space on the bed.]

You think anyone will try to sneak up on us?

[hostclubshadowking]

It doesn't sound like anyone under her sway is being too subtle.

[Which (hopefully) would make it easier to justify if he did have to use the small, precise weapon he was keeping close.

That was what Dog had said -- kill or be killed. And to watch each other closely in case someone came under her influence.

Kyouya could only glance around, wanting to try not to think about it but knowing he couldn't afford to. He had to be aware, had to be alert. Had to be ready to act, no matter who it was. No one life, he reminded himself, could matter more than the group.

It was a cold, calculated thought, and it unsettled Kyouya.]

Hopefully the majority of them are at sea.

1/?

[princelycharm]

I think so too...!

[He saw the scalpel, but was it really enough to protect them?]

[haruhi_fujioka]

[Haruhi has managed to find some clothes - and other items to make her stay more comfortable. Hey, she's a girl who only poses as a boy. She has needs.

But they don't need to know about any of that. Ever.

Regardless, she does arrive with a makeshift bag of sorts, her cheeks more than a little pink.]

I hope I'm not late? I hurried as fast as I could. The lady at one of the stores was trying to give me a corset...

[hostclubshadowking]

[Kyouya can't help but make a small sound. Something between a scoff and a chuckle. Probably more holding the latter back.]

Last time I bought medical supplies, the man in charge of the shop spent nearly fifteen minutes trying to convince me of the medical boon that are leaches.

[Which he will never use and will never acknowledge. Simply unfounded medical practices of the past.]

Backwater Brig has some more modern conveniences, but the proprietor knows she can charge what she wants for them and does.

[It's said with due respect. Supply and demand, and one careful business practitioner about another.]

[to_theleft]

[It's been a long day for Hikaru. His head is still swimming with questions that have only been half-answered, and he's still not entirely sure of anything that's going on. He's starting to believe that Haruhi had been right when she told him they were all in the past; either that, or they'd all been caught up in a ridiculously extravagant prank.

He's been led to the inn by Kaoru, and with a bit of prompting from his twin, he works up the nerve to enter Tamaki's room. He's not sure what he's expecting - he's been warned that Kyouya is almost unrecognisable, but he's more worried about the state Tamaki is going to be in. Haruhi had told him that the King had broken his ribs during an earthquake but was otherwise fine, and he'd been talking to him through the journal... but a part of him is still terrified that it might be worse than he's been told.

He stuffs his shaking hands into the pockets of his pants - still the Ouran uniform; he'll figure out some new clothes later - and with a deep breath to steel himself, he decides the best way to combat the nervousness is to just play it off.

In true Hitachiin fashion, he sticks his head into the room without so much as knocking.]

Oi, mi'Lord. Are you decent?

[It's more just for something to say; though he really would rather not walk in on Tamaki half-naked, he also doesn't actually care. Despite himself, his tone is more subdued than usual; it's obvious that his heart isn't in the half-hearted jibe.]

[princelycharm]

[Tamaki wasn't expecting any company just yet. Kyouya told him that he'll try to bring their friends inside his room later that evening for some supper. So the moment Hikaru came in, Tamaki was still trying to put on his school blazer, if only to look more decent. His back was facing the door.

Tamaki's rib was heavily bandaged, with a few make shift poles to ensure that his movement was limited. His bruises were healing, though most of his back was still black. This was because the weight of the tree caused heavy internal bleeding on his moderately-sized frame.

His right arm and elbow were heavily wounded, but they were healing already and were no longer placed in bandages to support the healing process.

When Tamaki noticed Hikaru peek inside his room, the host club king tries his best to give him a cheerful smile as if nothing was wrong with him.]

You're safe~

Of coral and company

[hostclubshadowking]

[Tentative schedule:

13th - Haruhi and Karen (east), Hikaru and Kaoru (west), Kyouya and Tamaki
14th - Haruhi and Kyouya (west), Kaoru and Karen (east), Hikaru and Tamaki
15th - Haruhi and Hikaru (east), Kaoru and Kyouya (west) Karen and Tamaki
16th - Karen and Kyouya (west), Hikaru and Kaoru (east), Haruhi and Tamaki
17th - Hikaru and Kyouya (east), Karen and Hikaru (west), Kaoru and Tamaki
18th - Hikaru and Karen (west), Kaoru and Haruhi (east), Kyouya and Tamaki]

(Ping me on plurk if this needs reworking.)

14th

[hostclubshadowking]

[There has to be a more efficent way to do this... but without a lot more time to study the situaton and devise a plan? He's got nothing.

Kyouya's abandoned his shoes for the walk along the beach, and it's slow goings as he runs his fingers through first the looser sand than the compacted, wet stuff where the surf comes high enough to soak everything under his knees. The water's cold, freezing even, but this is the one thing his crew can really do to help.

They're not combatants, not most of them. So, they have to hunt for coral. They have to do something.]
.
We'll have lunch on the ship.

[It's casual, as if this situation was totally normal.]

I promised you a tour and an inventory on our supplies.

15th

[hostclubshadowking]

One thing after another.

[It's all he can really say, picking through the sand. At least, by now, they have an idea what the coral they're looking for looks like. It's not going to be easy, finding however much they need, but that's why Kyouya's being thorough. Why they're searching every day while the sun's up.

At least in pairs they can be assured a little more safety. A little more certainty that the witch isn't going to get in their minds. Or, at least, that someone will notice if she does.]

I think I preferred the cold.

15th

[totheright]

How can you choose preferences? I don't think I could hate any part of this place less than I hate the others. ((Except he sounds a lot more cheerful than he should, rooting around in the sand for bits of the coral. Having his twin back means everything, really.))

Our ship isn't too bad, though, I guess.

16th

[hostclubshadowking]

[For about an hour of searching through the coral, he's been quiet. Very quiet.

It's not uncommon. He isn't Mori-senpai, but he's not talkative either. A conversationalist when necessary, but... that's about the sum of it.

This matter, though, is important. So, he finally speaks.]

Are you planning to go to the fortress?

[She assisted in the taking of the island, she may be planning on joining this fight, too.]

what are you talking about this tag is definitely on time

[oceanicbutterfly]

I was expecting to. They'll need everyone they can get.

[Karen's been quiet, too. If Kyouya's not going to talk, she doesn't need to hear her own voice.]

17th

[hostclubshadowking]

How are you adjusting?

[Kyouya asks the question as he tosses the piece of coral into the bucket.

They are, in the manner of the Host Club, friends, but that doesn't mean he and Hikaru have ever been the closest. In fact, before Haruhi, the Host Club worked as three groups of two, rather than an actually cohesive whole. The addition of a lone figure, rather than another duo, set everything off balance, and... they're all still learning, he thinks, how to handle that.

However, that doesn't mean Hikaru is excepted from his concern. Especially here.

As much as he will scoff at Tamaki's delusions of them as a family, he finds, more and more, he thinks that way, too, even if he'd never have seen it in Ouran. It was never that important there. He could laugh.

Here, they're all he has.]

[to_theleft]

[This isn't exactly where Hikaru wants to be. A part of him is still pissed off at Kyouya for separating he and Kaoru; he understands why of course, and he hasn't made a fuss about it for once, but that doesn't mean he's pleased about it. Sure, he's supposed to be exercising his individuality a bit more... but if anyone thinks he's actually happy to leave his twin in a dangerous place where people are going crazy and trying to kill each-other, they're wrong.

He's gathered a few pieces of coral in his hands, ignoring the bucket mostly because he just wants to see how much he can carry first. Scouring the beaches every day for coral is incredibly tedious, so whatever small amusement he can get, he'll take it.

He's got nothing against Kyouya as a whole, but... they've never really spent any time together. As much as Hikaru considers Kyouya to be one of his friends, there's still a gap between them that he's never even thought of bridging. Leave that to Kaoru; Team 'Little Brothers' at least had a chance of understanding each-other.

He answers Kyouya's question with a shrug initially, but after a pause, remembers to elaborate and actually explain himself.]

It... still feels like a really messed up dream. I keep wondering when I'm going to wake up.

[INN][Daddy Moments]

[princelycharm]

[The last thing a hyperactive ball of energy needs is to be told to rest all week long. The most frustrating part is the fact that his crew/friends are all enjoying themselves under the sun without him. Or at least he thinks they're all enjoying themselves. While he on the other hand is stuck in the inn and can't even leave bed.

So there he was, rolling in bed, desperate for some action, whilst his dog Antoine was doing the same thing.]

[hostclubshadowking]

Next time you won't be so careless, will you?

[The comments are cool, dismissive, and mocking. As if Tamaki had gone out knowing there was going to be an earthquake. Of course, to one who knew him, that tone might actually be something of a relief, coming from Kyouya.

If he felt at ease enough to, unlike when the injuries had happened, speak like that... the worst was probably over.

He'd volunteered for the first shift. While the others searched the shore and shallow sea for black coral, he'd keep Tamaki company.]

[princelycharm]

[That was a direct hit, as always. Which left the host club king cringing. Of course Tamaki knew it was probably a joke, but he wanted to see more amusement from Kyouya.

So he looked at Kyouya like he was a wet kitten.]

But.. but... Mommy~!!

14th

[to_theleft]

[Baby-sitting duties? Really? Well, Hikaru's not complaining too much; at least it's Tamaki, and not someone else. He's still worried about the danger outside though, so he has his journal with him just in case Kaoru or Haruhi someone tries to contact him. He's also got a sea sponge in his pocket that he found yesterday. He's gotten used to the idea of Tamaki being injured, so if he seems up to it today, Hikaru has come prepared to offer a little bit of torment entertainment.

Upon seeing Tamaki rolling around in the bed, it takes only a second for Hikaru to decide to promptly slam the door closed and call through it, loud enough for others to hear.]

Have some decency, Tono! If you're going to be doing things like that, at least close the door!

1/?

[princelycharm]

[There was still some pain, but Tamaki is able to work through it. At least it no longer woke him up in the middle of his sleep. So he was now in a much better mood, without having to pretend that everything was okay.

He couldn't recall who was assigned to stay with him and Antoine for that day, but when the door slammed shut, he could not help but suddenly sit-up and examine his room for any intruders. Then he noticed the dark hair.]

Hikaru...

2/?

[princelycharm]

[He was barely awake and couldn't readily process what Hikaru was talking about.]

Decency? I was just sleeping...

3/?

[princelycharm]

something like...that?

[What was 'that'? Tamaki didn't quite get it.]

Why would I close the....

4/?

[princelycharm]

[There was something suspicious about how loud Hikaru's voice was and how he emphasized closing the door.]

...wait.. don't tell me..

5/5

[princelycharm]

I WASN'T DOING ANYTHING LIKE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!