high_seas | Mixing it up

Out of nowhere, Smoker arbitrarily punches Aokiji.

Yeah yeah, he knows. 'It's nice to have you back Smoker,' whatever you can shove it!

"WHY AREN'T WE THERE YET?!"

As if it's totally Aokiji's fault.

ACTUALLY IT IS. Because the former(?ish...) admiral is generally slow at everything thanks to his pretty much perpetual state of hibernation.

Ice defense. Nice try.

"If you're bored, find something useful to do." What, are you ten?

Boo.

"Like what?" an impatient growl as Smoker has his hackles literally raised on end. He is not ten, he is a dog.

"The world exists in chaos around you and you literally have no ideas?" A giant sigh that ices the nearby railing. "There is a reason they chained that poor girl to you, I suppose."

Smoker was back, the talent show had gone off without a hitch, and Brady had made some new friends. Overall, he was in a fairly good mood.

You can find him at the village, using his staff to heal whoever comes to him. he doesn't bother asking for payment or favors, genuinely glad to do things from curing a simple stomachache or stopping major bleeding. Is a line forming?

Kuzan sees the line, running a rough eye over who is there and what they might need. Finally he makes a decision and makes his way closer to Brady, carrying a young girl in his arms. She's clinging to his jacket, her face buried against his shoulder, shivering.

Her legs are... well gone below the knee. It's recent, though. The stumps are rounded and red and you'll soon notice it's ice as he does his best to stem the tide of blood. The people seem to scatter before the sight of her and some turn their faces away. Kuzan doesn't seem to notice.

Instead he kneels beside Brady.

"I need your assistance."

"Oh. Hey." Brady glanced up, not having expected...

Oh. Oh, no. By Naga.

He stares in abject horror, but he knows now is not the time to gape or cry. He held out his staff, causing it to glow green - the girl would feel energy flowing through her body, the pain going away blink by blink. Brady kept his eyes on the stumps - now the blood would come to a halt, no longer risking death by blood loss. The stumps would heal naturally, and Brady runs a hand through the girl's hair.

"It's gunna be okay." He murmured softly.

He lets the ice melt away as he watches what is going on with mild curiosity, taking in the green light and Brady's expression. He was a good kid. Kuzan had come to understand that, but it was reassuring to see it, especially for what lay ahead.

The girl tenses at Brady's touch but then relaxes and begins to cry quietly, murmuring something into his coat. He can't understand what she's saying but he gets the gist of it.

"Can you replace what she's lost?"

"No." Brady answers automatically. Not even the most powerful healer or cleric could ever replace what was taken. "... The bleedin' will stop, and she won't get infected. But I can't..."

Now, he could allow himself to cry. Large tears rolled down his face - children didn't deserve to get hurt.

"... I'm sorry, that ain't... I can't replace a limb." He kept stroking the girl's hair, trying to be strong for her despite his wet cheeks. "...What a brave kid... Not screamin', or yellin'..."

He nodded.

"That's enough." Brady could only do what he could do. The girl clutched at him but he couldn't soothe her beyond that. It was something she would have to deal with and, hopefully, become stronger for it. He watched Brady, trying to gauge his mental state. It's difficult to tell if the tears are empathy or a combination of that -- or more if he would be crippled by it.

Well--they don't really have the time.

"Finish what you need to here." He rose, shifting the girl in his arms. "Meet me by the north edge of town, where the cow pasture is, do you know it?"

He managed to wipe away the bigger tears on his sleeve, sniffling but regaining some composure. This wasn't the first time he'd seen such a horrific injury - but it always hurt to see them this way.

He slowly nodded, straightening his back. "I'll finish up here, and meet you there soon. Just wait for me a bit."

He nodded slowly, reassessing Brady yet again for a brief moment before turning and walking away.

By the time Brady is drawing near, Kuzan has deposited the girl with the local hedge witch who seems largely sympathetic to her plight. He can't tell for sure if the woman is entirely trustworthy, but the girl seemed to trust her and there was an undeniable bond there.

Now he is waiting by the split rail fence.

Well...lying down beside it anyway, taking a brief nap. Feel free to disturb him.

"Oi."

Kuzan will feel his forehead being tapped by the butt of Brady's staff. He hadn't taken too long, but he had stopped by to make sure everyone he had healed was doing all right. As a result of all the magic he'd used, he's very exhausted - sweat on his face, breath coming in shorter, and he's leaning on his staff like a cane.

"Sheesh, callin' me for a meeting and sleeping the day away..."

What did Brady had a better idea to do while he waited? Might as well get his sleep when he can. Either way, there's 'sleep' and there's sleep. He felt Brady on his way but snoozed until the tap and opened his eyes.

"Ah... is it night?" Either way. He rose to his feet and scratched the back of his head. "This place is pretty dark this time of year."

Brady resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and leaned on his staff. "I'm gunna go ahead and guess you didn't wanna talk about how pretty the night sky is."

He blinked, realizing he had his sleep mask on and pushed it up. It was indeed twilight. Well-- that couldn't be helped.

"No." He looked down at Brady. "Are you prepared? It's going to be harsh."

He blinked a few times. What kind of ridiculous question was that?

"Of course I am." He replied, a little insulted at the insinuation. "I'm always ready for battle and war. My home's hell on earth, I faced crap like that every day." He jabbed a thumb back from whence he came. "Just cause I care about every victim doesn't mean I can't handle seein' em."

"Fair enough. My apologies." There were all kinds and he didn't make judgements about anyone when he first saw them. Most of the medics he'd seen were steely eyed throughout, crying after, but they were trained Marines, he supposed-- and even they weren't immune to crying during particularly hard cases.

He folds his hands in his pockets and starts walking, keeping a fairly quick pace, but nothing Brady couldn't keep up with.

"What do you know about this place?"

He grunted, but followed alongside his superior. Thankfully the pace was good enough that he could follow without further exhausting himself. Did Brady always have to keep proving himself to people? No wonder he was so weak...

"A few things. But the biggest thing I heard was about witches. We've got people back home who have strange magic, and it sounds like the same kinda stuff. Be good to a mage, they'll be good to you."

That bothered him.

"Good is such an arbitrary word." Since it could mean, be good to a mage by being a decent person treating another person decently. Or it could be, please take my cow and only possession and don't hurt me. That was why there were laws in existence to prevent that kind of thing. Maybe not defining 'good' as it were, but certainly informing people what not to do. Otherwise who could ever know?

But that was a little off topic. "Maa, forget it forget it. Now..." ... wait. "What were we talking about?"

He raised an eyebrow, wondering what was meant by that. What was wrong with using the word good? It was true. Some people were just plain old good...

But any hope for an emotional connection is cut, as, well, Kuzan is Kuzan.

"HEY! You called me out here and asked me what I thought! At least keep track of the conversation!"

"Maa, chill out. It's a convoluted conversation." He scratched his temple. He couldn't remember where they were but... well forget it.

"About a mile or so from here is a village, one of those witches took revenge somehow." He wasn't sure the whole story but that didn't matter at this junction. "That little girl got the worst of it, but there are others who need aid, some fairly badly. Moreover she may be still lurking around."

Another glance at Brady. "Can you counteract magic?" He didn't really believe in magic per se but...he knew that was a thing that was said could be done so-- may as well ask.

Then stay on topic, you stupid old man! - He wanted to shout that, but it would not be polite, no. Besides, this was taking a serious toll again. He rolled his shoulders, suppressing his anger for now. "If she made them sick or hurt them, I can fix that. And my body's been blessed... I can survive most stuff that would kill folks on first impact."

'Miracle', for those who were unaware of such skills. He could survive a lethal blow. But just the once.

He was in the highest echelons of command. Staying on topic was someone else's job.And since Brady is the only one around well, it fell to him. In any case, Kuzan took what he said into consideration.

"In that case I may use you as a shield should I need it." Since Brady could survive and Kuzan could not. Well most likely not anyway. "But it may not come to that."

On the other hand, it may.

"Will healing and things of that nature tire you out? Do you need food? Water? Stimulants?" He wasn't sure where he could get the latter but he was sure they had coffee here.

Surprisingly, he wasn't offended at the idea of being a shield. He merely nodded - he'd gone and used himself as a shield for his comrades before. It was a noble purpose, as far as he was concerned. If his life could be used to save another, why wouldn't he do it?

"Yeah, it's tiring." He answered. "I mean, it's like exercising and fighting... I'm sharing my lifeforce with these people. I need time to catch my breath. Just a small bit of food and water every now and then, and a break once in a while, and I'll be good."

"I'll make sure you're provided for." Somehow or another. They may be reluctant to help until they know he is efficient but after he proves himself, he's sure they'll look after him themselves. That will give him freedom to guard the perimeter.

"Then I suppose we'll have a word with this witch." And try not to get themselves killed but...mah...well...that sort of thing didn't matter too much in this place, did it?

[A:]
[When they first got there around the Tenth she was interested in the island. Exploring. Looking into things. Trying NOT to get into trouble. And she did a damn good job for a few days! A week, really! So you can find her, as a HER, here and there on the island. She's exploring ruins, or sitting with locals and talking. Yes, just talking. About a wife that is the cow the man has in a field behind them, or a woman's son who has arms for legs. It's all very... strange.]

[Strange, and yet she's really interested. Interested in the lives of others here. She seems less... down too.]

[B:]
[By the 18th she had ran into someone that made her head spin. They had a short conversation, and a little while later, as she was walking off contemplating the elements and what not? ... things changed.]

[Her clothing was tighter, her hair shorter, and running a hand over her face she felt stubble. When she yelped she let out a boyish sound. Looking for water to look into helped show a handsome guy before her. The fires are still there, but SHE is not.]

[She spent most the day hiding. So if she went missing? That's why. But the next day? She's gone back to the ship and made a post to her crew, mostly. PLEASE don't reject the random guy in the crew. Please, please, please. SO yeah, run into a random guy on the ship, or near the ship. She'll be hiding out here for a bit. READY. TO. GO.]

[C:]
[YOU KNOW... she would have raided some of Smokers shirts... if the bastard wore any. She made due though and she appears to be more... at ease? Annoyed as hell and she keeps setting things on FIRE (whoops) but getting better about it. At least peeing is easier.]

[Later in the week and until they set sail, she'll still be a guy. Still grouchy about it. But trying to live with it. Her theory? It'll go away when they hit sea again. So honestly, she's ALL for leaving. Not that being a guy is BAD? But she's just... well, it's not her. She could live with it, but right now? Someone fix it.]

[SHe might stick close to the ship at this time, but she's at least getting back to land to explore when it's clear they aren't going anywhere. Or... when she needs to blow up a bit. Not far from the coast, fire can be seen some times, blaring off a guy. That's her. Use caution when approaching. It's hot.]

[Coby had been doing plenty of chores on the island for those too afraid to leave their homes--it was natural that he do his best to help, after all. The problem was, every time he left and saw the witch, his hair changed colors.

She wouldn't say anything to him, anymore. Just slap him and watch him apologize and run off.

He was getting just a touch of a headache by the end of the day.]

Good afternoon. [He nodded to Guy!Liz without a second though, disappearing beneath the deck after a rousing series of leavings and returns to the ship with said supplies--]

...Who are you? [He finally realized he wasn't just an ornament. Poking his head out from the galley, Coby stared at Liz.]

[Liz wasn't even trying to hide now. She was sitting on the deck of their ship, journal just closed and sighed. COby walked by, nodded and went on. Well, maybe he didn't notice.]

[When he came back and asked who she was. He frowned, head tipping back and sighing. Well shit. Holding a hand up in a non threatening manner she let it snap to light. Fire covering his hand only, before glancing wordlessly at Coby.]

[The look on his face said she was really off put by this situation]

[Well, that answered that. If she hadn't told him before, he wouldn't have guessed, otherwise.]

Oh.

Hi.

[It was tough to look at someone when the one thought in your mind was 'Ok, they have a penis, now.']

[with a flick of her hand she put the fire out, pinching the bridge of his nose with it.]

Hi.

[boy voice. flat like Liz however. He let out a sigh.] This is the most awkward day. [his thoughts would make it THE most awkward day ever, really. Please don't think about the fact that she has a penis now. SHE isn't even sure she wants to think about that. Even if it IS easier to pee with.]

I... Saw a cow wearing a full suit, earlier.

[He was trying to just sort of ease into the conversation, there.]

[he raised a brow at that.]

Think I missed that, myself. I did see a woman with a long beard, but that might just be a local thing. [That... might also have been a joke. Liz's sense of humor was pretty bad, when and if it ever showed itself.]

Actually, I've seen that before.

[Nobody talked about Rear-Admiral Bertha. Nobody asked if Bertha was a man or a woman, because nobody wanted to be shot in the mouth.]

I mean. No. No, I haven't.

[The other brow went up at that. Um...]

You're not sure if you seen it before or not?

Edited 2014-08-23 08:25 (UTC)

I haven't. [End of discussion. Bertha was in intel, which meant she could have been there for all he knew.]

Anyway, have you gotten any work done? I'm sorry--I've been looking for supplies and seem to have lost a lot of time.

It's really tough trying to get a cow to sign a ledger for food stock. [He muttered, mostly to himself.] I guess it makes sense, though...

[Yeah, okay. Dropping it. You're so weird sometimes.]

[The comment about work though mad him frown, head tilting a bit. Are you serious right now?] Got the first half of my choirs done before I went exploring today. I was going to bring supplies back this afternoon but... sorry. Got a bit preoccupied. Seriously... you're not weirded out by all the... changes?

[he said that while pointing a finger at his chest, then also pointing one to the boys hair. Just sayin'...]

...Well.

[Coby never really took the time to describe too much of his world and neither did Smoker or Ao Kiji--the two who had much more experience in the world than he did. They never really commented on weird things and neither did he, so it seemed fairly routine for them all to just deal with the weird things they handled on a daily basis.]

I'm somewhat surprised, but I assume it'll reverse at some point. None of these conditions stay with us beyond islands.

[He shook her head, frowning a bit.] You guys never cease to amaze me. I mean, I'm used to weird things back home. I live with a seven foot tall demon and a genetically evolved fishman. I should be use to this, but every time it kind of bugs me.

This actually bugs me more then--okay, well maybe not more then cat ears.

Well, you were quite happy with cat ears... [Not that it was a good thing to say to Liz in the first place, but Coby kind of thought happiness was a good thing, so--]

I'll try not to draw attention to it, anyway.

Mixing it up

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