She Sings Sea Shanties

[hyliasblessing]

Who: Princess Zelda and, perhaps, you?
What: Zelda has just acquired a new business venture
When: Now, but also later
Where: Various
Warning(s): Possibly thalassophobia, will add more if necessary



With a final farewell handshake to her former employer, Captain Booth, Zelda begins to move her personal effects from work onto her new vessel, the Mipha's Grace. Some of the Copper Coin's prior crew have elected to join her--- particularly Jon Sims, her partner Jean, and a small handful of the locals. She is also joined by a newcomer named Pomni.

Her new vessel is smaller than the Copper Coin, but it is a bit more comfortable for the small crew needed to man it, with proper beds and cabins in lieu of a communal hammock space, and a small research lab for the dredged artifacts and odd creatures found in the water. Zelda is also more in control of shore leave, with ventures being significantly shorter due to the issue of space. Additionally, the lifeboats double as canoes with which to harvest sea weed--- a project her beloved Jean began.

Ahoy there! What business have you with Captain Zelda?

---

My Heart is Pierced By Cupid
[ Oak & Iron, open to all ]

In honor of the new career growth for both herself and for her associates, Zelda has arranged a small celebration, open to any friends! A round of drinks for everyone, and a chance to sample Jean's clever creations! Zelda herself has never had sushi before--- what a delightful treat! Who knew raw fish could be this good?

Perhaps you'd like to congratulate the hostess, or thank her for the booze, or simply join her in singing one of the songs her crewmates taught her. You can find her at the center table, aglow with fun and firelight. There's a seat open for you!


I Disdain All Glittering Gold
[ Main Street Market, open to all ]

One of Zelda's new duties is to sell her own wares. At least until she cuts a deal with one of the local fishmongers. But that's no trouble--- for now, in a shaded booth Zelda sells fish caught by herself and her crew. Perhaps you'd like to buy some? Or maybe just keep her company?


There Is Nothing Can Console Me
[ Closed to Jon Sims ]

Aboard the Mipha's Grace, Zelda spots her boatswain staring forlornly out at the sea. It doesn't take the Triforce of Wisdom to tell he is troubled by something. He's seemed off for the past few days, in fact. Zelda waves to him from the helm.

"Jon! A word, please?"


But My Jolly Sailor Bold
[ On Jack's Marina ]

It's shove-off day! Time for another voyage out onto the Black Jade Sea. Zelda is out on the dock by the gangway, there to greet her crew and welcome them aboard, but she's got some loading up to do still and some deliveries to receive, so she'll be here a bit. Perhaps you're a crewmate coming aboard? Or perhaps you've got a delivery? Or maybe you're just a friend, here to wish Zelda and her crew a safe voyage. Or a stowaway, even. What has you sneaking onto a fishing boat?


Wildcard
[ We stay silly ]

Comments

Oak & Iron

[theresalwaystheview]

Bart had been near the beach at the time that Zelda and her crew had been moving from the Cooper Coin to Mipha's Grace, staying well out of the way but watching curiously, taking notes in the loosely bound journal that he brought with him most everywhere. He'd made loose sketches of both vessels but had no labels to give them just yet; his expertise was not in nautical pursuit, after all, such things having been forced on him previously for the sake of survival.

When the smaller vessel's captain shows up at the Oak & Iron, Bart is there of course, tidying his notes and quietly ruminating over a bowl of soup. He has questions for her, but doesn't want to intrude on her time if she has better things to do than to entertain his queries. Then she surprises him the same as the rest of them by ordering everyone a round, and the opening is there. Provided that her attention isn't taken by something more important, Bart perches on the edge of an empty seat nearby and reaches a hand out, though he doesn't touch, just trying to get her attention.

"Pardon me, miss! I've got a proposition, if you would hear me out."

Re: Oak & Iron

[hyliasblessing]

"Oh--- Hello there!" Zelda grins. "You must be one of our new neighbors, correct? What can I do for you?"

[theresalwaystheview]

Oh she's cute... "Yes! I haven't been here long at all but I've been trying to learn and document as much as I can about the island's flora. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, do you think that you might have an extra space for the next time you set off? It's just, I can't swim for long myself so being allowed on another's vessel would be a big help." Big sparkly hopeful eyes pointed right at her...

[hyliasblessing]

At this, Zelda's smile broadens to one of utter delight! Her eyes are just as full of glittering excitement. "I have a small research laboratory aboard my ship! We're trying to research flora, fauna, and artifacts recovered during fishing and dredging! If you're familiar with such studies, you would be an incredible asset to our crew. Would you consider joining us, if you found the work to your liking?"

But My Jolly Sailor Bold

[jeveuxpartir]

( icon not relevant - marketable plush be upon ye )

Pomni could barely believe shove-off day was already here. She'd spent the few days between her signing-on (and lying about her prior experience) to research as much as she could in the library about sailing and the ins and outs. She could barely tell port from starboard just yet, but she's got a meager little notebook in her few effects she brought aboard the ship with sloppily-written notes to help her remember. Better than nothing, right?

With the bag slung over her shoulder, she hurries down the dock, a bit hurried. (She couldn't remember what time it had been said the ship was leaving. Oh, god, did she miss it? Wait, nope, there it was. Or did she keep them waiting? Ohhh no.)

As soon as Zelda is in view, however, she tries to push her worried frown and thoughtful, zoned-out gaze to a smile, giving her a short-yet-upbeat wave.

"Hey! I hope I'm not too late, I just had to get a couple things together for the trip. But Iiii'm completely packed and ready to set sail!"

[hyliasblessing]

"Pomni, hello!" Her smile brightens and she stands up straighter from where she had leaned. "Welcome to the Mipha's Grace! There's a cabin with your name on the door on the lower dock. I can show you, if you like."

[jeveuxpartir]

"Oh--- yeah, that'd be great!"

The walk up the gangplank was a short few steps, and she can't help but take in the sight of the seawater between the ship and the dock. It was strange, to think that her life was going to be a lot of that for the next however long. So familiar, in a way she couldn't place - any degree of familiarity was a welcome sight, really.

She wasted little time joining Zelda's side once on the ship, however, giving her a distinctly-interested look.

"Wait--- did I hear you right that I get my own cabin? I thought ships usually had bunks? I'm not complaining, just... kind of surprised!"

[hyliasblessing]

"Well, this ship's designed to run with a smaller crew, so I wanted to give everyone their own space. It isn't much! But a little privacy goes a long way," Zelda explains.

Shipmates (And More?) | Closed to Pomni

[restingslasherface]

Jean has taken to their new work uniform very well, and the new ship is an exciting time. On the one hand, there's a far greater and more terrifying feeling of responsibility; Jean is no longer a crewman serving under a much more experienced sailor who might correct them, but instead serving under Zelda whose experience is much closer to their own. On the other hand, what an achievement for Zelda, and what independence for all of them!

This new comrade, though. She seems to be struggling some. Jean hasn't met Comrade Pomni yet, not outside of brief introductions mediated by Zelda, and while they trust Zelda's judgement surely just a little bit of education can't go amiss.

"Sailor Pomni!" they call from where they're working to lash down the barrels of water rations. This can start nice and small. "I could use an extra pair of hands on these knots!"

[jeveuxpartir]

A little bit of education could go a long way, because, even as Jean calls over, Pomni is struggling.

She's quick to drop her nearly-finished simple chore to come lend a hand, though, and join them. Best way to learn was through example and watching her fellow crew do things, right? (Hopefully she could get a handle on it before the imposter syndrome set in too hard, at least.)

Joining Jean on the other side of the barrels, she cracks an awkward grin their way, starting to fuss with the rope and doing her best to recall how to knot it. (Ships, knots, why did they need so many knots?)

"No problem! You're Jean, right?" She asks - matching faces to names take a while, and while the crew is relatively small, she want to make sure she's got it down before it hits a point where it'd be a little awkward to go 'Hey, you!'. "Everything been getting set up okay so far?"

[restingslasherface]

Jean's correction of the chosen knots is both gentle and quiet; mistakes while learning are no one else's business. The corrections also come with helpful explanations of why the right knots are right, what they're doing for the cargo.

"Agent Jean, yes! It's going very well!" Jean beams but, then, they're always beaming. "It's nice to see you already getting to work! A few people have struggled to settle in, never a fun situation, haha ha ha...ha."

[jeveuxpartir]

Jean's grinning has Pomni cracking an awkward one of her own right back their way. They sure were... all teeth, huh! She shouldn't be as vexed by it, considering they weren't the only person-or-entity that she's ever met like that, but it still somehow caught her off guard about half the time. That'd take some getting used to. (At least they were nice and didn't bring up her blunders directly? Small victories!)

Their last note has her raising a brow, though, casting a glance across the deck, as if to see if any of the people in question were around.

"People on here?" She asks, sounding a little surprised, looking back down to the knot that she was struggling to get quite right. "I mean, I'm not--- y'know, the most experienced sailor in the world, but this seems... nice! A lot less tight-laced. ...Not that it's not put together or anything like that, I mean! Everyone's just been easy to work with. Unless you meant that other ship I've heard the captain talk about?"

There Is Nothing Can Console Me

[apocryphalarchivist]

Zelda's assumption hadn't been far off at all - Jon had been staring off, having lost himself in thought. It'd been a trend since the Carnival, really; there was a lot he needed to think long and hard on, after all that he'd done.

Her voice jogged him out of thought, though, and for a moment, he looked surprised, a lift to his sullen demeanor, before he trekked up the stairs towards the helm.

"Is everything alright?"

[hyliasblessing]

"I should be asking you that," Zelda scolds gently. "You've been gazing miserably at the water for hours. What's the matter?"

[apocryphalarchivist]

"Nothing you need to trouble yourself with, Zelda."

He's quick to waive off the concern, feigning a normalcy, but the weight of everything is quick to return to him. He sighs.

"It's nothing that anyone should be troubled by other than myself. I've been making a terrible mess of things, and am facing the repercussions of it."

Market

[lawes]

If there's one thing Rachel enjoys here, it's downtown. Much smaller than what she's used to, not exactly bustling by her standards, but it has its own charm that she can appreciate.

She's wandering the commercial district today, coffee in hand, indulging in the simple pleasure of window shopping. Despite limited funds, exploring everything from clothes to food remains a favorite pastime. A dark booth displaying fish catches her eye—or rather, her nose. The aroma of fresh fish triggers a longing she can't ignore. Oh, how she misses seafood. Perhaps someday she can afford it.

Her most recent purchase was a simple outfit costing 50 Brass—though, she felt more drawn towards the men's collection than the women's this time around. Clad in a cream fedora-style hat, a loose-fitting grey button-up top neatly tucked into textured brown pants, and held together with brown suspenders, she approaches the booth.

"Good morning," she greets with a friendly smile. "Did you catch these yourself?"

[hyliasblessing]

"Hello! And not all on my own, I'm the captain of a small fishing vessel. My crew and I worked together. It was a good trip! Quite a bit of cod this time." Zelda's prices are quite reasonable--- it would be easy to work a bit of this into a grocery budget.

"You just arrived, didn't you? I believe I've seen you in town a few times now."

Post Tramatic Train Syndrome

[prise_de_fer]

Festivals are supposed to be fun! There's plenty back home that she already misses. Starlight, Heavensturn, All Saints Wake, Little Ladies Day...So much better than a train going to nightmareville.

Staying huddled up isn't exactly working either, so the miqo'te traipses to the edge of town. She weaves a wreath of vines and leaves, with fading autumn flowers. Both for herself and for Zelda. Hopefully that will help smooth things over for not coming to visit sooner, but nerves got the best of the desert catte.

There comes a tap-tap-tapping, a rapping upon Zelda's door.

[hyliasblessing]

Zelda had been spending a lot of time at her own home as well, doting on Jean and trying to focus on less troubling things such as her new ship. But she won't say she'd unhappy for Mort's company. It'd be the first time since they sat together on the train, and then became separated...

When Zelda opens the door, she at first looks quite haggard, but immediately becomes relieved at the sight of her partner. "Oh, Mort--- You are such a sight for sore eyes." She gives the miqo'te a long embrace, letting out a contented sigh. "Oh, but you must be freezing! Come on, come inside."

Wildcard

[thelatechrisfreeman]

Chris didn't have a chance to see the Mipha's Grace off on her maiden voyage, but they are waiting at Jack's Marina when the boat comes back in. They're waiting just in case somebody got hurt and needs medical care -- something they've tried to do for the crew of the Copper Coin as well, other obligations permitting.

Chris looks up from the book they're reading -- yet another medical text from the library -- and sticks it back into their bag before standing up and waving.

"Hello! Anyone aboard needing medical care?"

[[ OOC: Adding yet another thread to the pile but darn it I wanna play with Zelda. ]]

[hyliasblessing]

Zelda is both surprised and not surprised to see Chris as she disembarks from the gangplank. She's seen then before, of course, during her time aboard the Copper Coin, but for some reason it slipped her mind that they might now visit her own vessel. She smiles to them.

"Ahoy there! As far as I know, no one has any specific needs at the moment, but if you'd like to do some cursory checks for early signs while you're here?"

[thelatechrisfreeman]

"Certainly, Captain!" Chris replies. They stand beside the gangplank, not blocking anyone from disembarking, but observing the crew.

"I hope this trip went well?"

Zelda's Cabin

[restingslasherface]

Shortly after these events have given Pomni a lot to think about Jean is rushed off to Zelda's cabin by their partner; they lock the door behind themself, put their hands on their knees, and kinda Look Around while trying to collect their thoughts.

Task failed: "Why is she so cute? Why is her being miserable and nervous so fucking cute, Captain?"

[hyliasblessing]

While the captain's cabin is technically hers in name, Zelda very much shares the majority of the space with Jean anyway as it is very nearly a small apartment. Facing the door there is a heavy wooden desk covered in charts marked with fish migration patterns, payroll documents, provisions management spreadsheets, and tools of the trade. This is where Zelda does her administrative work and holds meetings. Behind that, however, there is a loft area with curtains drawn around it for privacy. The loft itself is Zelda and Jean's shared sleeping quarters, and tucked underneath is a small reading nook. The rear wall is a large window overlooking the sea, split between the two levels. It is tasteful and calming, and a fine space for both work and down time.

Zelda guides Jean to one of the chairs in front of the desk, sitting down across from them. When Jean blurts out the question, it takes a concerted effort for her not to laugh. As if Jean hasn't been their own flavor of miserable and nervous and adorable this entire time. "For me, I think it's because she's already precious, and her anxiety makes me feel compelled to protect and cherish her. Like a kitten," Zelda muses.

[restingslasherface]

"We have very different ideas about small animals!" Still...

Jean's vibrating in their seat. They'd probably be pacing if they hadn't been so unambiguously Sat Down. That was a lot, all of it good but holy - well, holy Kora, actually - still a lot. "I know I don't always, haha, know social mores the best but you've seemed very fond of Sailor Pomni. You even overlooked her lying on her application! I don't disapprove, but -"

Gestures(tm) end that thought instead of words.