Sizing Up [Open]

[fangofjustice]

Characters: Leo, Ffamran, anyone who would like to join
Content: A chance to meet the new helmsman!
Setting: Deck of the Victoria II
Time: Shortly after sunset
Warnings: Scotch might be involved. Nevermind, just tea~

Comments

[bunansajr]

Ffamran hadn't specifically gone looking for Major de Alkirk, but he had recently gotten off the journal with the man, so he supposed that was on the brain. He'd just finished spending most of his free time doing some hacking for the Commander and he needed to stretch.

They hadn't been in Bellcius that long, but he hadn't had much to do other than spy on his coworkers and that had become something of a strain. He knew it was necessary but that didn't mean he had to enjoy it.

He headed up to the top deck to get a little air where he found a ... blue haired, one horned gentleman who seemed to have the same idea he did.

"... Good day for it?" That was one strange looking demihuman ... and he couldn't say he was familiar with the man either. Unfamiliar people on the Admiral's ship were definitely a sign of trouble.

[fangofjustice]

Leo's ears had pricked up at the sound of someone walking towards him, which was enough to snap him out of gawking over the size of the ship. He turned to face the other man, and guessed that this was another member of the ship's crew.

... one who seemed to keep glancing at his horn, at that. Bothersome, but it wasn't exactly the first time that this had happened. Humans always took one look at the horn and acted like they had just seen a unicorn...

"Yes, I suppose it is." He extended a hand, and introduced himself: "I am Major Leo de Alkirk, the new helmsman."

[dragon_of_wei]

A kirin?

How on Reial did a kirin get assigned to this vessel?!

From a good enough distance, Cao Cao stared at the supposed kirin with a confused frown plastered upon his face. He was sure that this man must be a demi-human of some kind but the strategist honestly doubted this single horned solider was a Jäger. There was just something more human-like about this man unlike the beast-like Jagerkin he’s seen here there in Bellcius. Whatever this individual is, Cao was certainly intrigued enough to ponder greeting this new comer to the ship in hopes of getting a better look at that odd ivory horn.

“I assume you are one of the new recruits, sir?” He asked as he slowly approached the awestruck helmsman.

[bunansajr]

"Ah, Major!" Ffamran took the helmsmans' hand and shook. "Lieutenant Bunansa. Fancy meeting you here."

He was a little nervous by Commander Cao Cao's presence though. Ffamran didn't spend as much time with the Strategist and unlike Edgeworth, or even the Admiral, Ffamran never seemed to have made an impression one way or the other on Cao Cao and it left him unsure where he stood.

"And Commander! You ... seem a little bereft, sir." That was one word for the Commander's look, another would have been 'completely dumbfounded.

[fangofjustice]

"Ah!" Leo chuckled a little. "Well, yes, this is rather fortunate, isn't it?"

Leo had always heard that you can tell a lot about a man from his handshake, and while Leo had found this to be a little more difficult than they usually made it sound... in the few seconds from grip to release, he got a feeling this was someone with good confidence.

[bunansajr]

Ffamran nodded. "I was just heading to get some fresh air and stretch. I'm afraid I've been cooped up for the last few days and haven't gotten the chance to enjoy the spring air."

He figured since the Major had been assigned to the ship now he could be a little freer with his conversing than he might have been with a civilian. "We just finished a little jaunt up north and I should be enjoying the thaw. Been in Bellcius long?"

[fangofjustice]

"No, actually. I... I was only reassigned the other day."

It was a painful subject. And despite his best efforts to not let any of that pain show, his ears had a mind of their own and couldn't help but droop a bit.

He already missed standing out on the bowsprit of the Destiny...

Leo cleared his throat and did his best to regain his composure. "I had just finished a long and rather fruitless assignment. It is rather nice to be back in the city again, even if only for a short time."

[bunansajr]

Mood ears? Ffamran would have chuckled were it not for the fact that it seemed Leo was not in the best of moods. There was definitely a long story behind that. Somehow he wondered if 'fruitless assignment' really covered it completely.

"Well, nothing like a change in scenery. We can drown your sorrows in a large pot of tea. Do you need a tour? Otherwise we can ransack the kitchen and see if Ms Adrian will make us a pot of tea."

[fangofjustice]

"I admit, I still have barely begun to learn my way around the ship." He tapped his foot thoughtfully. "But... I think that can wait. I have not had an opportunity to learn where the kitchen is yet. And I certainly could use some tea."

[bunansajr]

"Oh, outstanding, then. Well, the mess is easy enough, follow me." He headed toward the inside of the ship and towards the middle making sure that Leo kept his bearings.

"If I might ask, what was your last assignment?" The man was certainly welcome not to respond but he was curious anyway.

[fangofjustice]

Leo, however, seemed perfectly comfortable with talking as he walked with Ffamran. "To capture a woman known as Lucia the Destroyer before she fled into Vohemar."

He paused, and then added, "She proved to be one of the most powerful and resourceful criminals I had been sent after, and if it weren't for this nonsense in the Badlands I might still be pursuing her on the Destiny."

[bunansajr]

"Lucia the Destroyer?" He tried to think. He wasn't sure he'd heard anything about the woman. "Well, the business in the Badlands has been strange at best. This Joseph Falls fellow seems to have acquired a bit of a following. I can't say I mind, exactly, but it could mean bad business in cities like Claiborne."

Destiny ... Ffamran thought he'd heard something about that. A little ship, perhaps? He was less than a year into his service, though, so he didn't really keep and eye on the gossip of the entire fleet.

[fangofjustice]

"Yes, I doubt I need to elaborate on how she earned a name like that."

He exhaled a heavy sigh. "Frankly, as much as I loathe to admit it, I am not particularly surprised by all this, and I expect Falls will only continue gather support. From what I have seen of the Badlands, living there has taught the people how to survive, if nothing else. And now that their survival has been threatened, it seems natural that they would join together, if only to feel safe. All that they needed was someone with the gall to volunteer as a leader."

[bunansajr]

"No, I don't suppose you do. And it sounds like you were unsuccessful. Yet another dangerous criminal off to Vohemar, then?"

The entire thing was getting to be a little out of hand and frustrating. War was looming, it seemed. Ffamran was no coward but the rabble rousing in the Badlands on top of the general antagonism in Vohemar and the 4423 escaping justice again-- it was also hard not to be a little disheartened.

"Well, that Falls fellow certainly seems to have the audacity. I have to wonder how the story will end."

[fangofjustice]

"Indeed. I was so close to apprehending her, as well. Twice, my men and I managed to lock her up, and both times she managed to escape captivity..."

He shook his head, looking disappointed. "No one can tell, not until we have arrived at its conclusion. Althena herself once said that even prophecies are only a certainty if we do nothing to change them."

[bunansajr]

"That does always seem to be the way it goes." Vohemaros were tricky. "Well-- perhaps she will not live up to her name." There was always that hope. Ffamran didn't think it was very likely though.

"Althena?" Although maybe that wasn't the best course of inquiry. Ffamran didn't need a long conversation about gods. He never had been one to believe, choosing instead to believe he made his own fate. That was what befit a leading man, after all.