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.

[bunansajr]

"A subordinate ... and a passenger." Ffamran thought the relationship odd at the time, he wasn't opposed to bedding two or more at once, but not when it came to courtship. He might not look it but when it came to love he could be a little old fashioned.

"And you are correct, that was probably the least of his sins." Ffamran looked around once more. "We picked up a distress call from the 4423, discovered she was grounded out in the Badlands, neutral territory. We were headed off in pursuit and ... he decided to alter the helm controls, push us off course."

That was treason.

[fangofjustice]

"He what? Oh, holy heaven..."

That was the worst thing he could have imagined. Leo was completely old-fashioned in his views of love and romance. Promiscuity was something he especially frowned upon, particularly after his childhood friend Ronfar had broken off his engagement to Leo's sister to chase skirts in Vohemar...

For now, he hid the full extent of his disgust and merely grumbled disapprovingly. "And how long did he expect that to last? It is appalling what disasters will result when men are thinking with the wrong head."

The next part, however, made him nearly cough up his tea. "He what?! But that's - ... why would he do something like that?!"

He was certainly starting to see why everyone spoke so badly about the last Helmsman. At this rate, the only way he could be worse than such a man would be to set the entire Victoria II on fire.

[bunansajr]

Ffamran hid behind his teacup for a few sips. It was hard to think about that now. It reminded him of Kiros and Fran and just having a few people to be friendly with. Leo was at least friendly, though.

"Well, it was not a good time for the ship." In a lot of ways it reflected badly on the Admiral, but he'd done his best, even if that wasn't good enough by the Admiral's thinking.

"Tis no wonder you'd be a better man for the job then him." He took another sip of tea, trying to banish those memories again.

[fangofjustice]

"Yes, well, I am glad to hear that. If you thought otherwise, I would be insulted." He huffed and took another sip of his tea. "I trust things have improved here since then... have they not?"

'Not a good time' sounded like an understatement. And it was little surprise why Ffamran had been so careful not to bring it up in front of the Admiral.

Nor was it surprising that Ffamran did not answer the question of what had possessed the last helmsman to commit treason and throw the ship off its course. Leo was still curious, but he decided not to press further.

"You know, while I would not have expected to hear such things of the Victoria II... I suppose that even the most outstanding among us will have their flaws." He smirked. "The best any of us can do is learn from past mistakes, and give our utmost to atone for them."

[bunansajr]

"So far things have been much better. It seems that Parliament has finally given the Admiral a bit of a break in our officers." A little.

"I know the Admiral wasn't pleased at all, as you can imagine. It is difficult to find yourself with traitors among your ranks."

Ffamran didn't like thinking about it.

"Learn from past mistakes and atone for them? Is that another tenant of Althena's?"

[fangofjustice]

[ooc: I think you mean "tenet".]

"Well, I am glad to hear it." Leo nodded. "And yes, I can... I can imagine it would be quite difficult, indeed. I should be thankful no traitors were ever found on my ship

[bunansajr]

[ooc: oh ffs XD preserve my idiocy forever why don't ya! ;)]

"Yes, well I think traitors wouldn't be particularly glad to be found on this ship either."

It was clear that the subject of Ghaleon and Althena and redemption was putting Leo ill at ease but it actually left Ffamran feeling a little better. Perhaps his own father could get out of the morass of mental illness he seemed to have fallen into.

He wasn't sure if he should pry or not so he took another sip of tea before finally deciding it couldn't hurt.

"Something on your mind, Major?"

[fangofjustice]

Leo chuckled. "No, I suppose they would not."

"Hm? Oh, nothing important." He paused, and glanced down in his teacup... damn. He had been drinking it slower than he realized. He really didn't want to abandon it, so short of finishing the cup in one gulp and probably scalding his tongue, there was no quick way out of this conversation.

Well, at least this was encouragement to drink faster. He took a long, deep sip of it and gave Ffamran the barest of details:

"A childhood friend of mine was studying to be one of Althena's priests. But... he turned away from the clergy and left Ivona."

[bunansajr]

Ffamran knew that look. It was a look he internalized all of the time. The look that meant his father had given up on sanity and his laboratory was manufacturing the poison that had killed all of Doma.

As much as he was now very curious, he knew that it wouldn't be right to pry.

"Well ... I suppose I do not even have to tell you to do better than our last helmsman, Major."

Changing the subject was obviously in both of their best interest at the moment.

[fangofjustice]

Actually, Ffamran's assessment of Leo's expression was surprisingly close to the mark. In Leo's case, though, it was 'little sister had given up on sanity and tried to burn an entire village to the ground to kill one woman'. As well as a slew of related problems.

But he wasn't in any mood to talk about him, so he was grateful when Ffamran changed the subject. He took another long sip of his tea, getting thankfully close to the bottom, and replied, "Indeed, you do not. I can give my word that I will, both in personal and professional affairs." He allowed himself a smug smirk. "And in handling the ship, for that matter."

[bunansajr]

"I'll hold you to it, then, Major. I would be very cross if you managed to take my perfect navigational directions and manage to run us into a cliff or some such nonsense."

That, at least, he could joke about that. It was safe. He hid behind his teacup again.

[fangofjustice]

"Hah! If I was that bad, I should think I would not be here at all. I would have already plummeted to my death off the edge of Reial." He shook his head and drank more of his tea.

"Trust me when I say that the Destiny was a far more temperamental ship than any airship could ever be, particularly in the Badlands. One false turn, and she would slam into some boulder or cliff face... and I thank the goddess every day we successfully avoided trampling any civilians."

He grinned with pride. "But there was a reason I was made her Captain. There was never a helmsman on board who could steer her as well as I. In fact, I could manage to keep her course without the help of the rest of the crew."

Which, actually, was speaking from experience. There had been a few times that he had set out for some short trips on the Destiny with no one else on board.

[bunansajr]

"I suppose that is true. Well here is to a long partnership taking the Victoria II on her course." He held up his teacup in a toast. He'd never really taken to Gumshoe anyway, it was nice to have a helmsman who he connected with a little before hand.

"Now you have set yourself up quite nicely, as long as you live up to expectations I'm sure the Admiral will be happy to keep you around." He would be too. Leo seemed like a decent person, even if he was a demihuman. Ffamran wasn't the type to judge, though. He'd been friends enough with Fran and a few of the demihumans at the Academy.

"If you need any more help finding your way around, do not hesitate to call on me, Major."

[fangofjustice]

"I am certain it will be a journey full of fair skies and great triumphs. Cheers." He brought his teacup up to meet the toast, and then took a long drink to finish off the cup.

"... I am glad to hear it." That was mostly true. Honestly, he would still jump at the chance to get back on the Destiny, but he had the distinct feeling that chance would not be coming for a long time. Until then...

... after this first evening, he had a good feeling about being on board the Victoria II. Even the horror story of the last helmsman hadn't been enough to sour his impression. After all, if there were good men like Ffamran here, surely the Victoria II was worthy of her exceptional reputation.

"Of course, Lieutenant! You will be the first that I ask." He started to rise from his seat. "Now then, I think it is about time that I retired to my quarters. It was a pleasure speaking with you... and thank you for the tea."

[bunansajr]

Ffamran nodded and let the Major get back to his business. He'd enjoyed their conversation, but he had to admit he was feeling the need for some introspection himself at the moment. He sipped his own tea again and waved to the departing Helsman.

Unintentional though it was, Leo had made him think of his father again, his mental instability and the fact he still wasn't sure what the right thing to do was.

"I'll see you around, Major. Fair skies to the both of us."