[Abandoned] [Episode] Stowaways aren't Throwaways

Quest Description:

Loud ripples in the Méricour's sails announced the return of a serviceable gale. [npc=navy]"The wind's back, sir! Ten knots and climbing!"[/npc] Shouted an ensign. The navy man-of-war tore through the dark waves of the night with purpose and zeal. [plyr=navy]"Turn us with the wind! We'll ride it fully as far as we can!"[/plyr] Ordered his commanding officer.

[npc=navy]"That might be a bad idea if we want to make it to Conomi Islands by dawn, Rear Admiral. We'll get blown too far off course."[/npc] He paused before continuing, [npc=navy]"Ughhhhh! This is why we need a navigator!"[/npc] Debated the subordinate. [npc=navy]"A second-in-command who can cover for the Commander's ignorance wouldn't hurt either!"[/npc] Snapped another.

The playful derision did not faze the officer in the slightest. He stood near the helm, arms folded and eyes forward. A neat white coat of justice clung loyally to his shoulders and flowed behind him. The officer's red and gold striped suit and matching cuffs on the coat marked him out from others who wore the marine officer's uniform. An immutable intense expression afflicted him, though he was forever oblivious to it. [plyr=navy]"Keep the course to Conomi Islands!"[/plyr] He dictated as if the command didn't conflict with the previous one. The crew complied with the new order without loud complaints.

Feathery footsteps charged up from below deck and erupted behind the Commander with a violent growl. [npc=misc]"Oiiii! Why aren't we there yet? What if they've attacked the village already?"[/npc] Demanded an explosive prepubescent voice.

[npc=navy]"Sorry, Commander! She wouldn't stay in the guestroom with the other stowaways."[/npc] The apology came from a winded marine whose weariness was betrayed by the dark circles around his eyes.

[npc=misc]"Stop calling us stowaways. Isn't the Navy supposed to protect its citizens?"[/npc] Argued the child. Her curly green locks bounced obnoxiously on her shoulders with every slight movement of her head. Her stubborn blue glare challenged the Commander from behind until the officer turned to face her. Her eyes teared up and her legs gave out when the Commander's unchanging intense glare fell upon her. One could almost visualise the aura of a horned and fanged demon hovering over him.

[npc=navy]"Don't be scared, girl. The Rear Admiral is harmless. He just has a mean face,"[/npc] assured her pursuer.

The green-haired bairn looked up at the demon-in-uniform with meek puppy eyes and whined, [npc=misc]"I just wanna go home…"[/npc]

The Commander approached the petrified girl with measured steps and lowered himself until he was no longer looking down at her. With a faint smile which somehow managed to dispel his monstrous aura, he spoke, [plyr=navy]"I am Rear Admiral Francis Charlemagne. I promise to do everything in my power to help your village. I am very strong, but, I can be stronger still if you let me borrow your resolve. So, will you help me too?"[/plyr] He offered the child a comforting hand. Though his fierce gaze remained, the kindness in his words was unfiltered and pure. With a shaky sniffle, the girl nodded and clasped his hand. [npc=misc]"I'm Mavis. I'll do my best too!"[/npc]

Francis placed a gentle palm on her head before rising and turning with the wind. Confident and inspired grins propagated among the witnesses of this encounter as they returned to their duties. The orange glow bleeding out of the distant horizon promised a new dawn.