Re: [Saga] [Part 2] Let the Games Begin!

Sun May 01, 2022 12:59 pm

Celia gave Ryoichi a quiet nod. She had every faith in her crewmates to try and get her back. She gave a sympathetic look to Anton before she was quietly led away.

"Well then folks!" Mary announced to the crowd, "With this all said and done, that wraps up the games for today! We'll have a whole new slew of events tomorrow, so until then, grab yourself a drink and celebrate your wins, or drown in your losses!"

-----@^@-----

Anton had opted to go back to the ship, rather than join some of the others for a drink. Lune and Sol, sensing Anton's unease about the whole thing, had decided to accompany him. Lane had decided to come back too, perching atop of Anton's mushroom cap.

Anton's mood wad somber, as he tried to shake away thoughts of despair. This had always been a risk, and there was the chance to win her back. They just had to focus on that, rather than wallow in the loss. Though there was also the fact he would have to break the news to Yumiko. How was she going to react, knowing they had lost one of their own?

"YOU!"

Anton was immediately jerked out of his thoughts by a familiar shout, followed by the sight of a certain punkish pirate approaching him. Greed was glaring daggers at him. "Where the fuck were you?" Beneath his mushroom cap, Anton blinked in confusion, "I was at the wife carry. What of it?" Greed growled. "Dammit! You were supposed to be at the Tag!"

"Last I checked," Sol spoke up, "Their crew decides who does what event, not you." Greed glowered at her before turning his attention back to Anton. "Just you wait Puck. Tomorrow's another day, and your ass is mine!" He stormed away, leaving a very confused group.

"What...was that all about?" Lane asked atop Anton's head. The false pirate shrugged. "No idea. Well, on the plus side, I feel less gloomy now."

Post Word Count: 329
Total Word Count: 11,645

Mon May 02, 2022 12:02 pm

Meditation came in many forms. Sitting eyes closed and legs crossed, laying on a bed of nails surrounded by incense, standing under a waterfall in freezing water... Or, in this chase, in a shower, humming a tune from a distant land. Not a spiritual song, mind you. No, this was a simple lullaby.

Just a couple of notes...

Over and over again...

Carrying peaceful bliss.

Focusing on the song dulled Yumiko’s pain, softened the sting of water against healing wounds. And heal they did... The smallest ones were already closing. It was her little secret. The reason for why she could withstand the numerous setbacks.

Time lost all meaning, as the warrior soothed her soul. She went over the events of the day. The situation had originally seemed grim, but now she was starting to see how the pieces fit together. Victory meant weakening the numerous foes, while also increasing their ranks. Truly it was tactically the most sound decision. Risky, perhaps, but...

Surely she could trust Sir Anton to protect the whole crew.

With a squeak of the tiny knob, the flow of warmth came to an end. Yumiko breathed a deep sigh of relief. Wringing her long hair like a towel, continued humming the mesmerizing melody. An actual towel helped her get the rest, while she resisted the urge to simply shake herself. Some instincts were rooted deep.

Wisps of steam drifted across the floor, as Yumiko stepped out. A small, warm smile played on her lips, a rare sight on the cold visage. The wet towel rested on her shoulders, offering no modesty. A lone warrior needed none. She glanced to the right... Then to the left... And again to the right. A creeping realization poked at the back of her head.

Ah...

Which direction was her borrowed cabin again...?

Words: 303
Thread Total: 11 619
Saga Total: 17 936

Mon May 02, 2022 1:46 pm

The day seemed to have closed to its end. The games were finally over. Many crews carried losses, that includes the red caps as well. While yes, they had won a fair bit, their losses felt the most bitter.

It really did not feel like a proper time to celebrate their wins, so what else he could do than head over back to their ship. He followed Anton and the co from behind but at a slight distance. While following, he was rubbing his chin, letting out a soft sigh. It was clear, the man was in thoughts.

He was in fact so much in thought that he simply walked past the confrontation that Anton was having with the fellow Misfits captain, with everything simply flying over his head. It was only a matter of time before he had gained distance with him, taking the lead!

Of course, this was not a race back to the ship, so it did not matter that he took the lead, but soon enough, he made it back to the ship, being the first to do it from the group. His conscious in thoughts mind did not spend any more time and set a direction for him.

Destination, his borrowed captain's quarter. On his way to the ship, he remained in the same deep thoughts, it was almost like a meditative trance... But how was he leading himself back to his quarters? How did he avoid any collision with anything or anyone? Hard to say.

By sheer coincidence, he happened to cross the path with Yumiko, who was seemingly lost on the ship... But Ryoichi simply walked past her, in the same way as Ryoichi walked past the confrontation Anton and misfits captain had, with his eyes facing down, fingers rubbing his chin... Truly, a missed opportunity! An unfortunate event for Ryoichi!

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Tue May 03, 2022 12:38 pm

---Meanwhile, at the Carnivalle---

Celia walked quietly behind Barnaby as he led her through the interior of the Big Top Pirates' ship. Until this assignment was over, or her crewmates won her back, this would be her home. Walking alongside her was a tall, punkish woman with wild pink hair. One of the Misfits, a woman named Venom.

As they went through the ship, something just seemed to bother her. Sure, the crew seemed nice, if a little strange. But there was something else. A look of...pity, buried beneath their smiles. It was like they felt bad for them, but why? Even Barnaby had seemed to grow oddly quiet.

Before long, the three arrived at a door. "This will be your room for the time being," he said, opening the door to reveal a darkened bedroom. Celia and Venom quietly stepped inside, looking around.

"Allow me to say again...just how sorry I am." Celia looked back in time to see Barnaby's saddened expression before the door closed. The sudden click of a lock got everyone's attention. Venom spun around, thumping on the door. "Hey! What the 'ell's the big idea?" She tried to force the door open, but to no avail.

It was then Celia felt it. They weren't alone in this room. Something was in here with them.

She slowly looked behind, but didn't get time to cry out.

[End Part 2. Part 3 here.]

Post Word Count: 226
Total Word Count: 11,871
Saga Word Count: 20,071

Wed May 04, 2022 7:25 am

With silent steps, the hunter stalked the hallways. She was so busy racking her brain over the path that she nearly ran into a familiar figure. “...!” With a startled half-shriek, half-greeting, she recoiled back and pressed herself against the wall.

But Sir Ayugai said nothing...

The samurai blinked slowly, as the boxer simply marched past her. In fact, it seemed to her that he didn’t even glance her way, despite her admittedly blatant dress-code violation. Rather, the man carried himself with an air of absolute confidence, striding steadily towards his goal.

As the initial shock passed, the small smile returned to Yumiko’s lips. Of course, Sir Ayugai had always been a man of practical approach and unflinching honor. He would not let mere details, such as military protocol, distract him. They were all equals here, manly warrior brothers with nothing to hide. He had never once looked at her in that strange manner most other soldiers did, whenever they caught her out of uniform. Like, for example, when she went to the communal showers back in basic training.

Honestly, the samurai had always been surprised and a little worried that so many of her brave comrades allowed their strange preferences to distract them... Leering at another man with an odd glint in their eye... But not Sir Ayugai! Nay, he was a man of iron will with his mind solely on the mission at hand. Seeing her comrade so focused... It filled her with determination!

Yumiko pumped her fist with a decisive huff. She may have been lost on this strange ship, but she could always trust her senses. If she simply followed the scents of dried mud and blood, she should find her discarded clothes... And thus her cabin.

The weasel woman’s sharp nose twitched, tracing an unseen path in the right direction. She would neither wander nor wonder any longer. Her mission was clear and it began with getting enough rest. Tomorrow, her duties would start early...

Words: 329
Thread Total: 11 948
Saga Total: 18 265

[Saga] [Part 2] Let the Games Begin!