onepassingnight | [01] Over the hills and far away

Entry tags:

[01] Over the hills and far away

[Vaguely aware in the back of his mind that this was a dream, Quatre R. Winner didn't feel like questioning the fact that he was on a pirate ship being manned by the Maganac Corps on a relatively peaceful, sunny day on the ocean. Nor was he about to question the table he was seated upon on deck while he sipped a truly perfected cup of earl grey tea.

Relaxed as it was, he wasn't sure what turn it would take next. As captain of the ship, he might have been tempted to make rounds, but he knew everything was as organized as it could be already. A plate or two with food piled atop from fruits to meats served as paperweights for the map spread out on the table...and when one of the crew had a moment, pieces from those piles often disappeared.

This was what happened when you fell asleep with the tv on in the background, he supposed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Anger beneath the surface, Dorothy had no idea what was happening. She didn't recall signing up for a cruise and, yet, here she was. Standing in a corner of the room, arms crossed, she observed Quatre. She was also distinctly aware of the nature of the current setting, that it was merely a fabrication of her sleeping mind.

But why this?]

This is all ZERO's doing. I hope you're aware.

[She was more talking to herself than addressing him. Damn, this corset was tight. Why did this dream simulate discomfort so well?]

[Quatre slid his blue eyes in her direction. They widened just slightly, for a moment, before he was relaxed again. It was probably the tea. Amazing thing, tea. Acting completely startled by her appearance wouldn't help at all.]

Most likely. Hello, Miss Dorothy.

[ZERO? The mental connection? He considered the idea.]

[She maintained her distance, standing aloof.]

So it is your actual consciousness here and not some fabrication.

[Knowledge of ZERO confirmed that, she supposed. She was still going to be cautious though.]

Makes sense. I can't seem to think of any particular reason I'd dream of you.

I think I fell asleep at my desk again.

I'm fairly certain I'm real. Though if I wasn't, I'd likely say the same. [The idea amused him for a moment, but he shook his head and took a sip of his tea before standing up.]

Don't work too hard, Miss Dorothy. Though I'm sure my friends might say the same of me. I fell asleep overlooking some business plans, myself. [He's fairly certain of that, anyway. He might've finished before he dozed.] At least this has resulted in some nice scenery.

Yes. But what's life without without a little uncertainty?

Though do dreams qualify as life? Definitions are such tricky things.

[a smirk]

My back is probably going to be in knots when I wake up. Misery loves company.

I'll concede that this is quite pleasant.

[At least compared to the usual war nightmares.]

It's a pity it can't last.

[Standing up, it was more obvious that he was wearing somewhat romantically gaudy attire for the captain of a pirate ship - from the buckles to the top of his large hat.] True, but then you'll simply have to get some real rest, Miss Dorothy.

I'm not sure I'd want this to last, but it's nice for the moment. [Even if the hat was a little heavy.]

[She couldn't help but shake her head in disdain.]

Rest is for the weak.

Nice? You look like a child playing dress-up.

[And this was when she became starkly aware of the contrast between the way they were dressed. While he seemed to be drowning in his clothes, she was tightly squeezed into her gown by an uncomfortable corset. The bodice did precious little to preserve her modesty. Still, it wasn't enough to make her self-conscious. He wasn't stealing glances or anything. Maybe there was truth to those rumors about him being...of a different persuasion.]

[He blinked and glanced at his own outfit before laughing.] Maybe, but it's just a dream. Nothing wrong with it, I think. But rest isn't for just the weak, Miss Dorothy. Resting increases your ability to remain strong.

[He glanced at her dress for a moment, her attire catching his attention now - but it was a polite glance, no implication that his eyes darted anywhere inappropriate. Perhaps his sisters had taught him well.]

It looks nice, but very uncomfortable. Would you like to see if there's something better in my cabin?

[She had to quirk an eyebrow at that. All right, so perhaps not. But still...that was forward. Mm, well, it was a dream and she had yet to determine if it was really him. This might be as good a way as any. The real him would most likely resist her. Why not?

She smirks.]

All right.

[Quatre showed her to his quarters - which just so happened to be the door nearest to the table. Go figure. He opened the door and gestured inside politely, deferring to his guest.]

There's bound to be something in here you'd find more comfortable than that. We haven't exactly ravaged any ships for pretty dresses, but there's bound to be something.

[After all, Quatre wouldn't want his crew to completely lack morals, even if they were just pirates in a dream. No ladies had lost their attire to the pirate-styled Maganac Corp...well, not in the way he was thinking, anyway, but dreams are dreams.]

[She began loosening the laces on her corset while his back was turned.]

Is that so?

[She was wearing a thin white chemise under her dress. It was surprisingly easy to strip down. Go figure. Fortunately for him, her underwear was conservative and period-appropriate. Or was it unfortunate?]

Hopefully, it fits.

It...might be adjustable.

[Granted, most of the stuff in his closet was similar to what he had on him right now - eccentric, loud and costumey. Not that it necessarily looked bad but it was certainly...attention-calling.]

Though you'd probably be able to pull off a hat like this like few could. [The idea amuses him as he picks up one of the extra hats and inspects it. He's pointedly being polite and not glancing at her at all. ...He might've glanced once but it was purely an accident really.]

Adjustable? That's a fair assumption considering women's clothing from this period usually comes with a lot of laces. It's fairly easy to strip down if you know your way around knots.

Getting dressed, however...well, that's why ladies kept handmaidens.

You wouldn't mind helping me cover up, would you?

[Her tone carried the slightest hint of challenge, wondering just how far she could push him before he pushed back. He had, after all, given her a fair share of bumps and bruises during their battle on Libra.]

[This was beginning to strain her credulity. Ami was on board a (beautiful, peaceful) ship (sailing the calm, inviting sea), dressed in a very blue corseted dress with a partially concealed bodice dagger that was suspiciously translucent as ice. She beamed a cheerful smile at Quatre that stretched just a bit too large.]

The tea smells very delicious. I'd like some, too, please.

[And she has every intention of taking a seat on that table as well, right next to Quatre, legs dangling enticingly over the side.]

[He smiled at her in turn, perhaps overly calmly. He'd been through a lot, and the vague knowledge that this was a dream made it hard to disturb him. He was fairly certain dreams usually produced people one knew, yet he couldn't imagine ever meeting this woman before. He lifted the pot of tea and poured her a cup, however.]

Milk? Sugar? Honey? Or do you prefer it black, Miss...?

[This was just too different from her waking life to meld seamlessly, and she noticed it for the dream it was. Yet on the water... where else could she be as fully at home on Earth?]

Mizuno Ami. [She gave her name first, without reluctance.] I'm pleased to meet you!

[And in a lower tone]

Black, please.

[He nodded and placed the teacup gently in front of her without adding anything. His own cup simmered with a touch of milk added. He leans back in his seat, his guady, movie-inspired pirate cap's feather decorations waving from a slight breeze.]

It's nice to meet you, Miss Mizuno. How did you wind up on my ship? [It was hardly accusatory or wary as he glanced at her with curiosity.]

[She took a sip before answering, savoring the taste and intentionally drawing out the pause before her reply, adding to the mystery. Finally, she brought the cup down from her lips and held it.]

Let's call me a stowaway.

[His eyebrows rose for a moment as he looked her over. Didn't pirates generally kill stowaways or have them walk the plank? He saw no reason to do that, especially when she had given him no reason to distrust her yet.] A stowaway?

[He lifted his teacup to his lips once again, sipping it for a moment as he considered that before setting it back on the table.] I'm sure you had your reasons, Miss Mizuno. So long as you don't harm my friends, I have no complaints.

[Oh, she's not after anyone on his ship. These days, the only people she'd meet with her sword (er, bodice dagger, currently) immediately would be the specific Black Moon clan she's been fighting.

So Ami agrees easily.]

I have no intention of hurting them.

[She shoots Quatre a tiny, coy smile, and sips at her tea while watching him over the rim.]

[He smiled back, though his lacked any coyness. It was a calm, cheerful smile with confidence. He obviously didn't have any problems interacting with a lady - but then, when one had more than thirty sisters, that might be expected. Or perhaps father had just raised him right.] That's good, then. I'm Quatre Raberba Winner, Miss Mizuno. I'm sorry for not introducing myself sooner - it slipped my mind.

Manners are important. But this is a little outside the norm.

[How is a captain who doesn't intend to throw her off the ship supposed to act towards a sudden stowaway?]

[It probably depends on what movie one has seen. Still, Quatre seemed to feel that treating her as a guest was the best option.]

True, but you are a surprise guest and I do seem to be your host for the moment.

[He took another sip of tea before gesturing to the map on the table. The intended path for the ship was apparently the mediterranean in this dream.] Is there somewhere you might like us to drop you off along the way? It's up to you, though. We have enough supplies for another individual. And it's nice to have someone to talk to. [His smile widened a little more at that. He was a social young man.]

[The mediterranean sounded wonderful.]

Will you be making port in Spain? France?

Both, actually - we've got business in a number of meditterranean ports but we'll be heading for France afterwards.

I'll be your companion from now until then. Please treat me well.

[She smiles brightly.]

By all means, Miss Mizuno. [He tipped his hat to her as a gesture of respect as he smiled in return. The lady was a very enjoyable companion, he'd already decided.]

It's always good to have company.

[Ami sips her tea, quite satisfied. Poor Quatre has no idea what he's invited onto his ship. On the other hand, at least the worst she'd do here is cause a bit of a commotion. Nothing really violent or destructive.]

You don't seem like the other sailors.

[He blinked at that.]

Oh? I suppose it's because I wasn't brought up doing this sort of thing.

What were you brought up to? [Family origins - and yes, expectations - were important.]

[If anything could be said about Sora, it was that he could always hit the ground running. In the waking world, Sora jumped first, and figured out how to land later; He adjusted to each world, functioning as a part of it until he could get things done. That must have been why he spent all his dreaming with other people doing much of the same.

He also... hadn't the slightest clue he was dreaming either. But details, details.

In this particular dream, Sora found himself approaching the captain not as a keyblade bearer, but as the nephew of one of the crew and recently appointed cabin boy of the ship (and determined to prove himself!). He approached the table with a stiff salute, a dead give away of raw inexperience. Still, he had something to report?]

Captain!

[Quatre smiled at the young cabin boy and nodded his head to acknowledge Sora. Though the captain was aware it was a dream, he didn't mind it as a dream and felt no particular compulsion to rebel against it.]

At ease. What is it?

All done, sir! Captain's quarters are clean, foods been served in the forecastle and we'll be hitting port in about an hour or so, Sir.

Oh. And Rashid wants to know if you'd like your meal now or later... Sir.

[And did he mention Sir?]

Edited 2011-03-22 21:02 (UTC)

[Rashid would try to take care of him no matter what or where they were; this much struck him as true. He shook his head, though.] Later, but thank you...?

[He paused. He couldn't remember this boy's name.] What's your name?

No trouble! And it's Sora, Sir. [There's a small pause as he hesitates. There's something he's been wondering.]

So uh... Captain... Mind if I ask something?

[Quatre paused again for a moment to sip his tea, though he nodded just before doing so.]

Not at all. Ask away, Sora.

It's just that ... I always thought once we set sail, we be doing a lot more...[He searches for a moment.] pirate stuff.

[He certainly doesn't want the crew pillaging any towns or looting anything. Sora doesn't seem the type. If anything he imagined there'd be a lot more sword-fighting. Or exploring. Not just keeping the deck clean or the crew fed.]

[Sorry cap, you're dealing with a bad case of 'new-kid.']

Oh, there is. But there's a...business side to piracy that isn't often seen by non-pirates.

[At least on Quatre's ship, anyway.]

We've had our share of fights, too. But it's never good to invite them. Plenty of trouble will come in time and I'd like to avoid it until we make it to our first stop. There'll be plenty of trouble to be had there.

[Sora nods, listening. Business side. Right! That part does make sense.]

[But the second part really gets his attention.]

What kinda trouble you think we'll get into, Captain?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[01] Over the hills and far away

OMFG, I'm horrible for doing this xD

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

He's not thinking about how it sounds, I swear.

OMFG, obviously. xD If she throws him on his bed, it's your fault.

Uh-ohs! Also, sorry for spam!

Uh oh is right ;D

no subject

no subject

had to, had to. XD

Welcome aboard, lassie!

thank you kindly, captain.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Sora... likes pirates, yanno.

Everything's more fun with pirates!

awww yeah.

no subject

now on spring break! Sorry for the delay!

No problem! Pardon mine!

ffff You're a speed demon compared to me

We can be laggy demons together!

\o/