[Gate of Heaven] – [Act 2]

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

[ The luxury cruise liner, the San Ariel, is truly a breathtaking sight, as it parts the sea about its bow, the only source of waves on the still surface. From the railing lining its massive deck, the world is water in every direction, pure, glittering blue to each horizon. Warm Spring air and the scent of saltwater fill the atmosphere, the sky above caught in the perpetual twilight of sunset.

And all throughout the ship, a sort of celebration seems to be going on -- every person is in high spirits, though they hardly resemble the type one might think to find populating such an extravagant ship as this. Almost all of the partygoers are... Well. Pirates, by all appearances. Their sense of style is tragically cliché, striped shirts and hook hands and peg legs and all. If approached, however, they're also quite friendly, willing to point even their "hostages" in the right direction.

Or toward the captain, more likely, because he does so love to meet new people.

Though, at the moment... He seems to be a bit seasick, hanging halfway over the rail at the bow, while one particularly surly young man stands at attention nearby, holding his hat for him. Some kind of miserable, incoherent groan drifts up from the other side of the railing, and then--

Was that a hiccup? ] Haahh... Have I ever told you about the time I fell in love with a mermaid?

[ He sounds positively dreamy as he asks, though the ridiculous question doesn't seem to be intended for the unflappably stoic man next to him, who doesn't reply. Maybe it's more like alcohol sickness, that he has, liable even to mistake members of his own crew for new faces, from this angle. ] It's a really beautiful story!

Comments

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

You're drunk.

[This comes with a mixture of very mild surprise but mostly disapproval. Ami is not precisely averse to drinking; but she is averse to losing control of her faculties and mental sharpness. She steps forward towards the railing to enjoy the view for herself.

How she's on the ship doesn't really matter right now, at least to her, but despite the fact that her clothes currently blend in (thanks to a quick second with her teletia-s device), Abel can likely recognize her as his fellow-traveler in Rome.]

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

N-No, I'm okay!

[ Maybe it's something in her tone, or just a latent memory of all previous instances of her disapproval, but at that rather succinct assessment of his present state, Abel straightens up, spinning back on a heel. He snatches his hat up from the gentleman on his left--

And then promptly pitches forward onto the deck the second he attempts to take a step. His response is an embarrassed mumble into the well-polished floorboards. ]

...Uh, all right, maybe just a little.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Have some water. [And oh, look, she happens to have some with her. Dehydration is bad, Ok?] And sober up. [The water is all but shoved at Abel's hands.]

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

It-- It's mostly seasickness, though! Really!

[He accepts the water as he complains, hoisting himself up just far enough to drink and then continue complaining. ]

I'm weak... Or maybe it's just vertigo from staring down at the ocean for so long?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Whatever it is, pull yourself together. [Why does she always end up watching out for him even without meaning to?]

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

[ He has the innate ability to be the most pathetic being in existence in all universes at once. It's impossible to avoid her fate. ]

But I'm so tiiired! [ whine whine whine ] Don't I deserve a little break every once in a while, too?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She's made a living avoiding inevitable fates. :|]

Just what are you taking a break from? Did you accomplish something on this trip?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

[ Well, she shouldn't quit her day job. :3c ]

[ Pushing himself up onto his elbows, Abel looks back up to her from under a mess of loose silver hair. ]

I survived it! I should think that's more than enough.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Good thing she likes her day job.]

So, 'nothing'. Is that what you're telling me?

[And Ami is going to find something for Abel to be doing.]

[daha-az-tanrica.livejournal.com]

[This is a wonderful sight. While this is a scene she could have easily gone without seeing. She's standing not too far behind him, hand pressed to her head in an attempt to repress the mixture of disgust and confusion. Honestly. What is her dear brother's life?]

I'm sure it was a nice dream but let's attend to reality here, shall we?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Wha-What are you talking about? That was real!

[ And he's offended enough that she wouldn't believe him, in the first place, that he hoists himself halfway up, looking back over a shoulder in his impressive state of disarray. ]

She drew me overboard and tried to drown me, you know.

[daha-az-tanrica.livejournal.com]

[She shakes her head and goes over to stand beside him. While staring and judging him, of course.]

I'm sure it went just like that. Now maybe we should get you into a bed before you fall off the ship.

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

[ Oh, he is not going anywhere with this unbeliever! It was totally real and it totally happened, and she should be ashamed for doubting her totally reliable big brother. ]

It did! It was just like that. She was a beautiful and deadly siren who only wanted me for my body.

[daha-az-tanrica.livejournal.com]

[Someone clearly doesn't need to be standing around daydreaming anymore. She's grabbing his arm with a less-then-innocent smile.]

Of course. Regale me with the story, later. When you're tucked in bed and won't be able to harm yourself.

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

What? Where are we going, now? [ He will have dreams within dreams if he wants to. :| And get so belligerent about bedtime, over here. ] But I want to stay and enjoy the festivities! It isn't even that late!

[daha-az-tanrica.livejournal.com]

[He can have as many dreams within a dream as he likes. So long as he's completely sober and she's not involved. Otherwise it's time for bed.] I think you've enjoyed yourself enough.

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

[ No, Seth. We are going to film our own version of The Hangover and we are going to do this now. ]

How can you even suggest such a thing? The night has barely begun!

[fightnow.livejournal.com]

[ Babydoll frowns. The only thing pirate-like on her is a hat and an all-too-big coat for her. After all, what's underneath isn't quite suitable for a pirate girl. ]

I think you should drink some water before you tell me.

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

[ Even upside-down, his expression brightens, and he lifts an arm to point down toward the wide open ocean far below. ]

Ah, but I've really had enough of water for today, I think. Especially after that little swim.

[fightnow.livejournal.com]

That's saltwater. Freshwater'll help. [ she gently puts her hand on his. ]

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Do you think-- [ hic ] Do you think so?

[ Straightening up (or leaning hard on the railing, at any rate), he looks a little woozy behind his glasses, but this seems like a sound judgement call. ] I'd prefer a cup of tea, I think, but if you're sure that's best.

[fightnow.livejournal.com]

[ she cants her head forwards in a yes. ]

What kind?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Oh, milk tea. With thirteen spoonfuls of sugar. [ as if this is a perfectly ordinary response. ] That's my favorite.

[fightnow.livejournal.com]

Thirteen?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Exactly! [ And it's a wonder his teeth are even half as white as they are when he laughs self-consciously. This is a reaction he's gotten quite used to seeing. ]

I know it sounds strange, but it really helps to settle my stomach.