onepassingnight | [Gate of Heaven]

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[Gate of Heaven] – [Act 2]

[ 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!

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I see, I see. Is there something in the city that keeps you there, though, or is it just about personal preference?

It's my mother. My mother, and my comrades.

Ah. Those are very good reasons to stay. I never would have guessed it was something like that.

Someone like me doesn't have those thoughts, is that it?

Huh? O-Oh, of course not! It's simply that, well, from someone so young, it's usually something like wanting to become famous or to pursue some other exciting lifestyle.

Now that I think about it, I guess you don't seem like that type at all, but... You know, it's just very responsible of you.

I can pursue those dreams in Tokyo. [And in fact, she does; she has every intention of rising through her career to the very top.]

But they aren't your first priority? [ And he seems a lot less tipsy than he was, before, considering her with a look that's almost half serious. ]

Don't mistake me. I have every intention of being the best at what I do.

Of course, of course! I don't presume to know anything, but often it's the very serious who have the most unexpected priorities. The rest of us are quite simple.

You'd do better if you took things more seriously.

Oh, no. I'm much better off not excelling, though! If I did any better at my job, my boss might start to rely on me, and then I'd have to live up to her impossible expectations more than just once in a while! Almost all the time!

...So I try not to raise her hopes too much, because she's really terrifying when she's angry, and I'd hate to disappoint her anymore than I have to.

Laziness won't get you anywhere, either. [Everything she's achieved, everything she's done, has come as the result of hard work and the need to prove herself.]

Oh? But didn't I say? Even if it were an option, I don't think I'd be able to accept a promotion. It's too much pressure for a weak person like me.

[You manage to be so irritating without even trying, Abel.]

Then stop being that weak.

[ A beautiful natural talent. ]

But I can't just stop! It's a part of who I am, after all.

[Ami has four beautiful words, Abel.]

I don't believe that.

[ THEY'RE ON TO ME. ]

What? You don't think I'm totally hopeless, too? Because it's really all right if you do.

No. I don't think that.

[Maybe it's her natural suspicion saying no one is that helpless. Maybe it's Kunzite's habit of pretending he can't control her so she can act more freely for their sake. Maybe it's as simple as the hopeless mess Nephrite was - and the strength he always had. She doesn't wholly buy the facades.]

Well, that's very kind of you to say, Miss. I don't actually like to think I'm completely useless, either, but when one hears it often enough -- well.

[ He makes a sort of dismissive gesture, as if to say it's obvious enough. ]

And you're fine with just accepting that?

[She says it like a challenge, almost like it's offensive. It is, to the girl who spent so long proving herself at every turn just to be taken seriously, just to throw off the title of 'slave'.

Even now at the hospital, there are plenty who don't believe a woman this young can manage the responsibilities of a surgeon. She has to prove herself every day.

And she does.]

Oh, for the most part, yes. It causes me about as much trouble as it gets me out of, but, really, breaking even isn't so bad!

[ And then he reaches to push his glasses up, as they've slid quite considerably after his earlier acrobatics, and in the process casts her a sidelong glance that is probably the very definition of suspicious -- but who knows if he's really only doing it to mess with her, anyway? ]

And it's always that much better when I do accidentally get something right.

For an idiot, you think a few steps ahead. [This is either reluctant praise, or simple amusement. She can appreciate the cross-dealing and double-dealing and smoke-blowing.]

I think I'd like to try you in Chess.

[ Either way, he accepts it graciously: ] Ah, thank you.

[ The sudden talk of chess seems to genuinely surprise him, though. ] Well, it would have to be over tea, I imagine. If you're going to humiliate me, I'd at least like to get a decent meal out of it.

[To her it's a natural leap: someone who can think ahead might provide a worthwhile match. And it's been awhile since she's had that. Most people are so easy.]

Thank you for offering tea.

Wh-What? Wait, why do you imply that I should be the one to buy it!? Aren't you asking something of me? You should be a more gracious host!

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