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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[ 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!

Wasn't it you who said you wanted it? [Yeah, she's just trolling now.]

[ y u do dis, Ami. ]

B-But you're the one who said we had to play chess! Those were my conditions!!

How about we decide that after I win? [Consider it payback for driving her nuts with the shiftless routine.]

[ ...Fair enough. ]

I don't have that kind of money, though! I can barely afford to buy food for myself! How can you pick on a poor, destitute priest!? That's real cruelty!

Aren't you standing on the deck of a luxury cruise ship?

[Seriously. Nice try on the poverty plea.]

B-But I didn't pay for it! It's my boss who picks up the tab on things like this! She doesn't give me any leeway, otherwise! I've starved in even nicer places than this, before.

Somehow you're not the trustworthy sort to believe that story. Aren't you just trying to get extra money?

Of course not! Though a little extra would be nice... I'm only trying to survive! Sometimes I have to subsist for weeks on only one cup of tea, and with such a high-stress lifestyle, that's just terribly unhealthy.

Do you plan to play chess or not?

Well, I'm not exactly the game's most fanatic patron, but if it would make you happy, I don't mind trying.

[Good enough. She doesn't need him to truly want to be with her as long as he does it anyway.]

Shall we play now?

It'll take your mind off the waves. [And the seasickness.]

Right now? Oh, I suppose.

[ That's quick. He steps away from the railing, gesturing toward the other end of the deck, the tops of staircases leading down to the ship's interior. ] Do you think there's a set somewhere in the parlor?

Who knows? We'll find out by looking, won't we?

[If there is, so much the better; if not, surely they can improvise some sort of board, and she can always provide the pieces. Ice chess is fast becoming popular in some parts of her world.

Their minds made up, Ami heads towards the staircase without particularly waiting to see if Abel is indeed following her.]

I suppose you're right--

[ Nodding emphatically, he doesn't notice she's already making a beeline for the stairs until he's already fallen behind, and hurries to catch up. ]

Eh, w-wait for me!

[ Belowdecks, of course, the ship is just as luxurious as its outwardly grandiose appearance would suggest, with lush decor that would be considered antiquated in any modern century. The obligatory piles of treasure (to further emphasize the childish fantasy element of this world) are really the only attributes out of place. ]

[She doesn't give any appearance of waiting, though it's quite possible to catch up to her as long as Abel hurries. Ami takes in the grand surroundings with a sharp eye, though the piles of treasure earn a skeptical look.]

Isn't that a bit much?

Ah, what? You don't like it? But I wanted everything to look really convincing!

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