[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

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

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. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[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?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

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

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's convincing. But only a fool would believe something this indulgent exists for real.

[And besides, the senshi have never been easy to fool with illusions or spells; it had taken a lot to bring them under those influences.]

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Well... Sometimes it's nice to play pretend, too. [ Sigh. She really knows how to suck the fun out of a room. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She's sorry. Only, not.]

This was your idea of playing around?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

[ Tsk tsk. If he wasn't so completely used to this kind of treatment, he'd maybe almost be offended. ]

Eh, before you criticize me-- Even I will admit it's not very ambitious. But I have more than enough excitement in my life, already.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

If you think it's something I'd criticize, isn't it already something you know you should improve?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say so, no, not necessarily. There aren't really any standards of excellence for dreams, you know -- or at least none that I subscribe to!

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

You're enjoying the chance to create this, aren't you? Maybe I understand that part a little.

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Of course I am! Really, who wouldn't be? It's the only form of artistic expression I have the time for, these days.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Are you that busy? Then where does your time to waste being seasick come from?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Well, in that case it's not exactly that I do have the time, it's just that it's completely unavoidable. How can I help being ill? I also get terribly motionsick!

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

How can someone get sick from the motion of the water?

[This, rather than being directed at Abel specifically, is a grumbling more generally directed at those who would equally be unable to comprehend Ami's own complete mastery of it. She feels at home with the waves cresting and falling.]

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

[ Missing the implications (or simply ignoring them), Abel rambles on. ]

I'm delicate! And I happen to have very weak semicircular canals, so any kind of quick movement is just too much for me to handle...

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Delicate. Oh, Abel. She knows better, somewhere inside her, after being a part of your 'family' even so briefly. Yet it's too vague for her to fully challenge it more than she already has.]

If that's the case, shouldn't you stop traveling altogether?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Haven't I... Told you about my boss? If I tried to quit, there's no way I could walk away without being horribly maimed, first.

Compared to what she'd do to me, almost constant illness is but a minor inconvenience in my life.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

You were serious about working for someone that fearsome? [Forgive her skepticism. If she knew her, Ami would probably in fact agree - despite being amused by it and figuring Abel needs it.]

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

You think I'm kidding!? She's a demon! She's threatened to sell my organs just to make up for discrepancies in my expense reports! She's constantly docking my pay at the slightest provocation!

She even sends me right into harm's way without the slightest warning. I'm totally suspicious of every order!

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

So what is it that makes you stay in that job?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Well, it's not all bad. I don't even have to see her when I'm not in Rome!

I get to travel to exciting places, eat exotic cuisine, and meet new people all the time. And even do a little bit of good, every once in a while.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She actually understands a harsh taskmaster, better than she'll admit to someone outside. Kunzite has never allowed his senshi to become soft or lazy or complacent, even now.]

'Do a little bit of good'. Is that your goal?

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Mm. Of course. As a representative of the Church, I should always do my best to help those in need.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Oh, deja-vu. Because she always has, and will always have, one question, one burning question for that sort of attitude.]

How do you decide who you save?

[The question is personal; how does he decide which people deserve that help and which to ignore? Which can be cast off, and which are worth an entire world?]

[badbulletshield.livejournal.com]

Ah, you say that like I ought to pick and choose! But I'll save anyone that I can.

[ --and everyone. He means it, too, having lived by these words more than a few times, in the past. ]