two ❀ written

[harbouredheart]

If you have ever privately thought that a crewmate could do with being more genial, hope that the change is limited, or at least gradual. Undisguised contempt has never felt so comforting.

Has everyone lived down that day?

Comments

[cherrybombpie]

If I were a kidnapper, it's what I would no.

[Maybe.]

Oh, I am settling in well, thank you. I have indeed spoken to Motochika-san, and he says that perhaps it is possible, save for the fact that I may not receive payment should my buyers be . . . well, pirates to the core.

[She frowned.]

How despicable.

[harbouredheart]

The change in your disposition was surprising too. But somehow an ordinarily pleasant person having a bad day is much less startling than the opposite.

[harbouredheart]

It is a risk.

[She says matter-of-factly.]

But if that does not deter you, keep records and utilise public humiliation if need be.

[cherrybombpie]

Why, Miss Xun Yu!

[A laugh!]

You're positively devious! I never would've thought of such a thing!

[Actually, she would have, but now she can blame Xun Yu for "planting" the idea in her head. Good job!]

[harbouredheart]

[Really, Kodachi? After your smile earlier? Xun Yu sighs.]

It's hardly devious, Kodachi. [She points out.] Why do you think punishments like public flogging exist?

[cherrybombpie]

Why do they?

[An innocent tilt of her head to one side.]

Entertainment, I suppose.

[harbouredheart]

Do you find watching someone being shamed entertaining?

[Her gaze is keen and faintly chiding.]

To deter them, and serve as a warning to others.

[cherrybombpie]

I don't search for such entertainment, but it can interesting to watch if a person deserves it.

[Another small smile. Sometimes people had it coming, and if their comeuppance was served in public, well, that just made the lesson stick, didn't it?]

What if that person doesn't care about public humiliation, though? The message wouldn't be as poignant.

[harbouredheart]

[She can't say that she's never been petty herself, but it's clear that she's not enamoured of self-serving motivations or justifications.]

That doesn't particularly matter. Their reputation still suffers. No one can escape the consequences of their actions.

[ryuuhime]

And I to you, all the same.

[ She's smiling. ]

No, I have not. All changes were welcomed.

[cherrybombpie]

Hmm, I suppose so. Unless they moved and started anew.

[Kodachi flipped her hair over her shoulder. That was something she would've done - if she cared about her reputation, that was.]

[harbouredheart]

Losing the advantages, connections and investments of their former life.

[She shakes her head and looks down at her records, shifting part of her attention back to them.]

We're straying from the matter at hand. There's little that you can do if your clients refuse to pay, except to raise a fuss over the journals. Show discernment in who you cook for.

[harbouredheart]

Truly? Men often dream of becoming dragons, but I never imagined that dragons would wish to become human!

[Then again, she never expected to ever meet a dragon, so there we are.]

My name is Xun Yu. If you are ever in need of help please feel free to call upon me.

[cherrybombpie]

I will. It's nice of you to worry about me so much, Miss Xun Yu!

[harbouredheart]

Young women especially should take care.

[Their crew may not be all that interested in women, but that's not a guarantee that every man on the sea will behave around a pretty girl like Kodachi.]

Keep a weapon on you wherever you go.

[ryuuhime]

I suppose I am odd in that regard. Pleasantly.

You have my gratitude, Xun Yu. As well as the friendship of this princess, Kosuiryo, if you do accept it.

[cherrybombpie]

[Kodachi nodded.]

I always do.

[In the blink of an eye, she had a steel club in one hand. A press of a button had sharp, deadly spikes emerging from it. Yes.]

Ohohohohoho~! ♥

[harbouredheart]

I will consider us friends from here forward, Princess Kosuiryo.

I hope that your time in this realm so far has not been too chaotic. Have you found yourself a decent crew?

[harbouredheart]

[Xun Yu looks up and blinks, taken by surprise.]

Where did that come from?

[As far as she's concerned, there's no realistic way to conceal a club. Especially not on Kodachi's frame!]

[cherrybombpie]

[In another split second, too fast for an average person to see, the club was gone.]

I was hiding it, of course.

[She smiled.]

So don't you worry, Miss Xun Yu. I will do my best to take care of myself. ♥

[ryuuhime]

And I shall consider you a friend, as well, Xun Yu.

[ YAY! She made a friend! ]

Oh, certainly not. I have found these days upon the Surface thrilling and enrapturing.

Ah, [ She pauses. ] I am without a crew at this moment, though I do not mind. I am sure that I would only slow someone down if we were partnered.

[harbouredheart]

I find that hard to believe. A water dragon seems to me a very desirable ally when so much of our time is spent sailing these seas. Surely your understanding of oceans outstrips any of our knowledge.

In truth, before I found myself in this realm I had never been out to sea.

[ryuuhime]

Perhaps. But I believe that my understanding of my own Oceans are far better. These Oceans here -- they are so strange and new to me. Yet enough like my own that I would rather keep my feet on the Surface.

No? Not ever?

[harbouredheart]

Not ever. Sailing rivers was the closest I came. Going day after day without a single glimpse of land has taken me some adjustment.

If you should ever get lonely, I am aboard the Katabami. My captain is a very personable man; I am sure he would enjoy guests.

[ryuuhime]

I know this sentiment.

I would enjoy a visit sometime soon, when it is appropriate.