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

[harbouredheart]

I was.

[Xun Yu looks up from the records she is updating, and smiles slightly in amusement.]

That's quite a picture you paint, Kodachi. Did you know that he's terrified of ghosts?

[cherrybombpie]

Is he now?

[Kodachi looked positively gleeful at this news.]

How did you come to know this?

[harbouredheart]

[Perhaps it's a little ruthless of her to tell Kodachi knowing that the young woman is likely to make use of the knowledge, but then again, she's certain that Ragna will have been rude enough to deserve it.]

Almost two months ago the Captain decided that the crew needed to bond, so when we docked at Port Chance we all shared a mandatory evening of drinking and storytelling meant to bring us closer. But things got off to a slow start because when it decided that the stories would be ghost stories, Ragna panicked and tried to escape. When his escape was blocked he still refused to settle down.

[Her explanation given, Xun Yu poses her own question.]

Has anyone warned you of curses yet?

[cherrybombpie]

[If anyone deserves a comeuppance, it's Ragna.]

He was afraid of ghost stories, hmm?

[The smile on her face would've sent chills running down a villain's spine.]

Curses? What sort of curses?

[harbouredheart]

[Xun Yu faintly raises her eyebrows at Kodachi's smile. Devious, she mentally takes note. There's perhaps more she could say on Ragna's fear, but speaking of curses takes priority.]

Ones that this realm afflicts upon us. That is what was behind Ragna's uncharacteristic behaviour. They're impossible to predict, unfortunately. There's no pattern to them, and their effects could be... anything.

[cherrybombpie]

[The word "devious" in the dictionary probably has her picture under it.]

I did think he was acting oddly, but I have to admit that it was a welcome change. Talking to him is like deliberately dragging one's self through a garden of cacti.

[She thought about what Xun Yu had just said.]

Anything, you say? Would the green snow and the free hot chocolate be counted as a curse? That wasn't too bad . . .

[harbouredheart]

[An accurate assessment there. Perhaps it's because she's spent much longer in Ragna's company that she found it disturbing. However pleasantly he acted couldn't mask that sense of sheer wrongness.]

Curse is the most commonly used descriptor for these occurrences. I wouldn't say that they are malicious in nature... mischievious is closer. Some can be harmless, but others were...

[Xun Yu sighs, rather than saying what she's thinking: humiliating.]

We have experienced candies which made the eater act out what was written upon them, and a constant, internal chill that chased every last piece of warmth from our bodies. The only way that we could feel warm again was through physical contact with another person.

[Just remembering both makes her feel mildly embarrassed, though she keeps her composure intact.]

We've also had feasts and presents magically appear. You might want to ask for further examples from someone who has lived here longer than I have for a comprehensive overview.

[cherrybombpie]

[Indeed; Kodachi had only spoken to him about twice before that encounter and was thus relieved that he'd suddenly mastered pleasantries and acquired manners.]

[The gymnast listened carefully to what Xun Yu was explaining.]

I see. These curses must have driven you to scandalous actions.

[The look on her face was placid, but her mind was whirling. It was apparent that not everyone was struck down by these curses; she was herself while Ragna had apparently turned into a raving lunatic. This could, again, be used to her advantage for blackmail purposes.]

Obviously the latter is preferable. Should feasts and presents always be the norm, why, we wouldn't have to resort to piracy, as we'd be fed and pampered. I suppose that would defeat Davy Jones' purpose for kidnapping us.

[She lifted her nose in the air to show her displeasure.]

[harbouredheart]

Not so scandalous that we cannot live with ourselves.

[It's a distinction she feels that she should make. She's on the verge of laughter a moment later.]

While it's a nice thought, I'm quite certain it would. Ah, by the way, Kodachi... how are you settling in? Did you speak to the Captain about your business?

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

[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. ♥