piratejournal | 001 • voice

[ It would be a lie to imply that Bolin sounds completely calm and in control when he initially gets the journal network up and running. He's had time to adjust to the circumstances of arrival, of course, and to do a cursory looking-through of... whatever weird thing it is that these journals have going on, exactly. He couldn't say he understands everything about this place entirely, but there's a poem fountain thing happening, people have mentioned a broken magical gem, he's got a little money to get by on, and everyone who hasn't snubbed him outright has encouraged him to "take to the sea" at his earliest opportunity. So that's... been a thing?

Suffice it to say, Bolin could have all the information in the world and he would still be failing to sound totally chill. What greets the network in that stead is a token attempt at throat-clearing, followed by a tone of voice that is about as forcibly interested and cheerful as he can scrape together. Nobody said it was easy, Bo. ]

Okay, wow, this is some island you guys have got here. Really. I mean, it is just-- so great. And what a welcoming atmosphere, am I right? Or... well, at least a few people were pretty welcoming with the "get a boat, find the magic thing, put it together and go home" talk. Loving that fountain, too! It's, uh. Well, it is a fountain. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Even when it is broken. [ Here, have a quick fake laugh. Something about attempting a joke, however non-entertaining it is, serves to center him a little between one sentence and the next. It's just talking to people, after all. If there's anything he's good at, it's talking. ]

Sooo... hey. I'm Bolin. Pro-bender, mover star, kind of a presidential hero. I got here yesterday. And, you know, before the welcoming atmosphere came into play, I was a little confused because of how I woke up next to a fountain with a bag of money and had no idea what was happening. Pretty unusual.

But all-around, so far, it's still great to meet everyone who is apparently in or able to hear what I say to this magical book. Hi, how are ya? [ No, really. ] I'm pretty sure I'm just down to looking for a crew now. I mean, I don't know if I'm supposed to ask to sail around with someone who already has a ship or I have to get a ship and find some people who know how to sail to sail around with me? If you could use an earthbender either way, then I'm your go-to guy! I can move some big rocks, raise some walls, do a little fighting. Or hey, I can do heavy lifting or digging or... scrubbing? Whatever it is that a guy on a pirate ship who has no idea how to sail should. Be doing. I've got experience with everything but the actual ship operation.

All I know right now is I can't exactly make a living in this town because nobody will let me work for them. Which is ridiculous, by the way, because I'm super valuable as a worker. Did I mention the presidential hero thing? [ Let it sit for three seconds for emphasis, and... ] Yeah. Saved him from evil waterbenders. True story. And I also know that I don't wanna hang around on this island forever anyway, even if it is- haha, really... really charming. [ He kind of hates it. ] Kinda got a home to get back to. Whenever that's gonna be possible. A home with a lot less rain. I mean, mud, right? It's so hard to work with!

So what's the situation out there, I guess? I've got some new life plans to put in action. Sailors to find, seas to travel, all that... good stuff. Oh, and I'll totally work for food! Or a bed. Both would be- y'know, awesome. We can negotiate, that's cool. I'm just ready to go. [ Where people will talk to him, and where he guesses mystical shards will eventually be found so he can be not here. Then basically right on cue, something near the journal chitters, which prompts a hasty last moment addition. ] Aaaas long as you're animal-friendly!

[ The lesson today is to never allow Bolin access to a communication tool that lets him talk without being interrupted while he is nervous. I'm so sorry. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You should probably be warned, the locals really don't like any us. Could be due to all the trouble that seems to follow outsiders, like the overzealous Navy. Could be the time there were ghost ships everywhere. Could be anything, really. I doubt their minds will change on that.

Edited 2014-04-11 14:41 (UTC)

[ And look- uh, listen... who it is. Bolin's dear old friend from like probably not entirely a whole day ago! On the one hand, it's cool to hear from this guy again. Not a figment of the old imagination, that's awesome. And he could always jump right into the conversationals, but there's kind of a thing now-- ]

Okay, so define "ghost ships everywhere" for me, buddy.

Pretty much exactly what I said. Ghost ships full of reanimated pirate spirits and zombies in various states of decomposition.

Edited 2014-04-12 04:23 (UTC)

Well.

That's officially horrifying. [ He's too young and too beautiful for that kind of terror-! But it would also make a really great mover adventure! What a world. ] I don't wanna tell you how to welcome people in the future or anything, Akira, but you should totally mention the possibility of reanimated pirate spirits next time someone's fire ferret steals your food. I mean, I would have been looking for a way off this island so much faster.

Yeah, see, that's the rub. Doesn't seem to be one, unless Jones is involved.

Fair point, fair point. I still think it's something to consider, though. If you're ever in business making sure people get on a ship, anyway. Just call it... food for thought!

I'm sure I don't really need to say it, but...Jones shouldn't really get those shards. Apparently it would be very bad for this world, and possibly every other people came from.

You did mention that he's evil, but clarification's always nice. I've seen so many things go wrong because someone didn't explain things all the way. I mean, they're usually evil and doing it on purpose so they can destroy bending or throw the world into darkness, but it still counts. The heads up is a nice change of pace.

Bein' what I am, I like to try and not judge a book by its cover. Except he's a nefarious zombie pirate who snatches up people and forces them into working for him. What you see is what you get, in this case.

Edited 2014-04-13 00:49 (UTC)

Everyone's got a little room to be upset about their kidnapper, though. Plus, you've got our previously-discussed power of being awesome on your side, and you don't steal people to force them to find a magical gem. [ His tone says that that is a major positive thing. Because it is. ] All things considered, you're pretty great! What's a little full moon trouble compared to evil nefarious dead pirates?

Edited (i used kidnap too many times wow) 2014-04-13 01:18 (UTC)

So what about you? You do any special tricks? Is bein' an Earthbender like being a construction worker or something?

No way! [ Wait. ] Well, I guess it kind of is, if you're a construction worker. When you've got someone who can even out the floor in ten seconds, it's definitely pretty handy. And it's great for tricks! Not to mention it helped me and my brother get into pro-bending.

How does it work?

--that is... a great question. And I'm not entirely sure how to answer it. I, uh. Move earth? It always just sort of... works.

Yeah, but what do you move it with? Some sort of tool?

No, I move it with my bending. [ He's never had to explain this as a concept before. Wow. ] It's, uh. A power some people have back home. There's earthbending, waterbending, airbending, firebending... I guess a little spirit-bending. It's all in the bender! No tools necessary.

...Ah, okay. So it's a magic power, got it.

I guess if you'd call it magic. Always felt pretty natural to me, though.

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