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

I'm the only one I've met here so far who's 'Ace', which makes gettin' a reputation easier and easier.

[He snickered at the thought.]

And, I just so happen to be the Captain of the Spade Pirates.

Then it's great to meet you, Captain! I'd salute, but I'm pretty sure you can't see anything I actually do over here? Magic books. It's crazy stuff.

Ahhh, saluting's for the navy, anyway. Shakin' hands would be more fitting.

[Plus, yeah, magic journal that somehow also has a Kindle feature on it. Ace didn't read much of it, anyway.]

Mind doin' me a favor while you're on Empieza, though?

Sure, I don't mind. I am already here and everything. What do you need? [ There's almost a Mako-like voice in his head saying "Bo, you really need to start asking what the favor is before you agree to it," but. Ehh. The key word is really 'almost'. ]

[Ace wasn't a jerk! Well, most times. Some times. Hold on, get out the calendar.]

I asked Margie to put up more of those energy drinks for me when they got available! Could you run down to her shop by the bay and pick the crate I asked for?

[BOLIN, NO] You could try some if you want.

Sure thing, Cap'n. Like I said: go-to guy over here! [ It would be pretty rude to pass right on by when he's in town, anyway. TALK ABOUT YOUR DANGEROUS COMINGLING THOUGH... ]

So, how's everyone from back home been treating you? I know my brother can have a little trouble with first impressions, but don't hold it against him: it's not personal. [ Though it seems like Mako's done pretty okay for himself so far here, with Korra and Asami around. Benefit of being a made survivor. ]

Treatin' me? [Ace had to stop and think about that. Often times, it was people reeling from their poor life choice of interacting with Ace rather than Ace reacting to others. He laid back and considered it.]

I dunno. I mean, I guess you guys aren't really the types to become pirates and it's sorta tough thinking about how to talk properly with you all, but otherwise none of your friends've been rude.

[By his standards. Ace and Korra have fought on a regular schedule.]

Oh. Also, Asami tricked me into thinking her name was Salami and she was a professional chef for like a month.

[ Lots of people fight with Korra on a regular schedule. It's a sign of affection. Probably. But wow, Mako hasn't been noticeably rude! Either his brother's been on his best social behavior, the girls have been an incredible buffer, or Captain Ace is just really, really awesome. Maybe all three?

He loves his brother, really. Friendly's just a delicate thing to pull from him.

Bolin also doesn't even understand this "talking properly with" someone idea. That's more because he's never considered it and just said things pretty much in real-time with their appearance in his thoughts, though. ]

Haha, yeah, she's great, isn't she? [ CLEARLY. Bolin's got all his priorities totally appropriately ordered here. A+. ] I mean, yeah, Salami's probably the worst name I've ever heard? But it's a good effort! When push comes to shove, Asami's not bad at doing fun stuff like that. And she's so used to dealing with fancy stuff that she'd probably be pretty convincing if she wanted to sound like a professional! I mean, that all just. That just sounds like it fell right into place.

[ ... he kind of wonders if she can cook a lot of different things. Like, he never actually thought to ask her about her extensive history with eating and cooking. Lots of business or deep family betrayals or pro-bending or world-saving going down. Huh. ]

[Admittedly, Ace would view every-day rudeness as a normal thing. He was, after all, one of the commanders of a ship full of murderous pirates. Literally everything about his past life was a measure of not just how blase one could be in the face of danger, but how much one could laugh and brush off danger like it was just a minor annoyance.]

Yeah, then she and Korra blew up the kitchen and blamed it on me.

[Ace was getting pretty liberal with the news. He was also a FOX news anchor for awhile.]

Wow, really? But you're the captain! [ EVEN HE WOULDN'T EXPECT TO GET AWAY WITH THAT EXCUSE... plus his brother raised him to not blame authority figures for stuff, because they have the authority. ]

The captain's gotta shoulder the burden for everybody. Even if they weren't bein' rude, I'd have to take responsibility.

[This was just Ace trying to be manly and impressive and impress his brand new shiny crew mate.]

[ Not an unsuccessful effort. Bolin's not a hard one to win over. And he's naturally appreciative of other people who are apparently not prone to grudge-holding. ]

Wow. [ Yes, that was clearly necessary to open with again. ] Talk about a stand-up guy! I mean, that's nobility at its finest.

[Bolin had to do very little to stay on Ace's good side, really. Being excitable and positive did the trick with ease. Though, not too excitable and positive. He absolutely hated Serenes Island at that moment.]

Nahhh, that ain't me! I'm just bein' fair!

As an athlete, I say fairness is important. And I totally know what I'm talking about here. It makes or breaks your whole game.

[Ace made the 8U face, but it was totally wasted on the screen-less journal.]

Woah! And, you're a celebrity?! Jeez, you're pullin' in strong already! What's your sport?

[ A senpai is noticing him...! ]

Pro-bending. Didn't, uh. Didn't have the best last season there, victory-wise, but it's a great sport! Really brings people together!

[Ace duck-faced like a champ.]

...Ahhh, but how's pro-bending work? Do you uh, try to lift a lotta rocks or make flames really hot?

That's a pretty important part of it, but not really the whole picture. [ His tone is completely encouraging, though. ] You start with two teams of three players and stick 'em on a big raised platform. Everyone has to have a waterbender, a firebender, and an earthbender-- yours truly. And each half of the ring is split into three zones, so you start in the center, then everyone tries to knock the other guys back. You get knocked all the way outta zone three and you're off the platform for a free swim. Out of the ring, out of the game.

001 • voice

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