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

Oh, his name's Pabu! Part-time actor, part-time mascot, full-time family member. I rescued him from a pet store a few years back.

How noble! [ What the fudge is a pet store, though. ] I should like to meet Pabu sometime. He sounds like someone I would like to befriend.

He'd be glad to befriend you. Miss- uh. [ Hm. ] Whoever you are.

Kosuiryo. And you are?

Oh, I'm Bolin. You can call me Bo or Lin or, you know, Bolin. I've also been known to answer to Nuktuk!

I suppose [ she giggles. ] Nuktuk is a nickname?

Oh, yeah, totally! I was an actor for a while, you know, until a few days ago, and I played this really cool hero of the south type of guy called Nuktuk, so. Kinda stuck.

I see. And you prefer this name to Bolin?

Hmmmm.

I could go either way, really. Whatever's easiest for people to remember.

It does make room for open interpretation.

Are you a thespian, Bolin?

Mmmmaybe. But I'll have to ask what a thespian is before I can say yes or no for sure.

An actor, sir.

Oh! Then yeah! Yes. For sure. I'm a thespian. Are you one?

No -- I don't think so. I am a -- [ not a princess. don't say princess. bad idea. ] -- adventurer.

Hey, that's pretty cool! Don't get to meet a lot of adventurer types. Which… might change now that I'm apparently gonna be a pirate. [ He was so sure he was done walking on the wrong side of the law. ] That could be fun.

I am novice at best. This is my second adventure, after all.

Maybe, maybe. But is it the number that counts or the adventure quality that counts?

The thought has never before occurred to me. Thank you! I shall think on that more.

I believe that any adventure, no matter small or large, is worth the efforts. At least in matters of time. I would not have taken this adventure if I had not taken my first, after all.

What was your first one like?

It was… [ quite the adventure. ] …my first time leaving home. It was exhilarating, and thrilling, but also dangerous, as my reasons for leaving home were dire at most. For the sake of my family, I had to succeed.

... Was everything okay in the end?

Yes. I was able to meet the destined Hero and he saved my family.

Oh, that's great! I mean, everyone deserves their happy ending and everything, right? And there being a destined hero, too!

He is forever in Our Favors for the good he has done. If only we could meet again.

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