A Written Warning

[elissacousland]

WARNING:

I will no longer condone the continued harassment of local innocents nor the willful and callous destruction of their property.

The next one of you who throws a temper tantrum that causes harm to homes, stores, livelihoods, or scenery that do not belong to our enemies THE NAVY will find yourself tied up and punished in the same manner of your wanton destruction.

Davy Jones can bring you back from being murdered, but let's see what he can do with someone who is burned almost to death, shall we?

If you do not have respect for the sanctity of the lives of those around you, then I shall have no respect for you.

This is a promise.

Signed,
Elissa Cousland

[Elissa doesn't use her usual blue, ballpoint pen for this entry. While she may be overly enamoured of the wonders of plastic pen technology, a noble just doesn't make a formal proclamation with such an implement. Since she's long since rid of her old quill and ink, she has borrowed Haytham's to write out this decisive statement of warning. In it, she uses a formal, calligraphic font that is almost Celtic. It is signed with a bold, angry flourish.]

Comments

written;

[bloodheels]

Wait, you mean something like this happened again? That's awful.

written;

[elissacousland]

It did. Admittedly, I have been more than a little distracted from checking the journal since the return of the Kenways to the ship, so it actually happened nearly a week ago.

voice;

[cherrybombpie]

[EYE. ROLL. If only you could see her.]

Did you just threaten to burn me?

voice;

[elissacousland]

It seems that you are as ignorant as you are disrespectful. I said that I would harm the next person who behaves as you did, but do not tempt me more than I am already tempted to do harm to you.

Someone needs to teach you to respect the property and feelings of others.

[written]

[youshouldberunning]

I agree with what you have said, though I am interested to see how you manage policing a lot of people like that. However, I am curious to why the Navy is our "enemy" when all they are doing is protecting their own kind from people doing just as you described.

And can I ask, what happened now?

[written]

[elissacousland]

In my experience, the Navy is the one who names us all pirates even if we have done nothing to harm another. They also do not stop to question our motives before attacking. When I first arrived in this place, I believed as you do, but, after being here for nine months, I have witnessed or heard enough stories that prove they are our enemy - including a tale of how they captured and tortured an innocent girl.

As for what has happened now? Apparently, one of us threw a temper tantrum and burned down half of an island named Eternal Bliss without care or thought for the destruction she was bringing to the homes and livelihoods of those who live there.

written

[cry_brady]

[KODACHI FOR THE LOVE OF NAGA JUST APOLOGIZE]

I think we all got the message.

written

[elissacousland]

Good. Pass it along. I do mean it.

[Voice]

[alwaysgrumpy]

Elissa, is it a good idea to just issue an open threat like that?

[Voice]

[elissacousland]

It seems some of us have no respect at all for others, Akira. If they do not have the common decency to care about those around them, then perhaps such a warning is the only thing that might give them pause. If so, then I am glad to be the one to issue it.

[Written]

[originaldragoon]

And people say that I am harsh.

If such an event occurs, let me know and I will help.

[Written]

[elissacousland]

Crude behavior warrants a crude response. Sometimes, that is the only thing that will give certain people pause.

As for help, I would gladly accept it. May I ask your name?

[Written]

[theartofboom]

[Chandra's reply is quick, the script almost runic.]

Did you just threaten to set me on fire?


~Chandra

[Written]

[elissacousland]

Why is everyone so obsessed with my mention of fire? It was merely an example.

I do not recall you ever causing mass destruction to anything that wasn't related to the Navy, so I see little reason that you might unleash your power upon innocents in future.

[voice]

[rebellions]

[Oh for god's sake. While Ragna does find what Kodachi's done pointless and dumb, attempts at forcing one's own justice with vague threats is far more cringe-worthy in his book.]

So you're basically telling a bunch of pirates─ you know, the kinda people who are pretty much expected to steal, burn and kill by definition─ that if they do something bad, you'll come after them like some tryhard superhero?

Wow, I'm sure they're shitting themselves in fear.

[voice]

[elissacousland]

If that is how you wish to look at it, then... yes. Just because the Navy calls us pirates does not mean we are all truly pirates, by the way. Are you telling me that you approve of the fact that innocent people have lost everything simply because of someone else's tantrum?

WRITTEN;

[madeofswords]

[Using imprinted text, nothing he's written down by hand, Archer replies anonymously. He's literally burning the words into the page with his fingertip as if writing with a burning type-writer.

Using his own hand-writing would give him away, after all.]

That's an admirable ambition.

I'll approve.

WRITTEN;

[elissacousland]

Thank you.

Audio;

[hiken]

We do as we like. Pirates aren't obliged to care for the respect of other people.

You shouldn't throw around fancy words. If you want justice, then go ahead and look for it. If you want to make someone suffer, then go for it--but, lofty words like these are just a waste of time.

Audio;

[elissacousland]

Action rather than rhetoric? I may have to resort to that since so few disregard the fact that I am sincere.

I cannot abide anyone who would spread despair and destruction for mere sport. Those affected are people just like us. How can it be acceptable for us to destroy everything a hardworking peasant owns just because we can? There has to be something in place to prevent such a thing.

written;

[hoodwinking]

I'd like to find that out too. I think you'd plead for him to burn you the rest of the way.

You aren't in charge of anyone here.

written;

[elissacousland]

You are correct - I am not. However, I firmly believe that someone should take a stand against this reckless behavior and lack of respect for others.

The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. I am no longer walking.

Audio

[orderispeace]

I had wondered what you might be up to this morning... Can't say I expected the declaration of war against piracy.

Audio

[elissacousland]

[There is amusement in her question.]

Is that what I've done?

[Then, in a more serious tone.]

Honestly, Haytham, I am having trouble believing that so few people are outraged by the behavior that I am trying to curtail. My father taught me that people are important, deserve a place to call home, and are worthy of respect no matter the circumstances of their birth. This reckless destruction reminds me of tales I have heard of the Orlesian occupation of Ferelden and it angers me.

written, private:

[oneofthelost]

[What is it with people and saying stupid shit? Seriously. Elissa is supposed to be smarter than this.

Alex doesn't trust herself trying to actually talk about this. So, it's easier to use her pen to jot a reply, after making sure Elissa alone will see it.]

At least I know who to blame if a group of them comes after us.

Thanks for that.

Re: written, private:

[elissacousland]

If they come after the entire ship because they are angry with me alone, then I apologize. I could no longer stand by and watch lives be ruined for sport.

written

[arcadiasailor]

This disproportional retribution resulting in the burring of everything to the ground does need to stop.

[This a shoot them and then wait three days to continue the argument situation. He also wonders why it's always setting fire to something. doesn't anyone]

If they don't like people calling them out on doing things that effect all of us.

[Maybe back where they came from, hell even the Sea of Stars you only had to answer for yourself. That wasn't the way things worked here. This world saw them all one single group. It's not so much the Mistress he's worried about it's the crews who aren't fighters]

I'm starting to think we need less of a welcoming committee and more of a volunteer fire department.

written

[elissacousland]

Dear H, you have no idea how glad I am to hear that you are in agreement with my outrage. I have to ask, though - what is a volunteer fire department? I am going to assume they are not the ones who start the fires?

written;

[melodyssong]

Three guesses who this is about?

I think her being alone forever would be punishment enough if you want to go down that route because with an attitude like that. Doubt anyone except someone whose as bad as her would want her.

Re: written;

[elissacousland]

I care nothing about her romantic life, I only want reparations for the people she harmed.

Voice

[homelesswargod]

What scale are you using here to determine innocence? How is the Navy worse than the people on the island? How are the people here worse then them?

[He sighs.] Humans.

Voice

[hiken]

Yeah. I've done worse than this, too. Dunno why everybody's so angry. Was that forest really popular or something?

written;

[harbouredheart]

I do not condone what has happened either. But what good will this accomplish?

Re: written;

[elissacousland]

None, apparently, but tis too late to back down now.

[Voice]

[fierybluebird]

Can you truly burn a phoenix?

[Voice]

[elissacousland]

Why would I ever have to go after you, Marco? Even thinking of it is troublesome.

[voice]

[thatched]

It's a very wide world out there, sweet lady, and those who are stronger than you imagine... And more who would burn the world just to get under your skin. If you make such bold statements, be prepared to have to back them up and be strong enough for it.

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

See now this is why I love you.

[Marco just laughs.] How is it I can never say what I mean, but you speak it as easily as breathing?

[Ooc: lmao and I literally typed up Marco's comment in his own thread before reading Thatch's.]

Written

[just_a_minute]

[Now what does this remind him of.... oh yes, it had been Harlock threatening the other ships so long ago for talking back to the Dog. There was a distinct difference between the two situations though. Whereas Harlock had been reprimanding people over words, Elissa was addressing a legitimate problem. Too often had other crews decided that torching the innocent was an acceptable practice. Not being in the revenge business however.. Ban still had some qualms with what she said, but he assumed it was her anger fueling it]

Careful with that eye for and eye, tooth for a tooth stuff... you don't want to get caught up in that cycle.

Written - PRIVATE

[elissacousland]

Don't you dare criticize me, too, Ban. I am angry enough to find you and take it out on you. The last thing that I need is a friend questioning me on this in a public forum.

[written]

[thethundersaid]

Did someone attack the locals recently?

[written]

[elissacousland]

A thoughtless, selfish child threw a tantrum on the island of Eternal Bliss and set things ablaze though no one had tried to harm her.

[voice]

[questionablewit]

Not that I don't agree with the sentiment, but you know that offering straightforward, reasonable threats to crazy people doesn't usually accomplish anything, right?

Re: [voice]

[elissacousland]

It is a lesson I seem to be learning the hard way. You would think after nine months I would realize this world's crazy is worse than anything I knew in Ferelden.