Prayer 1- Voice

[mostly_me]

The voice is a little wavering and unsteady, but quiet and reverent all the same.

Are you there, Heavenly Father?

It's me, Kevin.

I know I've done the unthinkable, abandoning Elder Cunningham in Uganda and breaking rule seventy-two- and I understand that it's Your righteous judgement that I've not done enough to be forgiven. I thought at first that- well, that's not important. He clears his throat. I should never have questioned You, and this is my punishment-

No, not my punishment. This is the opportunity that You've granted me to redeem myself.

I read the words on the fountain, thanks to the guide You placed in my path. 'What once was whole, now 'tis shattered'- I understand! Now, his voice steadies. It's been my mission all along, to do something so incredible- to gather together these tortured souls that have been shattered from beneath Your sight and make them whole again. Make all of us whole again.

'It's power is great, true depths untold'- it's the power inside of me. I understand now.

So, Lord- if You could see fit to put a patient, forgiving crew in my path as well, I would really appreciate it- I understand You help those who help themselves, but growing up in Utah didn't really prepare me for sailing- not that I'm complaining, mind you, it's just an observation.

Comments

[mostly_me]

[Kevin frowned a little.]

So no one ever taught you to peacefully negotiate? You can't rely on fighting for everything, or you'll never get anywhere in the world.

[borntochangetheworld]

[Sinbad arches an eyebrow as he walks through to the market.]

I can negotiate fine. Not everyone wants to play nice though. Negotiation is going to be very important to me.

[A child comes up to them and tugs on Sinbad's clothes, holding out his hands for money. Sinbad pulls out two coins and hands them over without a thought.]

[mostly_me]

[At that, Kevin can't help but smile. He watched the child as he scurried out through the passing crowd.]

You never have to fight. As long as you believe, there's always another way.

[borntochangetheworld]

[There's a reason Ja'far is the treasurer on the ship and not Sinbad because he's easily won over by beggars.]

I wish that was true but I've had to fight a lot. It's just the way things turned out.

[mostly_me]

Well, when you're not able to fight, you find a way to get out of them.

[It's simple enough, but it's true.]

[borntochangetheworld]

I'm pretty good at that. I have a sense about these things.

[He stops at a stall and purchases the aforementioned ginger.]

Vyse cooks. Trust me, you don't want me cooking. Or Ja'far for that matter. If you knew how to make things that would help, if not, do you have anything that's a favourite?

[mostly_me]

Um- I can make simple things...

[Kevin watches him complete the transaction, both lost and fascinated.]

I like sweet things, but I don't really have much of a favorite food or anything like that.

[borntochangetheworld]

Sweet things, huh? Well if you see something you want, just say so.

[He wandered to the next stall to pick up a few fruits, limes and oranges. Zeff had helped him correct his thoughts about nutrition.]

[mostly_me]

Oh- get what you usually do, don't worry about me.

[Kevin followed on his heels, trying not to show how intimidating the marketplace was.]

I don't need to be indulging.

[borntochangetheworld]

[He's rolling his eyes.]

You're as bad as Ja'far. I say this is the exact time to be indulging.

[He liked sweets huh? So Sinbad finds a bag of candy and purchases it without a second thought before holding it out to Kevin.]

Here.

[mostly_me]

[Kevin actually blushed. But he took the candy without arguing- he'd already bought it, and otherwise would be rude. At least he had something to hand out to beggar children now.]

Why now? What makes it a good time?

[borntochangetheworld]

You've arrived in a weird place. You're probably feeling scared or disoriented...it's the perfect time for something comforting. I came with Ja'far, so, I didn't come in here the same way you did.

You have your candy and I have my exploring.

[mostly_me]

[Kevin thinks on that, long and hard. And then pops a candy into his mouth.]

So... after we get supplies, you were saying it would be a long time until we got to another island. Do you have a destination in mind?

[borntochangetheworld]

Yeah, we're heading back to Blackfisk actually. I'm very interested in that island. I want to negotiate a trade agreement and found the Sindria company there.

[He is very much expecting that he can trust Kevin with this information.]

[mostly_me]

[Kevin was more than a little taken aback by that.]

A trade agreement?

[Then, his brain kicked in.]

The Sindria company...? What is that?

[borntochangetheworld]

It was the name of the company I was planning to start at home. Ja'far tells me it's successful enough and I don't see why I shouldn't be in the business here. That way we can keep funding the necessities when our money runs out.

I'm not sure I will get it, but I'm going to try. It couldn't hurt to work on my negotiation skills, after all I'm going to be king someday.

[mostly_me]

[Kevin was actually starting to become intrigued. Maybe he wouldn't be completely useless on this crew after all. Not that he had any business sense, but he had some people skills- he was a missionary, after all.]

What kind of company is it? I mean- what does it do?

[borntochangetheworld]

General merchants. What the best case scenario would be to gain a trade route, preferably an exclusive ones and take the wares from Blackfisk to other islands to make a profit. We get the profit, their economy flourishes, it's a winning deal for all sides.

[Sinbad grins. If nothing else, he dreams big.]

[mostly_me]

[Kevin nods, impressed. For a child, he's thought this through.]

That does sound beneficial to everyone. If it helps the people, then I'm all for it. Perhaps I can spread the Word to them while we're there.

[borntochangetheworld]

There, see? We're not that terribly different. I believe people are important and should be self-sufficient, but also those in charge need to take responsibility and look after those in their care.

[Sinbad is deadly serious, but still smiling. He has solid opinions on how government should be run.]

You can try that if you want to. Just know this particular island isn't that friendly to pirates.

[mostly_me]

I never thought we were that different.

[Kevin smiles just a little. Sinbad certainly wants to do something incredible, and he can understand that ambition. After seeing him with that child, he can identify even more.]

And who said anything about pirates? [His voice steadies.] I may be traveling with pirates, but I'm a missionary.

[borntochangetheworld]

Hey, if it were up to me I wouldn't be a pirate either, but that's what they're going to call me. We're going to try and change that and become respectable businessmen.

[Because going against fate is right up Sinbad's alley.]

Don't let anyone talk you out of it. Be a missionary if you want to...whatever that is.

[Sinbad will gladly support Kevin's dreams, just as he has people supporting his own.]

[mostly_me]

A missionary is one who spreads the word of God and helps those in need, wherever they might be.

[Kevin looks a little proud, then wilts a little in memory.]

It's... difficult.

[borntochangetheworld]

Can't say I know anything about that at all, but I'm all for helping people.

[He grins brightly.]

[mostly_me]

[Kevin smiles, shaking his head a little. He's a charmer for a child. No wonder he gets away with so much.]

Well, then I suppose we might get along.