Event Log: May, Arrivals from Distant Lands

[faileas]

Event Log: May, Arrivals from Distant Lands

I. Boaltinn Down The Hatches It makes for a soggy celebration when Boaltinn arrives with the first day of Maiuril, and so too arrives a massive thunderstorm, sudden and quite unexpected. The rain alternates between coming down in sheets and coming down merely steadily, leaving large puddles on the sides of the streets and raising the water level in the River Temese (to most Merrows' joy, though the lightning flashing in the sky periodically has them worried). Boaltinn celebrations usually involve bonfires scattered through the city, where feasting and dancing and leaping over the flames take place, but it's harder this year. A few are still lit to herald summer's arrival, set up under makeshift coverings, but there are grumblings among the people that it's just not the same and it's a right bad omen. There is a call to help mitigate some of the minor flooding, and anyone with an open garden will find it vastly overwatered, but the storm, for those in Aefenglom, is a dreary inconvenience more than anything. Elsewhere, some others only wish they could say that. a. The Efthymia (4th Wall Characters' Arrival) The last thing you remember before the raging sea is your home, and a glimpse of your reflection. Maybe in a mirror, in a puddle on the ground, in the corner of a windowpane, anything reflective, you stopped and glanced, for just a moment, and then- Then there is only being bandied about on the waves, the storm churning the sea around you, salt water stinging your eyes and splashing up your nose and mouth. It's hard to tell which way is down or up as the wave rises, carrying you with it, literally tossing you through the wind and rain to land heavily on the wooden deck of a rocking ship, coughing and sputtering. There are others like you, all around you, in a similar sad, soggy state, and there are also strange people the likes of which you have likely never seen, staring at you like you've grown three heads. Men and women in loose, belted clothing, often without sleeves, the light fabric stuck wetly to their bodies. Some have tall, proud horns decorated in shining metals and jewels. Others, green-skinned, have heads covered in leaves. Some have flowing hair of water or silvery wind whipping about their winged feet. Animal features, fangs, claws, feathered wings, at least half the people around you are not human, and the other half? Almost every one of them has some small, glowing, intangible creature following them, taking orders, helping out with bursts of spellwork. After their moment of shock, a few more experienced strangers who speak a language you can understand (unlike many of them) are quick to usher you and your soggy fellows down below deck, out of the rain, to give you hot drinks and towels, assuring you that all will be well, their Sylphs and Harpies have spotted land, a harbor, very close by and they're making for it right now. The Undines and Merrows are guiding the ship. Stay in the belly of the ship away from the storm if you want, but you might be experiencing the very beginnings of your burgeoning magic or strange, Monstrous changes, and if you can help out any, they won't say no. b. The Newcomers The ship, named the Efthymia and bearing a carved Merrow figurehead on its bow, practically limps toward the Harbor the last stretch of the way, as the storm breaks on the dawn of the 4th. They have suffered heavy damages, and need a little help docking safely. The Coven is on the scene, alerted by sailors in the Harbor District, who pointed out that the ship looks like one from Neahealand (as Aefenglomites call it), a series of islands to the south - a rare sight around Aefenglom these days. Those who can swim and those who can fly are encouraged to help out in pulling the half-wrecked ship the rest of the way to the Harbor, helped along by their own people, Harpies and Merrows and odd, pale people with wings on their feet, who carry the breeze with them. Others will be needed to help care for any wounded, or start assessing the damage to their ship. They're not expecting the others on board. Aefenglom has seen one batch of untraditional Mirror-unbound from a year before, and it's easy to recognize that they don't belong with the Neahealanders, so as the original inhabitants of the ship and the newcomers disembark onto not-currently-dry land, they're ushered off separately and directed to the Coven for orientation, and to have a chance at finding friends or family members who might already be here. Mirrorbound are all sent a message through their Watches, and asked by Nessie to play tour guide, to help the newcomers get fresh clothes and hot meals and find places to stay. And, if they can, to try to begin to explain to them where they find themselves now. If experience proves correct, these newcomers will start changing into Monsters, or developing their magic, very soon - if they haven't already. c. The Other Newcomers The original inhabitants of the Efthymia pour into the Harbor District, close to 150 of them soon taking up most of the available inn space and then some, drinking in the taverns with a sort of cheer despite their wrecked ship, and enjoying their first time on dry land in close to six months. Most of them don't speak the language common to Geardagas, or only a smattering of it, but a handful do, those who had been sailors or merchants before they set sail, and any of them will tell their tale for a beer. They come from an archipelago to the south, a land they call Diasteros, the jeweled isles. A lovely place, before the Cwyld came a decade or more ago. No one knows exactly how, whether it came with traders, or spread through the sea, or was cursed upon them by some vengeful force of nature, but it spread, eventually forcing them onto one island out of many. Boxed in, their group, the ones on the ship, set sail looking for a better life elsewhere, about six months ago. Hey, maybe they could stay here? What would you think about that, fella? Think your city would go for it? They're willing to answer questions about the strange Monsters with them, the Aeternae and the Sagani and the Dryads, who were never seen on Geardagas before now, but were common enough on Diasteros. The Witches among them can answer questions about their glowing, spirit-like Phylaxes. About the ship, about their home, about their mission to find a new place to settle. Unfortunately, they have no answers about the strangers that literally washed up on their decks! Weird, innit? How about another beer?

II. A Busy Coven With everything that's happened just recently, between the recent miraculous return of the Dryads to Geardagas, the Diasterans from the damaged ship, and the extra Mirrorbound who do not have mirrors, who will no doubt experience their changes and growing magic very rapidly (always a recipe for disaster!), the Coven is a busy place these days. There always seems to be something going on, day or night, and there are always people, Witches and Monsters alike, bustling about with armfuls of books or papers or in some cases, large potted plants or cauldrons of strange-colored, bubbling potions. (The Coven teaches many kinds of magic.) Attending these classes is optional, but highly encouraged. They all welcome drop-ins, no appointments or sign-ups needed, and even if the subject isn't directly relevant to you, they won't kick you out. It's important to know as much as possible in this world, so you stand less of a chance of hurting yourself and others, or so you can help others as much as yourself. a. Don't Be Phy-lax About Your Studies The Coven entertains some Diasteran guest instructors from the ship a couple of times a week. In exchange for helping them out with regards to lodging, and petitioning Parliament to let their people stay in Aefenglom for a time, they've offered to teach the Witches of Aefenglom how to summon their own Phylaxes. This is an old school of magic from their homeland, the ability to conjure up a companion for life that can assist with spellcasting, extra energy, and more. Made up of magic and a little piece of the Witch's soul, the Phylax is an extension of the Witch, though often with a will of its own. Nearly every Diasteran Witch they see around will have a Phylax with them, some glowing, translucent animal that flits around their head or feet. Those who want a Phylax of their own (which is many of the Witches at the Coven, so the classes are always full of other Witches) are encouraged to attend a one day workshop, which can last anywhere from a handful of hours to a full day and night, depending on how quickly the students' Phylaxes manifest. The first hour of each class starts the same, with the instructor, a smiling Witch with a playful, pink-hued fox Phylax darting around to inspect the students (perhaps even passing right through you like a ghost!), explaining what a Phylax is, what they can and cannot do, how to summon and un-summon it after the initial meeting, and how to look after one. With the basics covered, it's time for a field trip for the ritual part. She teaches everyone the circle that needs to be drawn in paint on the ground, and imbued with a drop of the Witch's blood, and from there, she says, that's all she can do to help! The rest is up to you. She takes the classes out to the Wilde around the city, finding scenic routes free of Cwyld to wander, and encourages participants to find a place that speaks to you, a place that lets you calm your thoughts and clear your mind. Maybe it speaks to more than one of you and you get stuck next to someone! Maybe they breathe too loudly for you to concentrate. You'll just have to deal with it, or maybe say something? From there, draw your circle, drip just a little of your blood into it, sit inside, and wait. Maybe yours shows up right away, or maybe it takes a while. You can talk to anyone nearby to pass the time, as long as you stay in your circle. Leaving it means having to do it all over again fresh, in a new spot. And then… When the Phylaxes do begin to appear, the instructor just forgot to mention that, well. They can go a little wild at first! You might have trouble getting your new companion under control, or maybe yours is very well-behaved and you want to help someone else corral theirs. These newborn Phylaxes tend to fly all over the area, full of new magic and energy, and cast little spells that could be dangerous if left unchecked, like giving off tiny flames or levitating other people's belongings into the lake. Whoops. b. Monster Misunderstandings The Coven isn't just a center of knowledge for Witches. Monsters are incredibly important to balance out Witches' overflow of magic, and they have their own things to learn. Classes are held by native Monsters to teach budding Monsters of all kinds a bit about what they can do, how to be safe, how to accept and control their new instincts and abilities. This is especially important with some Mirrorbound turning into Aeternae, Sagani, or Dryads - two Monsters never before seen on this continent, and one that's been extinct for hundreds of years. The Coven gets some guest instructors of the Aeternae and all four Sagani types, and one of the Dryads freed from the tree last month, Filomena, teaches a class about her people. Even those who don't seem to be Aeternae, Sagani, or Dryads are welcome to sit in on the class, since maybe one day they'll Bond with one! You never know, and it doesn't hurt to be prepared. But the classes for the new Monsters… are a bit of a well-intentioned mess. The Aeternae and Sagani teachers are not fluent in the language of Geardagas, and tend to mix up words and phrases, with destructive or hilarious results. As well, it's difficult for new Monsters of any type to control their more magical abilities, and the Sagani especially have these abilities in spades. Maybe you aren't even attending one of these classes, just passing across the lawn, and get your hair singed by a Salamander's stray fireball, or knocked over by an ill-timed earthquake from a budding Gnome. They're trying their best! Meanwhile, the Dryad classes have an experienced teacher, but… well, the problem is, Filomena is very rusty and out of practice. Being frozen in horrified stasis for hundreds of years will do that to you. At some point, trying to teach new Dryads how to control the growth of a potted flower results in a burst of growth inside the Coven greenhouse, plants growing much bigger than they should and bursting out of the glass, flytraps snapping at people rather than flies, and six foot tall flowers releasing bursts of pollen. Even if you weren't at that one, you might get asked to come help clean up after! c. Bonding for Dummies Bonding is incredibly important in Geardagas. Many classes at the Coven cover Bonding specifically - extolling its benefits and upsides, mostly, with much less talk about the downsides. (There aren't many, as far as most native residents of Aefenglom are concerned. They keep you stable, and your Bonded is the best kind of company, so what's wrong with that?) The instructors tell the newcomers and old-comers alike what to expect, why they should Bond, and why a Witch and a Monster makes for the most perfect, balanced pair. For those who are curious to try one out, temporary Bonding potions are provided, should you find a partner! Maybe another curious soul, or maybe someone you know already, even strangers can Bond temporarily to see how they like it. These can be broken at any point with none of the pains that come from annulling or breaking a regular Bond, so what do you have to lose? The instructor will pair you with someone if you're shy! In fact, she gets a little pushy urging you to give it a go with someone, anyone. Do you fend her off, or do you try out a temporary Bond just to shut her up?

III. Twin Flower Blood Moons CW: Drinking, mentions of smoking pot, mentions of group sex (implied, not explicit). If you choose to use these elements, please mark your threads accordingly! The Sisters, the world's twin moons, go dark and new in the sky on the 11th, and despite being dim round shapes in the sky, the very edges take on an almost petal-pink hue. While native Witches are weaker during the new moons, Mirrorbound Witches, including those who are newly arrived on the ship, are much stronger than normal. The effect seems to be multiplied this month, and newer Witches may not be used to the rush of power, leading to magical mishaps. Any Witches still getting used to having a Phylax might notice their spirit companion is more active, whether they want it to be or not, casting spells without their say-so, wanting to run free and use their magic to the fullest. But that isn't why the moons are the talk of the city this month. That petal pink hue intensifies and brightens gradually as more of the Sisters become visible over the coming days, getting the Coven and the Diasterans talking excitedly, and the civilian Aefenglom residents with a superstitious dread, about the Twin Flower Blood Moons. Some Aefenglom residents think that any shade of red in the sky is an ill omen that portends bad things to come, but others in the Coven think it could be a good thing, a celebration that the Dryads have returned to Geardagas, even in small numbers. The Sisters are full and bright, seeming bigger in the sky than normal, on the 26th, a vivid reddish-pink and casting a warm moonlit glow over the city. Witches will find themselves weaker, unless they have a Monster Bond, permanent or temporary, and then they'll find themselves feeling just as good as Monsters. Monsters get a power boost as their instincts rise to the surface, and while they can try to shove them down, that only tends to make things worse. You can go feral if you clamp down on yourself too tightly, cling too hard to your human (or whatever you were before) nature. Meanwhile, the Diasterans have their own view on the Twin Flower Blood Moons. They're a cause for celebration, for Monsters to revel in their natures. Sagani feel more connected to their elements, Undines frolicking with Merrow in the river or the harbor, Sylphs flying overhead with Harpies and a few Dragons in some complicated dance, Gnomes shaking the earth joyfully, Salamanders dancing through bonfires and lighting every candle or torch they come across for good luck. The Dryads, both the two who returned to Aefenglom from the Heart Tree, and the ones who came over on the ship from Diasteros, along with Faun friends, find a patch of land outside the city and grow a magnificent garden laden with fruits and flowers, where they can play music and drink, open to anyone who wants to stop and smell the roses or taste fruit wine fermented on the vine. And the Aeternae? They find a public park and set up a full on party that lasts for hours and garners a new record of noise and indecency complaints to the City Guard (who, frankly, will let this pass unless someone gets hurt). How they get it all together quickly, no one can say, but they have rich food, gambling, drink, and, if you're of age and know who to ask, weed (from a Dryad friend, supposedly, primo stuff). They have music and dancing and all the finer things in life to enjoy. At some point, they kick out anyone who is underage, and start to lose their clothes. Maybe that's your thing. Maybe it's not! But if it's not, it might be time for you to go, because they show no signs of stopping until the sun has risen. Whether you stick to the tamer celebrations with the Sagani or in the Dryads' garden, or party hard with the Aeternae, it's never a bad thing to experience some different culture. The Diasterans seem much more free and open, in tune with nature and the underlying magic of the world.

IV. Mis-Communication Devices Not a day passes after their arrival before Miss Nessie makes sure that all of the wave-tossed Mirror-unbound (some are jokingly calling them the "Oceanbound", but she has more manners than that!) get hooked up with Watches, communication devices used by the Mirrorbound. They can be used to make general inquiries to the network, asking after anything someone might want their fellow Mirrorbound to tell them, and just so there are no difficulties, she makes sure there are people on hand to teach the arrivals how to use them. Except. Well. With all the magic in the air this month, the network, a complex sort of magitech, is acting up a bit. Maybe your Watch broadcasts something you didn't mean to send, or didn't even type (did your speech to text function get turned on?)! Maybe it turns on and starts playing other people's messages at top volume at 3 in the morning. Maybe it butt-dials someone you don't want to talk to. They'll be working on recalibrating things at the Coven, but, well, it might take a couple of weeks to fix, sorry!

Welcome to May's event log: Arrivals from Distant Lands! This is our 2nd anniversary and our 2nd Fourth Wall Event, meaning if you want to try a new character or aren't part of the game at all, you're welcome to come play with us for the month and see how you like things! The log and network comms, aefenglom & middaeg, are now open to non-member commenting and will remain so until June 1st.

Fourth Wall characters can top level on this log using the event prompts, or make up your own wildcards! You can also use this post for making network posts of your own, since the comms do not allow non-member posting. That said, feel free to comment around on logs or network posts made by our current players, unless they specify that they do not want fourth wall guests. We also still have a Fourth Wall EMP right here that everyone is welcome to use! As a note: we do allow characters who would be otherwise unappable such as doubles, though we are not allowing CRAU characters from other games on the fourth wall.

Play nice and have fun! We hope to see you all when our Reserves Open on May 18th! Your fourth wall threads can be used as samples, or for AC for current players.

Comments

[spaghettimonster]

[A baffling topic for any to dwell on. If Papyrus realizes what thoughts he raised there, he doesn't express anything about it. He's more focused on the question of giant beasts - and how giant they might be - and the even more important topic of introducing himself.]

I am: the Great Papyrus. Ambassador of monsterkind!

[He grins a little more brightly with the introduction, cheekbones slightly creasing upward in the way cheeks might on fleshier people.]

And, still not sure how I got in an ocean... How about you?

[indolentaxe]

Ambassador of monsterkind, huh?

[Hilda isn't sure if that fact should make her more or less surprised at how confused he's been about her reaction to him, but ultimately it doesn't matter. He's weird, but at least he's got the right spirit or something.

She smiles back, wide and charming despite still being half-drenched.]

I'm Hilda Valentine Goneril. I guess by process of elimination, I'm kind of an Ambassador of the Leicester Alliance.

[Since she's the only one from the Alliance here. Or from all of Fodlan, but that's way too big of a responsibility. No thanks.]

And I'm just as confused as you are. I was minding my own business, and then suddenly I was in the ocean trying not to die.

You'd think whoever brought us here would want us to have a pleasant experience. A welcoming committee, people who can speak the same language as you, a nice dinner. That kind of thing.

[spaghettimonster]

Hilda, huh...?

[The respective Ambassador title is impressive, even if he has no idea what or where this alliance is. Maybe even moreso because of that.

Of course, being impressed by the title doesn't stop him from being confused by one of Hilda's comments, either.]

Whoever brought us here... I thought it was my brother, pranking me in the lake. But this, it's a little more than anything he can do.

[That he knows of, anyway. If it turns out this is within Sans's abilities, Papyrus is going to have some words for him. Lengthy words, including such specific phrases as better ways of applying yourself.]

[indolentaxe]

[Hilda's eyebrows pop up a bit in response to Papyrus's statement.]

Your brother can magically teleport you into a lake? Are we talking older brother or younger brother here?

[As a certified Kid Sister, even well into young adulthood, she needs to know if this is something they can bond over.]

[spaghettimonster]

Yes, older brother.

[Not necessarily lakes previously, but boy oh boy, can Sans teleport him to annoying locations on a prank.]

They say age brings maturity... but no. it doesn't.

[indolentaxe]

Older brothers are the worst, aren't they? Mine doesn't play pranks, but he still manages to make things a pain. He's really overprotective.

[She loves Holst, but honestly.]

He's definitely the more mature one, though, so I guess I should be grateful for that. I'd rather not end up in a lake or something like what your brother does.

Is he a... um, does he look like you?

[spaghettimonster]

[With overprotective, it seems likely that it wasn't from her older brother tossing her into a frozen lake. The mystery stands as to how she wound up in an ocean anyway.

But that topic can wait, with the follow-up question. Papyrus scoffs at it, pointedly posing to emphasize his height.]

Pfff, not very much. He's short! And with a completely different skeletal structure! You'd never think we were brothers, to look at us.

[Except for the part where they're both skeletons, a reasonably uncommon sort of monster. And they both emphasize it, gossiping and complaining (mostly affectionately) about each other behind the other's back.]

[indolentaxe]

[Yeah, that answers her question. Although she's curious how two skeletons could look as different as he's describing. Hilda finds herself almost disappointed that the prankster older brother isn't here for her to compare them.

When she speaks of her own brother, there's definite affectionate in her exasperation.
She wishes he would calm down, but ultimately she loves him very, very much.]

Sometimes I wish I could have outgrown Holst--that's my brother--so that I could convince him to stop worrying about me all the time. But I didn't grow up to be much, height-wise.

[Five foot nothing, as a matter of fact. Given Papyrus' exceptionally tall stature, she must look almost comically small.]

Wouldn't it be something if our brothers were actually here, waiting for us on land or something? Talking about their little siblings like we are them?

[...there may be a bit of wishful thinking there.]

[spaghettimonster]

[Between Sans barely being taller than human children, and the sheer variety in sizes between monsters... Hilda doesn't stand out as particularly short to Papyrus. Still, he can sympathize a little with the worried older sibling thing. And most of all with the idea of the brothers also being around, somewhere.]

That would be something. Something entirely believable.

[A little bit of wishful thinking to go around. Now that he's thinking about it, he hasn't really dealt with life without his brother around somewhere, at least a few times a day... But it's fine. He's a grown skeleton who's very cool, very capable, and more than up to the task of figuring out what's what once they're on shore.]

You wouldn't believe how much Sans gossips about me... I can't go two feet without someone knowing my name.

[This is exaggeration, oversimplification, and a misrepresentation of one of Sans's ways of helping his bro. With Papyrus's old worries about being forgettable, making sure people know of him is a kind of support. Even if it's mostly fond teasing.]

[indolentaxe]

[For as much as Hilda complains about Holst constantly checking up on her and how she has to respond to him quickly lest she bring all of his older-brother anxieties down upon her head, there's a part of Hilda that counts on that connection to him and her territory. It's dawning on her that the connection is absent here, wherever here is, and the thought is more chilling than she'd care to admit. It's easier to believe the lie that he's just out of sight, making friends with another skeleton monster and waiting to berate her for nearly drowning. (Even though that wasn't her fault.)

They'll probably be sharing drinks like old friends by the time the ship comes ashore, knowing Holst.]

Do they call you Sans' kid brother? Because I get the "oh, you're Holst's baby sister" line a lot. Even though I'm clearly an adult by now.

[spaghettimonster]

Oh, they used to, when I was a baby bones...

[How those years seem so distant and faded, compared to the vibrancy of life in recent times. Making friends and spending quality time with them sure makes a difference.]

But I've been taller than him for years. Nobody really mistakes me for a kid anymore!

[Sorry not sorry, Hilda, but he has to brag with the triumph of it. The more he thinks on this, the more he does remember comments along those lines, in his early teens when he was still wearing stripes - and still rivaling Sans in height. If he could spare a few inches... He'd probably still want to keep them for himself.]

[indolentaxe]

Lucky you!

[She can't blame him for being happy about his circumstances. And even less so for not wanting to share those inches--she wouldn't, in his position.

The more she talks to Papyrus, the less weird it is that he's literally a walking skeleton. There's something charming about him--he does make for a good ambassador to his kind, now that she thinks about it.]

Do they assume that your brother is the younger one, then? I bet that has to annoy him, if so.

[spaghettimonster]

Not too much, no...

[Papyrus has occasionally heard comments from passersby wondering about whether one of the skeletons was a kid, but they were never clear enough - or loud enough about it around him - for him to be sure who they meant. He's more than happy enough to assume it was all about his short, immature brother, even if, well...]

Probably because he spends all his spare time at the bar.

[Not the typical haunt of children, even with places that serve burgers and milkshakes as much as alcohol.]

Not that anybody can tell what annoys Sans, anyway. Everything's a joke. Things he's happy about... Things he's annoyed about...

[indolentaxe]

Ooooooh, he's the type who hides everything behind humor. I'm familiar.

[It's a trait she's seen in various forms among her peers, but Claude is the one who comes forefront to her mind. He's all smiles and playfulness, but it's very often not sincere.]

I didn't realize that skeletons could drink, though. Doesn't it all... just flow through you?

[spaghettimonster]

[He nods, sympathetic knowing someone along these lines - and conveniently ignoring that, in plenty of contexts, he himself is one of them. But that latter question... Papyrus covers half of his face with a gloved hand and groans.]

Ugh. I mean, it can. Which is great for goofs.

[Two guesses which skeleton has done that at the bar to get everyone laughing. Only one guess should be needed.]

But not if you're paying any attention! That's just slobbishness.

[In fact, hadn't someone brought around hot drinks a few minutes ago...? Yes, there's one right there, nestled in the shelf, if already somewhat cooled. He picks it up and demonstrates, tipping the cup to his mouth to pour in a sip's worth. The tea disappears behind his lower jaw, not spilling to the floor below.]

[indolentaxe]

[Hilda watches him drink, eyebrows slowly going upward as she watches the tea just... disappear.]

I'm impressed by your manners. Good tea isn't something you should let go to waste.

[She pauses, looking down into her half-finished mug.]

Not that this is good tea, but it's the thought that counts.

I think you're making for a very good ambassador. It's almost not weird talking to a skeleton anymore.

[spaghettimonster]

[He nods approvingly, at the manners re: tea thoughts and the compliment alike.]

Yeah, see that? I've been doing this for months.

[Moreso in the position of being a friendly public face for people to talk to, than contributing heavily to the political angling and policy setting conversations, but being a part-time figurehead is fine.]

The trick is having very normal conversations, and ignoring any hints that anything's amiss. So normal that even the skeleton thing feels normal for you.

[Maybe slightly patronizing about the need to adjust for human comfort, but largely sincerely helpful. That he entertains peoples' more abrupt questions helps too.]

[indolentaxe]

[Patronizing, perhaps, but not wrong. Hilda can't argue with the results, and honestly she has no room to argue the methods. As a noble who's uninterested (and not expected to be involved in) political maneuverings, she's no stranger to using pleasantry and platitudes for her own purposes.

In short: she gets it.]

That's smart. Whoever is in charge of monsters where you come from definitely made the right choice in selecting you.

Maybe when we're somewhere less... watery... you can give some tips to the people on this boat. They've been nice enough, but I think they'd do a lot better without all the screaming at you.

[spaghettimonster]

All the screaming...?

[His eye sockets furrow in confusion, and he looks off to the stairs like there might be answers there. There had been surprise over finding them, and shouting over the sounds of the storm, and other word sounds he hadn't been able to place. But not a pattern of screaming, or even raising voices louder than his own.

He briefly considers whether this is a hint for him to lower his own voice, but dismisses the thought as unlikely - too indirect from a friendly and honest-seeming person. Instead he doubles down on a different, reliable sort of positivity.]

Well, either way, you're right about that. Everybody can benefit with a few tips from Papyrus.

[indolentaxe]

[Hilda is running on the assumption that his raised voice is a result of trying to be heard over all of the background noise--ships aren't exactly quiet places, after all. She'll figure out that it's his standard mode of communication eventually.

(There's nothing for him to worry about, regarding any hints she may or may not drop. She's far too blunt for her desires to go unnoticed.)]

Cheers to that.

[She clinks her mug with his lightly and takes a drink.]

I'm glad I decided to come up and see what the whole skeleton thing was about. It's been nice passing the time together.

[spaghettimonster]

Yeah, cheers! I'm feeling loads better about being mysteriously in a boat at sea.

[Maybe not as much better as he'd like to be feeling, but for all the comment emphasizes the discomfort and even draws attention back to it, he's still feeling better. Dry, warmed by tea, warmed further by good conversation.]

I don't suppose you know anything about boats? It sounded like they could use some help, but...

[He wasn't even managing to swim right, out there - if it hadn't been for a fortunate wave, he had no buoyancy in the water. With that, he's inclined to stay below decks and find something else to help with.]

[indolentaxe]

[Hilda shakes her head.]

No, I don't know a thing about them. Where I'm from is near the mountains. If I tried to help, I'd probably just get in the way.

[Although if she did know anything about boating, she'd surely find a different excuse to refuse to engage. Hilda avoids work even under ideal circumstances; the chances of her pitching in while stressed and uncomfortable are less than zero.]

We can pay them back somehow when he finally make it to land.

[spaghettimonster]

Yeah, I'm from... near... the mountains too. But, I'm sure there's something.

[In the mountains isn't quite the same as she probably means, but it's close enough for the sense of unfamiliar with oceanic travel.

Alas for their conversation's sake, busy work is just the thing the monster doctor ordered, when Papyrus is stressed and wanting a distraction from his worries. Nothing like putting things together and fantasizing about them making things better, and pushing people to like him better, to fill his mind in times of need.]

Like a hand in the kitchen, so the people who know boats are freed up... Yeah! I think I'll go ask.

[He sips his tea again, the cup more than half empty.]

As soon as I finish this.

[indolentaxe]

Good for you. I'm sure they'll be happy to have the help.

[She will not be joining you in that, Papyrus.]

In the meantime, I'm happy to enjoy your company for a bit longer while we finish our tea together. Let's do this somewhere drier next time.

[spaghettimonster]

Yeah, there's nothing like sitting with a good cup of tea.

[As Undyne's told him dozens of times, sometimes flinging the tea bags at him to remind him to sit back down and go through the waiting process. Asgore too, but the king's been a far less frequent guest, and one less aggressive about the tea - or anything else.]

I'm sure we'll find somewhere drier, once we're a-shore.

[Assuming they make it to shore, but of course he's going to assume that, rather than any other unwanted alternatives.]