Alone on a wide wide sea.

[abidinglaw]

[For some time now one node on the Journal network has been broadcasting an anonymous patch of sky broken only occasionally by the pacing back and forth of a quaking, sea-soaked man. His hair is matted and bedraggled, his arms are wrapped around his shoulders to conserve what little warmth he has. Occasionally there are sounds of a voice straining in physical exertion or cursing, or joyous laughter. Otherwise the sea dominates the audible side of the broadcast. Lapping, crashing, rushing water, rhythmic as a heart beat.

More rarely still, the man sits in the sand with the book at his feet, flicking through and reading. Throughout the day he makes his way through the guide, a selection of entries, a smattering of all that the curious book has to offer. It is a work of fiction, he knows this, but it is evidence of human life. It is a distraction from the cold.

By chance, however much he deviates, his journal always eventually ends up on the page required to broadcast video. It is by chance, too, that the journal picks up a selection of his musings - decisions on which tree along the beach would make the most suitable shelter, theories on the subject of nautical headings and snatches of naval protocol.

It is around mid-day that he addresses the journal directly. Sitting again with the book at his feet, he speaks out of a desire to hear the steady, authoritative tone of a voice in control.]

It was under the section on communication.. yes.. 'If you are reading this, then you have already discovered the journals.' Now, some superstitious nonsense, but ... Ah yes, 'if you want to set up meetings, pass a greeting or call for help.' Here we are. Now... No. As I expected. Nothing more than a string of ridiculous fantasies. Damn.

ooc: SO! Hi! Grab his attention at any time in his rambling failed-fire-building beach-stranding antics, or later at the bar post-retrieval. It's all fair game as far as I'm concerned.]

Comments

[herotypical]

...What? Do you want it poured into a glass? 'Cause I can do that.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[Somehow the girl doesn't seem nearly as alarmed by all this as he is.]

Is it supposed to be doing that?

[herotypical]

Doing what?

[ she just takes the initiative and pours it into a tall glass for him. ]

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[Now he has little choice but to put the mug to his lips. The glass is cold - that alone surprises him - but then the foul liquid seems to burn his lips the moment it touches them. Immediately he puts the drink down and stands, wiping his mouth with a convenient napkin.]

It is not to my taste.

[He says hastily, by way of explanation.]

[herotypical]

So what is to your taste? I'm a bartender, not the fairy godmother of booze.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

I trust you keep sherry?

[After that experience he is hesitant to assume anything at all.]

[herotypical]

[ she frowns. no one's asked for sherry before. ]

I'll...have to look.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[Meanwhile he stares into the bubbly golden beer, as though he might get lost in all the chaos beyond the glass. He has a lot of questions, and not the slightest desire to voice them.]

[herotypical]

[ eventually, she comes back with a (slightly dusty) bottle. ] I think this is the stuff.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[That, at least, is a familiar container.]

I apologize, the day has worn on my nerves.

[herotypical]

First day? Second day? Third day? Gotta be one of the early days. You have the early day look about you.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

I have scarcely been here a day. Why is it that everyone feels compelled to make note of that fact?

[herotypical]

Probably because we all remember when we looked the same way.

[ a soft sigh. BUT, THERE'S HOPE: ] So -- tell me, did my fantastic ad for the place inspire you to visit?

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

In the journals, I'd wager.

No, I haven't seen it, but I am certain it is enticing.

[herotypical]

Well? You're here, aren't you? Do you feel enticed by our warm, inviting pub-style atmosphere?

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

It is a charming establishment. And such a ... [broad? unique? formidable?] selection.

[herotypical]

They throw a little of everything into here. I think they try to accommodate all the different worlds, you know?

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[Yes, he knows exactly what she means. The New World and the Old World - though he never did enjoy the two terms. He suspects that that burning drink likely had its origins in the New World too. It is overpoweringly strong. Indelicate and unrefined.]

The majority of the people whom I have spoken to since I landed here have convinced themselves of the existence of an impenetrable barrier above them. They say that it prevents them from leaving Luceti. Of course, if that were true, an establishment such as this one would quickly run out of stock.

[herotypical]

And yet, the proverbial taps never run dry. Or the non-proverbial ones, either.

[ a slight shrug. ] Things just appear. They always have...possibly always will.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

Have you ever witnessed this phenomenon?

[herotypical]

A watched pot never boils.

[ she crosses her arms. ]

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

Incorrect.

[He narrows his eyes ever so slightly.]

[herotypical]

Okay...maybe incorrect. There might be some incorrectness to it. But the point still stands -- it gets done, no one sees it get done. And it doesn't get done when you are trying to see it. The restocking, I mean.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[The admiral has his doubts about this, but this girl is stubborn and the day has worn him ever so. Nevertheless he'll log this information. It seems important somehow.

He'll take a sip of his sherry, too, to pass the silence.]

[herotypical]

...Need anything else, buster?

[ 'cause she can just leave you along with your sherry if that's what you want. ]