[video] a ridiculous mission-related post | un: newt

[groupiedrifter]

Hey, hey! Guys, can you do me a favor, and tell me what I'm looking at?

[Huh, that's a weird request. But if you check in to look at... whatever the heck Newt's looking at, you'll find that he's currently standing in the middle of one of the captain's cabins in The Hawking. They're (thank god) not in the cabin to catch him, and the people looking at the video (which is through Newt's eyes, cool) may note that it's full of books and historical documents, enough that the small beds in the corner of the room are practically buried in it.

(Hey! Minimus will notice a stack of books catalogued to the side that he'd helped collect.)

Newt seems a little clumsy, bumping into some books and maps, knocking them down by accident. Is he drunk?* No, he doesn't sound drunk. From the looks of it, you'd think he had lost his glasses**. He clumsily unrolls some maps, squinting hard at them, trying to make them come into proper form. The map he has open is as follows:]

Most of the maps illustrate Hhial's different countries, with great detail of the terrain and landscape of Kellir, Muchter, and Zefindam. There is a map or two of the distant islands around the surrounding area, many with black marked X's crossed over certain islands, and of course, a map with the different routes drawn out to get to the Golden Haven. One map depicts the greater part of this world with all of Hhial included and calligraphic script written on the bottom left-hand corner that reads:

When the sky bleeds red, hoist the sails due east. A key of gold awaits.

(quoted from search request, located here.)

[Newt taps his finger on the map urgently.]

You guys see anything useful? Yes, no? Hot, cold? Ugh, why, at a time like this — Hey, this is a great time to talk about my worst quality! Personal goal stuff, kill two birds with one stone, you know? My worst trait is stumbling into really stupid situations! Totally my worst and only bad trait.

[Some more hurried scuffling around the room; there are also 'a few accessories, trinkets, and tools on their shared desk. It's in the kind of disarray that seems chaotic from an outside perspective but likely has meaning and order to the captains that occupy this room.' Newt, someone anxious, pats around the desk for anything interesting. It's really weird to see someone seemingly struggling to see anything clearly when the video is so clear, but that's why he's relying on you guys! You're his eyes! Kinda.

He picks up random objects, eventually getting to one of actual note:

A cracked wax seal with Kellir's emblem pressed into it.

It looks as if someone had scratched it off the backside of an envelope, but there's no sight of any envelope or letter around the desk to match it. Newt seems to squint at the glob of dried wax and the Kellir emblem, and then GASPS—

And tosses the seal away.]

Ugh! What kind of weirdos hoard their gum on top of the desk?

Put it under the desk like a normal person!

[*Newt is currently partially blind due to his regret change. At a most inconvenient time!

**Don't worry, he hasn't lost his glasses again.]

Comments

voice; un: toxicodendron

[greenpower]

Hey, buddy, you all right over there?

[She calls him buddy less like they're buddies and more like she doesn't want to put out the effort to remember Newt's name. She's already showing concern. What do you want from her.]

You seem a little unfocused.

Also, that definitely was not chewing gum.

voice;

[groupiedrifter]

I'm totally awesome! Just having some technical difficulties.

With my peepers.

Wait, what was it? Was it cool? Should I pat around for it again?

[greenpower]

That doesn't sound totally awesome.

[Just saying.]

Yeah, if you can find it again, let's see if we can get a better look.

[groupiedrifter]

[He proceeds to pat around the ground in a very undignified way. Let it be known, he has never been a very dignified person, period. But after a moment, he gives a victorious AHA! before he holds up the odd little red thing in question.]

Got it! Got you, little bastard... What is it?

[greenpower]

Wax?

[Ivy isn't exactly an expert, but she can see it.]

It looks like one of those old timey seals. The kind they put on envelopes.

[groupiedrifter]

Ooooh, so they're conversing with someone!

Do we got an idea of who it might be? Some fancy-smancy rich person? Some other pirate crew? Some super secret spy for the Hawking?

Audio; un: 苣屋

[dispassioned]

A map. "When the sky bleeds red, hoist the sails due east. A key of gold awaits."

That seems interesting.

You seem to be struggling a little.

[Or, you know, a lot]

Audio; un: 苣屋 now in a better place

[groupiedrifter]

I figured out text-to-speech, yanno! I can see you two down there!

[TEXTING ABOUT ME. RUDE.]

And it's fine, I just lose my senses sometimes. Orb stuff. Nothing medical to worry about, I pinky swear. I wasn't even trying to show up here... I was looking for the sleeping quarters... Uuugh.

[dispassioned]

See us on hear us?

[Because apparently he's not seeing much at the moment.]

Orb stuff, huh?

[Well, if that's the case it's true medical treatment won't do much good, so at least he doesn't argue.]

[groupiedrifter]

[Oooooruuughhhh!!!!]

Don't be obtuse at a time like this, nerd. I'm strugglin' here!

[He's all hot air, bark with no bite, per usual.

But there's definitely a fist-shake in there somewhere.]

You ever hear about changing your regret with the orb?

[dispassioned]

I noticed.

[That he was struggling, that is. Which is to say, yes, he was being annoying on purpose.

But anyway.]

I've heard it mentioned, I think.

[groupiedrifter]

Yeah, well, don't forget about it!

Because you don't wanna go changing anything without knowing the cost of it, you know? It can seriously screw you up; compared to some other folks, I got lucky. I just lose my senses at random parts of the day! Sometimes one at a time, sometimes a few at a time, whatever. Point is, it's the cost I got for my choices.

Important choices, sure, but still. It's important to keep it in mind, dude.

[Because he's about to be carried like a bushel of hay.]

{ text + action } un: joric

[drawsblood]

[ Joric heaves a sigh before getting up from his hammock and going to retrieve Newt. He's a recent arrival to this ship, having abandoned The Silent Plunder and its captain whose orders Joric didn't agree with. So far this place has been far better for his conscience. ]

Somebody make sure our captains are occupied so they don't come and catch him. Newt, I'm coming to get you.

[ And a minute or so later he arrives to see what Newt's done to the place. First things first, he picks up the wax seal, giving it a close look before setting it back on the table. ]

Something tells me the captains are the type to tell when something has been disturbed.

Text; un: 苣屋

[dispassioned]

I can do that.

[Any excuse to be a menace. He can distract the captains with intellectual chatter about history or strategy games or something. Nerd talk.]

[drawsblood]

I appreciate it. I've seen him like this before so I figure it's best to just lead him out. And it might take a few minutes. Or I could just carry him out.

[dispassioned]

Ah. So this isn’t uncommon.

[That's probably something to keep in mind.]

I can keep them talking for a little while, but it might be better to hurry.

[drawsblood]

I've seen it once before. Beyond that, I'm not sure how common it is for him.

Understood.

{ action }

[groupiedrifter]

[Text to speech sure is a lifesaver, huh. But as he stands very still and waits for the telltale sign of Joric's arrival, he also — panics a little, because he's not 100% sure whether it's actually Joric or the captains who are fast approaching; once he sees Joric's blurry figure swim into focus, he sighs a deep, relieved sigh.]

Joric, man, it's great to see you.

... Or, uh. Kinda see you. You're just a big fat blob of colors right now.

[He rubs the back of his neck, still a little worried.

After all, they got limited time.]

I... knocked over some books over there?

[drawsblood]

[ He purses his lips at Newt's comment. Excuse you, that's pure muscle, thank you very much. But he retrieves the books and sets them in a neat pile, hoping they weren't in a certain order that will be noticed as wrong now. ]

You did find some interesting things. The one you threw down is a wax seal with the symbol of Kellir on it. I'd be interested to know what it came off of, since there's little reason for anyone from there to write to pirates.

[groupiedrifter]

Oh, shit, Kellir?!

Then they're working with that fancy-smancy rich lady! Probably!

[He's so eloquent. As he stumbles closer, he motions to the maps.]

I got a feeling it'd be in our best interest to swipe that map. But later! I think maybe I got an idea about that, when I can think clearly. And see clearly. [... After a moment (and confident Joric has cleaned up the maps in question), he proceeds to sigh and lift his arms. Like a toddler needing to get lifted up.] Okay, I'm ready big guy. Cart me like a sack of potatoes.

[drawsblood]

Could be.

[ It's mused quietly as he tries to put the room back to rights. That riddle on the map is a curious thing and he wonders if one of the twins wrote it there or if the map came like that. But once he's straightened up he turns towards Newt and a crooked smile graces his lips. ]

We both know this is the easiest way.

[ And with that said he tosses Newt over his shoulder and carefully turns to head out, making sure to duck low enough that he doesn't smack Newt's ass into the door frame. ]

Where am I placing you?

voice; un: L.Lance

[lightinside]

That part about the sky, I mean it could be talking about sunset? But also 'East' - the sun rises in that direction so I'm not sure.

As for the 'key of gold', it mightn't be a literal key.

[ She's throwing out suggestions for now. ]

voice;

[groupiedrifter]

It's pretty vague, huh? Man, I hate metaphors and vague clues. Can't people just say what they mean? Especially old-timey people. Like, I don't wanna figure out riddles, grandpa!

voice;

[lightinside]

Well, if they said what they mean, it might make it easier for people to find the thing they're hiding. I think they just want to big up the mystery, y'know?

That said, I'm with you entirely. Riddles are kinda annoying. [ A beat. ] But I'm here to help so any thoughts you have, feel free to throw them at me.

voice;

[groupiedrifter]

Well, I was thinking... Maybe we're supposed to head toward the sunrise?

The sun sets in the west.

Unless we're supposed to sail east when the sun sets west...