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jammechanics · 1 day

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And. We. Are. Back! Jam Mechanics returns for season 2 with our first guest prompter (Our longtime collaborator and artist, ⁠@deepblueink2d⁠!). In our first episode back we reveal the fate of Jam Mechanics Mansion (Castle?) and reflect on the ocean that separates our two co-hosts Jam Mechanics is a podcast hosted by Matt (@narcissistcookbook) and Bug (@bughuntermusic) where we are challenged to write a song demo from scratch every episode.

If you'd like downloadable files for this episode (and the demos we showed off), ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you can go to our Bandcamp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to pay-what-you-want to support us!

Our brand-new discord is here⁠⁠⁠

and follow us on Instagram, YouTube, etc! Please share the show (and our music) with friends!

-- SPOILERS FOR THIS EPISODE BELOW --

Challenge: Transatlanticism

BUG'S SONG Title: Agamemnon Lyrics: I am aboard the Agamemnon, we are laying down a line It's gonna cross the ocean floor, the greatest project of our time A telegraph from Newfoundland will reach the Irish Shores but by by the time this note arrives you will not love me anymore

I am aboard the Agamemnon, laying cables in the sea For the purpose of the president to parley with the queen As for me, I've got this letter that I'll send you in the morn but by the time this note arrives you will not love me anymore

You will not love me by the time you read this note You told me you would wait if I had to go I keep your photo in a locket to remind me of my home

but while aboard the Agamemnon I have so much time to dream of a world where I can reach you with no middle-man between And maybe when we're done I'll get my turn, as a reward but I never got that chance, now you don't love me anymore When I made it to Niagara, you didn't love me anymore

You will not love me by the time you read this note You told me you would wait if I had to go I think of you so often with no way to let you know

This is only the beginning, this simple cable in the sea Soon we'll have radios and satellites and waves we cannot see No one'll know the pain of loving one they cannot reach

I'd commandeer the Agamemnon and I'd sail it back to shore it's just a faster way to learn that you don't love me anymore so I'll keep laying this cable for the lovers not yet born so that they may never hear "No, I don't love you anymore"

MATT'S SONG Title: The Tollbooth Lyrics: When Britain's national health service was launched in 1948 it set sail in the wake of the second world war when the country's citizens the upper and lower classes both the rich and the desperately poor had served together, side by side and the ones who survived the horrors came home demanding to no surprise more

we did not fight, they said in our millions just for things to return to the way they were we didn't die they said in our hundreds of thousands just to save a country where the leading cause of death is poverty and perhaps for the first time in british history the aristocrats and the working class agreed on something largely that arming the nation and teaching them how to fight and die for what they believe in makes their demands somewhat more convincing

and so barely three years after the soldiers had come home on july 5th, 1948 the british health system was torn out by the follicles and rebuilt in a new vision that it would be free at point of service, that no one, NO ONE, would be turned away or trapped into debt by lack of personal means that it would be available to everyone who walked through the doors of a hospital or a GP's office and that the well off wouldn't be able to skip the queue this was radical beyond comprehension a truly universal healthcare system doctors across the nation barred their doors and hired personal security so sure were they that the empowered impoverished would storm their offices demanding medicine and aid only to find on that monday morning a polite queue of people in need who for the first time were able to receive the treatment they would have had since birth if they had been born into a wealthier family

the trouble is healthcare is one of those futureproof industries like plumber people are always going to need water and if you can fix their pipes you are, within reason, set for life and the hospital and the doctor's surgery are no exception people are always going to get sick they're always going to get injured at the very very least everyone has to be born and everyone has to die and you would be an idiot would you not if you had the opportunity and the presence of mind to not set up a tollbooth at the well-worn bridges that lead into and out of this life

i am being faceitious of course who thinks like this who is so calculating and cruel that they would look at the legions of dying and sick and feel not compassion but greed who would see not the faces of their own parents, friends and children but a sea of investment a captured market a well of bottomless profit

it would be inappropriate for me to delve too deep into the catacombs that are the American Healthcare System if you are listening from those shores, then you know better than i do how it feels to live in fear of a broken bone of a cough that won't go away of a necessary surgery or a birth in the family I have personally met people who were having to choose between treatment for a treatable disease and a slow death So as to have something to leave their loved ones in their will A meagre windfall, after all, is infinitely preferable over a cascade of debt Maybe, at best, you are simply aware of how lucky you are To not fear these things as many do The privilege of being able to treat mild maladies as the inconvenience they are rather than an existential threat

I bring this up only because The profit machine that is the american healthcare system Is hungry And needs to be fed There is no such thing as too much money There is no endgame in an investment portfolio Where you find the princess in the very last castle and the credits roll There isn't a kill screen where the arcade machine craps out and kicks you back to the beginning The score just keeps getting bigger and bigger, the numbers getting longer and longer, Separated by decimal points and letters and commas And when the numbers get so unwieldy that we run out of space, Eh, we'll just start printing the end of year reports in landscape The machine needs to eat And the painkillers and bloodied sheets of 333 million people could only satisfy it for so long Its eyes, inevitably, have turned east

And what do you think it sees? When you have broken your arm and are getting it cast at 3am When your parents start visibly ageing and wilting When your child gets a cough that won't go away Do you think it wants to help? Or do you think it wants to fucking eat them?

#jammechanics #bug hunter #the narcissist cookbook #music podcast #jam mechanics

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paperbag880 · 2 years

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Jack Sparrow x male reader

Summary: you've reunited with your old friend. Eeeh it didn't go all that well.

Genre: fluff

Warnings: swearing?, a bit of a sexual tension

Not proofread, too lazy

Snoring "Huh- Oh! WOAH!" You woke up from a deep slumber to you being hanged by your legs and arms tied behind your back. You swung gently from side to side as you squirm in your bindings. You looked around yourself. You were on a ship but not your ship. You looked down, towards your feet, as you felt your blood go cold.

Black sails.

"Ah shet..."

Footsteps echoed around you and yet again you looked around yourself, this time with panic written all over your face. You wiggled as you glanced at your restraints. Pirates started to gather around you with their weapons and a bird. There was a way you could get out of this mess but you didn't remember the code word.

Barely? No. Truce! No. Pabble? What? Pe- Pa- Parl- Perl-

"P-PARLEY! Yes, yes, parley, that's the word!" You nodded your head rapidly at one of the crew members with a sheepish smile. They sighed and what you guessed went to call their captain. You stuck out your tongue and wiggled more in your restraints. You could see your legs as the loose went loose.

You laughed to yourself but you forgot about gravity. As you fell to the ground you hit your upper back and groaned in pain. You could hear more footsteps nearing close to you. You sat up and looked ahead. Your eyes locked on a pirate hat. You hummed and looked lower.

"Ah, shet... JAAAAAAAAACK! How's life?" You asked the man in front of you. He didn't seem to be amused or happy to see you really. How lucky were you to know Jack fucking Sparrow on friendly terms, well at least you used to know him that way. You two could have been great friends, the best even if you didn't turn yourself against him.

"Captain. Captain Jack Sparrow." He exclaimed and continued. "What can a sad sack like you offer to me?" He swayed around like he always does. His extravagant movements distracted you for a second. You truly had nothing to offer and he could see it in your eyes. Jack sighed. "You've come crashing onto my ship, drunk, completely wasted, and now you're asking for a parley with nothing to offer. Not to mention you've been like a tick stuck on my back all night." He said and walked towards you.

You felt embarrassed. It's not like you were ashamed you were drunk, no, no, no. It's that your stupid little brain forgot you're no longer a member of the Captain Jack Sparrow's crew and you came crawling to his ship. Jack crouched in front of you and tilted his head at you. Your mouth opened to speak but no words came out. You could at least say sorry.

Your eyes shifted to the ground. Whispers started to indulge in your ears. They weren't nice. Some insults and the normal pirate things. You lowered your head more and expected that you either die onboard or die in the ocean. Either of which you didn't want.

"Men!" You could hear Jack's voice exclaiming loudly. "Take him, make him do the dirtiest jobs we have. Don't go easy on him." You could hear the crew chuckle. You willingly stood up but your eyes were still cast downwards. "Since the traitor is here we might as well make a good use of him." Those were the last words you heard of him that day. You weren't blaming him for his harsh words and actions. You surely deserved it.

For the past few days, you've been doing all the dirty work. You haven't had a proper meal for days and your bed has been a wooden floor in the cell room. You're filthier than always which ticked you more than how much work did you have to do.

You hummed to yourself to not lose the bit of your sanity you had left, which is not much. You used to hear Jack sing this song when he got drunk. Unfortunately, you don't remember the lyrics. You continued humming as you heard the old door creak. You sighed and looked to the door.

"Captain?" You said confused. "What do I owe you for your visit?" Your eyes followed him as he sluggishly walked towards you. He had a plate in one hand and a bottle of rum in the other.

Once he was right in front of your cell he spoke. "Rum?" You weren't sure if it was a trick question or not but you were too exhausted to say no. And I mean, it's rum, of course, you'd say yes. He sets the plate and bottle on the ground and went to grab a barrel to sit on he pushed the plate closer to you, with his boot, but grabbed the rum bottle away from you. "Eat first."

You didn't protest as the food was fresh and it smelled delectable. As you ate Jack drank the rum and observed you. His first thoughts were, 'Damn he's filthy. And the smell.' But he continued drinking nonetheless. He wasn't a flower himself.

You finished your meal and were finally satisfied when it comes to hunger. Thirst was another thing. You thanked Jack who hummed and passed you the bottle. You drank it of course. The burning feeling in your throat was everything. You licked your lips once you pulled the bottle away from them. You stretched your hand towards Jack so he takes the bottle. He took it and drank as well.

You sighed thru your nose. "Captain, may I...explain myself?" The words were heavy in your throat. He stayed silent as he drank. Once he stopped he made eye contact with you. "And what could you be explaining to me?" He snarled but it was still playful.

You looked away for a sec but looked at him right after. "The time when I switched sides so suddenly?" You tilted your head a little. He turned and gestured for you to continue. "I knew Barbossa would agree to your parley so I switched sides." It was a very weird reason to switch sides, basically, betray everyone and you knew it. You saw the confusion written all over Jack's face so you contained, cus, you weren't finished. "You know how Barbossa is. He wouldn't go straight to the Pearl, so I decided to hold them up so you can fight him for as long as you need without intruders." You told your story and waited if he was gonna say sum.

"Well, why didn't you come and explain yourself after the curse was lifted?" He asked sincerely. You've been cursed that day too so you could go with Barbossa's crew on the Dauntless to kill some British virgins. Which you didn't.

"I did run away to come explain myself but... Well, I knew you would be mad and I also saw Pearl, as she swam away... So I knew you left." You looked at your hands as they played with your dirty shirt. You heard a small chuckle. Once you looked back at Jack he was drinking the rum again.

"The Pearl left me behind as well." He said as he swallowed. "I've been brought to Port Royal again to be hanged. Savvy?" He turned the bottle upside down and shook it. You didn't know he was supposed to be hanged or that the Pearl sailed without him. To say you were shocked was an understatement.

"Huh..."

...

"Turner?"

"Turner..."

You chuckled. The kid was a menace. You rested your head on the wooden planks of the Pearl and closed your eyes. Jack stayed there with you for a bit before you heard, "Well!" and a shuffle of keys. You heard a lock being opened so you opened your eyes. The door to your cell was open. "This-" he rapidly gestured to your form with his hand. "-is seriously bagging for a bath."

You let out a wholehearted chuckle and slowly got up. "Aye, aye Captain!" Jack set the barrel, he sat on, back where it was and escorted you out. Once the light blind you, you realized the ship was sailed in Tortuga. You hummed. When did they come here? Jack led you thru the streets to a tavern where he bought a room with a bathroom.

Once in the room, he shoved you into the bathroom and locked you from the outside in. You were baffled, to say the least. "Now do your deeds! Don't drown tho!" You could hear the captain say before the front door closed.

Did he...Did he just leave? He locked you in a bathroom...What will you do after you finish washing?...

You just stood there for a bit, too baffled to move. Once you blinked your trans away you shook your head and started to prepare the water.

Once everything was set you stripped and hopped into the water. You immediately relaxed. Your sore muscles finally loosen up. It was rewarding. You sighed in delight and closed your eyes with a satisfied grin.

You've been just laying there for a while. You were thinking about what made Jack so friendly again. Yes, you may have told him you're a very bad liar but why the sudden change of mind. You needed to ask him right after your bath.

You sank into the water to wet your hair. Not even 10 seconds in the water you've been pulled out. "Bloody hell, I've told you not to drown!" You heard Jack from behind you.

"I was just wetting my hair, captain." You said from under your wet hair. You brought a hand towards your face and flipped your hair behind. Your eyes met Jack's with a confusing expression.

"O-Oh..." He said as he let you go right after. And sat down on a nearby stool. You kept your eyes on him as water dripped down from your hair, down your neck. It was a bit awkward.

"When did you come here?" You said. His eyes moved slowly downwards. He was watching the drops as they slid down back. You caught up to it and looked away. It wasn't unknown for pirates to like other fellow pirates and you couldn't say you didn't fancy Jack.

You grabbed a soap that was near you and scrubbed it into your hair. You could feel Jack's eyes on you. It made you nervous and you almost dropped your soap. You silently cursed to yourself, "Need help over there?" but apparently Jack heard it. You thought about his offer but decline him with a quick, "Uh...no?"

You then remembered he didn't answer your question so you asked again. "Oh, not long ago. I walked on you when you went underwater. Savvy?"

"Why tho?" You looked at him suspiciously.

He blinked a lot before answering you. "Uuuuuh, well you've been here for quite a long time. Wanted to check on ya." You let out a small oh.

Your hands went to scrub your back. It was very difficult as your back muscles were sore and you couldn't reach that far. You sighed.

"May I?" You didn't even notice when Jack neared you. His hand was next to your head, asking for the soap. You gave him the soap. There was no reason to decline. He grabbed it and lightly touched your back with his other hand before setting the soap onto your skin.

He made circles around your neck and shoulders. You felt as your shoulders fell and the tension slowly disappeared. You let Jack do his magic. His fingers dug into your flesh and you winced a little. It didn't hurt but it was strange. In the end, you almost fell asleep which Jack noticed and chuckled.

"Don't fall asleep on me now." He worked on your trapezius muscles. His hands slowly pulled you against the wall of the bathtub as throughout his help with washing your back you slowly leaned closer to the water with your face.

You sighed in delight. "Thank you, captain, but why?" You could feel as Jack halted for a sec but his hands stayed firm on your shoulders. He kept his movements going.

"I've missed you quite a lot..." His fingers moved around your spine. "I dare to say I was heartbroken when you switched sides." His voice was, as always, groggy but there was kindness and honesty in it. "I thought I lost you for forever..." He stopped and exhaled loudly. "You did give me a sign, before you've taken that cursed coin, didn't you?"

You hummed. "Yes, I did. I didn't think you would understand it tho so I didn't give much thought to it after." You answered honestly. Your sign was very faint, almost unnoticeable. "I knew you'd hate me after either way."

After a silence, there was a loud splash in front of you. A lot of the water was spilled on the floor. You looked towards the cause, frighten. There inform of you stood captain Jack Sparrow. In the tub. Hovering above you. His hands were on either side of the tub propping himself up.

"Yet here we are, love." He said with his eyes looking into yours. "The compass." He brought his black compass to view and opened it. "It's pointing at you. Savvy?" He moved to compass to one side than the other. The dial always pointed at you. "Do you remember how this little thing works?"

Your eyes followed Jack's hand. You nodded. "It points to what you deeply desire."

"That's correct!" He moved away from you and sat on the other side of the tub with a heavy sigh. He was looking at his compass. "I was wondering why did it bring me to that town." He looked at you. "And when you came crashing to my ship, the compass kept pointing at you." He nudged his hand towards you.

"You desire me or something I own?" You question him. That compass is strange and you don't really trust it.

"That's why we're here." He put away the compass and leaned on his knees. "You're naked. Savvy?" He tilted his head. His little smirk and the mischief in his eyes were enough to bring heat to your face.

"Why would you desire me?" You sat up in the tub and leaned a bit forward with your eyebrows slightly frowned. "I did betray you."

He laughed and leaned more forward. "But you didn't." His eyes tried from yours to your lips. "Did you, love?" You slowly leaned to his face.

It was a mare second. Your lips caught his and you both were in a heated make out. After some time you two stopped. Jack smirked at you and hummed. "I can get used to this."

#jack sparrow x male reader #jack sparrow x reader #jack sparrow x you #jack sparrow #savvy?

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sigelfire · 7 months

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Diego Luna and Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley

"Running down these streets with Eric Liedtke and Diego Luna feels like having millions of Ocean Warriors behind us. The two represent our two strongest partnerships: @adidas who joined us first as founding partner and believed in our vision when nobody did - who unleashed their innovation power to make it work. Our new partner @corona who explored with us remote places, and launching the '100 Islands 🏝Project'. Who empowers us with their thunderstorms of passion to shake up the beverage industry. The movement is exploding. And while the waters out there in the sea reach boiling temperatures - we are leaving the General Assembly Hall transformed. Jedi feelings grow. May the force decide to be with us."

Adding the video. I know is well known, but I wanted to have it here:

youtube

+ Biggest size photos from the coverage of the campaign by Publimetro:

#diego luna #cyrill gutsch #eric liedtke #corona x parley #big images #Youtube #video

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narrans · 2 months

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The Orion's Daughter : To Lands Beyond | Chapter 16 | Parley and Purpose

**~~~~~**

Chapter Sixteen | Parley and Purpose

**~~~~~**

Words could not describe the immense ship currently eclipsing the sun. I thought our ships in the neighborhood ports were massive, but this ship was on a whole other level. Yes, it belonged to giants, but there was a difference between hearing about the ships of the Orion and then seeing them in person.

Steele’s shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly beneath my momma and me. I didn’t know if that was merely because Steele was a little older or if he was wary and nervous for what was to come. Whatever the reason, I was prepared for nearly every scenario. Sure, I didn’t have my emergency bag, but all I needed was my sword and hidden dagger to start problem solving.

My momma reached over and held tightly to my left hand. I assumed it was because she liked the reassurance or that she needed the stability as we sat there perched on Steele’s shoulder, but neither of us spoke as we rode up to the Bennevis.

The ocean rocked and churned under the dinghy, feeling a bit like a bucking horse, as Steele stood and followed Wofur’s lead in standing and grasping the rope ladder that hung over the edge over the bow of the ship. As Steele grasped the ladder, two of the oarsmen leaned over and held the bottom of the ladder to keep it from twisting and pulling away from the ship.

“Allow us, Ser,” they said in almost perfect unison.

Ser? For some reason, I imagined the word capitalized and spelled with an “e” and not an “i,” but that was usually reserved for knights and officers.

Wait…

I looked up at Steele, glimpsing only part of his profile, as he kept his keen violet eyes affixed to the top of the ladder and the bow of the ship. An odd sensation crept over me as I braced for each step that he ascended.

Steele told me he was part of the military and that he studied warfare as well as some of the battles and strategies he used, but he never said where he was in the fray. Was he a grunt? A foot soldier? Or was he a knight? An officer?

I gazed up at Steele in awe.

There was still so much I didn’t know about him.

I decided to interrogate him about it later. For now, I kept my eyes wide open as Steele finally made it to the top. I glanced down and instantly felt a partial wave of nausea swirl in my gut. I haven’t felt something like that in a while, but looking down at the dinghy and the ocean from what was surely a lethal distance made me the slightest bit uneasy.

I didn’t let it show though. I swallowed dryly and turned my attention to the deck of the ship.

There was so much to see that I could have spent hours evaluating the scene before me. There were a few dozen deck hands scurrying around this way and that performing different tasks. Some of them were cleaning the deck. Others were checking the rigging. Others were swinging from ropes making sure the sails were being taken care of.

Regardless of what they were doing at the time, the moment Steele stood on the bow, all of them stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him. Silence settled over the ship and nothing but the occasional flapping sound of a tarp being jostled in the wind broke the veil of silence.

It wasn’t until the shrill scream of a whistle snapped the crew to attention that anything happened. I turned my eyes to the Captain’s quarters and felt my jaw slacken as I spotted someone who I could only assume to be the Captain and the First Mate, but this isn’t what caught me by surprise. It was the fact that they were both women.

The Captain, Tanna Aludor, wore a light blue frock coat that was the same shade as the vests of the crew members. She wore a tri-pointed brown leather hat that sat on top of straight black hair that fell right to her shoulders. Her dark brown eyes were that of a predator, ready to strike and sound off a command without hesitation. Her knee-high boots sounded heavy as she strode across the wooden planks toward Steele. Her movements were sure and determined, just like how Steele had taught me to be.

The First Mate followed immediately behind, a mousy looking girl on the outside, but a burning blaze in her green eyes. Her light brown hair was tied back into one long singular ponytail that flowed behind her with an unearthly flow.

As the Captain passed, all muttered, “g’day Captain,” and kept their heads bowed until she had completely passed them.

Feeling it was only polite, I dared to stand on Steele’s shoulder as he subtly fell into some stance that must have been “attention” and maintained it until the Captain was within arm’s reach of him. Her charcoal eyes flicked to my momma and me just for a moment, giving me just enough time to imitate the gesture I saw the other crew members perform and for her to recognize it before her eyes flicked back to Steele.

“Captain, permission to come aboard,” stated Steele in his native tongue, keeping his eyes straight forward without looking her directly in the eye. My heart pounded excitedly, getting to see everything firsthand.

Then, with her right hand, she bent her elbow up toward her shoulder, keeping her palm facing her. She did not put her arm down and said nothing for several seconds. Mesmerized, I watched as Steele’s eyes widened before he shifted ever so slightly and mimicked the motion, but he kept his palm away from him, not toward himself. Then, after a moment, he lowered his hand, and Captain Aludor did the same. Only then did the Captain speak.

“Ser, permission is not necessary for someone of your rank aboard my vessel,” stated the Captain. Steele smiled and shook his head in amused disbelief.

“I am retired, Captain Aludor. The ship is yours regardless of my once esteemed rank,” replied Steele softly. I could tell he was maintaining formality by the words he chose to use, but his tone was friendly enough to promote conversation. “Please, allow me to introduce my comrades - my hanai. This is Raina Toro and her daughter Terrilyn Lun.”

There was an instant spark of curiosity from the Captain as she looked to Steele and then to my momma and me. Once again, I gave the same bow as before, but I dared not speak just yet. I had suddenly been thrown into a new set of customs and I was not about to interject incorrectly.

I made sure to make eye-contact this time though, ensuring Captain Aludor that I was not going to be overlooked. Steele taught me about the importance of eye-contact, and I was not about to back down entirely. Respectful, but not submissive.

And she saw it.

There was a moment where I swear I saw a flicker of intrigue before she looked back to Steele.

“Well, I shan’t keep you long then, shall I. Please, will you join me in my quarters for a discussion?” asked Captain Aludor as she stepped to the side and gestured to the Captain’s quarters at the stern of the ship. Steele, glancing back once more at his friend, turned and nodded once. Captain Aludor spun on her heel and, without another word, began marching toward the stern. Steele’s footsteps were significantly quieter, him not wearing any shoes, compared to the Captain’s bold stride. Still, Steele commanded the attention of the deck just as the Captain had done.

It made me wonder more and more about Steele’s background. He told me stories, but never spoke of his rank. I never thought to ask because of how he told the stories. He always sounded like he was among the soldiers, with them and not above them. Was this how the Orion organized their forces? Or was this how Steele conducted himself?

I knew what I would be doing tonight.

The Captain’s quarters were simple but sophisticated. A massive window took up nearly the entire stern of the ship, letting in the scene of the ocean behind her. There was a cot, desk, oil lamps that hung from the ceiling, maps and charts showing the topography of the ocean floor as well as lines showing the tides and flows of the ocean. There were odd devices measuring distance as well as dials and devices that I had no inkling of what they could do. I stared at the map for a few moments, really taking in the scope of the entire world.

What an amazing place….

What adventures awaited the horizons sketched on that paper?

The Captain and First Mate maneuvered around the desk and sat, gesturing to Steele and Wofur to sit as well. Steele nodded politely before calmly walking over and taking a seat opposite the Captain. For several seconds, the silence returned when the Captain leaned forward in her chair, clasping her fingers in front of her calculatingly, and peered over at Steele.

“Shall I overlook the formalities and address the subject directly, Ser?” Captain Aludor asked, speaking in their homeland’s native tongue. Steele, leaning back in his chair and clasping his hands in his lap, nodded.

“I believe that would be the best course of action,” agreed Steele, smiling politely as he glanced over at momma and me to make sure we were comfortable before redirecting his attention to the Captain.

“Very well,” sighed Captain Aludor. “We are on the brink of war.”

At this, Wofur stiffened while Steele remained completely unblinking. I knew this silence, and it was a contemplative one. Steele was pondering something, measuring the tone and situation as well as events leading up to now. In a matter of moments, he responded.

“With Keonune and Laryuen?”

The Captain’s eyes widened in surprise. Evidently, Steele had hit the nail right on the head. But how?

“Your reputation precedes you,” stated Captain Aludor. “Zeto, please retrieve the documents.” The First Mate, who hadn’t uttered a word, spun on her heel and rummaged through a drawer by the desk, and emerged with a stack of papers as long as her arm. For someone of my height, it was easily eight times my height. She set them on the table in front of Steele, but he merely looked at them as First Mate Vela Zeto began her explanation.

“Ser, this is all of the documentation we have had over the past few moons. Events have been building to their current status, and if the trajectory isn’t altered, all Orion will be in all-out war within the next moon, if not sooner. The counsels have already begun… preparations….”

I didn’t know why, but Steele’s demeanor shifted ever so slightly. His shoulders tensed suddenly, to the point where my mother and I had to readjust to make sure we didn’t slip noticeably to the other Orion in the room. More importantly, I don’t know why the First Mate looked specifically to my momma and me as she hesitated in her words. The pause was more than her trying to find the right word. It was like she was being… cautions. Sensitive. Careful.

Steele glanced at the pile of documents before looking back at the First Mate and the Captain. He didn’t even bother reaching forward. He merely shook his head, a tired smile pulling his lips upward, before he addressed them.

“As I have said, I have retired, and my last encounter with the leaders of Keonune and Laryuen is far in my past. I am retired - exiled if we want to call it what it is - and far removed from current events. What insights could I possibly provide that you have not already obtained from these documents?” Steele asked. I listened to his diplomatic tone and his cool, level headedness.

“Ser, it was your diplomacy that broke through to both of these leaders. It was your negotiations that prevented what would have been the bloodiest warpath of our time. I’ve read all of your work and others’ evaluations of your battle tactics, and your actions that day alone saved countless lives,” piped up the First Mate Vela Zeto. Her eagerness and tone told me she was well-read about Steele.

Was he really so well-renowned?

“And I am certain you will be able to sufficiently subdue them once again. Meet their demands and be willing to compromise,” stated Steele. At this, Captain Aludor readjusted in her seat and lowered her clasped fingers.

“Ser, their demands are unable to be met. If you would review the documentation, you would see what they are asking for,” stated Captain Aludor.

“Pouring over documents is for the council members and scholars who are immersed in recent events. It is one of the reasons I have been content in living in exile, among other whys and wherefores. I have paid my dues, and now I wish to wash my hands of this,” stated Steele.

“Are you saying you would be willing to allow this war to proceed?” asked Captain Aludor, voice as stiff as her upper lip and the look in her eye sharp as a sword.

“As I said, I have been content living in exile. There are others far greater than I whom you can seek counsel from, but the solution you seek does not lie with me. I offer my sincerest apologies that I was unable to assist you and that your travels were not as productive as you intended,” stated Steele.

I looked to the Captain and the First Mate before catching Steele’s stern look. It was a look I knew from years of trying to wheedle favor from him. He was obstinate and it was practically impossible to convince him to change his mind once it was made up.

With a single, courteous nod, Steele pushed himself up and smiled politely at both the Captain and the First Mate.

“Thank you for considering me and for considering my counsel, but I’m afraid I am unable to assist. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Steele said and, with one last nod, turned to his friend, Wofur Otagun. “If you will escort me back to the mainland, I would be most grateful.”

I could see Wofur’s apprehension. It didn’t take much to see he was waiting for the Captain to give some kind of acknowledgement in approval. I glanced over my shoulder, suddenly realizing that I could feel my pulse in my neck. Were nerves getting the better of me? I could only hope I wasn’t shaking as I waited with baited breath for something to give between the others.

Then, as the Captain’s eyes met mine, I knew she had been bested.

“Well, thank you for your audience, Ser. I am sorry on behalf of our own counsels that aid was not provided sooner, and I am sorry to have waisted your time. We will be departing in the next few days, but you won’t have to worry about us breaking the Directive of Noninterference. I only ask that you think about the circumstances once more and consider all of the factors. Regardless of your final decision before we leave, we come and go in peace and as allies,” stated the Captain. She rose to her feet and once again saluted in that same foreign way, waiting respectfully for Steele to dismiss her.

With a relieved smile, Steele acknowledged her gesture before he turned and strode toward the door. I could feel him shaking beneath me, but kept my head held high in confidence. Steele would have a million questions to answer from me later, but right now was not the time.

We needed to be the united front we always were.

The other Orion sailors saluted as Steele passed, but the passing glances between him, my mother and I, and the Captain conveyed their disappointment that Steele was not staying aboard.

The voyage back to our homeland was uneventful and silent, but also tense. I could practically feel the confusion in the air. What was there to be confused about? If they wanted to force him back, they could. Was it imperative that he come willingly?

We touched ground as my questions formulated and swirled in my head, threatening to make it ache, and Steele disembarked from the vessel. I heard his sigh of relief as he took several steps onto land.

“Steele.” Wofur had stepped off of the vessel with Steele and had followed after a few paces, far enough away from the other sailors who had brought us to and from the ship for them to not hear. They continued to speak in their native tongue rather than the Common I grew up with. “Please, reconsider.”

“My friend, my argument has been presented and my evidence laid out. I do not know what else can be said about the matter,” stated Steele. Wofur, hanging his head and nodding ever so slightly, reached into his coat pocket and withdrew the documents that were on the Captain’s desk. I didn’t need to see Steele’s expression to feel the way his posture and energy changed at seeing his friend present him with these immense documents.

“I ask only that you read through the circumstances and see what may await us on the horizon. It is not just our lands they are threatening. You heard the First Mate, right? That preparations are being made?” implored Wofur. “For the sake of you and for your hanai, please just read through the documents and think about it.”

I looked up to see Steele’s features harden as if they were turning to stone.

“You would press me on this, my friend? You would bring my hanai into this?” Steele’s voice rumbled in his chest, making his shoulders tremble beneath me. I glanced from Wofur to the partial profile I had access to while glancing up at Steele. “Careful, Mossback, because your words sound dangerously close to a threat.”

Wofur shook his head in disbelief and actually scoffed, both of which made me bristle defensively. I knew it wasn’t my place to speak out, but I couldn’t just keep quiet any longer.

“You heard my father,” I stated firmly, using my firmest and most decisive tone as I spoke in their language. All eyes turned to me, and I realized I needed to remember my manners. “Please, do not trouble him with your issues further. If he says he washes his hands of this, then respect him and his reputation to heed his advice.”

Wofur straightened up ever so slightly as he looked at me. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to establish superiority by emphasizing his height with a stretch, but I found myself mirroring his movements to show him I wasn’t intimidated. It wasn’t until I caught the glimpse of emotion in his eye that a spark of worry ignited within my thoughts.

The look was almost of concern and pity.

“If he will not read the documents, then I ask that you do. Perhaps you will understand the urgency and insistence we Orion have in requesting his attendance,” stated Wofur. He stepped up to the edge of the cliffside and carefully set down the stack of parchments and reports. He turned and looked back at me before offering what I thought to be a curious smile. “I can see much of him in you, young one, and I can only hope you’ve adopted more than his fighting spirit.”

“She certainly has,” complemented Steele as he glanced to me, smiled, and then returned his gaze to his friend. “Thank you, my friend, for coming. If I do not see you again before you depart, know your presence filled my soul. It has been too long since I’ve seen a familiar face from home.”

The two of them shook hands before Wofur turned and departed.

I watched all of them become nothing more than specks on the horizon as their ship remained anchored a fair distance away from our land. Something about seeing those sails tied tight made me believe that we had not seen the last of them.

Steele, with a sigh, finally tore his eyes away from the horizon and turned to the documents. He rested his hand on them absent mindedly as he raised his other hand for momma and me to step on.

“Steele?” called momma as she stepped forward and carefully placed her hands against his thumb. His violet eyes were distant as he stared blankly forward. He was obviously deep in thought.

Rather than take the hand down, I decided to take an alternative route and, despite my momma calling out for me to not do it, turned quickly around and climbed down Steele’s arm and ran along his forearm to stand on top of the documents he seemed vaguely focused on.

Finally close enough to see the words scrolled onto the parchment pieces, I took a few steps back and let myself read the foreign tongue I had been taught.

Immediately, however, I almost wished I hadn’t started reading.

The very first document was a topographical map, and I recognized the territory instantly. It was our homeland, but more specifically a set of islands right off of the Eastern coast. For the most part, I had only studied this area vaguely and knew that the people there often supplied fish to the towns and to the inland areas.

The marks around it, however, were what made my blood boil.

The marks around the island had only one word – captured.

Captured? As in the land had been taken over? By whom? The Orion? Did this have something to do with those two territories the Captain mentioned earlier? Keonune and Laryuen? Why were they invading our land? What about this Directive of Noninterference thing? Were they not holding to it.

I glanced over my shoulder to see Steele’s eyes no longer focused on the parchment pieces, but on me. He was looking at me expectantly, as if he wanted me to speak first; and so I did.

“Steele, would it be alright if I read through these? I want to know what your friend meant,” I said. My request made Steele stiffen, but he nodded.

“Yes, of course. You do not need my permission to learn,” said Steele.

“And if I have questions?” I prompted, wanting to ensure I had his support.

“You may ask them, and I will tell you,” he stated. Those violet orbs of his barely glimpsed the map at the top of the page, and his eyes filled with mild regret and frustration. His sigh sounded like a distant gust of wind over the fields as he turned and leaned against the cliffs, shoulders sagging slightly.

I listened as my momma tried to console him, but I knew instantly that Steele suspected from the beginning what those documents I was standing on contained. The problem, however, was that I didn’t know, but I was about to learn.

I hurried inside to our home and gathered all of the candles and lanterns I could so that I could read uninterrupted for the rest of the night. Goodness knew it was going to be a long one.

~~~~~^*^*^*^*^~~~~~

Continue

Beginning

~~~~~^*^*^*^*^~~~~~

Book One: The Orion’s Factotum

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fashionlouist · 2 years

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Louis is wearing an Adidas Graphics Mellow Ride Club Long Sleeve Jersey on stage for his set at Roma Summer Fest tonight.

A classic collared doubleknit jersey made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic, this race-inspired jersey honours design from the past with ribbed cuffs, a polo collar and a flock-print detail.

#louis tomlinson #louis tomlinson fashion #louis fashion #fashionlouist #adidas #ltf22 #roma summer fest #festivals #August 2022 #2022.08.30 #tops #long sleeve #2022 festivals

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coralmorphologic · 2 years

Audio

In celebration of our new educational course, 'Illuminating Coral,' we're psyched to share a running playlist we put together with Vacations for the Parley for the Oceans #RunForTheOcean initiative. #RunForTheOceans: Coral Edition is a playlist curated with the nature and personality of coral in mind: very spicy, very spiky, very punk. Enjoy!

#Coral Morphologic #coralmorphologic #parley for the oceans #vacations #runfortheoceans

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captainkurosolaire · 6 months

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Profile ~ Sinbad the Young

☼ Roots ☼

話 "Never again, will I fail her or anyone." 話 - Full Name: Van Gah'd Sinbad - Namesday: 4th Astral Moon of the 7th Sun - Blood Type: B - Patron Sign: Byergot, The Builder. - Gender: Male - Nationality: Ala Mhigan - Age: 22 Summers - Height: 6 Fulms 9 Ilms - Weight: 289 Ponze - Build: Bodybuilder Muscular, Defined. - Voice: ~ (Ref) - Debut Chapter: Parley of the Oceans - Ancestry: Orphaned - Race: Highlander - Clan: City-Born - Crew Role: Second Mate

✯ Core✯

- Alignment: Story-Dependent - Sexuality: Hetero - Marital Status: Engaged - (10) - Personality Traits: Aggressive, Imposing, Dominant, Straight-Edge, Tough, Blockhead, Egotistical, Fighter, Champion, Macho. - (0-6) - Most Potent Qualities: Soldier, Bodyguard, Fighter, Tough, Young, Caring. - Quirks: Hard-shell softest interior. Cannot refuse cute animals. He'll practically melt when alone with an animal. He's a soft-heart when away from others. One of those people who wear sunglasses indoors. If you get through the density, that is not just the overcompensating body, but stubborn mind as well. You'll have a valuable-endearing friend who'll listen to any plight and beat-up any problem you've got. Is a straight-up soldier dog. He's wearing unusual shoes always, that are so painfully-deterring from his outfit or attire. Instead of combat-boots, he'll wear rain-boots. - Weaknesses: Like most alpha-believed man, the moment things go array, they crumble harder than any other. Feeling completely vulnerable and useless. One duty failed is worth thousands. He puts himself on a pedestal pressured, not just by his society, but all. He cannot afford to appear weak by any sense. He must be an example; a cut above. Internally he's soft like jelly with his true-friends, and animals or critters. - Appearance: Meat upon meat, burly and masculine and chiseled by granite putting the Twelve to shame. Sinbad carries himself in high-regard, otherwise it'd be piss-poor reflection to his lass. Often cologne with the most top of the line, highest-quality. Clean with the right rugged-edges and groom, he atypically sports-shades to give off that 'big deal' touch. Carrying himself like a Legend in the Making in presentation. An absolute-total-package and unit. To thrive in this sea-world, he's still got to be more and command an even more vast presence. - Scars: The Brand of Y. - Tattoos: None. - Piercings: None. - Primary Residence: Worldly Finder - Wealth: Has piles of troves and claimed multiple from other low-rate pirates, but a great sum. - Achievements: Is Undefeated against rival Pirate Captains in parleys. Defeating even his longest idol and current Captain, he watched in the stands take on a Noble of Ishgard and cried seeing that Order's Shield can be broken, an orphan teen grew up into a man that day from inspiration. The Youngest Pirate in history to survive Six-Layers of Hell and be victorious even unconsciously. Sinbad stands for everything all other kinsman don't. Self-controlled, Disciplined. He's Straight-Edge. Doesn't have any vices, bad indulgences. Is set on paving his own path. To become the next role-model of the seas. Has a work-relationship with sponsorships from Aethertap (All Natural Purified Water) to Gruff & Rough (Razor company) - Influence: Has an admirable wanted bounty for 27,000,000 Gil actively at an early-age. Hence has attained the title "The Young" Lifetime-highest-ranking in the 5 Star HVSTC/SN Top 1000 Wanted List, #485 / D Rank. - 5 Foods: Meat, Meat, Meat, Meat, Icecream. - 5 Drinks: Meatshake, Chocolate, Banana, Water, Aethertap - Profession: Rigging, Boatswain, Lifting, Hauling, Dueling, Wrestling, Brawling, Pit-fighting, Street-Fighting. Fencing, Delinquency, Mercenary. Thievery. Plundering. Pillaging, Diplomatic. Breaking Necks, Changing Lives, Lifting Weights. Bodybuilding, Skirmishes. - Hobbies: Animal Fundraising, Kennel Caretaker, Wildlife Rescuing, Making Stuffies. Kid Toymaker, Building Miniature-Replicas. - Experiences: Brawling. Wrestling. Rigging, Fencing, Ship Pillaging, Plundering, Battling, Parley, Skirmishes, Fighting. - Favorite Color: None - Language: Eorzean Fluent - Prior Mentors: Self-Made.

❤ Relations❤

Crewmate’s Dream & Loyalty Mission: Avenge his woman's pride alongside himself, survive the impending bloodiest War. Dismantle, conqueror, burn down the entire Nation of Omonga. Relationship w/ Captain: (OOC Commentary) Sinbad idolizes the grizzly-older Seeker sharing their scrapper backgrounds. Dedication to spit and spew against what's ethical, to stand unconventionally and stand up for not just yourself but hoist loudly your freedom's flag. He held no mentor, or parental guidance to teach him how to be a man. But by just looking at the Sun. He was inspired and basked and came into his own. It started with that littlest bit of confidence. Then... The Sun dissipated, lost and thought gone forever when needed. Hurt and abandoned there is nothing like a scorned-fan, they go from the greatest admirer; to the most venomous hater. He lashed and antagonized when it peaked the glimpse of resurfaced. How dare that Sun hide masked behind the shadow's cloud! A claimed victory became his own he crushed that incomplete Sun. Yet he too was incomplete, unsatisfied, not dazzling or burning and felt truly high in the orbit, lacking experience at being the victorious, the moment you are held-high, you're merely the ultimate target to the giant's who were meant to eclipse the skies, those which; tower and stand above all lifeforms. ☝ Allies - (Major Supporters / Family / Friends) Unlimited Stoneworks Trade Captain: Biological Brother who's was slain by Klethera who was more wicked, cowardly. He distanced himself from that. Mendi Flowers: His Fiance Wild Crew ☟ Antagonists - (Rivals - Enemies) YORE & The Bloodbrand Mount: N/A Pets: Several fostered-puppies and wolves, all nursed back from neglect or injuries by himself.

❀ Prowess❀

Job: Underground Boss

"Sinbad's" Move-Set

Self-Explanatory: Punch, Kick, Gouge, Groin Hits, Elbow Strikes. Judo Throw: Uses an opponent's momentum against them. Guillotine Choke: Why did you let him get that close? Rear Naked Choke: There's no referee. Sumo: Becomes nearly unmovable in stance. Powder-Keg Punch: A strong-arm punch that feels like you were in-proximity of an explosion. Wrestling: Pins his opponent's or disarms them, controls the battle. Brawling: Stands his ground, and just one, two, combo's, until the other person isn't moving. Heavy-Grappling: Throws his opponent's around like they're trash bags; which they typically are. Adrenaline-Fighting: Classical when is busted-open, fights with no qualms of most injuries until it's too late. Tough Skin: Many equate Sinbad's skin to be like that of a shark especially when his muscles are tensed. Enhancer: Sinbad fortifies his muscles and manipulate the testosterone with his aether, becoming an unnatural monstrosity with zero-regard of proportions, hellbent to crush, doing so will mess with his nerves, joints, increase his risk of heart attacks. Afterwards his muscles and body deflate severely gaining more flab, suffering body tremors. Everything that has to be physically reconditioned. This requires an insane work-ethic, dedication an utter-drive. At any reason he were to lose that mental-resolve, fortitude, he'd begin suffering. Therefore Sinbad even if wheel-chair bound will curl a dumb-bell and push limits, lifting away his problems and slam down protein. Proficiency: Revolvers, Shotguns, Hand to Hand, Grappling. Signature: Hulking Tackle: Charges at his opponent with full-velocity, and sheer power, to absolutely break his opponents in half. Typically breaks their spine on contact, or knocks them into a new timezone from their concussion. ~ Finishers ~ Limit Break: N/A

⚝ Equipment ⚝

Main Arms: Bare Fist' Giving Dem Hands. Person's Container: Brass Knuckles, Small-Wrist-Rope, Gil Sack (15k) Switch-Knife, Luxurious Watch, Shades, Eye-patch, Bubble-gum. Athletic-tape.

#Sinbad the Young #TWC #1.0 #Edit this with gifs and screenshots later #Crew Profile Sheets

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