[PQ] [SE] fair winds and following seas

JACK

With Flora out and about (you know, battling monsters in the Oerwoud and all that) and their vacation to Stormbreak officially over, it's back to business as usual for the good captain. And being up at the Skyport has given Jack a lot of time to scope out other ships, thinking of adaptations and ways in which The Ark could be better equipped to fare in the sky rather than just on the sea. Not only that, but she could use a damned good pampering as well, after all this tinkering from goddesses.

Having told the crew as much, they are already swabbing the decks, taking inventory and clearing out old supplies and broken crates whilst Jack considers his next steps. Most of this they'll be able to do in the water, even if it means diving beneath The Ark to get it done, but he'll take her to the skies for the last leg of it all, just to make sure they haven't forgotten anything.

---

PQ to spring clean The Ark and help to make her more aerodynamic!

1. Jack
2. Vesper
3. Calypso
4. Nova

you're the last of a dying breed; write our names in the wet concrete
I wonder if your therapist knows everything about me

Code stolen from Queen Sky

the sun inside of her rages like wildfire
and she is gold, gold, gold

Excitement glimmers in the young woman’s mind, a shining ribbon of gold that weaves through her mind and her thoughts. First of all, the prospect of stepping onto the Ark was exciting – obviously – but then there was the secondary thought of meeting Jack finally. Of course, her hopes aren’t high, but there was something different about looking down and studying someone from Safrin’s starry sky and actually being in the flesh, breathing the same sea salt air, stepping on the same wooden docks.

Her hair is tied up, blonde waves from the humidity bouncing around her face where it’s fallen out of the hair tie, adorned in one of those beautiful white and gold sundresses she had spotted not that long ago in the stalls, she half spins as she turns toward Vesper with a bright smile. “So we’re cleaning, right?” She clarifies, despite knowing that was the whole point of this, but it would be a first for her – and despite it being so menial, it still seemed a bit exciting despite the boringness of it.

She guides the way, up onto the Ark, and her amber gaze is immediately distracted by the multitude of people around. But it’s one in particular that she’s seeking out, and when she’s spotted him, she makes a beeline straight for him, sure that Vesper can do the introductions (if there were any needed for obvious reasons, but the matching star tattoo on her face is a nice touch.)

Calypso

and she is scorching the skin of my heart

When it rains, look for rainbows.

Skipping up the gangplank, Nova joins her siblings on the deck, a lively tune humming through her mind as she excitedly drinks in the vibrant activity of the port and ship. Her similar white dress flutters in the breeze, small rainbow star patterns splattered across it with an accented star clip in her hair. She takes a deep breath, giggling at the salty breeze tickling her throat. The unique clothing and oddly placed laughter draw a few glances, but Nova's attention parallels Caly's. She hadn't needed to hear anything more than 'the Ark' to jump at the opportunity, just for the chance to meet dear old dad. So when she hears her sister's question, she looks to Vesper for confirmation. "Wait. We're cleaning?" It doesn't change her decision about coming, but it definitely dampens her mood. Maybe she can even get away with some illusion magic to make it look clean.

She spots the ship's captain about the same time as Caly, her eyes glittering in the sunlight. Grabbing her brother's hand, Nova tries to use her meager strength to drag him behind as she follows. "Caly! Wait for us!" Her laugher twinkles at the eager anticipation they share. Knowing about someone and knowing someone are two totally different things, and Nova wants to see what the infamous captain is like in person. What are his quirks? His mannerisms? His tones? And most importantly, how will he treat her and her siblings?

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

Trailing behind his sisters like a brewing storm, not even in the kaleidoscopic starbursts of their excitement could entice a smile onto Vesper's lips, which were set in a thin line. Though this was not the meeting he'd initially imagined, when he'd heard that Jack needed help preparing the Ark for another long season of travel, he thought it might actually be better for his sisters to meet the captain in a setting where they were aiding Jack in something useful. If nothing else, having something for them to do would surely help to dampen the force of their minds that their excitement wouldn't render the captain slack-jawed.

"Cleaning." Vesper confirms, his gaze shifting between Caly and Nova. They knew of course that Jack was not going to be a parent to them in the conventional sense—though having been raised by Safrin on a playground of clouds it wasn't as though they'd had a normal upbringing anyway—but the demigod wasn't keen on seeing his sisters disappointed. "We're gonna try and be as helpful as we can, but we ain't gonna overstay our welcome." Lifting his dark eyebrows, Vesper reaches into the pocket of his black jeans and pulls out a toothpick. "With a man like Jack, less is gonna be more to start with, alright?"

Allowing his expression to soften ever so slightly, as Vesper turns from the girls and walks up the gangplank, he lowers his mental shields enough to call out toward Jack, silently announcing their arrival. From one telepath to another it seemed the polite thing to do, not that their presence would go unnoticed by the captain for long given how brightly Caly and Nova's minds were known to sparkle.

I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

JACK

Having been overseeing his crew - luckily for the trio ascending the gangplank, all the deck swabbing is complete for now - Jack does indeed pick out Calypso and Nova even before Vesper's ever-so-polite introduction. Their minds blaze like comet trails as they step aboard his ship, and though his jaw feathers a touch, a deal is a deal, though from the flavour of Vesper's mental hello, he's content that the young demigod isn't expecting a pleasure cruise for his sisters right the fuck now.

Leaving the crew to finish up with the deck, Jack turns a fraction before they reach him; in a linen shirt whose sleeves are rolled to the elbow and a blue waistcoat in a shade suspiciously similar to his eyes (thank you Flora), the gentle breeze stirring around the captain ensures that his choice of attire doesn't have to obey the seasons, and even with the sun blazing overhead, he seems perfectly comfortable.

"Alright," he says - no greeting needed, he figures, since they know who he is and he knows them, "with me, then. You'll get a full tour when you've earned it, not before." And though the crew are certainly eyeing up the siblings (the lovely ladies in particular), they're well-trained enough not to do more than that.

"Decks are clean, but there's still clutter to move out. Two of you help ferry off the old supplies with the crew. Whoever's left, follow me. We got somethin' important to do."

---

Hey kids!

Round 1:

Two people to help take the old/broken supplies off The Ark and down onto the dock. (Bonus points if you find a way to get rid of it without tossing it in the sea!)

One person to go with Jack!

you're the last of a dying breed; write our names in the wet concrete
I wonder if your therapist knows everything about me

Code stolen from Queen Sky

the sun inside of her rages like wildfire
and she is gold, gold, gold

“Pshh, overstay?” Caly says with a chime of a laugh, halting her steps enough so that her sister and brother can join her. It’s an amusing thought, but truthfully she doesn’t want to stick around forever to clean. The thought nearly has her rolling her eyes. “Less is more.” She says in confirmation, offering a salute to Vesper paired with a playful wink from the eye with the star tattoo.

And that’s when she sees Jack, and when she’s immensely aware of the rest of the eyes on the trio. Not that she complains, she’s found she quite likes to be looked at.

No introductions needed, the young woman simply hums a soft laugh, letting the smile split her face as she leans toward Vesper like a branch in a breeze, letting her thoughts ring out clear like the sunlight on the sandy beach. Ooh, he’s serious. that she knows Vesper will hear, as she chimes an easy, “yessir!”

Already she’s grabbing Nova’s hand, tugging her along to help the crew with the boxes, because she’s pretty sure they can utilize their looks to get the crew to do most of the heavy lifting, and if she gets a chance to flirt in the meantime it seems all that much more worth it. “This is gonna be fun.” For the moment, she imagines. But right this second she doesn’t have a mop in her hands, so it beats that!

“Let's see what we can repurpose, mm?” She says as she leans in toward her sister, before she breaks from her to go and flirt with some of the crew, going so far as puppy dog eyes to get them to move the majority, leaving her with handfuls of bottles and light weight things, wondering how they might be able to repurpose the glass rather than toss it into the sea — which realistically is a better thought for Nova, seeing as she’s the most creative between them.

---

Calypso enlists Nova’s help to move the old supplies and fliers with the crew to have them do the heavy lifting. She suggests repurposing some of the old and broken down supplies but mostly leaves the decision to Nova!

Calypso

and she is scorching the skin of my heart

When it rains, look for rainbows.

Even the confirmation of their purpose isn't enough to discourage her participation, skipping happily along the deck. She gives her brother a mischievous grin, twirling her finger around the rainbow strand accenting her blonde hair and giving him a light bump with her shoulder. "I don't do 'less'." As evidenced by her literal everything. A rainbow can't be bottled, and a supernova can't be minimized. But for Vespy, she would try not to be too much.

Walking up, the captain is exactly what she expects, serious and commanding with a blunt lack of introduction. It dispels a lot of the questions she has, but she still wants to find out how far she can push it, so when he finishes, she asks innocently, "Do we get souvenirs after?" Tours should come with fashionable merch. Nova doesn't hide the playful smile from her face, but she keeps the bright chiming laughter in her mind, busts of colorful starlight scattering through sparse thoughts of Jack's stick-up-the-butt attitude, knowing perfectly well that Vesper could hear it. 

However, before he gets the chance to respond, Nova lets Caly drag her towards their first task. Manual labor doesn't really go with her outfit, and she's eternally grateful for the crew's attention now, shooting her sister a knowing look before laying the charm on thick. "I think we can make it fun." A few winks and sways of her hips have the big, strong men jumping to do their bidding. It's almost too easy, and she finds herself looking for something to do. Caly's suggestion has her taking in the discarded items, ideas sparkling behind her eyes before she lands on something particularly enticing. 

Sitting atop an empty wooden crate, Nova spends her time collecting the old torn sails, abandoned clothes, and other scrap cloths along with any extra bottles or broken glass from people as they pass. She flashes her sister a sharp smile filled with artistic chaos. A few crewmates continue to glance her way, whether with curiosity or hopes for another wink, but she pays them minimal attention, humming a sweet tune while filling the bottles with colorful pieces of sparkling glass and flammable liquid before sealing it with whatever fun patterned or dyed cloth happened to fit. Each completed piece glitters in the sunlight dangerously before Nova gives it an approving smile, setting it amongst the others in the crate. She doesn't think Jack will mind some extra ammunition, and she half hopes he'll let them throw a few once their done. 

---

Nova helps Calypso manipulate the crew into doing most of the heavy lifting while she repurposes old bottles and cloth to make colorful molotovs.

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

Biting down on the toothpick he's placed in the corner of his mouth as his sister's minds erupt with the sort of mischievous exuberance that would normally see him following in their footsteps to ensure they didn't find themselves in a situation they couldn't laugh their way out of, Vesper's forced to stand down and let them take on the world on their own. Or, the Ark, at least. That fact that they were together only made the thin line he'd set his lips into grow even thinner, his jaw feathering a touch as the thoughts in the minds of Jack's crew turned a touch too welcoming for his liking.

Turning toward Jack, the young demigod is dressed in a linen shirt of warm gray that he hasn't bothered to button up all the way and a pair of cream shorts that appear shorter than they are given the length of his legs. "Guess that's you and me for the important job." Vesper mutters as he strolls toward the captain.

I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

JACK

Now, whilst the crew might be easily distracted (and directed) by the exuberant beauty of the two young women on board, not to mention their apparent connection with their captain, they are still, in fact, a very capable band. As such, as Calypso and Nova decide on their repurposing project, the men are able to dispose of the rest of the broken crates, frayed canvas and other dud supplies (you know, the actual job). But once that's done, boy do they appreciate the girls' creativity.

As such, the Marin women will find their collection of molotovs very much approved, a few of the crew even pitching in to help and providing a large crate to store them. Once it looks as though that's finished, one of the burlier sailors collects the crate to take it back aboard.

Meanwhile, Jack leads Vesper across to the main mast, where a flurry of activity with the rigging and rope suggests something big is happening. And as The Ark's mainsail, sunbleached but still retaining some of its colour, is let down and untacked, perhaps the task will become obvious. A few crew work to fold and dispose of the old sail (which will also likely be repurposed) while a few others bring the new canvas forward, this one freshly dyed in the deep, rust red of the setting sun. "Follow their lead to tack 'er up," Jack says, nodding to the young demigod.

Then it's back to the side of the ship where Jack catches sight of the molotovs with a raise of his brows, before directing his attention back to the firecracker minds of Caly and Nova. "Nicely done," he says, before nodding to the water. "You're down there next."

---

Vesper has been tasked with helping the crew replace The Ark's mainsail! The crew will do the majority of the work in attaching it - they'll just be asking him to do heavy lifting and hold it in place.

Calypso and Nova are heading into the water to scrape barnacles off the bottome of the hull - lucky them! They will be provided with cloud manta jewels to breathe, all the tools they need, and there will be plenty of crew joining them (you know, if they decide to fuck around instead).

you're the last of a dying breed; write our names in the wet concrete
I wonder if your therapist knows everything about me

Code stolen from Queen Sky

the sun inside of her rages like wildfire
and she is gold, gold, gold

She nearly squeals with delight when it comes to Nova’s vibrant mind and the colorful Molotovs that begin to be crafted – as such, the young attuned is more than excited to help get them ready, beaming bright and playful smiles toward the crew that offer to help with crates. And as the Molotovs are finally settled into the crate all nice and tight and one of the burlier crewmates picks up the crate to draw it back, Caly is absolutely eyeing the muscles on display.

It doesn’t last, though, as she sidles back up beside her sister shoulder to shoulder, watching Jack with a distinct curiosity as he takes note of the molotovs. Her smile twitches toward the edge of a smirk as she nudges Nova with a featherlight brush of amusement before she lets her amber gaze follow where Jack’s pointed to. “No problem.” She hums, letting the smirk overtake her face fully.

She can’t say she’s surprised, but she definitely doesn’t want to get the sundress wet that she wears – and she’s glad for the foresight to have worn a swimsuit beneath it. She slips her hand into Nova’s again and drifts toward the tools and the cloud manta jewels, glancing over toward Vesper to admire how he works with the crew before she’s releasing her sister’s hand to slip out of her sundress, draping it over the side of a crate which leaves her in a black and white bikini, before she slips the jewel on and snags whatever tools she thinks she’ll need.

She gets into the water and her mind blossoms with a watercolor array of cold and salt and laughter, and rather than taking the moment to seek out anyone to scrape the barnacles off for her, she figures she can get her hands a little bit dirty with it, and she gets to work scraping off the little things, looking for all the world like she was made for the sea as much as land. And with the crew that has joined them, she directs a portion of them to do the more difficult spots, utilizing her leading smiles and inherited charming nature to hopefully get them to do it. But hey, at least this time she's actually helping, right?

---

Caly gets to work on scraping off the barnacles! She does direct some of the crew with them to do the more difficult spots that she doesn't want to do though

Calypso

and she is scorching the skin of my heart

Sensing little more than mild playfulness and amusement from the mind's of his sisters—molotovs were really nothing new even if the trio hadn't been in Caido that long—it was with a kernel of relief that Vesper turned his attention properly toward Jack and the task at hand. "As you say," the demigod grumbles obligingly enough before falling in line with the crew and doing as he was asked. Despite the arrogant streak Vesper had inherited in all likelihood from his father, just like Jack he was no fool. Trying to act as though he knew better than men who'd been on the seas the majority of their lives would only see him laughed off the ship (or worse), and even if though he'd be able to pluck the information from their minds easily enough, Vesper had already learned that no-one liked a pretty-boy know-it-all.

Reaching for the offered lacing Vesper begins to wind the cabling through the various holes in the sail, not needing to glance up to make sure he was doing things properly and yet lifting his head just the same. It was annoying, this pretense, but quickly he felt the minds of the crew relax somewhat as he displayed mild competence, and soon the bloody sails were ready to be lifted.

I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

When it rains, look for rainbows.

Whatever she'd expected Jack to say about the molotovs, a compliment was not one of them. It doesn't quite fill Nova with joy and happiness, but there's a pleasant warmth that makes her lean closer to Caly with a mischievous grin. "With pleasure." Even if they can't have a 'familial' relation, perhaps there is hope yet for a business arrangement. After all, Nova is always willing to configure vibrant displays of color, and what were explosions if not the most violent display of color?

Then Jack is pointing them in the direction of their next task, and she has to keep a disgusted sneer from her face. Scraping barnacles off the bottom of a ship is not high on her list of exciting things to do (especially in her pretty dress), however, as Caly jumps in, Nova shrugs her shoulders. She won't be left behind, and maybe she can find something fun to do down there. Her annoyance at the task is quickly pushed aside as she too reveals her bathing suit beneath, a brightly rainbow tie-dyed bikini that also draws the attention of many appreciative eyes. A smile plays on her lips while she retrieves her own cloud mata jewel, already planning to keep the interestingly unique accessory, then she stands upon the railing and gives all the boys a winking wave before falling back into the water. 

It's definitely cold, and the sensation bites at her skin, but Nova ignores it, instead drawn to the vast array of colors beneath them. The port doesn't leave room for coral beds like she's read about, however, there are still small pockets of wildlife peeking around rock edges. While others join to help, she occasionally swims down to get a closer look at a hot pink starfish, an iridescent school of fish, or even a glowing path of colors left by a StarKnight Swordfish. She soaks it all in with wonder, catching Caly's attention to show her the more interesting bits. In between, she swims up to do the actual job, her mind filled with colors as she trails behind the others, picking off any tiny sections they missed. 

---

Nova dives in to help scrape barnacles, lingering behind the others to pick at whatever they miss.

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

JACK

Waiting until the two young women become little more than watercolour splashes of thought and feeling, Jack leaves them in the capable hands of his crew and heads back to see how Vesper is fairing with the mainsail. Given that their minds are shielded from one another, he isn't able to enjoy the boy's quiet annoyance, but it's enough that the men around are content with his work. As they finish tacking and attaching the sail, Jack will be with him when he steps back. "Might make a sailor of you yet," he drawls, clapping him roughly on the shoulder before handing him a rope. "Now hoist."

Luckily for Calypso and Nova, they but two brightly coloured cogs in a larger machine, and between them and the rest of the crew, they manage to scrape away the majority of the scum and barnacles on The Ark's hull, leaving her clean and ready for future voyages. By the time they surface, Jack is already beckoning them back on board, waiting for them to stand present and accounted for before speaking again.

"We're takin' her up into the sky," he says. "If you wanna see us go up, make yourselves useful."

---

Vesper to hoist the new main sail with the crew please!

Calypso and Nova - if you want to stay on deck, help tie things down. (e.g. Tether barrels together with rope and net, clear the deck of anything that might get in the way etc.) If you'd prefer to be belowdecks, go ahead - there's nothing to do, but you won't get to see much!

you're the last of a dying breed; write our names in the wet concrete
I wonder if your therapist knows everything about me

Code stolen from Queen Sky

As Jack no doubt would quickly realize for himself if he hadn't already, it was altogether too strange the way the captain seemed to simply appear at Vesper's side, as the (admittedly young) telepath wasn't used to relying on his sense of hearing to assess when others were approaching him. Glancing a touch sharply over his shoulder at the captain because of this, the boy let his shoulders fall away from his ears with nothing more than a casual shrug.

Not terribly strong at all, Vesper places himself between two more burly crew members that their strength might offset his own, and though he contributed little to actually hoisting the sail, his palms would show enough blisters to prove that he'd put in more than a cursory effort.

---

Vesper uses all of his 8 STR to hoist xD

I'm pedal to the metal make no mistake, this is my pity party, pity party
& I'm living out of time, eternal heatstroke

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!