This Is All Hands On Deck

[missrecalled_mods]

The view from the currently accessible strip of beach on the Isle was generally fairly monotonous; a somewhat distorted stretch of ocean and sky extending to the horizon. The occasional shape of a passing seabird and - at one point - a set of silvery shapes that could only have been a pod of dolphins were the only real things to break it up.

Not so today. Because today there was a Shape. It was difficult to make out clearly what the shape was at first, only that it was getting larger, or seemed to be as it got closer. It soon became clear that the shape was far larger than any sea bird or even a dolphin, and that was when the call went out. No one knew for sure who had been the first to yell a combination of warning an announcement, but soon enough, everyone on the Isle was aware of the situation, and most, if not all of them had come out to watch and wait to see what - if anything - would come of it.

Eventually, the shape got close enough to identify it as some sort of boat as it halted as near to the barrier as it likely could. Everything was quiet for a moment but before long, raised voices could be heard from the opposite side of the barrier. It was difficult to make out what they were saying due to a combination of the barrier, the noise of the waves, and simple distance, but there was clearly some sort of argument going on on deck. The question was what did it portend for those on the Isle?

Comments

[mist_the_point]

Foulques squinted a bit, trying in vain to get a clearer view of the vessel on the other side of the barrier. "Tis no warship, that much is plain," he said. "Nor is it a merchantman; it's too small to be either. A fishing vessel, perhaps, or a pleasure boat. Though whatever it may be, tis little wonder it doesn't look especially heroic; like as not keeping a small vessel stable in rough seas is something of a struggle."

[lovebites_sodoi]

Morgana chuckled quietly - the idea of a merchant-anything was laughable, on an isle that made the words "dirt poor" literal. "At least it's decent entertainment for the day. I've been so bored, I can feel the cobwebs growing in my skull."

Her spider made a grumbling noise in her hair, so Morgana reached up to gently stroke him. "No offense, Archie."

[mist_the_point]

He made a thoughtful noise, still not taking his eyes off the boat. "Perhaps," he said. "Though whoever is aboard her, I'm far more interested in what information they may have than in how they might entertain us. They could only have come from the mainland, and there's been no word from them for some time."

[lovebites_sodoi]

Some time? Had that meant there was a time they'd heard from the others at all? She now glanced over.

"When was that? Must have been before this place decided to yank me in and give this place some real flavor."

[mist_the_point]

"It was some time before I arrived here as well," he said. "I learned of it from Professor Yen Sid. The young king used a device called a 'television' or 'T-V' to send a message that could be seen and heard here. It informed those present on the Isle at the time that he and his people intended to come, and that the offer that had previously been made still stood."

"Knowing this, if I had to hazard a guess, it seems likely that that vessel carries the young king, or at the very least, his emissary. Though what they might have to say remains to be seen."

[lovebites_sodoi]

Yikes, this guy came from a world without TV, and internet most likely? What a depressing place! She was dying without an internet connection herself... but she kept that to herself, again. Focus on the here and now.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he sent someone else. Types like that are 'too important' to deal with us mere commoners." A derisive snort. "How kind of them to grace us with their presence."

[mist_the_point]

Sadly yes, Hydalin lacked internet. Though the network of teleporation crystals made up for that, at least a little. "Aye I suspect an emissary is far more likely," he said, but then shrugged. "Though who knows? If we're wrong, twould not be the first time this place has proved surprising."