KING OF THE SEVEN SEAS

One of the best things about this island is that there’s nearly always somewhere nearby to get a drink — as long as you don’t wander off into the wilderness, anyway...

Tonight’s watering hole is a bar that’s tucked between two larger, much grander businesses a couple blocks off from Archimedes’ Star Trail. It’s quieter than one might expect, which is precisely why Sinbad chooses it. Whether his goal is to enjoy a peaceful night or liven it up, however, is anyone’s guess.

He’s on his third drink — it must be his third, isn’t it? —  when a peculiar presence catches his eye: leaning against one wall, a rather burly man nurses a drink quietly... but something in the way he holds himself is unusual... and familiar.

NAME: syn!!! PRONOUNS:  they / she. PREFERENCE OF COMMUNICATION: discord, twitter, or DMs. i’m in the isola discord server if you ever want to hit me up there! NAME OF MUSE(S): at the moment, i have sinbad mcsindriason and julius von velthomer. RP EXPERIENCE/HOW LONG (MONTHS / YEARS?): i started when i was TEN... ON SAILOR MOON FAN FORUMS... it’s been SEVENTEEN YEARS... PLATFORMS YOU’VE USED: name one i HAVEN’T used. lemme try to make a timeline. sailor moon fan forums > neopets > gaiaonline > proboards > tumblr > msn > jcink > discord > twitter. BEST EXPERIENCE: I HAVE SO MANY... but i did meet my girlfriend through rp, so nothing else compares!!! ♡ RP PET PEEVES/DEALBREAKERS: nothing really comes to mind besides people being rude! which seems like a given. so! FLUFF, ANGST OR SMUT: all of the above!!! although some muses will get more of one and none of another. watch me pour all of the angst into julius. that’s where it belongs. PLOTS OR MEMES:  yes!!! i like both SO much. i also think it’s incredibly funny when a meme or one-liner ends up turning into something serious. LONG OR SHORT REPLIES: mid to short these days! i like writing longer replies, but i don’t really have the time or energy for it right now, so i try to save longer threads for things that are plot important. or sometimes i let my brain get the best of me and end up writing a ton on accident. BEST TIME TO WRITE: night! ARE YOU LIKE YOUR MUSE(S): god fucking forbid LMAO

There is a certain peace that can only be found in the wilderness. Something quiet... something calm... something that soothes the soul in way that only nature can. It isn’t as if Sinbad has any real business in the woods, so surely taking a moment to sit down and appreciate the sunlight filtering through the trees wouldn’t be so bad. Just for a few minutes...

. . .

. . . . . .

. . . . . . . . .

He wakes up some time later upon subconsciously realizing the sunlight has been blotted out by an unnatural shadow. Lo and behold, when his eyes flutter open, someone who reminds him far too much of Drakon looms over him. His hand instinctively falls to his sword — thank god it hasn’t been stolen this time — but it’s only a moment later that he realizes no malice fills the air between them.

In the short time he’s been here, Sinbad has come to learn that this island is a hodgepodge of different people from different lands, each of them with their own cultures. The lack of familiarity is hardly surprising — but when a rather... eccentric outfit catches his eye, he can’t help but think that some things never change.

Outside the Tempus Museum, the sun dips below the horizon. Business hours are coming to an end, and while it’s been said that sneaking into the museum at night is a bad idea — and quite likely more trouble than it’s worth — if he were simply to linger after hours... Ill-advised, perhaps, but not illegal. Not if he claims to be lost, at least.

Deep within the museum’s labyrinth ( or so it feels ), Sinbad turns a corner... and finds someone else lingering, though he seems to be lost in the artwork before him rather than the museum itself. Peering over the other’s shoulder, he can’t claim to understand this one... but he’s curious nonetheless.

@inqerad

In great contrast with the liveliness of the first two nights, the third is a very solemn affair. It’s remarkable how silent and calm the procession is, aside from a few hiccups here and there on the route to the water. Despite the size of the crowd, only murmurs seem to hang over them.

Ja’far himself spends the walk in relative silence. He holds the two boats delicately against his chest, eyes trained forward. The only time his gaze shifts is to glance at the taller man beside him, checking to make sure Sinbad’s gaze isn’t too distant or turned entirely inward.

Stranded far from home, this event is the closest either of them can get to the tradition visiting the memorial of Sindria, and both of them agreed to take part for that very reason. It’s far from being the same; none of the other generals are there nor can they look out over their own country for any comfort. But it’s something.

Finally the parade reaches the bay and the multitude disperses far and wide over the beach. Ja’far watches for a moment, before turning to his friend with what he hopes is a reassuring smile. This sort of thing… he knows Sin can start drowning in his own thoughts and the painful memories of that day. Soflty he tugs at the other’s sleeve, trying to get his attention. 

“Are we ready to set them afloat?”

It’s that time of year again. What a strange coincidence that a ceremony for the dead and departed would be held around the same time. If he didn’t know any better, he might have called it “fate” or “destiny”... but he knows the true meaning of those words, and so he knows that this is coincidental and nothing more. 

It’s nice, though. The atmosphere is a little melancholy, but there are as many people silently celebrating the lives of their loved ones as there are mourners. It is not a wholly depressing affair, nor is it when he, the Eight Generals, and those who were there at that time gather at the memorial. Though they mourn their losses, it is their wish that those who lost their lives can see how far they’ve come, and that their sacrifices were not in vain. It is a time of reflection and mourning as much as it is a time of celebration for what they have accomplished and how much closer they’ve gotten to making their shared dream a reality.

It’s different this time.

The parade is quiet. Somber. He hardly says a word as they make their way to the water’s edge; nor does Ja’far, who walks silently beside him. For Ja’far, this is not unusual; while he mourns as much as anyone else, he does not show it as loudly as Hinahoho or as verbosely as Spartos. To speak now, in the absence of their other companions, would feel like interrupting or trespassing upon his grief. Thus, Sinbad says little until the formal ceremony nears an end.

Ja’far’s smile, however unsteady, is welcome, and Sinbad gives one in return. Only the edges are false and uncertain, with the rest invigorated by his genuine desire to celebrate how far they’ve come, lest all these sacrifices be in vain.

( Perhaps they are, he thinks. At least for now, when there is no Sindria for them to smile down upon and no link to the world they’ve left behind. )

“I think so,” he says softly. “If we set their course due south, they should reach Sindria in no time at all.”

“No- I mean yes. It is, but-” a short sigh- “That’s not it.”

How to explain himself when he’s not even sure what the problem is, never mind how to put it into words? Well, not the root of the problem at least, he knows what he’s apologizing for, just not why it’s happening. Why any of this is happening.

“I’m sorry I’m being… so difficult.” Sure there are plenty of other times he’s been difficult in the past, and he still stands by most of them. He had good reasons then, or at least some semblance of one to nitpick. Currently, he has none, and they both know it. Sin’s just either being kind about it or shrugging off with the other occasions his friend’s been this stubborn about something.

Ja’far shifts slightly, unsure of what else to say. He still can’t explain himself, as frustrating as all of this is, and part of him doesn’t want to try. He glances at himself in the mirror, studying his reflection for a brief moment before finally speaking again.

“This fits and looks alright then. Good. I’ll just try something else on now.”

He turns to slip back into the dressing room. This time he’ll try a little harder to not cause a scene.

Sinbad won’t pretend to understand. Even though it’s always been like this, he’s never known why. It isn’t that Ja’far is averse to change, as evidenced by his attitudes about traveling and the growth of their nation and company when they were much younger. It could be as simple as a lack of confidence in his appearance, but Sinbad was sure that if he chose what was “fashionable” in this time and place, that could be abated. Still, Ja’far resists.

Frustrated, the king comes forth with his own feelings on the matter, though he knows it isn’t entirely appropriate. “I wouldn’t mind it so much if you’d just tell me why,” he admits. “Whatever it is, I could make it easier.” The conviction with which he says it stems only in part from genuine confidence; the rest is due to the unfitting discomfort Ja’far is displaying. There’s something unnerving about seeing a man who is usually so high on his guard looking so... small.

“I would not throw words like jealous around so hastily if I were you. No, rather I’m.. skeptical. Who else do you toy with, hmm?”

“Ahaha, of course I only tease.” Does he though

“Skeptical!?” 

“I cannot lie I am flattered but then again who in my position wouldn’t be? I must inquire though, do you always speak the truth like this to everyone? Or should I consider myself a lucky few”

     “My line of work doesn’t exactly leave me option to settle down. So I have that benefit to meet all sorts of people.” A shrug. Not that he had any incentive to tie the knot. “It better than the alternative, making the bald man cry by your lonesome.”

“Are you trying to butter me up with honeyed words again? Is there never an end to your flattery?” 

“Life’s too short to remain as stiff as a lobster when it comes to romantic entanglements. You got have one life, might as well explore and see who catches your fancy.”

“Clearly you of all people have no problem with this”