Join the Raiders of the Lost Arts

[emet_sulk]

Type: Video
Sender ID: emet-sulk (Emet-Selch)
To: Public
Subject: Join the Raiders of the Lost Arts
Warnings: Extremely cringe/cheesy theatrics maybe

[ It's been a little while since Emet-Selch has had cause to put on a performance. His last one - half-hearted one may argue but no less sincere - had ended satisfactorily. The curtains falling on a bittersweet end and the night passing its baton to the dawn of a new day. This performance isn't nearly so dire nor so serious. But Emet-Selch takes it seriously regardless.

After all, there's not much point in a research vessel when there's hardly any researchers to fill it.

When the video feed switches on, his smile is already in place: thin, bordering on a smirk, yet congenial. For those who know him, this is a lot more life than most of them will have seen from him in the past year. ]

Greetings, newcomers and latecomers. I am Emet-Selch. Acting captain of the Raiders of the Lost Arts crew.

[ He's holding the shellphone in true 'selfie' fashion. The vacant deck of the Phantom Moon can be seen behind him, fin-like sails furled. Keener eyes may recognise it as being docked in Eltrut. Their crew are on the island somewhere enjoying some time off.

With a grandiose sweep of his arm, he turns the camera away from him so that people can take in the ship. It's largely in the style of a Chinese junk (credit to original captain's player for the image). ]

We're currently seeking some intrepid people to join our little band. As you can see, we have ample room and quarters...

[ The camera moves towards the inner corridor, pausing in front of the kitchen, the workshop laboratory, and one of the empty cabins. ]

While research of the old and unusual is our little crew's aim, we will gladly welcome anyone who feels their niche interests are unsupported by their circumstances. [ Emet-Selch leans back into frame briefly here to wink. ] Be you poisoner, cook, or mad scientist: don't worry - we shan't judge.

[ At that moment, a strange creature pops its head up. It opens its beak and tries to bite Emet-Selch's phone and tug it away from him. There's soft cursing in a harsh, unrecognisable language before one can hear him calling to someone. ]

Professor, your bird is at it again!

[ There's some tussling and the feed cuts out briefly (although there is still the sound of two men negotiating with the robot bird). Once the image returns, it is steady. The creature is presumably being manhandled away from the camera. Emet-Selch clears his throat. ]

Ahem! Besides the usual facilities, we have a garden in which you may take your ease should your work grow too tiresome.

[ He moves towards the back of the ship now and points the shellphone camera at lush-looking smaller personal ship that functions as a floating garden. After ample time, the camera pulls back and Emet-Selch's face returns to the screen as he walks back to the centre of the ship. ]

Should you desire a more quiet, private setting, however, you may also make use of our island base. Alas, that is a place whose location I cannot divulge unless one is a part of the crew. So should you be interested, do come find us at Eltrut. We shall be docked here until tensions settle.

Ah! Speaking of which, we care not which armada has claimed you. All intellectual curiosity is welcome.

[ With one last smile and a trill of his fingers, the feed ends and Emet proceeds to lie down in embarrassment for an hour. ]

Comments

[desirestruth]

...Perhaps if you're in need of a gardener.

[She's never been much of a researcher. Never had much chance to be. But that floating garden...]

text

[emet_sulk]

The Professor and Joshua have been tending the floating garden thus far but I'm sure the former would appreciate being freed from that duty to tend to his animals.

Are you hoping to grow something specific? If it's poisonous, I would only ask you keep it separate and clearly marked.

voice because she's bad at texting sobs

[desirestruth]

Mm, less that it is something specific and more that an overflowing garden and a wild island would be...nostalgic.

[She pauses.] Are there a great many creatures as well?

[emet_sulk]

On the ship itself? No. On our little island hideaway? Very much so.

In fact they probably have run of most of the land since three men are hardly enough to maintain it. I spy quite a variety of creatures whenever I return to keep my abode in order.

[desirestruth]

Now that's very nostalgic.

[She actually huffs a bit of a chuckle.] I should explain--I am the current guardian of a very old forest, very steeped in magic. It is...perhaps a bit more actively aware of the things that wander through it than most forests tend to be.

So a floating garden and a wild island might be a balm for homesickness, even if the climate is quite different.

[emet_sulk]

I see. The nature of our island base is somewhat...unusual. 'Tis a volcanic island with some abnormalities - floating islets above the crater, a myriad of caves and ruins snaking through the rock, and so on. 'Tis a pleasant enough climate if you stay within the forested areas however.

If the place is agreeable to you, mayhap you could assist by documenting the wildlife. I'm sure the professor would appreciate it if you did.

[desirestruth]

There is...a secondary matter I'd want to discuss beforehand, but I would rather do so in person, or at least more...privately.

[Her dietary needs should probably be brought up...]

If it doesn't prove to be an issue, then I can't see a reason I wouldn't want to help your professor.

[emet_sulk]

If you would like to meet in person, you may meet me at our ship. 'Tis docked at Eltrut, as I said.

Who should I keep an eye out for?

voice -> action

[desirestruth]

A white-haired woman in a jackal mask. I don't believe you'll mistake me for anyone else.

My name is Naeva. I will be there shortly.

[And she will. Of course, she might be more noticeable not for the jackal mask but the fact she is literally half-dead. A perfectly balanced mix of the undead and an indescribably powerful source of life, though she's largely cut off from the latter--the roots of that forest she mentioned are literally entwined into her soul.

She was born the way she is--there's no rot or corruption that causes it. She simply...exists with one foot in death and the other in life.

She's also squinting at the size of this gaddang ship, WHY is it so large???]

Video | un: wherethereislight

[wherethereislight]

[Promoting this to include "mad scientist are welcomed" is just a tad concerning.]

Who are part of your crew?

text

[emet_sulk]

[ 'Mad' is just another way to describe 'unrecognised brilliance'! ]

At the moment: myself, Professor Turo, and a man called Dojima.

[wherethereislight]

[...So this is the crew Turo was talking about. He spoke positively, but Shadow's not one to take people's words right away, wanting to make his own opinions. Also he's staying video because texting is tedious. He's not great with technology.]

Would you accept a temporary traveler? There are things I like to look into when I have time to travel. [You know, before Eggman gets to anything dangerous.] I can fight, so I won't be of any inconvnience. Your crew can keep whatever you find.

[emet_sulk]

Oh, an adventurer, are you? If you're happy to offer duties as a guard or mercenary in exchange for passage then you're welcome onboard.

Are you searching for something in particular?

[wherethereislight]

...Just to see what's out there to discover. [Much vague.]

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch chuckles wryly to himself, unseen. ]

Ah, of course. A true wanderer.

If you have time, I should like to meet you face to face so that I can take your measure. What was your name again?

[wherethereislight]

[Take his measure...probably doesn't mean actual measure.]

Shadow. I have time to spare right now. To where you are docked?

[emet_sulk]

We're at Eltrut, as I said. The place where all new arrivals converge after they're picked up by the armadas. Ours is the only ship with the garden behind it.

un: stultumi // text

[stultumi]

( was that—

was that—

was that a fucking pokemon? momo has to rub her eyes a few times and replay the video back, just to double check that her vision isn't suddenly failing her. or she might be having some kind of stroke? after all, that seems more likely than the possibility that they were real and she was simply an idiot who had no clue.

but apparently that might be the truth of the matter.

either way, she's already sold. )

Whaddya mean research of the old and unusual? ｢(ﾟﾍﾟ)　

That's pretty vague.

[emet_sulk]

Vague on purpose. You may devote yourself to whatever you desire. It does not need to be old or unusual but I try to steer our ship's course in pursuit of such things.

[stultumi]

How would stuff like youkai, ghosts, and spirits rank? Is that the kind of thing you guys like to research and delve into?

[emet_sulk]

You may research anything you wish. That is why the crew was first founded after all.

[ Sort of. He imagines the intent was to research actual ancient artifacts but why stifle people's interests? ]

Are you a soulseer as well? I believe you're the first I've spoken to who has an interest in spirits.

[stultumi]

Whoa, I've never heard it called anything as cool as a "soulseer"!

I can see a lot of things that other people can't. Including spirits.

And they're not all bad. Spirits, I mean. It just takes time to start understanding them.

[emet_sulk]

Soulseer is what my people use to refer to those who can see souls. What many call 'spirits of the dead' are simply disembodied souls yet to rejoin the Aetherial Sea - or so it goes in my world.

If you wish to research them then you are more than welcome to. I am rather busy of late but I can offer my advice or my eyes if you ever need them. Our crew aims to support everyone's interests.

[stultumi]

( huh.

it's a good thing that this is a text conversation because momo has to stop herself from unleashing an onslaught of questions on this unsuspecting stranger.

what the fuck is the aetherial sea? but she'll wait until they actually meet. )

Count as me interested!
Plus one more, my friend Okarun. (*ᗜ*)

My name is Momo.

Are there any requirements to joining?

[emet_sulk]

No requirements besides treating your fellow crew members and their work with respect. But I should think that a given in any situation.

[ For formality's sake, there's a record of their members (ooc sign-up). ]

If you need assistance then do not be afraid to ask for it as well.

Once you have time as well, I should like to meet you face-to-face. You and your friend. If you're to join our crew then we shall have to assign you both cabins on our ship.