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

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[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.

[wherethereislight]

Understood. I will be there shortly. [He looks over the message once more, noting the appearance of their ship before heading out. It probably won't take Shadow no more than five minutes to arrive after their conversation. Emet might even sense a dense amount of energy suddenly within the ship's vicinity before seeing him. It's chaotic, almost boundless, a disruptive force ready to erupt beneath the surface, but somehow being contained by something. It all felt unnatural and underneath it all, was a soul, bright and warm, untouched by any impurities, a contradiction among the chaos. It felt like being held in a warm embrace, something trying to keep it from corruption.

All of this, going on inside a small 3 feet tall dark hedgehog at their doorstep.]

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch, having mostly recovered from his brief stint of embarrassment, is idly reading on the deck when he senses something unusual approaching. Glancing over in its direction, his eyes roam the dock until falling upon the source of the disturbance. As if their physical apperance isn't unusual enough, he ends up staring a little longer as he looks past it to their very soul.

After a minute, he realises that this...diminutive creature is here to see him. The wandering adventurer? He marks his spot in the book, sets it aside, and stands to hail them. ]

Would you be 'Shadow'?

[wherethereislight]

[People staring at him is nothing new. He just goes on with whatever he's doing without a care except...the eyes that are on him belong to the one who is suppose to meet him. He'd roll his eyes with how long they were taking, but something about the way Emet-Selch was looking at him felt odd. They were looking at him, yet somehow pass him. It's hard to explain. Maybe it's nothing and it's just him being his usual wariness towards someone new, but when has his intuition ever been wrong? It has.

He becomes more guarded because of that, still coming on board once hailed.]

Emet-Selch, was it? [Hello to you too.]

[emet_sulk]

Indeed. That is me.

[ They're taller than a lalafel, now that they're close enough for him to make the comparison. What strange anatomy... If he had simply spotted them offhand elsewhere, he would have assumed that they were a creature rather than a person.

Well, the look he gives Shadow now is a more normal, appraising one this time. ]

So, you say you can fight. What is your style?

[wherethereislight]

[Pardon as he continues to glare up at them.] Unarmed, proficiency in weapons, anything I don't know I learn quickly. If you need something taken care of quickly, I can handle that.

[emet_sulk]

[ The longer Shadow spends glaring, the more humorous Emet-Selch finds this exchange. He knows better than to comment on their size, however. ]

I see, I see. May I ask what sort of weapons? I can't imagine we'll need to worry about anything worse than a boarding by rogues or the odd sea beast but I can try to have some of your preferred weapons available on hand just in case your fists are inadequate.

[ Shadow makes himself sound like an assassin. But that is also something Emet-Selch thinks is not worth prying into. ]

[wherethereislight]

Anything. Guns and swords, I suppose. Even if you couldn't, I'll use an enemy's weapon if I have to. [Resourceful, because he has to be.]

I don't require much when it comes to accomodations either. Just a private room is adequate.

[emet_sulk]

That is quite a versatile range. Most men dedicate their whole lives to mastering a single fighting style. If we were a merchant vessel, I'd likely ask for a demonstration.

[ Emet-Selch, however, is confident in his own abilities. He gestures towards the end of the ship where all the private cabins are. ]

Fortunately you can have you pick of the rooms as we've a small crew at the moment. Now...

[ While Emet-Selch adopts a fairly hands-off approach to things (usually), it would be remiss of him not to address what he saw earlier. Or at least see if Shadow himself is even aware of it. ]

Is there anything I ought to be aware of before I take you on board as our travelling mercenary?

[wherethereislight]

[Most men aren't the Ultimate Lifeform. Created to perform feats others can only dream. All possibilities are open to him if he so chooses to take them. Such is the belief from a once brilliant scientist that created him to have limitless potential.

The question presented gives him pause. The choice of words, what he felt when Emet-Selch first laid eyes on him. They percieved something from him.]

No. [And it is none of their concern. Truly, he doesn't see an issue worth bringing up or matter to the members of this crew to know.]

[emet_sulk]

Very well, then.

[ So either Shadow doesn't know or doesn't want to say. Well, that's fine. Emet-Selch may have once been in the business of making and keeping secrets but there's no need for him to care about other people's affairs here.

That said... ]

I only ask that you let me know ahead of time of anything that might endanger the ship or its crew. I do have a responsibility to keep everyone on it safe after all.

[ With a congenial smile that gives absolutely nothing away about his inner thoughts, he starts to stroll over to the crew cabins. ]

Let's pick out a room for you, hmm? If you want another tour, I would be happy to guide you.


(ooc: Feel free to sign Shadow up here to make it official!)

[wherethereislight]

Understood. [A fair request that he will respect as a guest on their ship. As long as they don't inconvinience him. Their statement though has him pondering on what they had gleaned. Then again, he has never exactly been considered friendly or approachable.]

Only if there's something you feel that you missed in your broadcast. I can explore the ships myself after you show me a room.

[emet_sulk]

We-ell, there is the former captain's quarters but that is strictly off limits at the moment. Or rather, one need justify why they feel the need to enter. Granted, I don't believe they're coming back any longer but one never knows...

[ He shall lead the way to the rooms where Shadow can have his pick of the unoccupied ones. Emet-Selch will put up a sign later on the door. ]

If you need me, I'm usually in the laboratory or my room.

[wherethereislight]

[...He doesn't see a reason why he would need to go there either. They're keeping it for sentimental reasons it sounds like. A nod.

He follows after him, glancing at the available rooms.] And the laboratory is located where? [He'll come to a halt at one of available rooms at one of the ends, with the only room next door still unoccupied. Preferable to have fewer to none neighbors.]

[emet_sulk]

[ Emet-Selch points and gives verbal instructions on how to find it from this spot. ]

--and my room is further down. I have a ward on the door against intruders so make sure you knock first.

[ Nothing personal. ]

I'll leave you to settle in and explore then, shall I?

[wherethereislight]

[A glance is all Emet-Selch gets that he acknowledges what they've said. And then he walks off to explore and familiarize himself of the key points on this ship. He will eventually end up on the floating garden and end spending much of his time on there. One would think he had already left when there was no further movement from them.

But his soul signature is there to remind Emet-Selch that their presence is still on the ship. And then it will eventually start to move away from the ship. Without any sort of annoucement of his departure, he just leaves when he was finished, if not interrupted by anyone.]