For want of a ship

And so they went with a bag full of money, on a public traffic vessel, to Botao. Surprisingly, there were no incidents during the journey, like there normally were. Such as brawling and robbery attempts because of things like the money in this case or other valuable items generally. Uneventful, with the full pay and ready for service, the two arrived in the port town that had long expanded over most of the island. Shouldering the bag, Jezebel stepped down the walk that connected the ship and the pier for passengers to get off the ship - it was still the middle of the day and it also snowed. Like it ever did not snow here. No really, in actuality, this place was known for the cold temperatures all year round and water usually freezing immediately. Coming off a well-heated transport ship into this temperature was too much for the captain-to-be and before she even was all the way down the ramp, she stopped - effectively halting everyone behind her too - and took all the time to balance between keeping the money suspended with one hand and closing the zipper of her mantle with the other, as well as pulling up the hood over her head.

While it only took a few moments, protests were already starting behind her, not that Jezebel cared. One of these days, someone would block her way in just this situation, for today, it would be the other way around. Everything evened out sooner or later. Or not. For this short moment, she'd totally forgotten the fact that she was here to pick up a ship to command all by herself, all on her own and to her own plans. None would stand in her way when deboarding in the future. Reminded of this awesome event, the last few steps off the plank were taken quickly, as well as getting out of the main flow of people to have a moment of time for thoughts. They'd just have to find this one guy representing the shipcarpentry, hand over the money and be gone with the wind - in a decently fitted marine vessel being pushed by it. Off to hunt pirates of all kinds.

OOC: Hontoni Gomen-nasai, Raz-sama..for the delay.

IC:

Sheeeeeesh!! It was fringing cold and Anais felt all over her body and directly within her bones. How the captain was able to withstand this cold? Stylish as she was, her clothes didn't offer much to protect from the transition from the total heat into the forsaken cold. Well, her captain took her time adjusting her things and Anais had to contend with the passengers behind her, She pushed them as they pushed her so as not to push her captain...there was no need to push her captain.

But here they were, getting the new ship. New adventure awaits for the duo and for those who would follow later. Adventure meant money and money is good when it comes her poor family. Plus, Anais want to look for this rare material said to be found within the deepest reaches of the sea. If she could find it and construct a weapon or armor out of it..Anais would be uber rich and would be able to secure her family needs, end of the story.

What Anais would do next after being so rich? She didn't think much, her prime focus right now was to prove herself as a marine, as a smith and most importantly as a sniper. They were getting their Ship by then and Anais was there by her Captain's side.

It was time to speak with the Shipwright taskmaster...

Wordless, Jezebel finally decided it enough of a break on the sidewalk and started sorting back into the small flow of people going down the road in one direction or the other. Just like every moment in the recent past, she was still worried about what kind of problems the money the pair was carrying could possibly attract and as such most determined to trade it off for something less handy to steal for a third party. It would probably take a while to find the right place, as basically all of the coastline was stuffed and cramped with shipcarpentries. Obviously it was the main trade of the island and it's woodland.

As such, they at least knew to keep to the water's edge while looking for the right place. So, after something close to two hours, they actually arrived at the right place. Or so it seemed at least. Couple more or less completed ships were floating on their three piers, some of which already bearing the blue or insignia all marine vessels and buildings were known for.
Keen eyes could already see, something didn't fit the picture too well. The captain sure didn't notice however, in her head she was already planning where the next meal would be had in celebration of this glorious day and event. Not to mention having to shop up a storm, supplies and everything. After all, they couldn't ship out to sea without anything.

So with her mind all busy, planning future endeavors, she led the one-person posse through the first door to be seen into one of the workshops. Obviously, this didn't quite pass by the worker's attention and one of the couple men working on putting together a new mast put down his tools and went over. "Hey. This is a workshop. You can't just waltz in here..." And further the middle-aged bald person didn't get, as Jezebel couldn't care less about hearing someones complaints at this point and cut in shamelessly. "I've got some serious business to do with one of you people. Here's a fair amount of money, sent by the Moneih Marine Base along with these papers." First, the money was dropped to his feet demonstratively and almost in the same motion the smaller girl pulled out a couple of stapled together papers to wave in his face - a wonder if the guy would actually be able to tell what these were about, with this wayward style of presentation. "And i'm to pick up a ship of yours, out of the ones manufactured for Marine usage recently. As such, i demand my ship."

This was certainly an unusual way to do business for anyone watching, but fairly normal for Jezebel's standarts. As the carpenter was finally able to get his hands on the documents presented, it created a few moments of silence as he was studying them. A lot of things seemed fishy here, at best. The papers certainly looked the part and the short personal file for the person to pick up and receive the product fit the young woman's description. But still. No additional people were mentioned and it was more then unusual for money to be send immediately in physical form, as well as it was unusual for captains to appear at the workshop and claim ships directly - usually they delivered to Marine officials and whatever happened then wasn't the shipcarpentries business. "Ah. How troublesome. Lemme get the boss for you. Not my job to deal with these things." he concluded after a while and left them standing with the money. Probably to return at some point.
"Things are working well." She wasn't really wording it in a way that made it clear she was talking to Anais. "Once we're done here, we'll pick up some basic supplies and be on our way. Suggestions what we might need?" She wasn't even looking, just talking. But at least the Recruit was acknowledged. In some way.

The clicks and tics of their foot ware reached Anais' ears, they were pleasant since the lone sniper was the type to enjoy that kind of sound. The smith thought of them as regal, now why would that sound emanating from the collision between a boot and ground sounded as regal? Well, Anais didn't know. Indeed wordless but *soundfull* and the short raven haired woman was more prone to hear her captain's footsteps rather then her own, after all a sniper carry themselves lightly and stealth was a mandatory in the job description.

Regardless, after hundreds steps of clicks and tics, less or more. Their destination came closer and with an eye of a hawk, three ships were spotted from afar. More likely it would take them another twenty minutes or so. With the soothing sound of the sea and the trumpets that where there footsteps, Anais thought about her home. If things went well, she wouldn't be here to begin with. Her sister what about her? Did she take her medications on time? Her Mother, How that maternal creature was faring? Anais was truly troubled in mind and couldn't help herself from being continuously worried. The question was, was money that much able to solve her problems for eternity? Unwise, Anais thought of the answer as 'yes' though money doesn't grant everyone wishes, money doesn't buy everything. This answer perhaps the lone sniper would conclude later on, at the journey's end, if there was any..

OK, the ship carpentry, they were there. Greeted by a restriction which was met with a bluntness that knew no bounds. The captain was rather ordering the worker to get them the ship, this was definitely no request. A list of papers was shown, that Anais' eye of hawk was not able to know it's content despite being that close. The worker left them to get his superior. Ignorant, Anais was of the ways of the marines, that ships were sent to base as a delivery as the way around for a captain to get his or her ship, that huge sea monster by himself was rather strange and peculiar.

"Things are working well." The captain hummed to herself but continued as if thinking loudly "Once we're done here, we'll pick up some basic supplies and be on our way." Anais concluded that till this part, they were just worded thoughts however what followed didn't belong to the same category "Suggestions what we might need?"

Well, Anais had to answer since there no one nearby other than her so probably the question was directed at the woman coming from the west, it would be rude not to answer and Anais was not a rude person to begin with, actually she would be an exemplary marine at it. By your leave, captain. Anais asked permission to speak and thus waited for an approval then continued I think, we need a cartographer or we will not be able to get far. Anais didn't know yet that her captain was one. I am a smith myself, so leave the weapon and armor mending to me. Of course, I will be able to make temporary ship repairs at times of emergency until we can get ourselves to a dock. Other than that, we need provisions that will keep supplied for long journeys and armaments to keep the ship well defended. I recommend buying at least one cannon.

Anais kept thinking more, if there were more elements to add into the equation. Of course without a crew, they were not going anywhere mostly. So does the ship comes with a skeleton crew? Well, perhaps the captain was more versed since she was the one to receive educations in the ways of the sea, the captain knows more. So was Anais of help? That depends on how that mind of Jezebel would perceive.

Sounded like valid points. She hadn't even planned that far. Of course, they'd need to have the people to sail the thing, not to mention arms to shoot the bad, bad pirates with. Actually, Jezebel had hoped that the ship would be already equipped with both. But ultimately, maybe not. After all, the woodworkers did not make soldiers nor weapons.
"Shoot." she realized. With a motion gesturing the want to bite oneself in the hand, she silently expressed the slight anger about this overlooking of obvious facts. This might not actually be as easy as she expected. Her original plan was to just stroll along the various seabound shops, pick up some rations and drinks before setting sail by early afternoon. But, the outlining of future plans would have to wait, as some man, supposedly the manager appeared literally out of nowhere from past the two women's field of vision.

Taking stance right in front of them, trying to look important with his pin-striped suit and some file folder in hand. "I had expected someone more, er... of more stature for a marine captain." he stumbled into conversation, seemingly surprised to find some somewhat short and hardly legal girl as the petty officer. "Any which way. We'll try to make it painless and quick for the both of us. We do have one out of the requested batch done and from the paperwork side, things seem to be clear. Though, there is no mention of someone else being with yourself to pick up the goods. Also, as it is, you cannot sail this vessel out of the dock with just yourself. It's just a small time cruiser, but you will still need at least three sailors of experience, better yet, four of them. We can't hand out the ship to you otherwise." Underlining this statement with a quick glance over one of the papers in the folder, he seemed to have said everything of importance for now.
"Yesyes, whatever. This is a trusted recruit of my squad. Everyone else..." she thought it over for a moment, but not too long, "Was shot recently!" This was totally not made up at all. Totally not. And totally didn't appear to be either. As long as she got her stuff now, who would care for a little correction of facts anyway? "Already slated for new assignments. That's why we are supposed to get the ship. If you can just get it to a pier so we can board it once they arrive, that'll be enough."

Mr. Boss was listening while poking at the slumped money bag to their feet with his own polished shoes. Money certainly was a good bunch, cash on the spot in masses was always something decent. After she'd finished, he pulled out a stack of tacked together papers from the folder and a keyring from inside the jacket. "I suppose we can arrange that much. This is the formal necessities for you to sign and keep, this be the keys for the deck-accessed doors and hatches. It's going to be sitting at pier A-32 by sunset." The office guy seemed to be good at thought-sports, being able to already plan ahead and forecast where he was going to have it delivered to. Papers were handed over, a chinking keyring flew around, business done. They'd obviously have to leave the counted money here, but Jez was sure, she had still enough funds stored in marine accounts to get everything else together by flashing her ID around here and there.

Shoot!! The young captain said and Anais was able to say much, that the leader didn't think further ahead which made the lone huntress' eyebrow hidden under the shadow of her black hair to go up higher. What did the captain think? What did that young lady with pale skin and a hair like of a raven plan with them just two? The answer was the same as the smith thought about her younger sister taking the medications, the answer was simple like a blank paper, there was no answer.

The Shipwright taskmaster returned with an imaginary bag full of questions or perhaps of remarks. He began his speech with a mocking that Anais didn't like, since how would a captain would look really didn't matter, as what really mattered was the skills, yet she kept her lips sealed. Nonetheless the man spoke his doubts and concerns, an inability to deliver the ship due to the lack of crew which was met with a rather decisive answer.

And so, Anais found herself a trusted member of a group, a survivor of crew who got themselves shot somehow. Of course, survivor was the wrong word to be used since the fictional comrades were shot but not killed. Luckily, Anais was on her guard or she would have made an "Eih" full of astonishment, actually instead Anais managed to make a serious nod of agreement with a fierce eye fixed at Mr. Boss who was persuaded by both money and the captain's story of really unfortunate team members.

But fortunately, the duo got the key for what to be their ships, it would be there waiting for them at pier A-32 which was few clicks away by sunset, wasn't sunset truly near?

Captain! Anais hath spoken naturally after leaving the man be. Without a proper crew we will not be able to set sail.. and that how Anais cut short her words, the intention was to let the little words to sink in. Perhaps, this slight remark would provoke the captain to speak her mind.

A valid point she had. Though, this occured to jezebel as well, she didn't worry too much. "I know, i know. It's going to be working. There's got to be someone willing to help out for a while. Everyone knows, that ports always have someone or the other looking for a ship to get on for minimum wage or less, as long as it takes them somewhere else." Of course it wasn't quite like this, but the carefree nature of hers certainly toned down facts quite easily. Also, they still had time to figure out a solution, as evening was some hours away and they would be going around the island, doing some shopping anyway - you're bound to hear about someone looking for a job or something similiar in that situation. Or directly find someone to rope in.

Leading the way, the captain led the team of two out of the workshop and away from water's edge, further into the city. She was mostly looking for some kind of market, preferredly one not in the mainstream of business, where prices were high and supply low. So naturally, they would have to avoid the harbor-bound stands as that was what was a good townsquare for other cities. All the while, in her head, Jezebel started making a list of things she wanted to get - which wasn't necessarily matching with the imaginary list of things they would likely need.

Understood, Captain! So it lied within the captain's jurisdiction and bound to her judgment that there was no need to feel those emotions of anxiety and sentiments of concern. If that so, Anais sensed that perhaps Captain Jezebel had a plan in the making or a course that deserved implementation. Then if so, there was no need to worry. Actually, what Anais had to worry about was her skills as a smith since it seemed to the clairvoyant eye of a hawk that it shall fall into her hands the welfare of the ship itself regarding the many aspects of repair and upgrade. Yes, Anais must know about the construction of their ship, The smith had to know every nail inside, every equipment and the purpose of it's existence. Anais knew they would begin with a small ship but soon with time studying all available layouts within this world and with effort developing new ones so that the history would remember the great menace that threatened the pirates within all the horizon, the four sides of the seas. Simply, it was no small feat yet Anais' will inevitably shall be perfected and objectives will be consummated. The word failure didn't and shall never exist in her vocab.

So they were going for the market and not any kind of market but one that have things that the others didn't. Anais was pretty excited, the plan was simple, find every layout possible for any kind of ship, old cheap cannons to deconstruct and worn out weapons to re-engineer. It was time time to understand how things would work in order to achieve the goal and realize the expectations with flying colors but in the same time Anais wondered what kind of things her captain was interested in? Certainly that was bound to be answered by time and only time through the markets.