Storm Ahoy! The Seas Churn! (Jackie, Open)

"Oooo, it's gonna rain!" Salabi's arm shot out to point into the sky as if the motion would help illustrate the obvious. The Majin's 'companion' gave her a small frown, sighing lightly. "I can see that, Salabi. The density, color, and shape of the clouds along with the motion upon the waves are all indicators." At some point Paige's constant barrier of ignoring Salabi entirely had worn thin over the past decades, and now the Shinjin thought to at least try and educate the excitable, child-like Majin. Though for the most part, the lessons slid off her back like water to a duck. Or in this case, rain to an umbrella. With a snap of magic, said object appeared in Paige's hand in preparation for the oncoming downpour. Getting wet may not have been a bad thing outright but the Kai still found herself distasteful of it. "So what're we gonna do in this smelly ol' port? There's like tons of shady underbelly stuff and whatever but the people there are usually such drags." Paige's judgmental glare did little to dampen Salabi's mood, who returned the expression with a bright smile. "I wished to observe the workings of the dock and some of these boats. I'll also have to ask you to not participate in any of your typical activities given what you did in Central City." Salabi sighed dramatically, throwing one arm over her face and whipped up some mock tears. "All I did was have a nice little spar with that Hero guy! I take no blame for his beams and stuff doing damage to buildings. Maybe these Earth nerds should learn to build their houses out of something other than stone for once!"

Paige stopped, Salabi taking a few more steps before realizing her partner was no longer by her side. "Heck! What caught your attention this time?" The Shinjin didn't immediately respond, taking a moment to look at one of the larger docked vessels. "Aside from the fact that no competent captain would likely sail in such conditions, there's a... strange energy coming from that one." Normally Paige wasn't one to worry themselves with the strength of others, and being aware of the fact Salabi stared up at it in slight confusion. "Is it someone you know or something?" Humming, the Kai's head shook slowly. "Nothing like that. More of a... spiritual kind of familiarity I guess. Regardless, I suppose this would be my best chance to ask the commander of such a ship if they'd be willing to give a tour or explanation." Even though there was no audible complaints, Paige knew well enough that Salabi wasn't quite as interested in maritime knowledge as Paige was. "Why don't you go and get a table at a restaurant? I may show up, but feel free to order before me. You still have the legitimate money, correct?" Salabi's expression brightened considerably, nodding. "Ye! Get everything safely stored away in a capsule in my shoulder!" Ah yes. Majins. "Go on, then. I've a feeling this won't be particularly long anyway." 

Watching her companion run off for a second, the Shinjin sighed and refocused upon the ship before her. It seemed the crew had already disembarked, meaning that only the strange signature bearing captain remained. Paige would take a confident stride towards the gangway, stopping short to raise a hand and call out if Alaistair hadn't already descended by then. "Ho there, good sir, do you mind if I could speak with you?"

---

"Ugh... this sucks on ice." Having the most impeccable timing Salabi would find herself at the back of the funneling line towards the closest niceish looking restaurant. A whole lotta Demons had come swarming out of nowhere, and by the time the Majin was able to squeeze into the admittedly smallish building, all of the available seats were filling up rapidly. Excited at least to get her turn, joy turned to despair as the seater said there'd be a wait until a smaller table or booth opened up. "Er, no need! I have a friend here..." Of course trying to schmooze in with the demon guys would be a bit weird, so Salabi's eyes landing on a human was a stroke of good luck! "Her! My bestest friend!" The staff member looked a tad bit confused but otherwise said nothing and shrugged, gesturing for her to continue. Bounding over with a wide smile, Salabi would slide into a chair without hesitation and shoot the stranger a finger gun. "Hope you don't mind lady, but I gotta time limit and everything else was taken." Leaning forward ever so slightly, the girl lowered her voice a tad: "Anyway! I can give you like, a fiver or something for your trouble. Or MAYBE my awesome presence is all the payment you'll need!?"

Well, it was quiet for a moment. Kinda added to the whole gloom of watching the dark skies outside. Was she into the moody lighting all much? Nah, but right now she didn't really wanna mess with a full crowd in a place where she was just trying to eat. Wouldn't last too long as a whole corral of men barges into the restaurant. Large, some missing a few damp spots on them. Yeah, those were some sailors of a sort. Jackie didn't wanna assume because they looked to be vaguely demonic, but pirates perhaps? They made it their message to let people know they were there and in line.

"I... should have expected."
She murmured to herself, picking at her appetizer and drink while watching them go by. A few shoot some eyes at the darker lady on her lonesome. Just some curious looks, mostly. A pair of them did try to break from the line for a moment to try fraternizing with the Earthling. But all it took was a furrowed brow shot at them to get them disinterested. Have to put up the tougher act as to not get more attention than she likes. She'd face back away and grab her cup. Staring back out the window. Contemplating her life... It didn't seem like a second even past and she was drinking before a little pink thing came around and slid into position. Just, making themselves comfortable right across from them at the table. Jackie caught her off the slight reflection bouncing off the glass before she made an impact. Turning fully in her seat to eyeball the majin.

"Uhh..."
Jackie had a double-take for a moment before she'd lower her glass and stare at her. The audacity, she didn't think she'd see many people so bold as to just skip a line like that but here we are. The carrot top lady leaned back and crossed her arms. Money? Like, a five? Nah, this was entertaining enough. She shook her head and smirked at Salabi.

"Nah, keep your money. I ain't a charity."
After a pause, she eyeballed the dining area again with pointed a thumb away from their tables and at others. Keeping her crossed arm tucked and under her. She seemed to want to point to the various other tables with a comparative one person in them.

"Ya really expect me to buy that you chose me and that you're in such a rush to skip the line? Just tell me what you're in such a hurry for and I say we can call it even. A name would be nice too. Like to know who's usin' my seat."
Unlike her companion, she didn't seem to be subtle in calling Salabi out or really playing along all too well. She wasn't just kicking the bubblegum out either. Graceful as can be.

---

WC: 483
TWC: 695 (2 posts)

They were quick to explain who they were, and the immediate mention of what they were on top of their name brought a wide eyed leer! Alaistair's form changed to a flaring red suit, his personal insignia marking it as his creation through the white pins on his sleeve cuffs and the buttons. At this point, if his appearance weren't obvious enough, he growled, "What the hell do your uptight superiors want to learn about a god damned ship, Kai?!"

He leaned closer, his amber eyes looking at Paige's... Wait, her associate?! Alaistair poked towards her, saying, "You get your answers when we go to make sure your, 'associate,' whoever they are, doesn't assault my lads... Now come on!"

Alaistair grabbed Paige's arm tight enough to carry her along. His energy flared up for a moment before the two of them 'disappeared' from the pier and appeared at the restaurant! The Boss released her and went inside, looking around for his crew. Thankfully, the group of idiots were fine. Some of them were ogling a dark skinned girl not far from the front, as well as a Majin girl who was chatting up the dark skinned girl.

"Well, it's good to see that you lot are alright," he growled, his voice easing as he did, "Something's come up, guys. Just tell me what you want and I'll bring your food back later tonight. However, after you tell me what you want, head back to the hotel... That's an order, by the way!"

The crew grumbled. They'd been around Alaistair long enough to not get on his nerves when he got pissed off. Maybe they'd have a chance to come here at a different time before they left to the sea? Regardless, they gave him their orders and all sauntered out to their hotel. Alaistair walked back out, hands at his side as he addressed Paige, "Now, you said you have an associate here. By all means, you two can sit together as you ask your questions. However, so much as utter that you came across me here and I WILL not hesitate hunting you down... This place offers quality food, so I'd very much like to enjoy that as we talk about ships."

Total WC: 1,056

"To be more accurate, it is technically I alone that specifically wishes to learn more about maritime vessels. Instructions were only given for broad strokes and not individual research which was left to my discretion," Paige explained calmly, seemingly entirely unphased by the Demon's outburst. "My apologies for asking, but you seem to have had a bit of a strange reaction. Is something the matter in regards to my origins?" The Shinjin shifted slightly, a small frown resting upon her face. "I cannot claim to know why you are acting this way, perhaps it is with reason, but please refrain from casting such harsh accusations onto Salabi. She may be tiring and vexing most of the time but a violent soul she is not." She likely could've resisted the Demon's teleportation but decided to simply go along with it - not wanting to make him any more agitated than he already was for some reason.

"Perhaps the good food will also help in easing your nerves," Paige said wryly, easily spotting the strange pairing of Salabi and a stranger sitting together. "It seems there are enough seats still for us both over there if you wish to join me still." The Shinjin wasn't entirely sure if Salabi had been invited or just invaded the human's space, but she'd probably bet on the latter. Still with how aggressive Alaistair was being Paige didn't particularly feel like being terribly far away from the much stronger Majin. "Salabi, I've arrived." The djinn couldn't sense energy after all and was probably so engrossed in holding a one-sided conversation that any newcomers would be ignored unless they directly addressed her as Paige had.

---

"I guess? They're tryna learn everything they can about... everything. We were on Beppa a while ago with all those buff green guys. Kinda rude but totally cool once you proved you weren't a weakling and stuff." Given that the Majin had arrived a bit after Jackie had her order still wasn't ready yet, Salabi giving a small pout as the plate was placed before returning to a friendly smile. "The North? Isn't it just all cold and mountainy up there? No offense or something." The Majin much preferred the Southern regions for their tourist destinations and an assortment of food, but perhaps her opinion would change once Paige dragged them both up there. At some point, other folks had entered the restaurant, ignored up until her human friend had mentioned something about the boat guy.

Salabi swiveled in time for Paige to call out to her, the Majin's hand raising to wave at her excitedly. "Hiiiii~!" For some reason the boat guy didn't look too happy, but maybe that's just how boat people were. "Come on over and take a seat or something!" There were three left. One next to Salabi, one next to Jackie, and an aisle seat that Salabi had spontaneously made by dragging a different one over with a stretchy arm.

Beppa. Jackie had to think about if she ever heard of that one before. She was fully aware there were plenty that knew about space and much of the cosmos better than your average typical Earthling. And these buff green men sounded like a lot of aliens. Was that just the natural course of advanced cultures, to become spacefaring and brutal? The sun monk wasn't about to get to philosophizing when she was having dinner guests. The young flame seems to have guessed right when the two of them came back in and the pink bubble gum waved some excited greeting at them. The pair would find their way here in time, introducing themselves and apologizing to the seated Earthling.

Well, one did at least. Seems this blue gal would much rather be addressed first. Oh well, the captain oni was bright and charismatic enough to catch her attention with a snort of a laugh. There were some things a young gal like her couldn't avoid.

"Nah. It's alright. If anythin' I'm now being intrusive with this whole boat talk Salabi has been telling me about. At least now I don't get a quiet and somber meal. The colorful cast around me can keep me entertained."
As the kettle calls the pot black, the lady watched her own simple coke drink with a swish. The poor waiter has been around already, but now with a full table, they would swing back around for the other's orders. She already decided what she wanted from here. But, on recommendation from the captain she might just pen that in as a dessert. Who knows. She interrupts her thought to quickly correct Salabi a bit.

"And, yeah. it's usually cold and rocky. Central is a bit closer to a temperate climate though. I did actually mean it when I said I used to live in the mountains. So, yeah. A bit cold."
Not that her people didn't have very obvious ways of keeping their warmth and strength up there. It was, in fact, one of the reasons they were able to stay holed up there for so long. As far as she could tell that clan was around for ages, and lived off the land and warmth they can provide themselves.

---

WC: 380
TWC: 1498

The dark skinned girl snickered and nursed her own drink as she stated she didn't mind the intrusion! Alaistair was relieved to hear that. After that, Paige's questions and comments ramped up vastly! The first was about why he wasn't aiming to sail out in this atrocious weather. She also noted that she didn't have a need

"Very well. Now, it is correct, to a degree, on the sailing part and my abilities, and also it is still insistence with that definition," Alaistair retorted and pointed across the table to her, before clasping his hands together, "But onto the elaboration. I personally can go sailing out there and would be fine with my abilities. However, as I am a individual who fulfills fishing jobs effectively, I need a vessel large enough to carry the vast quantities and in turn, this would mean I need a crew to maintain and run the ship..."

It appeared that the other two ladies had already ordered food, Alaistair pausing briefly and leaning back a bit to allow the server to give the dishes to them! Afterwards, the Majin girl quickly and with animosity tore into her meal. She apologized, saying it had been half a day since her last meal. Alaistair waved his hand shortly, with a soft smile, "It's fine."

The other conversation going on between the two was about where the mortal came from! From what they were on about, and Paige was quick to hop in with their own comment, she'd been from some mountains. It was also apparent the Majin had adored goats! Paige was quick to correct her, being irritated by the lack of understanding. She returned focus to Alaistair asking about his knowledge being adequate on the sea and naval works. As that happened, the waitress came back with his alcoholic coffee with a dollop of whipped cream smeared on one side of the rim, and a tiny pitcher of milk on the side. The whipped cream didn't encompass the full rim, which allowed visual of the black liquid that went roughly halfway up the mug. Room for changing up the drink to the customer's specifications, since Alaistair hadn't mentioned how he wanted it. They also gave a few packs of half and half, in case if he didn't need the milk.

"Thank you very much," Alaistair first replied, turning to the girl next to him, "Could I get the sugar there, please?"

He looked back to Paige, stating, "For certain, my knowledge is adequate and that answer to your second question is in regards to novelty and the simple yet heavy cost of such technology! Certainly, it would be better off that people upgrade their technology, but some insist on working with older technology. The reasons vary individually, but the root answers are more often than I'd like to admit, 'I don't have money,' 'I don't trust it,' and of course, 'I want to battle the sea'! Shall I go further? I can use my crew members as examples, too."

Total WC: 1,876