In person to the crew of the Manhatten

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

All right, ladies, if I might have a moment of your attention?

[He waits casually till he has it, smiling pleasantly the whole while.]

I'm to go ashore to gather information. The usual: grease a few palms, make a few threats, anything to loosen some tongues. I'm to take one or two of you with me, including at least one of the witches. Any volunteers?

Comments

[coimiceoir]

[Even if Aisling wasn't there when he started talking, she's there now, bouncing on the balls of her feet with one pale hand waving in the air.]

Oo! Oo! I want ta go! Do we get to explore tha forest?

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

[Koizumi's smile deepens, her enthusiasm endearing. He spreads his hands in an elaborate shrug.]

I am afraid to say it is unlikely we will have time to explore the forest this time around. It is far more likely, however, the next time we go out, when we actually have the information we need about the sextant.

[coimiceoir]

[Aisling drops her hand, frowning her disappointment and tugging her hat on better.]

Aw. You mean you're jus' gonna go talk at people? Tha's booooring.

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

While I share your predilections, I'm afraid our obligations must come first. Never fear, there should soon be plenty of opportunity for us to explore the forest in our search.

[coimiceoir]

[Aisling folds her arms, fixing him with that look so common to young children who aren't afraid to tell grown ups that they're full of crap.]

You're using a lotta big words again.

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

I suppose I am.

[A mischievous grin.]

It sure would be unfortunate if you weren't able to understand what I was talking about.

[coimiceoir]

[Caught between an eyeroll and a snort, she shakes her head.]

Lady Fortune ain't got much to do with it, far's I can tell.

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

Well, then I suppose I'd better not leave it up to Lady Fortune, hmm?

[He crouches down so that he's on her level while he's talking to her. While predilection may have been a bit much, he knows that there are a bunch of words of intermediate difficulty he can use that she no longer has any problem with, given how long they've been on the crew together.]

A predilection is a fondness or preference for something, and an obligation refers to duty or responsibility.

[coimiceoir]

[Full of childish exasperation, she stares at him.]

Iff'n ya coulda said it like that, then why didn'tcha? Then everyone coulda understood and y'wouldn't have needed to explain.

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

Oftentimes, there are nuances of meaning - and more complicated words are more accurate and more succinct. The more words you know, the easier it is to string them together to mean exactly what you intend to say. We spend so much of lives communicating with others solely through verbal languages like this one, the least we could do is learn how to use it well.

[A amused smile.]

Besides, it's more fun this way.

[coimiceoir]

[Look at her scoff. She's got it down to an art.]

So anyways, wotcher needin' to go inta town for? Other than ta bore people t'death with yer blabbermouthin?

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

For the most part, I will be listening while other people are blabbermouthin.

We're going into town to gather information and discover where to find the Sextant. If the stories are true, we could then just be on our way.

[coimiceoir]

Well, whatcha need a witch for, then?

[dontmindmepleasecontinue]

The Commodore is not going to be very pleased if he realizes we have come ashore. The Captain thinks it would be prudent to have a witch in case we were to have a... disagreement with the Commordore's men. Or with crew members from the other ships, for that matter. Seems to think you might be useful in a pinch.

[coimiceoir]

It's sure possible that a fog might roll in later! It might not be a bad idea t' go today.