On reserving high_seas

[misteriletainn]

Dear Ben,

Can I call you Ben? Mundane just sounds so...well, mundane. Are you nervous? You shouldn't be, it's not like anybody else will se-

[Owain looks around with a bit of surprise before clearing his throat.]

As I was saying, there is nary a soul to be found! Leastwise none that I can spot. And besides, between your guiding wisdom and my ferocious sword hand-pray that it does not prove to be the downfall of you or any other, dear mun-we shall certainly find Mystletainn even if it requires I skin the hide of hundreds of pirates! By Marth's big toe, I swear it!

And maybe, should fortune be with me, I'll find some of my companions as well-or perhaps even acquire some new ones.

Comments

[cry_brady]

... It'd be nice to have someone else around in that crazy place.

[Even if it's a crazy someone else.]

[misteriletainn]

Brady? And here I thought it would take me far, far longer to find anyone I knew.

Crazy place? Is something wrong with it?

[cry_brady]

There's all kinds of stuff! You become a wanted criminal, and you have to hunt for a magic jewel because some old half-dead dude orders you too, there are weird journals that let you talk to people, right now I'm actually in a race...

... And someone I thought was a good pal set a whole island on fire.

[misteriletainn]

An entire island? Not one you were on, I trust, elsewise you certainly shouldn't consider them a good friend.

The rest sounds like quite an exciting time, however. Tell me, have you heard any tales of my sword there? I can see no other reason for my going there.

[cry_brady]

...

[Urge to smack with healing staff, rising.]

No, I haven't heard anything about your made-up sword. Been a little busy trying to get home. And not get set on fire.

[misteriletainn]

Mystletainn is not an imaginary blade, Brady! I can feel it calling to me, across time, across space, and I know that calling to be a true one!

[cry_brady]

[Rising...]

We can't waste time looking for it. We're looking for the jewel, it's the one thing that will send us home!

[misteriletainn]

Surely, the sword would help to guide us to the jewel. And if not guide, it would most certainly make our path an easier one.

[cry_brady]

I am not delaying or sidetracking my journey for a toy you made up!

[misteriletainn]

A weapon is no toy, and one of such power, even less so. Besides, isn't your journey chasing some mythical jewel? If that speaks to you, it should be easy to understand my own goal.

[cry_brady]

But my thing actually exists!

[But... come to think of it, did he have proof of that, other than everyone talking about it?]

... I think?

[misteriletainn]

If it's as famous as you say, it most certainly does. But the same is true for Mystletainn!

[cry_brady]

... That makes a weird amount of sense.

[misteriletainn]

Of course it does! You'll join me in the hunt, then, and I will help you to find the jewel so we might return to Ylisse?

[cry_brady]

Doesn't sound like I have much of a choice. Count me in.

[misteriletainn]

That's what I like to hear! Between the two of us, Brady, we'll find Mystletainn *and* the jewel, and nothing shall stand in our way!

[managedthat]

[OH NOOOOOO HE'S....... ADORABLE.]

OHOHO~! You too? All these attractive boys going to a place where damsels in distress need dashing heroes and devilishly handsome rogues to protect them on dangerous oceans from menaces completely unlike anything I've ever seen! [a fake swoon.] I've read manga like this and I am completely prepared to be swept off my feet and ravished by a gorgeous pirate who decided I am more precious than any buried treasure.

[the swoon has now become Very Real.]

In any case, neither you nor your mun should worry! I've been told you two have a guide, which even if she's completely and totally an unreliable space cadet, is more than some of us had!!

[misteriletainn]

I think you'll find the damsels there may be dashing as well, fair lady, at least if the land is anything like my own. Though if what is needed is a hero, one need look no further than to me!

For rogues, you'll needs look elsewhere. And dare you not point me towards them, lest my sword hand takes the justice it so dearly desires.

[managedthat]

[FAIR LADY!!!!!! he's like tamaki but 100% cuter.]

You're a hero?! Well, if you're not you've definitely got the mannerisms and speech down... 9.5 out of 10, I think. Could use better hair product, but the scruffy look goes well with heroes!

I'm not a hero myself, but I know the type. I know EVERY type, really. You've got a sword hand, but I've got an eye for these things!!

[misteriletainn]

But of course! Some day soon, legends will be sung of Owain, the Scion of the First Exalt! Beasts and scoundrels across the land will cower when they hear my name!

[His hand shakes furiously. It's not entirely obvious, but the motion is certainly fake.]

And only then, as I cut my way across the sea of villainy, shall this hand be sated!

[managedthat]

Owain. Sounds hero-y. Don't be surprised if fanfiction shows up about you. Potentially with ladies radiant and beautiful and with a penchant for pink. Anything is possible, you know.

[what is up with his hand. is that The Sword Hand???]

Hey, are you okay? I mean, you might want to have someone look at that?

[misteriletainn]

Anyone who dares comes close risks danger! You should even stay back-I've it in check for now, but each moment I risk drawing my blade and bringing down whatever is before me!

[After what appears to be a few moments of intense concentration, Owain lowers his hand.]

Fanfiction? What do you speak of?

[managedthat]

But you're a hero! You'd never take down an innocent person, right? Sword hand or not...

[does he... not know? he doesn't know about--]

FANFICTION!! A craft all unto it's own! [OWAIN... look at what you did!] Fan-created stories about people, perhaps fictitious, perhaps real, and in a world of their own design! Fanfiction is an art, developing characters and storylines the original canon didn't have time for, or alternate universes they never would've touched!! Fanfiction is a creative outlet, a way for fans to really have a hand in the worlds they love so dearly, to get one step closer to the characters they've completely fallen in love with!!!! To not know what fanfiction is... that's almost criminal!!! FANFICTION IS A SPRINGBOARD FOR FLEDGLING AUTHORS AND CREATIVE MINDS OF ALL SORTS!!!!!! FANFICTION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF A SERIES, FOR GREAT AND TERRIBLE REASONS ALIKE!!!!!!!!!

[misteriletainn]

Of course not, milady. Not so long as I might control it-but it's no simple task. My mighty hand is a fearsome burden, though I will bear it so long as I can.

[Suddenly, Renge was screaming at him, and Owain simply blinked, staring wide-eyed at the explanation.]

Alright, so fanfiction is...stories about other people's characters?

[managedthat]

ART!!!! FANFICTION IS ART!!!!!!! But yes, that's exactly what it is but it's so much more than that at the same time. I guess you have to feel the Flames of Moe in your soul to TRULY UNDERSTAND!! But it seems you have The Hero Spark instead. Hmm. I guess it's a good enough replacement.

[misteriletainn]

Replacement? My being a hero is my defining trait! Without it, I would lose everything that makes me Owain! As much as art and the flames of moe might be wonderful, I'll take heroicness any day of the week.

[managedthat]

AND THAT'S EXACTLY THE ANSWER I WAS LOOKING FOR!!!!!! You have to feel the hero in your heart to be the truest of heroes!! I could eat three bowls of rice because of this!!! KYAAAAH!!!

[misteriletainn]

I'm not sure why eating three bowls of rice would help, but I can tell you have a wise understanding of how things work.

Tell my, milady, might I have the honor of your name?

[managedthat]

Of course I know how things work. What kind of girl would I be if I didn't?

"The honour of my name"? You would make an excellent host. Maybe we can kick Tamaki-baka out, and put you in his place. I am Houshakuji Renge, Lady Manager of Ouran Academy's Host Club, and heir to the Houshakuji Shipping Conglomerate. Don't forget it, because one day, I'll be running the free world! Ohoho~!

[misteriletainn]

A host? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, Housea...Houshe...can I just call you Renge? That seems much easier.

And running the free world? So you, too, are descended from royalty?

[managedthat]

A host! Basically a man paid to be the best date imaginable. That's a host in his most basic form, but there's so much more to it!!! I'll tell you all about it eventually when we're in High Seas together. Anyway, it's said Ho-sha-koo-jee. Four syllables. Renge is my given name, though, and you're totally free to call me Renge-chan.

There's a bit of royal blood in me, on my mother's side, but I'm an heir first and foremost. Likely the combo of my own natural talents, the company I'm slated to inherit, as well as my potential marriage into one of the most powerful families this side of the continent will make me in charge of EVERYTHING.