driftfleet | As Grumpy As She Ever Gets

Who: Makie
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Twin Roses, Iskaulit
When: 3rd Sept

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[Makie hardly left her room before she fell asleep in it, after Calibrations. She shuffles out now, though, sleepy and a little unsteady, which is all the giveaway for her to realise she's overslept again. Seems to be a habit. She makes herself a cup of tea, checks on her belongings to make sure they don't need maintenance. When she finds out how much time has passed from her crew, well... that's enough for her to finally leave the ship. Even mopey depressives can feel the need to stretch their legs.

She'll visit the gardens, check on the memory tree. And finally, she finds the swimming pool. Because it happens to have set up shop in the place she used to go to practice in private. Huh.

Well, nobody can complain about her swimming now, can they? One small problem, though...]

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I'm looking for someone to teach me how to swim. In exchange, I offer lessons either in music or swordsmanship.

[Take your pick. There isn't likely to be a flood here; no children to save from the water. But she'll return to Adstring eventually, won't she?]

Have I missed anything important...?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ parker can swim - she never taught anyone much of anything, but how hard could it be? she's been learning stuff from people, it doesn't look that hard!

and swordsmanship sounds useful. as eliot would say, you never know when you have to fight with a sword. he's not here to fight whoever it is for her, and there are some weirdos on this fleet. can't hurt to learn, right? especially when it doesn't cost money! ]

how good are you?

[ oh, you mean she needs to specify which lesson she's interested in? it isn't instantly obvious which one is the more practical and enticing? ]

[This isn't a comical disaster in the making at all...! Makie blinks at the question and kind of assumes the swordsmanship is what's being asked about, but just in case--]

Adequate at one. Too good at the other.

[ heavens, no, what could possibly go comically wrong in this scenario? ]

too good as in it gets boring?

[ that's the only way she can understand that phrase. ]

[Nothing at all!]

It defines my life. Those from my own home never see me as anything but a tool, at best.

[But it's definitely not boring, so that's a plus.]

[ interesting. she's kind of the same, but she usually doesn't see it as a bad thing. she's a thief, what else could she be? ]

everyone's a tool, the difference is in how hard you are to use

[ yeah, boredom's the worst. ]

[Fair point. She doesn't mind being known as a swordswoman. Just--]

They're more than just tools, though. I don't wish to be defined entirely by my skill with a blade, for good or ill. Should I assume you have an interest in swordsmanship?

what do you wish to be defined by?

and I can swim

[...what I don't know don't ask me such deep questions :|||

So after a bit of a pause--]

A trade of knowledge then?

[ oh was that deep? oops! ]

that's the deal

[ don't go asking for money now too no backsies! ]

[Your money is safe! She doesn't even spend her own.]

Then I would appreciate it. My name is Otono-Tachibana Makie. Makie is fine. Have you any experience with a sword?

[ neither does parker, she likes having it. ]

a little

[ stealing them, stabbing people as she escapes. oh, you meant actual training? sorry. ]

[She actually translates 'a little' to about that, so hey! Whatever works.]

As long as you know which end to hold it by. [What dryness, there is no dryness. This is text.] Is there any particular arrangement that would suit you? For swimming lessons or swordsmanship.

[ good job, makie, how do you feel about being a full time translator? ]

that's easy, someone doesn't?

swordsmanship in private [ she doesn't want more people than strictly necessary seeing her level, her struggles, her points that require improvement. ] do you have swords? [ or does she need to steal some? ]

I prefer privacy myself. How familiar are you with the Iskaulit? I have one wooden sword. I will have to get another.

moderately [ she knows where every room she can get into is and what's in it, but she's sure there are still hidden passageways and spaces left to be discovered. ]

no real swords? [ she'll have to get some then. ]

It's tradition to practice with such a sword. One should only draw a real sword if one intends to draw blood.

[That and Makie has no chill. A bokken will mean she doesn't have to hold back.]

As Grumpy As She Ever Gets

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