#【thread ⁎ all aboard the jugboat 】

[laslow]

While the contents of all the storm-damaged letters brought back far too many memories of fighting his own injustices, the news from Jugdral disturbed him deeply. A once-forgotten religion rising from the ashes hit too close to home. The rumors--of which he doubts they are merely as innocent as that--of children being ripped from their homes cannot stand.

He's unusually quiet in the mess hall, content to sit with Corrin and observe the mostly familiar faces half-illuminated in the ever-shifting candlelight. It's a testament to his long career of service in the Monastery's name that he feels so comfortable among such a varied group of people.

Laslow listens intently once the introductions start. He nods in recognition when required; notes the names and faces of those he doesn't know beyond a passing presesence in the monastery. In fact, he's eager to arrive at their destination, ready for a glimpse of the country so many of his allies call home.

A lull passes among them in the wake of Prince Macedon's introduction. Laslow clears his throat and stands, lackadaisical stance meant as a show of utter confidence in their collective abilities. "I'm Laslow, an assistant professor of swordcraft with the Blue Lions house." A mouthful, but everyone else was committed to full titles, so he may as well join them.

"It is an honor to fight alongside you all. I promise to watch your backs so we may return safely to our loved ones." He finishes with an elegant bow, sinking back into his seat once it's over.

―✮―  Holding to his stature now as a man beneath the many facets of peril, Prince Macedon assuages the restlessness within to extend in that way frugal and reserved a boon in diplomacy ( that he should say, instead, that Maria has hurled him aloft into a sea of stilted interaction wherein he must tread to remain afloat mars his lofty image for but a candle flicker’s moment, for he resolves again his stoicism and dons it upon himself as a plated helm. ) 

―✮―  A conglomeration not merely of knights but the many facets of livelihoods circumnavigates the expanse of their metaphorical round table ( a child’s fable ―― to encircle oak planks of legend to claim anew a kingdom fallen ! ) ; of magic’s boons do hands of slim ease flutter, and those marred by the calluses of war, and those soft and young, and such that are old and gaunt ( of which ilk he might reside a part of. ) Their many contradictions are found in this clasping of hands ―― this camaraderie wrought of a single familiarity and little more. 

―✮―  War is multi-faceted, but when will it don its parading mask to masquerade as a silhouette afar ―― not yet arrived but nonetheless present? ( for if one has one before served in ranks, they expect to serve again ―― an inconsolable dread. ) And here he is: serving again. Thrice now does that make.

―✮―  “Descendant of Iote, Prince Macedon.” He supplies, and in the flush of playing the orator do his arms fold atop his sternum. There are many words he might speak, many declarations he might propose ―― of ascertaining singularly Maria’s safety, of belittling his fallen hopes in the prowess set before him, of the sardonic words berating the massacre of children ( for in his mind’s slow-following eye, was not Maria still a child ? ―― to ponder the risk . . . ) But, he only speaks with simplicity to guide his tongue. 

―✮―  “Nevertheless,” He grumbles, “You have my axe, and this lordly shield I bear.” 

[luminousrider]

Jugdral Boat introductions thread! Feel free to jump in and say a lil something. Open to everyone on the team!

She's made this journey several times now. To Fódlan, then back to Jugdral, then to Fódlan again. It hasn't been very long at all before she is called back home again but, this time, it is not because of the ache in her heart for the land she loves. This time, there is trouble brewing. Thracia needs her.

It's nerve-wracking and she can't help but feel guilty for having left in the first place. If she hadn't returned to Fódlan, would her presence have been enough to stop any problems from even beginning?

Altena sighs as she pokes at her dinner the first night they are all together on the ship. There are a lot of familiar faces--too many if she thinks about it too hard. They'd done this before and the hard part was supposed to be over. And yet there are still quite a bunch of faces that she doesn't recognize. Others from the monastery sympathetic to the threat to her home. She owes them her gratitude. Now is perhaps as good a time as any.

She stands, clears her throat hoping to command attention, and speaks. "My name is Altena, princess of Thracia and wielder of the holy lance Gae Bolg. We are traveling to my home and I would like to personally thank you all for offering to lend your aid. You can rely on me."

All Aboard the Jugboat!

[swiftscion]

"I'm Larcei," quips a plucky voice, its owner slipping off a railing to come into full view, "I carry the blood of the Crusader Od in my veins, so this is my fight too."

As much as it is several others in this group, that much she can glance. Altena, who had already been introduced, and Nanna--and her Ayra, who she can't help but smile at as she surveys the rest of her squad.

It's another memory reclaimed from the past, of introducing herself to her peers under her mother's watchful gaze.

Still, she wonders how many others have made the round trip. Sure they all went from, but have her allies gone to Jugdral in recent years? Larcei has, twice. Both times it had been in search of what she now has, but at the time the captains must have looked at her like a madwoman.

And there are others, some of whom she has already met. Laslow's efforts in their last excursion together solidify him as a reliable ally, even if his foundations are skating on thin ice. She feels like Diamant and Arval fought by her side just yesterday, the mere sight of them making her old wounds ache.

And there is one other. One she believes she's seen before...

"Don't expect me to take anything lightly. If those letters aren't lying, children are bein' hunted for sport out there." Her gaze narrows at no one in particular, set for the moment on the briefing of their mission. "My country will be in your debt if you can help put an end to it."

All Aboard the Jugboat!

[freedomarrow]

The sounds of a gathering catch his attention, pulling his eyes away from the endless seas on the horizon and back towards the group of those destined to be his allies for this expedition. It is vital to learn as much as possible about both the dangers he may potentially face in an unknown land, and the strengths of those he can rely on - as well as ensure that they are assured they can count on him, as well.

It is with that in mind that he joins the group, listening attentively to what everyone has to say. The description of the situation is immediately etched into his mind, catalogued for further detailed analysis at a later date. Child Hunts... The mere phrase sends a shiver down his spine. For all the atrocities the Begnion Occupational Army committed in Daein, they did not, at the very least, stoop this low. (Granted, that begs the question of whether the lives of adult men killed in the work camps and thrown into the Shifu Swamp are worth less just because they were adults? Which is... probably best not overthought. Still, somehow, this does manage to sound even worse.)

After Lady Ayra and Arval finish speaking, he takes notice that his arrival prompted a few pairs of eyes to turn towards him. He shifts slightly - as much as he dislikes speaking out loud to a larger group of people, he does not want to come off as hesitant or apprehensive. That would be easy to misread in circumstances like these.

"Thank you for sharing all the information you could. It's good for those of us who aren't of Jugdral to know what we can expect," he says with a light nod. "I do not believe... that many of us are in need of thanks and shows of gratitude, though. The situation is urgent, and I'm of the belief that many of us were appalled to even so much as hear about it, and are happy to help. I know I am."

"... My name is Leonardo," he continues. "I am a student of the Golden Deer, but please do not judge me by my age and status. I have fought in a war, and have plenty of experience in battle... as well as espionage and sabotage, if need be," he adds the second part after a brief moment of hesitation. "Combat-wise, I am most proficient with archery, but I can also wield a spear. Please do not hesitate to make use of my abilities whenever necessary... I hope to be of use."

All Aboard the Jugboat!