GM Meowselsworth |
"The pirates appear about halfway through our trip," the Captain answers Taikahana. "I expect that they are watching from the other side with a looking glass to watch for any ferries that are launching. That way they can intercept from wherever they are hiding. The first time we encountered them, before Kasom, the hippo shark was mostly a threat. That they would throw some people to the hippo shark. It's mostly aquatic, but I think it could actually do some damage to the ferry if it tried. It's a large creature."
Mica Morishita |
Mica lets out a low whistle when Kasom swims his way back to shore. "I take it back, he must be a waterbender after all. Yeesh."
She strokes her chin for a few seconds as the captain speaks, before suddenly snapping her fingers, struck by some kind of revelation.
"So it was a threat before Kasom, eh?" she asks, clinging to that singular detail. "I'm not the sharpest person I know, but I think I know a con when I see one. Those pirates must be bluffing... somehow."
Jampo Dorjee |
Jampo nods as the others comment. When he turns back he is still grinning at Kasom's ungraceful departure.
"Heh. Children." Jampo smirks.
The airbender holds out his hands in a placating gesture to the captain.
"Not to worry sir. Uupa is indeed capable of flying himself across. Although, unlike most Air Bison, he actually enjoys smaller enclosures, I would never ask that of you or your fine craft." Jampo adds reassuringly.
"I must agree. I've ru,...erm, seen enough street cons to know one when I see one. Let me guess. Kasom would stand in the front of your vessel? Where the pirates could get a good look at him? As long as he is seen, they do not attack? Yes. I smell a con." Jampo wrinkles his nose as if smelling something unpleasant.
Captain. May I suggest that perhaps we be your only passengers this trip? We may still have to engage these pirates directly, and I would rather not place others in harm's way. If our group can ride, I will follow on Uupa. If they are foolish enough to attack, we shall see if a hippo-shark can be frightened by the appearance of a creature of equal size. Like an Air Bison." Jampo grins just a little bit too big, revealing his own youthfulness.
Jampo Dorjee |
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that TOO much. If we're right, they need to keep up the threat or they lose the whole con. If muscles isn't in sight, and they only see a few 'kids' brave or foolish enough to ride, they'll show up." Jampo says with confidence.
Mica Morishita |
Mica frowns. Not having the families on board meant that they'd have to wait longer to get their ride home (and that she'd have fewer people to show off to). But obviously, their safety was a priority.
"Maybe they'll be able to see us from the coastline... Er. I mean, it's not like we're kids kids. Scum like them wouldn't think twice about robbing us blind one way or the other."
Moesashi Taikahana |
Taika frowns.
"While an admirable strategy, the request was for protection. If we are to leave the families shorebound, we cannot guarantee their safety. It just doesn't seem like a good plan."
Sigh. I had so much more written then remembered Taika's INT is only 10!! No way to justify all that strategizing he was going to lay out... /facepalm
Tikaani Kesuk |
Tikaani is about to whisper something more to Palila when his attention is caught by the conversation between Kasom and the captian. After watching the muscled man jump off the boat and swim to shore the pro bender shakes his head "What a strange man... I mean pro bending we've met some pretty odd characters, but this guy,'s really something else. I mean the boarding ramp is still out, he could have just walked off." Tik marvels at the bizarre nature of the one called Kasom before turning back to his companion. "Well to answer your question earlier Palila, I think it is pretty safe to say that Kasom's motive is money he.... er abandoned ship pretty quickly at the mention of a lowered wage. Unfortunately not everyone's as kind and selfless as you."
Listening to the others discuss strategy Tik shrugs his shoulders "I think I'm with Taikahana on this one gang, leaving the passengers behind means the captain will have to make a full trip without any fares, and all the passengers will have to wait it out just gathered on the shore until the ferry returns. Also if the pirates are indeed watching from the opposite shore, or wherever they are, they'll see no passengers came on board, no passengers means no booty or even fares for them to steal, why would they attack? I think it's a big expense and risk for the captain for something that's not a sure thing. It seems like we'd be keeping them out of harm's way, but could end up just postponing the pirate attack."
Jampo Dorjee |
Jampo frowns slightly. But nods in acknowledgment of the other's arguments.
"You bring up good points. I dislike allowing the passengers to join us, seeing as how we ARE trying to get the pirates to attack. The idea is to keep them safe. However, with actual passengers, the odds of the pirates attacking would be more likely. And the sooner we depart, the less likely that Kasom is likely to be able to get word to his 'pirates' about the ferry's new guards. Hrm."
Jampo is clearly unhappy about the possibility of allowing the passengers to be in harm's way. But after a moment of self-contemplation, he nods in agreement, if not enthusiastically.
"I think, perhaps, you may be right." he admits slowly.
"But we must be honest with the passengers. We will protect them. But there is a chance of danger." Jampo looks out over the water.
"With most cons, once the truth is discovered, those behind the con simply prefer to vanish and start over elsewhere rather than fight. That is the primary difference between a 'con' and a true 'racket', where if you do not pay, they do vandalize your business or do bodily harm. We can hope that this is a con, and not a more, organized, group." Jampo adds softly, remembering one brief brush with what he had thought was only a gang back in his youth.
GM Meowselsworth |
The captain chimes in, "I'd prefer to take the passengers. I know they only have limited supplies, so I don't want to leave them on shore too long. Kasom was much too expensive to keep around, but better than getting attacked by pirates." He doesn't exactly sound completely convinced on that matter. "If you're going to do this in exchange for passage, you can let the passengers know that it'll just be standard fare for their group, so they can see the faces of the people who are doing us all a big favour here. But... do you folks need anything? Weapons, or... well, weapons, really. Oh! Or maybe food for your journey? We have plenty of dried and pickled goods. Do you like pickles?"
Jampo Dorjee |
Jampo smiles, slightly embarrassed.
"Actually. Yes. I do like pickles. We don't always stock them at the Air Temple. Thank you."
And Jampo happily begins the age-old game of bartering for a 'good price' when both sides already know perfectly well what they will end up with.
Moesashi Taikahana |
Taikahana watches the haggling with a confused look.
Shaking his head, he says simply, "We do not really desire you to part with any of your custom beyond what extra you may have to spare. Please do not give away anything you need for your livelihood on our account. We have done nothing to earn such favor just yet."