never concerned with how much money I earn but I just need to pay my bills [NOVEMBER CATCH-ALL]

[rattlingthestars]

WHO: Jim Hawkins & YOU
WHERE: Various
WHEN: Novemberish
WHAT: Quest & other assorted starters
WARNINGS: None right now, will update if that changes

Comments

a quick retreat from the dull retreat

[rattlingthestars]

[ It's been about a week since Jim begged, annoyed, and schemed his way into a sketchy part time job at a tavern in the Barrens called The Dull Retreat. Turns out bussing tables when you're dead is exactly the same as bussing tables when you're alive: pretty boring, a little gross, way too close to annoying customers for comfort. Still, he's been doing it since he was big enough to hold a tray and getting paid for it was a novelty. One he hoped would let him move on to the bigger and better things he had in mind. ]


A


[ Unfortunately the work's also quiet and repetitive, just enough that he can sink into the thoughts he's been trying to avoid. Thoughts about how he wouldn't have to be working if he'd succeeded; about how now there was nothing standing between his treasure and a bunch of pirates. It's enough to really piss him off, until he's clinking plates and cups aggressively against each other on the tray and approaching anyone unfortunate enough to be taking slightly too long to finish their drink with an impatient hand out. ]


Are you done?


B


[ Of course, Jim's far from the roughest character around on any given Saturday night. It doesn't take too long for people to start enjoying themselves a little too much and from there not enjoying themselves at all. Around the time bottles start flying, Jim ducks with jaded ease and taps your shoulder, jerking his head toward what looks to be the kitchen door. It's easier to get out of than the currently blocked front entrance. ]

Better get out of here before someone notices you, c'mon.

[open] fishy business

[rattlingthestars]

A
[ Just because Jim's working a traditional job, doesn't mean he isn't picking up jobs from the notice board, too.


Today he can be found sitting at the end of a dock, feet dangling in the water, trying to improvise a net from several tied together pieces of fabric. It's pretty obvious that he's got no idea what he's doing - the fish keep slipping through every time he tries to dredge one out, and on the rare occasion he manages to get one on the dock it just flops right back off again. Just under his breath, he's using all the fun words he learned from the sailors pirates on the Legacy when the captain wasn't listening.

It isn't helping, but it does make him feel better. A little.

He probably wouldn't welcome help, but he absolutely needs it. ]
B


[ He's glad for the distraction when he notices the naiads off in the distance, waving and calling to him. Squinting, he tries to make out what they are - but they're still too far away, though the waves seem to be carrying them closer. To whoever is on the dock with him, he turns and asks: ]

Hey, are you seeing that?

B

[windsongs]

[ For the most part, Hibiki has been trying to mind her own business. There are plenty of fish (supposedly) in this ocean, so having someone else sitting at the same dock as her casting a line doesn't bother her all that much. She can face one side with her pole, and he can face the other with his makeshift nets.

But as soon as a pair of naiads decides to show up, singing their bewitching song while clearly trying to draw the two of them in, Hibiki's mood goes from generally chipper to extremely sour. Seriously? Come on, they're just trying to earn some cash. ]

Just ignore them, eventually they'll get bored and go away.

[ Why does she seem to be personally offended by their presence? See, this is why siren get a bad rep, this crap right here. Ugh. She's just hoping she doesn't have to grab Jim before he jumps into the sea to join them. ]

[rattlingthestars]

Okay, not hallucinating.

[ Jim's glad to have established that. He scoots along the dock a little, closer to the end and the naiads, to get a better look. He glances back at Hibiki, since she seems to have an idea what he's looking at. An extremely personal idea. ]

Are they - mermaids? Mermen? What do they want?

[windsongs]

They're opportunists.

[ Wow, she's really got something against these naiads, judging from how flatly she delivers her answer. It's like something about them personally offends her (it absolutely does), and with a hard sigh Hibiki shrugs one shoulder. ]

I think they're called naiads? They probably want you to take a swim with them--which don't, or you might not be able to get back to the dock.