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Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Mar 31, 2012 18:00:33 GMT -5
Tch. What a stupid name.
Hotaru mentally chided. Aside from the stupid name, everything seemed to be holding up just fine. Your paddles will take you slowly but surely to your destination, and the glues seem to be holding up. Completing the base of the boat and waterproofing it seems to be the only required step left, however, if you want some navel protection, you still have a bit more work to make.
Coconuts and bamboo are both solid choices, but crafting a cannon or improvised gun of some kind will take some clever thinking. Remember that both your ammo and the gun must be, in some form, edible. Though it seems like a challenge, you are on a beach surrounded by sources of food. Surely you can think of something. [/blockquote]
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Post by BASTION on Mar 31, 2012 22:41:52 GMT -5
I made my way closer to the water, so the waves washed up against my steel-toed boots and I sunk deep into the wet sand. The horizon was clear, every way I could see. As much as I didn’t want to create an unarmed ship, it seemed most practical. The resources we had were lackluster, and I doubted we’d encounter trouble. I mostly wanted to arm the ship simply for the sake of arming it. Even if we did run into trouble, Hotaru would simply get to see how well we fought.
Frankly I was a little curious about Axcel myself. But that would come later, surely. For now, I decided to simply finish preparing the ship--the glue was dry, and I was able to flip it over to apply the caramel, and, when that ran out, chocolate. The sweet stuff melted over the bottom of the ship, and I had to give it time to dry to finish waterproofing the bottom of the vessel.
“Sadly, a heart attack is the only way this ship is actually gonna’ hurt anything,” I said, staring down at it as it dried with a melancholy smile. It wasn’t pretty, but I felt like it would actually accomplish what we needed it do, as surprising as it was to make a boat out of random edible resources.
After a while, the boat would finish drying, and I would announce that it was time to take off.
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Post by Axcel on Apr 1, 2012 2:35:59 GMT -5
Axcel’s gaze moved from the sea to the poor excuse of a boat that he and Bastion had been working on. He wasn’t entirely sure whether it would actually float or even hold up for the six hundred meter round trip. Although he wasn’t certain of his chances at success, Axcel wasn’t about to back down due to thoughts of failure. Regardless of how poor the ship looked, at least it was edible. It probably tasted good too, considering it had all sorts of tasty ingredients thrown together. Now that he thought about it, Axcel hadn’t eaten in awhile, making the ship he intended to sail appear even more appetizing.
The boy immediately rid himself of any thoughts regarding eating the food constructed vessel whenever Bastion spoke to him. The boat had finished drying and was ready to sail, according to the shipwright. Glancing at the boat, the sea, and then back at the boat, Axcel grinned and made his way towards the ship. The sea was pretty calm and the it seemed like the wind would be working in their favor, so if there was a time to sail it was definitely now.
“Let’s get this thing in the water then, yeah?” Axcel said as he placed his hands on the ship, shoving it towards the ocean. He didn’t have much experience when it came to working a ship, so he would heed any instructions that came his way.
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Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Apr 1, 2012 2:54:24 GMT -5
"About fuckin' time!"
Hotaru yelled from her tanning spot, chuckling a bit as they put the finishing touches on their project. The red head wiggled herself up into a sitting position to get a good look at what they had created. Though she had instructed them to make it from food, there was not one component of that vessel that she would even consider eating. Still, it did fit within the parameters they were given, and so all that was left for them to do was retrieve their prize.
When the boat enters the water, it will surprise everyone by staying afloat, at least for now. Still, it would probably be best not to test to see how long it can stay in water before it deteriorates.
"Be careful out there! You never know what can happen out on the ocean!"
Though she was just trying to scare them, she couldn't help but feel that it was some sort of foreshadowing for some future events. Dismissing the notion as quickly as it came, she watched excitedly from the beach as the two would attempt to make their 'impossible' task a success. [/blockquote]
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Post by BASTION on Apr 2, 2012 1:17:53 GMT -5
It was time. I was careful with the boat, instructing Axcel where to lift and where to place his hands, so that we got it to the water without damaging it. Once it was there, it was simply a matter of pushing it out into the water and getting aboard. Before I actually jumped on, I decided to remove my steel-toed boots. On the way to the shore, they caused me to sink down to the very bottom of every pile of snow, and added a considerable weight atop whatever I was standing. Leaving them sitting in the white sand, I trudged into the water and hopped aboard with some apprehension.
Success! The vessel managed to hold both my own weight and Axcel’s, and it appeared as though we managed to seal the water from meeting directly with the bread, as it didn’t appear to immediately soak up the water and become soft. Light on my feet, I made sure every movement counted, and spread my weight out as much as possible whilst remaining upright so that I could row. Handing Axcel a paddle, I set my sights on the flag in the distance.
“Careful not to make any unneeded movements,” I said, beginning to row, carefully pushing the boat along with the paddle while making sure not to splash any up onto the boat itself. “Don’t splash any water into the boat, or the bread will get soggy.”
Hopefully, with Axcel’s help, we’d make a straight line to the flag and back, so that we could finish our test and be on our way.
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Post by Axcel on Apr 2, 2012 2:30:42 GMT -5
The boat actually managed to stay afloat—a feat Axcel was genuinely proud of. After all, he had a hand in its creation, having cooked all of the ingredients that made up the consumable ship. Despite the fact that he was already confident that their ship would be able to hold the two of them, Axcel couldn’t help but feel surprised when Bastion and himself stood on the boat and nothing bad happened. So far it seemed like everything was going their way. Now he just hoped that their luck would last—at least until they retrieved the flag.
When Axcel caught the paddle, he twirled it some before dipping it into the water. Being sure to follow Bastion’s advice, he began to paddle. He was to avoid making unnecessary movements—something the easily excited pirate found difficult to do. Avoiding getting water into the boat, on the other hand, was much easier. He saw the paddle as a weapon, which made ‘wielding’ it feel a lot easier. Although he preferred the katana, Axcel had experience with a multitude of melee based weapons, and the only factor that created his preference for the katana was how awesome he thought they were in comparison to his other options.
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Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Apr 2, 2012 16:41:45 GMT -5
"Well damn. It actually floats." Hotaru said to no one; her words blowing away in the breeze. She watched as the boat made of food sat on top of the surface of the ocean, propelled forward with makeshift paddles made from pumpkins and bamboo. The chocolate coating on the bottom of the light weight bread body seemed to be holding up (much to everyone's surprise.) As you leave the shelter of the cove, you hit the open water, and the swell is considerably rougher than it was behind the barrier of land. You still have about 300 more meters to to until you can make it back, but the ocean seems clear enough. All you need to adjust for is the increase in turbulence, and to keep your boat as dry as possible since the waves have potential to crest and splash the interior of the the vessel, weakening it's structural integrity. [/font][/blockquote]
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Post by BASTION on Apr 2, 2012 16:54:34 GMT -5
There wasn’t much left. I felt like this part was the easiest of our task, even if it was the most stressful. Commandeering our vessel was easy enough, though I decided to instruct Axcel a bit more before we made it too far out. That he actually listened to what I said and followed my instructions as well as he did surprised me, to be honest.
“As we get farther out, the waves will get larger and we’ll experience some resistance. So we have to be more careful about keeping our ship dry,” I said, eyeing the waves we were approaching. The distance was about 300 meters, considerable but definitely within the realm of possibility. More than that, it was likely that this was going to be a success. At least, as long as the rest of the task went as planned, and I felt like it was going to. No signs of anything going astray.
“I almost feel like she expected us to fail,” I said out loud, and even though Axcel was the only one within earshot, I said it to no one in particular. “But we definitely aren’t going to.” I flashed a cocky grin and set my sights on the flag.
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Post by Axcel on Apr 2, 2012 18:00:41 GMT -5
Bastion mentioned that the waves would get larger as they approached their destination, but that bit of information in itself didn’t really help much. There wasn’t really a way Axcel could be more careful if the waves suddenly got larger besides maybe bodyblock any water that tried to get inside. Even that would probably do more harm than good, as he would have to suddenly adjust his position which would cause the boat to rock and potentially let water in.
After paddling for what seemed forever, Axcel began to hum a tune. Though it wasn’t aloud and kept within his inner monologue, Axcel began to sing. I’m on a boat, I’m on a boat. The humming gradually got louder. Everybody look at me, ‘cause I’m sailing on a boat. I’m on a boat, I’m on a boat. Axcel began to bob his head as he continued to paddle. Take a good hard look at the motherfucking boat. By now, they had probably traveled halfway towards their destination—the flag which was perched somewhere in the distant island.
“I’m on a boat motherfucker, take a look at me,” Axcel said, unknowingly speaking aloud. “Straight flowing on the boat on the deep blue sea,” the turbulence was beginning to get annoying, but Axcel was able to adjust accordingly without breaking his rhythm. “Busting five knots, wind whipping out my coat.” His voice had gotten louder, though he was still unaware that he was speaking at an audible volume. “You can’t stop me motherfucker, ‘cause I’m on a boat.”
By now, Axcel realized he had been speaking out loud. “Ahem, we’ll be reaching the island shortly.”
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Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Apr 2, 2012 20:09:35 GMT -5
As you sail along, you notice the swell beginning to increase when Axcel starts to sing. The longer the song goes on, the higher the waves become, as if the sea itself has already grown tired of an overplayed tune that was never that funny to begin with. With a final wave reaching a scary height of over 2 stories, the water drops you right next to the island.
Someone will have to retrieve the flag planted in the rocks while the other keeps the boat stabilized. However, as soon as you approach the rock, a flock of ravenous seagulls sloot into the air from the tiny island, cawing and screeching on the arrival of their new meal. Once the flag is in your possession, all that is left is for you to make your way back to the beach without sinking, however, the birds will not make it easy for you. Diving in from all directions, they openly attack your boat and each of you, as they see you as competition for the food you are riding on.
"Huh. Didn't see those out there. I hate seagulls."
Hotaru said with a giggle, only seeing a cloud of white rise from the black rocks of the small island. Would the two be able to rise above the only real challenge this experience has presented? Or would their vessel be eaten by birds in a literal hitchcockian nightmare? [/blockquote]
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Post by BASTION on Apr 2, 2012 22:51:47 GMT -5
For a while, things went as expected. The tide rose and it became more difficult to keep the water out of the ship, but we were successful. Axcel eventually started speaking, though I just ignored him. My attention was focused on the massive, two-story wave incoming, anyways. There wasn’t much we could do, except try to ride the wave as it came down. Fortunately, it didn’t engulf the ship, and only pushed us to the island, but it was far too close for comfort.
“Hurry and grab the flag,” I said, hopping out of the boat and carefully pulling it so that it was mostly ashore. I didn’t want to pull it too far, because we’d have to cast off soon, but I couldn’t hold the boat against the current alone without the sand. Hopefully Axcel would move to retrieve our objective, and I would finish pulling the boat ashore.
Movement caught my eye behind me, and a white blur rushed passed. I soon realized the threat--our completely edible ship was at the mercy of these apparently ravenous birds. Swatting at the birds, I’d attempt to hold our ground until Axcel returned with the flag in tow. If any bird came too close, I wouldn’t hesitate to strike it down from the air without regard for its safety. I wasn’t about to be ruined by a flock of birds.
Once Axcel returned, I’d push out and we’d race back to the shore.
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Post by Axcel on Apr 3, 2012 1:05:44 GMT -5
It looks like Axcel managed to successfully kill time since he had arrived at the rock without even realizing. Even when the massive wave looked like it was going to engulf the ship in water and potentially destroy it, the end result was actually in the favor of the two would-be pirates. As they neared the shore, Bastion was the first to leave the ship, hopping out and trying to stabilize it. They hadn’t brought along an anchor, so Bastion would basically have to act as the anchor as he stood in place holding onto the boat. That meant it was up to Axcel to retrieve the flag.
Axcel jumped from the boat and onto the rocky shore. His ears perked up at the sound of shrieking seagulls. It looked like there was another, albeit miniscule, obstacle in his path. As he jumped from rock to rock in his hike towards the flag, the boy remained alert in case any of the seagulls began to attack. If one of those birds attempted to attack Axcel, he would grab it by the throat as it neared him, and proceed to use it to bat away any other birds.
Without fail, Axcel would retrieve the flag and make his way down towards the boat. Once the boat was within jumping distance, he leaped down onto the boat, landing lightly on his feet. Immediately as he landed, Axcel twirled the flag some before swatting any nearby birds with the blunt end, treating the flag as a bostaff until Bastion got the boat moving.
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Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Apr 3, 2012 2:22:02 GMT -5
With the flag safely in Axcel's grasp, he is successful in defending himself from the beaks and webbed feet of the gulls by using one as a weapon. However, as you get into your boat and try and return back to the beach, the flock of seagulls follow.
The birds are relentless in their attempt to devour your boat, and Axcel's seagull club only offers so much protection as the bird's torso smacks into whatever it can, momentarily stunning or redirecting a few gulls with every swing. Pecking at your hair, eyes, arms, and necks, the flurry of feathers makes it difficult to see with their shrieks making it hard to hear as well. Chunks of your boat are going missing in all directions at an alarming rate.
"Yikes. That doesn't look fun."
The duo would need to do something to keep from falling into the ocean, but what could be done about the flock of birds intent on eating a ship made of food? The boat continues to rock forwards and back with the motion of the waves.
"Sure hope those birds dont follow em' all the way back." [/blockquote]
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Post by BASTION on Apr 3, 2012 2:32:25 GMT -5
They were relentless. We were in the water immediately, and I was rowing as quickly as I could, hoping Axcel could keep up so that we could move in a straight line. But with the birds following so adamantly, I realized that simply pushing to find the shore as soon as possible just wasn’t going to work. Considering the situation, I looked to Axcel and made a quick decision.
“Give me your paddle. I’ll paddle us, you use that flag or your sword or whatever to keep those birds off of the ship,” I said, and, assuming he would oblige, I’d take the paddle. Once I had it, I sat with my back to our goal, the shoreline, placed both paddles in the water on either side of the boat, and pushed as hard as I could. Speed was more important than caution, and small bis of water here and there splashed up into the ship, but it was worth it, as the birds would cause more damage than the bits of water. With paddles on both sides, I could keep us in a straight path on my own while Axcel hopefully was able to guard us from the birds.
“We’re almost there,” I said, eyeing the coast over my shoulder as we zipped across the water.
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Post by Axcel on Apr 3, 2012 2:51:47 GMT -5
These seagulls were awfully persistent. It was a shame that Axcel was going to have put them down if they didn’t cease their attacks on the two examinees’ ship. Considering their location, the lad probably shouldn’t be surprised at how desperate the seagulls were for food. After all, a giant ship made entirely out of bread just showed up to where they had been residing—not to mention the ship was covered in all sorts of sugary goodness. Axcel wasn’t sure if seagulls were into sugary bread, but before he could dwell any further on the subject he was interrupted by Bastion.
Whenever his teammate asked for his paddle, Axcel kicked the edible paddle over to his teammate while twirling the flag around. Axcel had wrapped the fabric around the pole so it was more suited to be used as a weapon. The boy opted to use the flag over the katana because of the reach it gave him, which would make hitting those annoying birds that much easier. Axcel had kicked the seagull he had been using as a bat into the water. As the boat began to move back towards the cove, Axcel turned to face the onslaught of angry birds that were soaring towards the boat.
“Stop eating my ship before me!” Axcel said as he slapped the shit out of the first bird that neared the boat with the metal rod. It’s eyes had practically popped out of their tiny sockets in reaction to the strike before dipping into the sea. As for the rest of the birds, they would meet the same fate as Axcel rapidly switched targets from one bird to another. Each one would fail to endure the same painful sensation that their brothers had taken before falling; the pain of being slapped like a late hooker.
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