Are You Bloody Serious?

[Corwin]

[22:04] <El-Cideon> The glamorous life of a high-flying world traveller can't really start without people to do the flying, now can it? So, while Erin spends some time getting reacquainted with her family, Yomi takes a day to filter through airship position applicants. (more)
[22:07] <El-Cideon> ...This actually doesn't take too long, as there aren't all that many! It's possible the gender requirement may just be keeping the numbers down (although a number of men called inquiring anyway, some with comments along the lines of Are You Bloody Serious in regards to aforesaid requirements). Yomi winds up with three who expressed enough interest to meet with her in person.
[22:10] <Yomi> "We're already enough to make it work in a pinch, so I don't need that many people anyway, do I?" Yomi wonders out loud, glancing at Sayuri.
[22:11] <El-Cideon> "How would I know? That's the sort of thing one should know before spending a fortune on a zeppelin."
[22:12] <Yomi> "Trial and error seems to work with everything else!" Yomi insists, before nodding firmly to herself. "I'm sure it will be fine. In the unlikely chance we run into a problem, we can do something about it then."
[22:13] <El-Cideon> "I suspect there may be little opportunity for a retrial if the ship crashes into the ocean. But who am I to suggest we prepare for dangerous situations in advance?"
[22:15] <Yomi> "This is why I like you. That refreshing, cutting honesty, where you seem to twist the knife just so afterwards merely because you can. Want to be our official secretary? I think you are the most qualified one on the face of the world, as it happens."
[22:18] <El-Cideon> Sayuri's expression rivals Rena's for unhelpful emotionlessness. "Do you genuinely require one? This isn't a scheme to have a laugh at my expense as I stay in London and you go see the world on your own, is it? It can't be, because you're not N--" She stops suddenly. "I'm sorry. I almost said something inappropriate. But is there truly need for flying secretaries?"
[22:20] * Yomi is silent for a bit, before shrugging. "Why not? You could write home to your folks about it."
[22:22] <El-Cideon> "I don't know what I would do. I can't imagine you get many calls, or much mail, or require a considerable amount of filing while airborne. Although I shouldn't complain about a job with no actual requirements, should I?"
[22:23] <Yomi> "Certainly. It also gives you a chance to be around whenever we want to, and have people overlook you at the same time. We might end up in a situation where it helps us to be underestimated like that."
[22:24] <El-Cideon> "It will be most gratifying to be ignored," Sayuri says with a nod.
[22:26] <Yomi> "Gratification is the important thing," Yomi agrees. "Or so Rena would say, probably. Ready to go meet people eccentric enough to want to work for me?"
[22:28] <El-Cideon> "It wouldn't be far outside my previous work experience, actually. Did you plan to meet them somewhere, or invite them in? If the latter, did you remind Rena to wear clothes today?"
[22:29] * Yomi pinches the bridge of her nose. "A restaurant is fine, I thought. There's only so much I want to expose them to on the first meeting."
[22:30] <El-Cideon> "Ah. I wonder how many will turn up just for a free lunch. Well, shall we go?"
[22:36] <El-Cideon> Shortly thereafter, at a modestly upscale restaraunt along a busy market street in London, the first of Yomi's scheduled appointments shows up. Somewhat past the agreed time of noon, it must be said. (more)
[22:39] <El-Cideon> Plain, rather weatherbeaten features, coarse black hair cut short, dressed in mannish fashion--leather aviator's jacket, bluejeans. She stops at your table after looking around for a moment. "You Isayama, I take it?" she says in an American accent. "Nice office. Angie Sherman."
[22:41] <Yomi> "Who needs an office when you plan to fly around the world?" Yomi responds, waving her over. "This is Sayuri Nishimura, and I am Yomi."
[22:44] <El-Cideon> "Good point." She nudges a chair out, sits down across from you. "So, not to offend, but this is for real, right? Only, it's not the sort of ad you see every day."
[22:47] <Yomi> "I took the zeppelin in question off Sir Walter Murray's hands a couple days back," Yomi confirms. "I'll assume you're either qualified or managed to forge your license well enough that I wouldn't notice it, so let's skip to your reasons for wanting to travel around the globe with me. Are there any additional ones beyond the pay and the sense of adventure?"
[22:51] <El-Cideon> "Sure. Be nice to make a living flying again. Haven't since the twenties. Been wandering from airfield to airfield doing thankless repair jobs for years. I figured it was worth showing up to see whether or not you were crazy." She grins. "So far so good."
[22:54] * Yomi nods, sipping a fruit drink of a distinctly non-alcoholic variety. "What's the strangest thing you've ever come across? My ad aside, in case you were going to be cute about it."
[22:59] <El-Cideon> "Wasn't planning on it, though I have to wonder a little why you'd ask only women to apply. Has to cut down on your possiblities, you know? Aviation's a boys' club, mostly. Anyway, I used to earn my lunch tap-dancing on the wings of an airborne plane, so not much surprises me any more."
[23:00] <Yomi> "It's a tradition for my friends and I, in a sense. And you'll understand more when you meet with our captain."
[23:03] <El-Cideon> "...Right. Well, I figure I can do just about anything you'd need as far as flying goes. It's been a while, but somethings you don't forget, right? And I fix just about anything important. If it's got gears, no sweat."
[23:08] <Yomi> "That's reassuring." Yomi extends a hand over to Angie. "Our hangar is out on the outskirts," she says, following up with the address, "and we're set to leave within a few days. If you have any last minute things to do here in England, now's the time."
[23:10] <El-Cideon> Angie shakes Yomi's hand, short fingers studded with callus. "Right, I'll be there." She stands up, leaves.
[23:11] <Yomi> "Do you think someone would actually try to fake their credentials just to get the job?" Yomi asks Sayuri curiously, once they are left alone.
[23:13] <El-Cideon> "Of course," Sayuri says, looking surprised that Yomi would question that. "People will do anything for money, especially during times like these. Although it would be suicidal to try that with THIS job, I have to admit." She shrugs. "I don't think she lied about that, for what it's worth. Although I wish I could say more for her manners. She put her elbows right on the table."
[23:15] <Yomi> "We're not hiring her for proper manners and general niceness," Yomi points out. "Besides, we already have Suzume onboard."
[23:17] <El-Cideon> "No doubt she'd be extra polite to compensate for even the most slovenly pilot you could find."
[23:17] * Yomi laughs. "I could believe that!"
[23:21] <El-Cideon> Lunch moves on, more idle chatter. After ten minutes or so your second applicant arrives. Fair-skinned and statuesque, blond hair wrangled into a bun, wearing a smart, green bloue and skirt that looks perfectly tailored and nearly matches her eyes. She pauses in the doorway, makes a quick scan of the room, then walks straight towards your table. (more)
[23:23] <El-Cideon> She halts several feet away, looks from one of you to the other. "Isayama Yomi?" You recognize the accent from the brief phone conversation--European, but it's hard to place where. The caller had given her name as Sofia Lundquist.
[23:24] * Yomi inclines her head in response, gesturing to the seat opposite her. "Hello. Sofia, wasn't it? I'm Yomi."
[23:25] <El-Cideon> "Yes." She sits down. "And your companion is...?"
[23:26] <Yomi> This is where Sayuri introduces herself! Oh so Yomi hopes, looking expectantly towards her countrywoman.
[23:26] <El-Cideon> "Merely a secretary," Sayuri says without expression.
[23:27] <El-Cideon> This seems enough for Sofia, who proceeds to ignore Sayuri and focus on you. "Shall we proceed, then?"
[23:28] <Yomi> "Of course. What qualifications do you bring to the table, and what was it that made you answer my ad?"
[23:34] <El-Cideon> "I find myself disappointed with mundane occupations and one could hardly be less so than that which you advertised. Flying a mysterious millionaire around the world is quite sufficient to pique my curiosity. I admit to lack of experience with personally commanding a ship of this magnitude, but I am very familiar with smaller vessels, single-passenger dirigibles as well as swifter aircraft. (more)
[23:37] <El-Cideon> "My father was an engineer and very enthusiastic about aeronautical innovations, particularly zeppelins. I accompanied him on several long flights and observed quite closely the crew and its operations. It's simply a matter of applying the principles with which I am familiar on a greater scale."
[23:40] <Yomi> Swifter aircraft... Erin wanted a small plane because it was important to have one as well for some arcane reason, and at least it looks like it won't go to waste. Perhaps there is some method to her inscrutable madness after all.
[23:40] <Yomi> "How about navigation?" Yomi voices, moving on with the questioning.
[23:44] <El-Cideon> "I am competent at such, in familiar or unfamiliar surroundings. I test-flew a number of my father's personal designs while in development. It would not have done to lose them amidst the fjords."
[23:48] <Yomi> "Excellent. I'm hoping to have a larger percentage of the crew than normally know how to fly the zeppelin, and having secondary specialties goes a long way towards giving people something to do," Yomi says. "Now, you mentioned assisting your father in matters of design and testing prototypes? Could you go into more detail here, please?"
[23:54] <El-Cideon> "Strictly as a pilot. Flight was my interest, not the science behind it--of which I have admittedly a limited understanding. Beyond training, I have always found it very much a matter of instinct. My father's personal line of production focused on long-range, single-pilot craft for scientific exploration of remote areas."
[23:57] <Yomi> It's something they can go into later on, since the subject appears a fascinating one to Yomi, but not related to the woman's qualifications in the slightest. "I would like to hear more of this as we leave for Egypt in a few days." She offers Sofia her hand. "Welcome aboard."
[23:58] <El-Cideon> "Of course. I look forward to working with you."
[23:58] <El-Cideon> ~

[Corwin]

[22:27] <El-Cideon> The last applicant is short, slender, quite fashionably dressed with brown hair tucked under a hat and a flash of...diamonds, possibly? At ears and wrists. She beams a smile as she draws near. "Ms. Isayama, I take it?"
[22:28] * Yomi finds herself responding in kind. "In the flesh."
[22:30] <El-Cideon> "Diane Collier, pleasure to meet you," she says with a cultured British accent. She sits down across from Yomi. "So, you have a ship in need of hands?"
[22:33] <Yomi> "I do indeed. It's not particularly good to overwork one's pilot, even if the zeppelin they are flying is not kept afloat with hydrogen," Yomi responds, the smile remaining on her face. "And I would like everyone onboard to be able to enjoy themselves throughout the trip, too, of course."
[22:35] <El-Cideon> "Ah, so you do have enough applicants for multiple shifts? I had wondered how many there would be. An all-female crew, well, that is very unusual."
[22:38] * Yomi nods. "I wanted the applicants to have 'unusual' in mind from the start. I'll say this, however; I don't intend to have anyone around who isn't very good at what they do. This is not some publicity stunt as some people approaching me believed."
[22:43] <El-Cideon> "I would assume anyone capable of affording their own ship to be above such things, of course, and I myself crave something of the unexpected in my life again. I believe I have enough piloting experience to be useful. My last husband was sufficiently fond of flying to train me as well. Unfortunately he kept the plane in the divorce. One can't win them all, can she?"
[22:45] <Yomi> "I wouldn't know," Yomi admits honestly. "If you mean generally in life, though, then yes. Some times, despite your best efforts and all the power at your disposal, you still fail to protect something very important to you."
[22:47] <El-Cideon> She nods. "It sounds as though there's a long story behind that," she says in a more somber tone. "Though of course I won't inquire and pry into your personal affairs. This is a professional meeting, after all."
[22:51] <Yomi> "Isn't there always?" Yomi asks, her grin slightly crooked. "Back to this interview, however, I wish to bring up the matter of secondary qualifications. It is my desire to have pilots who are capable of pitching in with other things when not at the helm."
[22:57] <El-Cideon> "Yes, of course. What use flying a ship if one can't find her destination? I traveled extensively from a very young age and I think myself a fair hand at navigating unfamiliar territory. One of my husbands was fond of going on safari but was, how shall we say, directionally challenged? It proved a very useful skill for me to have, let me tell you. (more)
[23:01] <El-Cideon> "I couldn't claim to track a tiger through the jungle on a rainy night, but when I set my mind to going somewhere, that's where I'll find myself in the end. And if all else fails and we find ourselves adrift over the Atlantic, well, your ship is equipped with a radio, I presume?" She grins. Her voice shifts, low and husky. "Calling all ships in range, S.O.S. What lonely sailor wouldn't fall over himself to provide a
[23:01] <El-Cideon> What lonely sailor wouldn't fall over himself to provide a girl in distress with coordinates, hm?"
[23:04] <Yomi> Erin would be so shocked to meet a woman her age that's been married so much! Even more than Diane's professional qualifications, Yomi struggles to wrap her mind around the more personal sort. "It sounds like there's a story behind that, too," she remarks.
[23:08] <El-Cideon> "There might be," she says, innocently. "But really, unknown territory is familiar territory to me. My parents helmed expeditions into darkest Africa and took me with them when I was old enough. Scouting, surverying, mapping, it's all old hat to me. Said hat being a pith helmet, of course."
[23:12] <Yomi> They really should have enough redundancy for just about everything but the radio, but it's only an overgrown phone, how hard could it be to use? Besides, Yomi figures that their magical means of communication would be used a lot more, anyway. "Perhaps I will get a chance to hear it as we cross the continent," she says, extending her hand towards Diane. "I won't be in any particular rush, not if I want to experience it properly."
[23:18] <El-Cideon> "Of course. One can hardly enjoy the sights if she's running past them all." She shakes your hand, smooth skin and long, delicate fingers, then exits.
[23:25] <El-Cideon> Business lunch concluded, Yomi returns home. Probably there are some other loose ends to wrap up before setting off into the sky...Although before Yomi can get out the door again to tend to them, she's accosted by a Rena, who asks the following question out of the blue: "Yomi, what is the combination to the safe in your room?"
[23:25] <Yomi> "Why?"
[23:29] <El-Cideon> "I was sitting in Nadia's room and began to wonder where she had left the Aurora. It was important to her, wasn't it? Perhaps it should be interred with her? So I looked, but I didn't find it. Then I started looking in other rooms, and under furniture and things, and I hadn't actually known there was a safe behind the painting in your room. I thought perhaps she might have put it there."
[23:29] <Yomi> "In my safe?" Yomi backtracks. "I have a safe? Huh."
[23:30] <El-Cideon> "Yes."
[23:31] * Yomi nods. "Good job, Rena. I think your heart is in the right place. Why don't you ask Sayuri to help you? She could do it just as well as I could, and the safe would actually remain in working order afterwards."
[23:32] <El-Cideon> Rena nod and walks away to track down a Sayuri.
[23:33] <Yomi> All in all, the idea is a good one, and if it occupies Rena and builds up a decent working relationship between she and Sayuri, Yomi couldn't be happier.
[23:35] <El-Cideon> Without further distractions, Yomi is free to go about her business!
[23:37] <Yomi> She really can't just run off on her extended trip without talking to Selene, Yomi has realized for a time, now. She was one of the few who actually knew of their purpose, and was Nadia's friend. Like their British allies and friends, Selene deserves to hear the news in person.
[23:43] <El-Cideon> Selene is home and, this time, alone. She's dressed more casually than you're used to, perhaps owing to the lack of an audience in her apartment--it looks like she just has a bathrobe on over pajamas. Her expression is initially neutral but brightens noticeably as she recognizes her surprise guest.
[23:45] * Yomi waves. "Mind if we come in?"
[23:47] <El-Cideon> "Of course! That is, do come in, I don't mind at all that you do so. I can only apologize for my slovenly appearance, I was not expecting company." She leads the way into the airy studio apartment and walks to the table in the center of it. A book lies there--a photo album?--but she closes it and picks up the half-full glass of wine next to it. (more)
[23:48] <El-Cideon> "To what do I owe this visit? Vampires?"
[23:52] * Yomi glances at Suzume. "I'm sorry it has to be this way," she tells Selene at last, returning her gaze towards her. "We managed to stop the Germans in Moscow, but it came at a cost. I barely survived that fight, and Nadia didn't make it. They had an officer, this colonel, and he fought like a devil. It took all of us together to bring him down, and by the time we had, it was already too late for Nadia. She shielded us, and we won as the result, but...." Yomi trails off, shifting uncomfortably on her feet.
[23:55] <El-Cideon> The wineglass falls to the floor with a crackle and a splash of droplets. Selene holds the chair back a moment to steady herself. "Yomi, I'm--" She steps forward and simply embraces you.
[23:56] <Yomi> "I know," Yomi says quietly, holding Selene to her.
[23:57] <El-Cideon> "That poor girl. It's not fair." You can feel moisture on your shoulder where her head rests.
[23:59] <Yomi> "It's not."
[00:00] <El-Cideon> She pulls away, heaves a shuddering breath. "Well, now I definitely need more wine. Come, both of you, sit down. Mind the glass, I'll sweep it up later."
[00:03] <Yomi> "We had good times together," Yomi reminisces. "I wanted to talk more to her, but it always seemed like there would be time for that later. And all the things we got through, with barely a scratch. It just feels unreal, sometimes."
[00:07] <El-Cideon> Selene retrieves a fresh set of glasses and sets the three of them on the table. She pours for each of you, then sits down; Suzume takes a spot next to her, looking morose and helpless. "Loss can never be truly comprehended, only endured," Selene says. "It was, at least, something she thought worth dying for?" she adds hopefully.
[00:08] * Yomi eyes her glass, but abstains. "Moscow is still around, and I ensured they wouldn't try again."
[00:11] <El-Cideon> She nods. "Then we'll leave it at that. She made her choice, I am sure. What more can one ask for, in the end?" She drinks, a long draught. Suzume takes a sip of her own, and eyes it strangely as though she's not had it before.
[00:14] * Yomi is silent for a while. "Once we got back to our senses, we thought about that," she says slowly in the end. "Each of us is trying to live a bit differently, now. To stop putting off things we wanted to do, or denying ourselves. Maybe if we do that, we'll even be able to make a sense of things one day? That's what I'm hoping for."
[00:16] <El-Cideon> She finishes her wine, quite gracelessly, and sets the glass on the book in front of her. "And what is it you've decided to do, Yomi?"
[00:17] <Yomi> "Travel more. I'm useless as is right now, anyway, so I might as well do that. Given magic, it's not like we'll disappear off the face of the world, but it won't be as easy as picking up the phone this time around."
[00:20] <El-Cideon> "Don't say that, Yomi. You are far from useless. I would call you one of the most fearsome and capable women I've known." She manages an attempt at a smile. "And I should know, I lead the local suffrage brigade."
[00:22] <Yomi> "A bit too capable, really, which is the problem. Until I know with a certainty that goes beyond any doubt just what I should do if facing a human I see as evil, I should abstain of fighting altogether."
[00:23] <El-Cideon> "Well...perhaps you won't have need to? The threat is gone now, no?"
[00:26] <Yomi> "And what happens if I happen upon a crime in progress? What about the injustice I know exists in the world? I don't like one bit what's happening in Manchu, but if I stay back and pretend it doesn't matter, how is that different from condoning it?" Yomi sighs. "At the same time, I don't have that authority. How can I be certain that I'm right? What if I make a mistake somewhere down the road? How would I know to stop?"
[00:30] <El-Cideon> "Yomi, if you doubt yourself so on every front, you will find yourself simply doing nothing at all. Is that better or worse?" She sits back in her chair, rubs her forehead. "You talk like someone in dire need of alcohol. I know the signs. Have a drink?"
[00:32] <Yomi> "Thanks, but if I resisted Erin's efforts, you should know yours are destined to fail." Yomi manages to crack a smile. "I'm planning to just forget about everything for a while and fly all over the world on a zeppelin. First, Africa. Next... I don't rightly know. The Americas, perhaps?"
[00:38] <El-Cideon> "Far from the rot at the center of Europe would be nice, wouldn't it? Leave your problems behind for a time, yes, a cherished way of coping with them!" she says with a rueful expression. "I've not been on a zeppelin myself. I hear it's a most luxurious way to travel, though the Hindenburg's end does make one wary of trying, doesn't it?"
[00:39] <Yomi> "That's because they skimped on the gas and used a cheaper but flammable one, actually," Yomi points out.
[00:40] <El-Cideon> "Is it now? I hadn't known. Buy a ticket on the most expensive line, then?"
[00:41] <Yomi> "Few people ever truly appreciated how frightening Nadia's skills were. I bought the most expensive one, more like."
[00:44] <El-Cideon> "You...bought...? Aha, I see. This is perhaps a time when jokes are needed most, but please try harder, Yomi."
[00:44] <Yomi> "Rena is the captain."
[00:45] <El-Cideon> Despite herself, Selene does laugh.
[00:46] * Yomi smiles herself. "And it's an all-female crew, at that. Who would have thought it possible?"
[00:46] <El-Cideon> Amusement gives way to incredulity. "I...You're serious, aren't you? You really...?"
[00:48] <Yomi> "We're leaving in a few days. Talk about drastic changes, right?"
[00:49] <El-Cideon> "But...No men! Won't Rena complain? I almost expect her to wrangle a few in if she's in charge..."
[00:51] <Yomi> "She'll be more focused in the air and find someone for herself whenever we make a stop. That's the best of both worlds, wouldn't you say?" Yomi shrugs. "And maybe she'll find there are other things she likes more." She glances at Suzume. "Rena does seem to be settling into her role frighteningly well, doesn't she? She's been a lot more independant lately."
[00:53] <El-Cideon> Suzume thinks for a moment. "I haven't seen her do anything awkward in a while," she says by way of confirmation, her speech a little looser than usual.
[00:57] <Yomi> "She's had money now, for a short while. Now she's having duties and responsibilities-- ah, but it's not really polite to talk about her like that when she's not even present." Yomi stares again at the wine glass set aside for her, admiring it almost longingly. Nothing comes out of it, however, and she shakes her head slightly. "Selene, did Erin ever gave you the address for the Lodge?"
[00:58] <El-Cideon> "I...can't recall if she did, no. Should she have?"
[00:59] <Yomi> "It should be the easiest way to get in touch with us in case of an emergency. Escaping from our troubles or not, if you need us we'll be there without delay."
[01:02] <El-Cideon> A nod. "I'll remember." She pours herself another glass, swirls the wine around and looks down at it. "I was planning to take you all to the beach, you know, drag you away from your ghosts and demons if I had to and simply force you to relax for a time. I thought perhaps Monaco, Nadia could show everyone around, and...now I can't bear to think about it."
[01:04] * Yomi can do little else but nod.
[01:05] <El-Cideon> "Do write and keep me informed of your travels? I simply won't tolerate you out there brooding silently all the time."
[01:07] <Yomi> "I'll do my best," Yomi promises. "And it may not be a beach, but let's go somewhere, once I get back. All of us."
[01:08] <El-Cideon> "I'll think of something. You don't seem to have it in you to relax, so I'll have to try hard for both of us."
[01:09] * Yomi smiles once more. "I wish you the best of luck in that endeavor."
[01:10] <El-Cideon> ~