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>>1285054

The requirements have been met for multiple characters, so two are available for play. Owen, the ex-track star supermart worker or Lee, the Jill-of-all-trades waitress.

>Please select your character!

Lee

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>The continuation of an ongoing quest, with previous iterations available here;

http://pastebin.com/E9Eu48Kz

>>1285058
lee

>>1285277
>>Before that, you've got to stop by the sports store to pick up the new roller skates for work.

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>>1285060
>>1285115

You are Lee, a 21-year-old lifelong local of Diamond Shoals, and current waitress of a nearby restaurant. After having spent the day so far helping out with a gem matter though, you make your way into the kitchen of the house where they live to wash your hands. Splattered with residue from a monster, your clothes will need a wash but at least you can clean your skin off. Maybe with some dish soap while you're at it.

"Sorry about that Lee, I didn't think the eggs would explode like they did!" continues Emma, entering into the kitchen after you, carrying some sort of gem fragment in a hand.

"Easy for you to say, your clothes don't... what, they're like part of your body or something, right? You can just shake this goop off. Really though, I don't mind. I'm just glad they didn't hatch!"

You watch the soap suds, colored by the residue, rinse off your hands and accumulate around the drain. All things considered it wasn't that bad though, only a little messy and pretty quick besides. You're kind of used to that with Emma, from what you understand she tends towards short and simple gem issues and duties. Or maybe that's just her preference. Either way that works just fine for you, especially during work days, when you have them.

"Weeell you were a great help to have along anyway. You're headed back home then?"

Drying your hands on the little towel hanging beside the sink, you look out the window back to town, and try to remember your normal to-do list for today.

>Yep, at the very least you want to change clothes before doing anything else.
>Actually no, you have something to take care of at the marina first.
>Before that, you've got to stop by the sports store to pick up the new roller skates for work.
>[Write-in.]

>>1285294
>>Yep, at the very least you want to change clothes before doing anything else.

>>1285286
>>1285298

Is that an answer change?

>>1285316
yep

>>Yep, at the very least you want to change clothes before doing anything else.

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>>1285298
>>1285324

You do have some chores to take care of, and want to be at the marina before three. You can't go around looking like this though, at least not by yourself. No one starts trends that way!

"Yeah, I want to switch clothes before I go out again... maybe shower even. It's no big deal though, I just have to be somewhere for an event later."

With Emma having moved to open the back door, you make your way past and out, waving as you go. On the way though, you trip and fall down the steps. Fortunately you break the fall with your hands, but unfortunately the path outside the door is gravel.

"Weeell have fun then! Oh wait Lee, I almost forgot!" she quickly calls you back after seeing you fall, as if reminded of something, "I wanted to give you this. I noticed the adhesive bandages on your knees-"

"Band aids." you arguably correct her, looking down at your own knees when she brings them up.

"Aaaah right, well you were talking about how you got them from falling over at work, so I thought you could use this!

Moving down the steps herself, she leans down to help you up, and holds out the gem fragment she had in her hand for you to take. It's a little thing, maybe the size half of half a bagel and roughly the same dimensions. It gleams in the light as you hold it up, and turn it in your hand to get a better look.

"Oh thanks, it's pretty! But uh... what's it for?"

"It's for stability of course! If you wear it or have it on you, it'll keep your balance for you. Why, you could stand on ice and someone could push you, and you'd still not fall over!"

She must have been concerned about you falling over with your skates at work. It's actually a really nice gift, if it does what she says it does, a great help to imagine not having to worry about skating around between tables carrying trays and drinks for customers. It wouldn't be hard at all to always keep in your pocket or on a necklace or something.

>Thank her again and be on your way, head back home.
>When you get the chance, try the gem item out yourself.
>Before you go, ask if she'll be needing any help again anytime soon. You've got some important events over the coming days so wouldn't want to conflict with any.
>[Write-in.]

>>1285795
>>Before you go, ask if she'll be needing any help again anytime soon. You've got some important events over the coming days so wouldn't want to conflict with any.
>Thank her again and be on your way, head back home.

>>1285795
>Before you go, ask if she'll be needing any help again anytime soon. You've got some important events over the coming days so wouldn't want to conflict with any.
>Thank her again and be on your way, head back home.

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>>1285809
>>1285930

Pocketing the gem fragment, you figure to ask her as well while you're still here if there looks to be any other work you could help with. With more than one meet and several club and/or organization meetings coming up, not to mention work as always, it'll be a busy week to say the least.

"Nooo... not that I can think of, unless you like standing by and watching me fix old gem things. Not help I need though. If a quest might spring up though, I'll let you know ahead of time if you like!"

"Yeah, that'd good! Well, thanks again Emma, I'll let you know how this stabilizing thing works out!"

With that you head on over to your bike left leaning against the house, and get on to ride home, waving goodbye back to Emma as you go who returns the gesture.

---

It's about a half hour's ride to get back home from the lighthouse, as you pedal down your street and pull onto your driveway. No sign of dad so he must still be at work, which is fine anyway since you're not going to be home all that long. The distant storm clouds you notice before you head inside though, worry you a little. You'd checked the weather earlier but the report didn't seem that conclusive.

Still though, you take your sandals off and pass through the house to the laundry room. Getting your shirt and shorts off to be washed, you first have to take dad's wet clothes out of the washing machine and shove them in the dryer since he must have forgot. You do feel a little guilty running a wash on such a small load though and consider gathering up other things to be washed as well.

>While you're at it, a shower would be good. You've still got monster residue in your hair you think.
>Just a change of clothes ought to do it, head upstairs to switch and be ready to go again.
>You just got home, you could lounge around for a bit. Still plenty of time at least, before you have to be at the marina.
>[Write-in.]

>>1286209
>>While you're at it, a shower would be good. You've still got monster residue in your hair you think.

>>1286240
This

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>>1286240
>>1286287

It might rain later but it might not, you can't rely on the weather to get clean! You pause for a moment and realize you kind of feel like a loser for thinking that. So after remembering to take the gem fragment in your shorts, you gather a few extra clothes to toss in the machine before starting the wash and heading upstairs to your room. Getting the shower going to let the water heat up, you rummage around in your room for some string and end up tying it around the gem fragment to make a simple necklace for it. A bit weighty and rushed together but it'll do the job, as you return to the bathroom and set it down by the sink, as you get out of your underwear and into the shower.

Feeling the water against you and adjusting to the heat, you take a breath and stick your head under the stream to start washing the monster residue off your body.

---

Just what you needed, a nice quick shower to not be sticky and colored green anymore. Stepping out of the tub you grab for a towel to dry yourself off, mainly your hair. While standing in front of the mirror, you figure to take the chance and see how the new necklace works, pleased that it seems to hold well enough. Trying to get a better look at yourself with it though, you lean back a bit and end up slipping on the floor.

"Gyah- wait... what the?"

A nasty spill that would have been, if you had fallen. Instead you, has you started to, you felt a strong tug in the opposite direction by the gem fragment, enough to keep you upright and from falling. Grabbing onto the sink just for support anyway, you look in the mirror at the fragment hanging from your neck and come to realize that yes, it did indeed just save you from a fall. Thinking back to what Emma said, it would seem she wasn't lying when she spoke of it keeping whatever it's attached to steady.

That's actually really cool...

Any problems of skating around at work are a thing of the past you imagine, as long as you have this thing with you. Quite a neat discovery for sure, and maybe you'll test it out more later. For now though, you exit the bathroom back into your bedroom.

>Sit on the bed for awhile in a towel to get dry, using your laptop in the meantime to double check the event today.
>Actively dry yourself off and get dressed, ready to go. You can find out for yourself when you get there.
>[Lee] You can get fully dressed in a bit. First, try something dangerous to test out the gem fragment more.
>[Write-in.]

>>1286449
>>Sit on the bed for awhile in a towel to get dry, using your laptop in the meantime to double check the event today.

>Sit on the bed for awhile in a towel to get dry, using your laptop in the meantime to double check the event today.


Shit post on our world equivalent to 4chin

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>>1286460
>>1286466

Continuing the trend of not hurrying yourself, you plonk down in bed, content to dry of overtime. Just to make sure you have to watch the time at all though, you reach for your laptop and check around online for any information pertaining to the weather. Finally you see on the Facepage for the event, that unless there's severe thunderstorms, things will continue as scheduled. You're glad to read it and know that even if it does storm it's not supposed to be that bad, but it does mean you eventually have to watch the time.

So, after responding yourself on the Facepage that you'll be at the marina for the event, you start browsing around the world wide web for things to do and pass the time. Eventually you settle for funposting on 4clover. Truly the epitome of spending time online, you see many different discussions about many different things, and funpost in all of them! Few escape the baleful hammering of your keyboard, but there are a handful of discussions you attempt to take seriously.

Oh hey, the Stewart Multiverse General thread! Better comment on how Merle is the best Attack Helicopter...

As much fun as you're having though you lose track of time, and it isn't until you start to hear the patter of light rain against your window, that you remember the things you have to do. As planned though, you're long since dry now, save for your hair which remains a little damp but you can just shake it. So closing your laptop and putting it back on your desk, you crawl across your bed to look out and see the clouds now darkening the sun. Taking that as a good sign, you jump out of bed and start to get dressed.

Standing in a pair of boxers in front of your closet though, you consider what to wear before heading downstairs, thinking what you might need for the rest of the day.

>Shorts and a t-shirt again, you don't mind a little rain!
>Pants and a waterproof jacket, you're going to be outside for the rest of the day so you might as well.
>A poncho, boots, the works. If you're going to the marina, you're going to be facing more than just rain.
>[Write-in.]

>>1286664
>>Pants and a waterproof jacket, you're going to be outside for the rest of the day so you might as well.

Shorts and a waterproof jacket. Pack a towel

We need to show our perfect and atlethic legs

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>>1286669
>>1286685

A compromise, as you get on a long shirt and a waterproof jacket, and socks since you'll be wearing actual shoes. You stick to shorts though, since you want people to know and to see that you have legs like a racehorse. You put a lot of work into keeping fit after all, how else are you supposed to remain the captain or MVP of so many clubs and organizations dedicated to physical activities?

So heading back downstairs, you check the time on your phone and see you have about an hour before the event starts. Plenty of time to get there, but you wouldn't want to cut it close. So meandering around the kitchen as you fix yourself something to eat, and have the TV on in the living room to watch for any early reporting of the event, you consider how you're going to get there.

>Ride your bike all the way there, as usual.
>See if you can call someone for a ride, you'd rather not be soaked before you even reach the marina.
>Head the short distance to downtown, and wait for the bus.
>[Write-in.]

>>1286760
>Head the short distance to downtown, and wait for the bus.
Check the bus schedule to make sure you'll make it. If not,
>Ride your bike all the way there, as usual.

>>1286782
Take the bus

>>1286782

This.

Although bike plus rain is a bad combo!

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>>1286782
>>1286789

Rather than playing phone tag for someone to drive you over, you figure to hitch a ride on the Leapfrog Shuttle. Since the towns along Land's End (the long strand of barrier islands off the coast of the state) are too small to have proper public transport individually, they just share a communal shuttle service. Which is perfect for you, since you're trying to hop a ride over to the town on the other side of the island, where the marina is. You know you could bike there, you've done it before, but it would take over an hour to get there at least and you don't want to be late.

So grabbing a waterproof hat as well on the way out the door, you hop back on your bike and pedal out of your driveway and off down your street again, towards downtown in the light drizzle. You can probably make it there in five minutes, and wait out of the rain in the shuttle stop.

---

Ten minutes later and waiting in the rain since the shuttle stop is full with day tourists, you stand with your bike and periodically try to check the time on your phone without it getting wet. Strong is the desire to call someone now for a ride, but you're here already so you might as well just wait, the shuttle will be here in fifteen minutes according to the schedule.

The honking of a boat horn though rips your eyes away from your phone as you look up, knowing the source. The day tourists are understandably shocked to hear something like that inland, but you're used to it by now. The engine of the source you can hear as well, and pretty soon the monstrosity comes trundling around the bend of mainstreet; the amphibious bus belonging to Mr. Cosmos. An old army vehicle from the war, he refurbished and repurposed it as a tour bus-boat. A familiar and colorful sight around the roads and waterways of the island, it's often heard before it's seen by the attached boat horn, the big old chugging diesel engine, or the-

"Heyo, what do you know?! Is that Lee I see?"

-PA speaker system, intended for talking to passengers while sightseeing, but often used to talk to people outside the vehicle very loudly. The bus-boat slows to a park before the shuttle stop, as Mr. Cosmos moves over to lower the window. You hear a blast of music over the chugging of the engine when he does so, though he doesn't bother to hang up the PA mic.

"Need a ride to the marina? I don't mind giving a ride to an opponent, it wouldn't be a competition if you weren't there!"

Honestly, more than anything you're a little surprised to see him since you would have thought he'd have traveled by water, but now that he's here it's a little hard to turn down a ride with The Cosmos. Even if he is part of the competition for the event.

>No thanks, you'll wait for the shuttle. No help from the enemy!
>Take the offer. As long as your teammates don't see you, it should be fine.
>Decline the offer, then hop on the back when he goes past and is watching ahead.
>[Write-in.]

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Also a heads up, this will probably be my last post for the night. Will resume tomorrow from here >>1286987

>Thanks all for playing!

>>1286987

>Take the offer. As long as your teammates don't see you, it should be fine.

"Is still a public transport is not? Is not like going by bike is wise under the rain anyway. Let's go."

>>1286987
>>Take the offer. As long as your teammates don't see you, it should be fine.

>>1286987
>Take the offer. As long as your teammates don't see you, it should be fine.
Please don't backstab us.

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Apologies, I got unexpectedly held up doing some benefit formal dinner thing all yesterday. To make up a little, will be starting earlier.

>>1287478
>>1287739
>>1287823

You don't have a reason to worry about Mr. Cosmos, he's a resident in town and you've known him loosely for years now. Even if you're opponents in the upcoming event, he wouldn't sabotage you or anything, and competition or not it's a common enough thing to hitch a ride on his bus-boat around town. You just have to hope your team doesn't see you getting help from an "enemy" along the way or when you get to the marina.

"...ok, sure!" you try and speak up over the rain and the chugging engine, "But don't think my team is going to go easy on you for this!"

"Great, wouldn't have it any other way! Hop on the back and we'll blow this popsicle stand!"

Moving back to the driver seat then, he sounds the boat horn again for departure. You wheel your bike along the sidewalk towards the rear of the bus-boat, crossing the road a little to reach the external stairs at the very back to get up onto it. You have to carry your bike up to the top as well, but once up there you can shove it on one of the storage racks at the back. Once Mr. Cosmos sees you on board in the back, he starts rolling again and you grab on for stability as the vehicle moves. Looking ahead through the interior of the bus-boat, you can see he's got a full compliment of passengers, most likely tourists. And of course, they've all got fishing equipment with them or near to them, so you know Mr. Cosmos is going to try the usual strategy for the event.

>Try and find a seat among the passengers, maybe anyone you know if you can.
>Head on through to join Mr. Cosmos up front. The least you can do for him giving you a ride is hang out with him at the front.
>Just hang back here, sitting on the metal steps. It doesn't have roof cover so you'll be in the rain, but you're dressed for it and you'd like to keep a low profile in case the bus-boat passes by any of your team.
>[Write-in.]

>>1291312

>Just hang back here, sitting on the metal steps. It doesn't have roof cover so you'll be in the rain, but you're dressed for it and you'd like to keep a low profile in case the bus-boat passes by any of your team.

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>>1291347

You're not the anti-social sort, this is just a weird scenario where you're trying to avoid being seen. So for now you figure to just keep to the back of the bus-boat and out of sight. The cabin doesn't extend this far back so you're exposed to the rain and the engine, but it's not raining too much yet and the smell of diesel isn't too terrible. Besides, the steps at the back really are the best seat. It's more fun outside and right close to the road during the drive. Especially when people get impatient having to drive behind the bus-boat and end up speeding past around.

---

Even at a speed slower than the shuttle probably, you had a fifteen minute head start, and Mr. Cosmos isn't easy on the pedal. As such after some tens of minutes driving and you see the sign for Dauphine, the next town over on the other side of the island, and the marina not long after that. Checking your phone, you made good time and as you head back up the steps to grab your bike again, from the back of the bus you can see people still gathering for the event. Local competitors, out-of-townies, even some news stations. You wonder if mayor even came over...

Whatever the case, to avoid all the attention and being noticed, you hop off the back of the bus-boat as it pulls into the entrance of the marina and wave goodbye to Mr. Cosmos as you try and make some distance apart. He waves back, probably having seen you in his rear-view mirrors, and honks the boat horn twice in acknowledgement though this has the added effect of letting everyone in the area know of his arrival if they hadn't already seen.

Walking along and leading your bike, you look up to the sky, feeling the water drops against your face. The rain hasn't picked up too much since you left town, but the wind has, and you need to hold onto your hat while looking up in order to keep it. Not a good sign, especially if it means choppy waters. Trying not to dwell on it too much though, you think to avoid most of the people gathered and the attention and head straight for the main building of the marina, the supposed "yacht club". Maybe it would be best just to check things out first though.

>Just go inside and look for your teammates. If they're not already at the boat they'll be inside, and you need to work on a plan.
>Mingle among the crowd and check out the competition. You know Mr. Cosmos will be joining, but who else is your team up against?
>Just head straight to the boat, start getting things in order while the team gathers there. While you're at it you can also check out the sea conditions.
>[Write-in.]

>>1291525
>>Just go inside and look for your teammates. If they're not already at the boat they'll be inside, and you need to work on a plan.

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>>1291564

Who the competition is, what the weather is, these things are important but what matters most is teamwork. At least that's what you read on the back of a cereal box recently. So heading to the main building and leaving your bike under some cover, you manage to get inside after you explain that you're participating in the event. If you had to guess, your teammates will be at the club bar, and a good guess it is! Three of them at least, thankfully not drinking since event is to start pretty soon.

"Hey guys, how's it looking? Are we ready to do this?"

"Oh, hey Lee! As I was just saying, unless the Coast Guard says it's not safe, I think we should do it. They're going to be involved anyway, what's the worst that could happen?"

Elijah and Mitchell are arguing about the conditions of the event, while Lauren watches it being televised on one of the TVs above the bar. At least this channel is showing it live, the biannual Cape Hattrask Fish Frenzy Competition. A good amount of people are outside despite the weather, likely from Dauphine using the event to try and look better than Diamond Shoals for actually having a marina. Just a glimpse on the TV and you can see there's already more competitors than last year.

"Hey hey, Coast Guard or not, we'll still be out there! Where's the rest of the team though?"

"Mister Starnes and Mister Nidevsky are outside preparing the boat, Emily is helping them, and Missus Carter went out to join the crowd and watch everything going on." answers Lauren, still watching the TV. Good to know though that most everyone is here, even if no one else shows up you still have enough of a team to participate in the event. Things are looking better already, and even the weather doesn't bother you anymore.

>Head out to the boat and bring the team together, ready to embark.
>See if you can find a Coast Guardsman around, and get the final say on the weather and the event.
>While you're here, buy some drinks to open later in case your team wins, or in case your team loses.
>[Write-in.]

>>1291902
>Head out to the boat and bring the team together, ready to embark.

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>>1291906

With so many more people at the event this time, you want your team to make a good showing all the more. So asking Lauren to fetch Mrs. Carter, you head for the docks with Elijah and Mitchell. It's more wet than usual from the rain, but thankfully your gem fragment necklace keeps you from slipping or falling over. At any rate, it doesn't take long to find the boat since Mr. Starnes pays for a spot in the marina, and he lets you use his sailboat for so many different clubs and activities. He's glad to see you though when you approach with the others, same as Mr. Nidevsky and Emily, both helping to prep the ship for departure. Pretty soon Lauren and Mrs. Carter catch up, and the whole team is there.

"Oh dear, I didn't see the waves back at the starting area, but it doesn't look very safe now from out here." Mrs. Carter speaks up, though you don't think she should be so worried when she's not even going out. She and Lauren are staying back to give radio updates and support, and monitor the event.

"It's alright Missus Carter, the Coasties will make sure everything goes safely. Besides, we're not going out to the ocean side anyway."

You get the sense from the others that Mrs. Carter is speaking for more than just herself. You even have some doubts yourself, but you can't quit now, the team can't quit now. Not after getting everyone out here, when there's such a big showing for the event itself, and it's even being televised. No, you could never turn down a chance like that. People back in town will see what you're doing, even if you have to swim out there. All you have to do is deal with the cold feet.

"Eeeeh... I still don't know Lee, I don't want to be doing this in the rain. It's not like we're going to win anyway, it's always the people who can afford the biggest boats." although he was pretty enthusiastic before, Elijah sounds to be having second thoughts, kicking at the dockside with squelching shoes. You don't blame him, conditions certainly could be better.

"No, we're doing this! Remember everyone, it's not about if we win or lose! It's about showing up to represent the Diamond Shoals Amateur Big-Game Fishing Team, and putting in the best effort we can!"

Well it's not a speech for the books, but it gets a cheer from the team, as you encourage their spirits. Everyone jumps to attention and busies themselves with the final duties before embarking, those that are going out getting on board and those that are staying checking the communications.

It's true, maybe you can't win the trophy, but at least you can make Diamond Shoals proud!

>Keep the boat here, so when the event officially begins you have a head start.
>Maneuver on over to the main starting line. It's a handicap to your team, but everyone will see and know you're competing.
>Move to the Coast Guard area, maybe you can catch the wake of one of the ferries at the start.
>[Write-in.]

>>1292228
>>Maneuver on over to the main starting line. It's a handicap to your team, but everyone will see and know you're competing.
i'm going to sleep good night

>>1292242

Goodnight, and thanks for playing!

>>1292228

>Move to the Coast Guard area, maybe you can catch the wake of one of the ferries at the start.

>>1292228


>Move to the Coast Guard area, maybe you can catch the wake of one of the ferries at the start.

Everyone already knows we are here, we do this every year. Let's at least try to do better than last year!

Back again, resuming now.

>>1292808
>>1292809

These are the majority response so will get it.

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>>1292808
>>1292809

After that little speech it seems natural that the team would move the boat over to the main starting area with most of the other contestants, and of course there's nothing wrong with that. You came here to put on a good showing for the team, and naturally there's no better way than being there at the starting line, on TV and all...

...and yet, as disingenuous as it may seem, it occurs to you that you could get a head start outside of the starting area. Representing Diamond Shoals is nice, making everyone proud and all that, but that trophy. Well, wouldn't you represent the town better and make everyone even prouder, if you won? There's no buts about it really, the more you think about it.

"Hey, guys? How about we... you know, for safety and all, how about we start over by the Coast Guard station? I mean, everyone knows we're here already, right?"

You try to spin it as concern, and the team seems to buy it. Not everyone is so readily accepting, you're pretty sure you saw a knowing glance from Mr. Starnes about your idea. Either way, it's not untrue that starting over by the Coasties is safer, and you won't be the only ones doing so either. From what you heard, one of the ferries is being used for the event for spectators, so maybe you can ride the wake as it heads out.

Whatever the case, you and the others on board wave and say your goodbyes to those of the team staying behind, as Emily runs the engine and Mr. Starnes steers the boat away from the dock. Already the rough waters even within the marina are shifting the boat around, but you won't let that stop you or the team from having a great time!

>...

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>>1294297

"I'm going to be honest here, this is really boring."

After having made it over to the coast guard area, and leaving the marina with everyone at the start of the event, Mr. Starnes managed to follow after the ferry as planned and your team was one of the first to make it out to the fishing grounds. Along the way though and since reaching the area, the weather picked up and worsened, with stronger winds and heavier rain. Naturally rougher seas too, and in a relatively smaller boat you're all being thrown around for a really rough time, soaked from the downpour and errant high wave, and freezing cold from the wind. Barely any fish are being caught, definitely no big-game, and only with the help of your stabilizing gem necklace are you able to remain standing and keep on trying. The rest of the team meanwhile have all given up pretty much and are just sitting around and hanging on while Mr. Starnes tries to keep the boat from sinking.

"You heard what the Coasties said, no thunder no cancel for the event! I'm sure we can win this one, let's just keep at it! Besides, Mr. Nidevsky is having fun!"

Well, almost the rest of the team. Mr. Nidevsky is standing right at the edge, fighting to reel something in and having the time of his life as he laughs wildly between drinking and singing something in his native language. You're a little relieved to see that other participants are having similar trouble catching anything, unable to keep yourself from laughing when you see Mr. Cosmos' bus-boat rocking around on the sea, and hearing the rising and falling "Whooooaaaah!"s of the passengers with each wave as they all hold their fishing rods out the roll up windows. Some though, like the Wentworths aboard their ocean-going yacht, or the Marlin Club with their professional sport fisher, are getting by just fine. Sure, they may have their all their money and fancy equipment and legal recognition, but you have something they don't, and much more powerful at that.

Teamwork! Spirit! Optimi-

"Fuagh! Blegh-hegh!"

You're promptly get washed over by a random high wave, coughing up saltwater and feeling soaked down to your skin.

"Yeah, this sucks."

Lifting your hat up a bit to let a bunch more water pour out, you set your sea rod in the holder on the boat side and move over to sit next to Emily, herself shivering from the cold and wet. You don't want to give up, but if you can't manage yourself then how are the others supposed to?

"If only the weather was better, or the boat wasn't so unstable, maybe we could have a chance. At least we'd be able to compete with the Wentworths." you hear Emily try and talk over the rain and the engine, as she leans her head next to you. She's not wrong, they definitely could have picked a better day or at least rescheduled because of the weather, but the Coasties always have the final say on that and they love it when the weather is like this.

>[Write-in.]

>>1294301

>Use the stability Gem piece on the boat and then make sure to hold into something when fishing.

>>1295850

This.

>>1294301

>Use the stability Gem piece on the boat and then make sure to hold into something when fishing.

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>>1295850
>>1296594
>>1297468

While sitting next to Emily in the patter of the rain and the swaying of the boat, your ease of balance comes to mind. You were able to keep on fishing while all but Mr. Nidevsky gave up, but you know it wasn't by your own skill. Well maybe it mostly was, but that little extra was help from the necklace. Rummaging down your jacket, you grab ahold of the green gem fragment, watching the rain hit and the drops run down it after bringing it out. You know Emma gave it to you to help with work, but you wonder if it would work on more than just a person.

"Ooh that's pretty! What is it?" you hear Emily try and talk over all the noise leaning not just to be heard this time, but also to look.

"A gift, from a friend... and I think it's our way to win this thing."

Getting up to your feet again and managing just fine while still wearing the necklace, you wander around the boat for a bit looking for a place you could affix the gem fragment. Finally figuring the mast makes the most sense at the relative center of the boat, and since the sails aren't being used in this weather, you affix it around the joining point of the boom and the mast itself. Even before you finish tying the necklace though, the gem fragment starts to glow with increasing intensity and even starts to vibrate before it clamps to the mast like a magnet let go, sending a resonating sound all the way up the mast. Some of the team heard above the weather and look up to see, but only you know what's going on.

At first you think it was a waste of time since without the necklace yourself you get tossed over on the ground with wave tilt of the boat. You get helped up again but feeling a little defeated you end up just sitting down in a huff, just watching the gem fragment continue to resonate against the mast. You start to notice the effect when the resonating stops after maybe ten minutes, but soon the others are noticing too as the ride gets less and less rough. Before long, even Mr. Starnes is confused as to what's going on, since his job of keeping the boat afloat has now become trivially easy. A growing smile as you watch the others get up and try to answer their confusion by walking and looking around the boat, eventually everyone is lively as they stand at the edges to look down and see what's going on or even lean over the edge and try to touch the waves which no longer are having any effect against the boat.

Just placid, level chugging along despite the stormy weather, you couldn't be more still if you stood on solid ground. Jumping to your feet with a grin, you get the attention of the team.

"So, how about that fishing competition?!"

>Check the gem fragment, just to make sure it's working alright.
>Go back to your sea rod and lead the team to fishy victory!
>Offer to take the helm from Mr. Starnes, so he can get a try now that it's smooth sailing.
>[Write-in.]

>>1298617

>Go back to your sea rod and lead the team to fishy victory!

qst been really slow lately.

>>1298617
>>Go back to your sea rod and lead the team to fishy victory!

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>>1298744
>>1298751

Feeling pretty confident now that the gem fragment is working on keeping the boat steady, you lead the charge back into the competition so to speak. Taking your sea rod to the waters again, the rest of the team who'd given up soon follow after your example with renewed optimism. With that strength of teamwork you have over the other competitors, and now with the added bonus of the gem fragment, victory might not be certain but this is best chance you've ever had in any of these events.

"I don't know what you did Lee, but it's working!" you hear Emily shout over the weather from over by her own sea rod.

"Hey nevermind that, just keep an eye out for any marlin!"

It's not as though the fish just throw themselves at you now, and even if the boat is steady the waves are not so it's still a struggle. A fighting chance is all you need though, as the team starts to make progress and actual gains with some actually being caught now. Maybe a big-game fish if you all could manage, and that would be a surefire winner.

Such is your effort and concentration, that you don't even notice increasing steadying effect of the gem fragment upon the boat, it's Mr. Nidevsky who points it out. Looking down now you slowly notice that the boat itself is now sitting atop the waves entirely, rather than floating among them and simply ignoring their effect. You wonder how the boat is moving at all then, as despite being held steady it is drifting around quite a bit. With a picking up of the storm though you come to realize that the ship is moving with the wind, in whichever direction it blows. Even stranger that the sails are furled, it appears the blowing of the wind on just the ship itself is enough to cause it to move now.

I wonder how much of the boat is still in the water?

>Check if Mr. Starnes can still steer the boat. Ask if he can try and head towards a bigger wave when one comes.
>Nevermind that, Mitchell looks like he's got something big on his line!
>Draw everyone's attention to the issue, this could be a problem.
>[Write-in.]

>>1300013
>>Check if Mr. Starnes can still steer the boat. Ask if he can try and head towards a bigger wave when one comes.

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>>1300038

It's strange, maybe a bit worrying but you don't want to panic yet or worse, cause the rest of the team to panic. So setting your sea rod back and encouraging Mitchell along the way for his potential catch, you head to the cabin with ease given how stable the boat is, and see how the captain is doing.

"Hey, Mr. Starnes? You're still... steering the boat, right? You think you could aim for one of the high waves next?"

"Yeah I've still got control, having a harder time of it though. I'll try for a bigger one when it comes."

Just in case, you decide to stay beside and watch as he helms the boat, skipping along the waves in pursuit of a big one. Not that you mind, it's never bad to be out of the rain, the only portion of the weather still beating down on you all. Eventually after some minutes drifting about, finally you both catch sight of an approaching wave of increasing size. It's all relative of course since despite being stormy the sea isn't dangerously rough, but this approaching one is definitely one of the occasional bigguns. So turning the wheel, Mr. Starnes tries to face it oncoming, that itself a good test of how stable the boat is with the gem fragment.

"Might want to brace yourself Lee, here we go-"

"-whoah!"

A sudden upwards lurch as the boat remains as stable as ever, but skims up to the top of the wave as it passes by. Nothing too rough, but the problem comes shortly afterward, after wave has well passed on; there's no downward lurch. The boat remains just as high as it was at the top of the wave, and failing to get a good look from inside the cabin you run back out on deck again. You're not the only one that noticed, as the rest of the team are now starting to panic and crowding around the edges of the boat to see what's going on. Well, except Mr. Nidevsky who is nowhere to be seen.

>...

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>>1300305

Rushing to the edge to join the others, you look down to see not only Mitchell's catch now dangling in the air at the end of the line, but Mr Nidevsky bobbing around in the waters below. He must have fallen off as the boat skipped up to the top of the big wave suddenly, though you wonder why he didn't fall off sooner then like when the boat didn't have the gem fragment to help keep it stable. Fortunately everyone is wearing a lifejacket and the coast guard are on their game, as you see them boating towards Mr. Nidevsky. It's still not good to lose a team member though, as you look to the others.

"Are we... is the boat flying?!"

Elijah voices the same concern everyone is thinking, and indeed that's the final impression you get. After that last big wave the boat is no longer in any contact with the water. You wonder how or even why this would be happening, but with the uptake in wind sending the ship to drift even more, you start to formulate an idea. The gem fragment is doing its job of keeping the boat stable and balanced upon a moving substance, though now it's not the waves of the sea but the winds of the storm.

>Try to keep calm, try to keep the remainder of the team calm.
>Test out the stability now that the boat is floating atop the wind, you wouldn't want to risk capsizing like this.
>Try and signal the Coasties from up here, using the radio if you have to.
>[Write-in.]

>>1300310
>>Test out the stability now that the boat is floating atop the wind, you wouldn't want to risk capsizing like this.

>>1300310

>Try to keep calm, try to keep the remainder of the team calm.
>Try and signal the Coasties from up here, using the radio if you have to.

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>>1300313
>>1300323

If the boat really is floating along the wind, then you'd better hope it keeps up. Fortunately it doesn't look like the storm is letting up anytime soon.

"Ok guys, I know this is weird, but everything's going to be ok as long as we don't pani-"

"Abandon ship!" Mitchell suddenly yells, after looking back and forth between you and the waters below, as the boat drifts higher ever so slowly. Both he and Elijah promptly jump overboard, falling the distance to the water below. Honestly you're of a mind to join them, though Emily seems too afraid to risk it.

"Cowards! Traitors! We're not sharing the trophy with you!"

Shouting down after the quitters, you figure now at least you can test out how stable the gem fragment will keep the boat while drifting along the wind. Moving from side to side and even jumping up and down and leaning over the edges, your efforts only cause it to list ever so slightly, so at least you don't have to worry about the whole thing flipping over mid-flight.

Not sure what else to do then, you decide to call for help. If the coast guard are so quick to help everyone who fell overboard, then surely they can help you all now stuck up here in the boat. Returning to the cabin you find Mr. Starnes busy talking with Lauren and Mrs. Carter back on shore over the radio, likely the both of them having seen what was going on via the broadcast of the event. Indeed now that you think about it, it wasn't just the coast guard that was boating over to see what was going on with your team floating around up in the air. Either way you offer to take over for Mr. Starnes so he can try and take the helm again, as you fly through the frequencies trying to hail the coast guard. It takes some time but eventually you think you've got it.

>...

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>>1300814

"Hello, hello?! Yes, this is the flying boat! We're kind of stuck up here and could definitely use some help!"

"We read you Flying Boat, please try to remain calm while we consider a solution, over!"

Feeling a little defeated, you set the receiver aside in case Mr. Starnes wants to keep trying, and you head back out to the deck to try and think of a solution yourself. Just a cursory glance over the side and you can see the boat is at least sixty feet above the waves and rising, as the winds continue to pick up. While pacing around though you finally notice what Emily is fiddling with by the mast, the necklace, trying to undo it. Feeling your stomach sink, you rush for her and try to stop it.

"It's alright, we just take this thing off again and we can get back down!" she sounds very panicked, probably not thinking straight.

"No Emily, I think if we pull it it off, the boat will drop like a stone. We're... too high up to risk that now."

Calmly speaking to her and holding her hands, eventually you do manage to get her to leave off of the necklace, the gem fragment all the while continuing to resonate against the mast. Together you stand in the rain, watching it keep the boat soaring as you hold onto each other for support.

>Challenge Presented; Options closed, write-in needed to find a solution to the current problem.

>>1300820
Well is there anyway we can get back to land. If so we could possibly find a roof to land on.

If no that then we can go wave hunting. Get the necklace nice and loose then find a wave as big as the one that got us up here. Then pull the gem and ride the wave down.

>>1301058

If you could find a way to use the wind, you could try to fly back to land.

As for a wave, the problem is that the wind keeps carrying the boat higher, so when you used the last wave to get airborne already the boat is a good sixty feet higher than that by now. Not that there aren't waves that big, but it would have to be weather much worse than this.

>>1301071
Then I guess we use the sails and hope for the best.
Or maybe we can get the Coast Guard to move the boat above land to a safe location using rope and shit.

>>1301095

The sails could work, that would definitely make use of the wind.

For the Coast Guard though, how would you plan or request for them to move the boat using rope?

>>1301098

they do have helipcopters, don't they?

>>1301098
We can use the radio to call our team back at shore, to call the Coast gaurd to get them to tow us back.

>>1301364

They do indeed have helicopters but not out right now. You suppose as a last resort though that if things get too risky you could hope to rely on that.

>>1301392

You can communicated with the coast guard yourself, if you want to do something like ask for their help and lower enough rope to try and reach them.

So, when doing the next action, I'll try to write it so that each option is approached in some way.

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>>1301095
>>1301392

Wondering how you're ever going to get down at this rate, at the very least you can try and let the Coast Guard in on your plan. If the winds of the storm is enough to lift the boat through the air, then should it bee so hard to stop it from ascending higher, if there's something to tether it down? Calling out for Mr. Starnes to let the Coasties know over the radio to maneuver a boat beneath you own and to be ready, you start looking around for anything you can find of use.

"Here, Emily, can you look around for any more rope? Anything we can use to lower down."

"Oh, sure thing Lee, but uh... we're not going to try and climb down are we?"

Having gathered up the spare rope for rigging and winding it around your shoulder as you continue to search for more, you stop to look over the edge for a moment and see the ferry actually starting to head over. If the Coast Guard are instructing them to do so that's a relief, since the ferry is the tallest boat on the waters down below. It's probably at least eighty feet down by now, but you feel at least a bit better now that there's a plan in place.

"No, we're not climbing down."

Before long, together you and Emily gather up and any all rope or rope like material you can find, and sit down to start tying them together. With just the main spare length of rope there's more than enough to let down below, but you want to overreach just in case it's not enough to stop the boat gaining altitude. So within a few minutes you've probably doubled the available length, and having Emily brace herself, you put her in charge of the rope and getting it down to anyone on top of the ferry.

You now, stand to face the sails, hoping your idea doesn't go awry. Running the effort through in your mind a few times and mustering the courage, you let Mr. Starnes know what you're doing, and then climb up a bit to start unfurling the sails. You try to take it as slow as possible, and you do a good job of it, raising them maybe a fourth of the way. With the winds of the storm whipping about though, there's a sudden catch on the sails as they release in one rapid motion, unfurling all the way in a matter of moments.

"Whaaa- oof!"

The sudden flourish of activity knocks you down from the mast as you hit the deck, and causes the whole boat to list dangerously to one side, pulled so by the sails. It doesn't capsize though, and it's moving with the wind much more predictably. Clamoring to your feet, you struggle to get the boom of the mast under control and bring it back, but you notice that to be a good way of steering the boat against the wind.

>Rely on the people below to try and pull you all down again.
>Try and get a hang of using the sails instead.
>[Write-in.]

>>1303001
>>Rely on the people below to try and pull you all down again.

>>1303001

>>Rely on the people below to try and pull you all down again.

>>1303001
>>Rely on the people below to try and pull you all down again.

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>>1303022
>>1304583
>>1304615

As interesting as it may be to try your skill at flying a sailboat through the sky, you're not unaware of how dangerous that has the potential to be. It's too late to draw the sails back now and you're able to hold them in place well enough, but the rope tether to the ferry far below is working just fine. Looking over the side, you can see a good amount of people crowded on the deck and working together to pull at the rope. Unfortunately by their efforts it doesn't seem like the boat is lowering much at all, but probably the best thing, it's also not rising any higher. Just keeping steady at this altitude and drifting around in the wind.

"At least we won't have to worry about drifting off into space..."

"Well that is good, but how are we going to get down now?"

Little steps of progress. Obviously Emily is still concerned, but you're liking the way things are going. Not the being stuck on a flying boat part, but dealing with one problem at a time. If the folks on the ferry can't drag the boat back down, maybe some heavy duty machinery can? The question is if you want to try anything out here above the water, or back closer to land. It's more likely that they'll be able to bring out something that can safely pull the boat lower again if it's on land, but at the same time you're not sure if you want to be getting pulled down again while in a boat if you're not above water.

>Contact the Coasties again with the radio, and ask them to try and get the ferry to head back to the marina.
>Instead, ask them to take over from the ferry with the proper equipment and handle the process out here over the water.
>Maybe with some effort yourself from up here, as long as the bottom of the rope is held or tied off, you can pull up against the rope and force the boat down yourself while standing on it.
>[Write-in.]

>>1306140
>Contact the Coasties again with the radio, and ask them to try and get the ferry to head back to the marina.

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>>1306281

Taking the chance, you tell Emily to fasten her end of the rope to something on the boat, as you head back inside the cabin. Mr. Starnes is actively communicating with the Coast Guard, so you just ask him to tell them your plan. It's simple enough you figure, and they respond back that they'll see what they can do.

So taking a spot back outside to help Emily, you wait together for the plan to be relayed down among the Coast Guard as they coordinate with each other and the ferry. You think you can even hear some of it, from megaphones being used.

---

The wait is a long one enough for sure, approaching an hour at least, but eventually the boat is towed along by the ferry back to port. After that the rope is transferred from the ferry passengers to marina workers and Coasties on the docks. All the while you and Emily watch over the edge as the folks below struggle and work together to tow the boat over from the ferry dock to the Coast Guard station point. It's hard to tell for sure at this height, but it looks like they working toward some sort of industrial-grade winch by the exterior of the station, likely for use on large vessels but in this case still useful. After having dragged the rope and ship by extension all the way over, they busy themselves with fixing it up to the big pulley system down on the dock.

You hear from Mr. Starnes in the cabin not long after, that the people down on the ground are going to turn on the system and try to use it to pull the boat back down, and they're just letting you all know before they start.

>Sounds good, just make sure everything is tied properly to the boat.
>Keep your distance from everything, in case anything goes wrong. Warn Emily of that too, while you're at it.
>Actually, as long as they're holding the boat in place, would it be too much to ask the Coasties to get a helicopter or something up here?
>[Write-in.]

>>1307392
>>Keep your distance from everything, in case anything goes wrong. Warn Emily of that too, while you're at it.

>>1307392
>>Keep your distance from everything, in case anything goes wrong. Warn Emily of that too, while you're at it.

>>1307722

>>Keep your distance from everything, in case anything goes wrong. Warn Emily of that too, while you're at it.

>But hold the Gem fragment so you don't lose it.

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>>1307722
>>1307847
>>1307849

Given how everything else has been going today, you decide not to take any chances. Especially not with heavy duty machinery involved, you don't want to end up missing any arms, or any legs or all your arms and legs. Backing up then away from both the rope and where it's tied to the boat, you brace yourself for the folks below to activate the machine.

"Hey Emily, I think it's probably better if we don't keep to close to anything that's moving. We don't know what could happen, right?"

"Oh, right. Thanks Lee."

Your words reach her but it takes her a few moments to process them, still busy looking over the edge to the Coast Guard station below. When she does though, she nods and quickly gets into position near you over on the other side of the boat from which is being pulled.

The waiting starts to get stressful, but eventually you feel the mechanism kick in as the boat suddenly lurches downwards from being dragged. You actually get knocked over from the force, but you easily find your feet again since the gem fragment is still keeping the boat steady, just not afloat on the air. Remembering the fragment now, you actually draw close to it and hold onto the mast for support, in case you need to quickly grab the necklace for any reason; despite all the trouble it has caused, you don't want to lose it.

"It looks like it's working, yeah? Well that's good, I was getting a little worried."

"No, but... listen? You hear that?"

As if to match the creaking, groaning sound you start to hear from the boat, you also notice the descent has been slowing the farther down you get. It seems the gem fragment's power is resisting the boat being lowered too far. Kind of like if you were still wearing it as a necklace, someone else could try and push you over but not too far before the gem forcibly intervened. Probably the same here, just like the gem kept the boat stable on the waves and then the wind, just the same is it resisting being drawn past a certain elevation. At least while the wind, the source of said elevation, is still active.

>...

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>>1309389

A good call to keep your distance then, as the groaning of the ship finally reach a certain intensity and the side of the ship starts to buckle against the pull, before the rope just comes undone with a snap and the end you all have up here whips back around after being released. You're more braced this time for when the boat lurches back up a bit, so you recover much more quickly and are able to take a quick look over.

"About halfway down, from where we were before. Better than nothing I guess. We should probably try to figure how to keep from getting lifted up again though, unless you know of a secret rope stash Mr. Starnes keeps on board, that we can tap into?"

"Awww, we're so much closer now though! Can't we just... jump?"

With the breaking of the rope, you don't really have enough to lower down again. It wasn't a waste though, you're probably only about fifty feet above the docks now, rather than the hundred or so feet before. Short of the Coasties firing up a helicopter though, you don't think you can rely on any more external help.

>Just wait for help from below, you've done enough so far and made an admirable effort, and progress.
>Try to gain control of the boat now with the sails, they're all you've got left.
>See if you can just orient the boat over the water more, and then jump overboard. It's obviously risky, but the drop is maybe somewhat less deadly, and now closer to shore in admittedly stormy waters.
>[Write-in.]

>>1309392

>See if you can just orient the boat over the water more, and then jump overboard. It's obviously risky, but the drop is maybe somewhat less deadly, and now closer to shore in admittedly stormy waters.

>Remember to be the last one to jump and pick the Gem fragment when you do.

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>>1309990

You were reluctant to just abandon ship before due to obvious reasons, but after coming so far and still being stuck up here, more and more Emily's idea sounds appealing. It'll be a hard fall of course if you do try, but the rough waters should make a little less potentially lethal.

"...ok, yeah. We'll do it. Let's at least try and move the boat a little farther out though, so we don't have to worry about hitting the dock when we jump,or plunging into concrete in any shallow water."

You're obviously worried about the plan for many reasons, and you're right to be, but a big concern is Mr. Starnes. The drop isn't going to be easy on any of you, and while he's not an old man, he's also not in his twenties like you and Emily. Speaking to him about it though, he's fine with the idea and if able, he'd actually try lowering himself down from the boat with any of the remaining rope left over. That would certainly help with the distance so you feel better on that matter at least. You can tell Mr. Starnes is saddened at the idea of leaving the ship to plummet back to the water, and he's certain it wouldn't survive that kind of fall and impact. Naturally you feel guilty about being the cause for all this, but your job as team captain at the very least is to make sure everyone makes it through this safely, even at the cost of the boat.

So together with Emily you try and work the sails as best you can against the wind, in order to orient the boat a little farther out from the docks over the water. Nothing too crazy, maybe another fifty feet or so farther than you already are. It takes a lot of work and effort but after some tens of minutes you actually manage to get the hang of it, enough at least that with Mr. Starns at the helm you can kind of steer the boat through the air, and even managed to prevent it from getting any higher with a little trick involving loosening the sails more.

"Okay okay, is everyone ready?!" you call out to the remainder of the team up here with you. Mr. Starnes is able to tie the helm into place so it doesn't go careening off when he lets go, and Emily is already gathering the remainder of the rope to lower over the side.

The both of them are ready to go, but they don't know that you're planning on taking the gem fragment with you when you leave last. Of course you don't want to just leave the gem necklace behind, but seeing Mr. Starnes so reluctant to abandon his ship, you wonder if it's really worth it.

>Give Emily and Mr. Starnes the chance to lower down the rope, drop to the sea and get a safe distance away before you grab the necklace and jump overboard.
>Leave the necklace behind and abandon the ship with them. Maybe, hopefully, if the weather permits, the boat on its own will just drift around the sky till the storm subsides.
>The ultimate sacrifice! Wait till the other two are down to the waters, then remain on the boat yourself to try and ride out the storm.
>[Write-in.]

>>1310793
>>Give Emily and Mr. Starnes the chance to lower down the rope, drop to the sea and get a safe distance away before you grab the necklace and jump overboard.

>>1310793

>Give Emily and Mr. Starnes the chance to lower down the rope, drop to the sea and get a safe distance away before you grab the necklace and jump overboard.

"I am sorry about the ship but let's be honest, sooner or later some ship had to end involved in a Gem accident and at least it wasn't one with a lot more people that could get injured."

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>>1310841
>>1311207

You're not going to stay to possibly go down with the ship, and just leaving it to drift off into the sky seems like a bad idea as well. At least this way, you everyone makes it out safely and you don't risk losing the gift Emma gave you. Before he climbs overboard though, you try to apologize to the true captain.

"I'm sorry Mr. Starnes but let's be honest, sooner or later some ship had to end up involved in a Gem accident, and at least it wasn't one with more people who could get injured."

"Ah it's alright Lee, it's only a boat. Besides, how many others have gotten to fly? At least she'll always have that."

He lingers for a little while longer, getting one last look aboard the ship, before climbing over the side and doing his best not to slip or fall off the rope while lowering down it. Watching overboard, you cringe both times when first Emily and then Mr. Starnes reach the bottom and drop into the ocean. It's definitely a shorter drop than you'll have to take but it still looks intense. Some relief though in seeing them both managing to reach the surface with the help of the life vests, soon to be picked up by the Coast Guard like the rest of the team.

And so now it's just you aboard, as you try and work up the courage you'll need to make the drop all the way down, and without even the rope to help. You know though that it's only going to get more dangerous the higher the ship rises, so taking a deep breath you line yourself with the mast, psych yourself up to go and then take off. Sprinting across the deck to aim for the other side, you snatch the necklace as you run past and rip the gem fragment off the mast, causing the resonance to cease. The effect is immediate, and you notice it even before you reach the edge, as the boat drops like a stone with you on it. With a sinking feeling in your stomach, only the gem's stabilizing effect on you (now that you're holding onto it again) keeps you from falling with the sudden downwards motion, as you leap over the side as far and as fast as you can.

"Waaaagh- ghlrblrblrrrrr!" you scream as you fall, hitting the water along with the boat within moments. From the force of the impact and a deafening crunch sound, everything goes white with a shock of pain across your body. Just a cold blast of the ocean and the taste of saltwater as you submerge, and everything fades out.

>[Write-in.] What do you dream, think, or maybe just hallucinate?

>>1311394
>dream
Dream about your father or childhood

>>1311394

>I don't want to die! I... I am flying?

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>>1311655
>>1311906

In the cold embrace of the water, and from the shock of the fall, you get lost in the murk of your mind. Flashes of many things, of memories and dreams and a blurring in between. It's hard to make sense of anything as it's all very vague, and even if it was clear to you, you don't think you'd be in the right sense of mind to really perceive it all anyway. Lost in that haze of your mind, for whatever reason you come to settle among visions of when you were a kid, those softer memories.

---

"Look dad, I caught a big one!"

Ah, that's right you remember this. Dad used to take you out fishing on his boat... whatever happened to that old thing? Or well, you got to fish. He usually just sat and drank, watching the waves, or talked if he brought a friend along. Most of the time though he didn't have a friend along.

You're carrying a small fish on the end of your line to him to show off, and this time in particular you must have been maybe eight, so mom was already out of the picture.

"Huh? Oh yeah, that's nice honey. Good job."

Even just him noticing you, meant the world to you. Maybe if you caught a bigger one, he'd pay more attention. Maybe if you won a trophy, he'd have something to be happy about again...

...and if your fishing team won a televised tournament and the whole town celebrated, maybe he'd even be proud of you.

---

"Lee? Can you hear us? Lee!"

The soft memories fade, and the cold takes you again. It's not the same kind though, it's not enveloping your whole body. No, now it's just clinging to you and pattering on your skin, hitting your face. Rain, that's right. And wet clothes, clinging to you. The slow return of sensations brings with it the feeling of aching pain, and the annoyance of a bunch of people crowded and talking around you.

"Urgh... I don't want to die... am I flying?"

"She's awake! She's awake... careful with her, give some room!"

You struggle to open your eyes against the light, strain to see anything clearly. So far, just a bunch of people, some of whom you think you recognize.

>Sit up, regain your senses. That was nothing, you're fine!
>Ask to be taken inside... well, anywhere. Out of the rain, out of the storm.
>Take it slow, you're still groggy. Try and figure out what's going on.
>[Write-in.]

>>1316980
>>Take it slow, you're still groggy. Try and figure out what's going on.

>>1316980

>Take it slow, you're still groggy. Try and figure out what's going on.

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>>1317066
>>1317258

Right now you'd rather just take everything easy after that whole endeavor, especially when still hurting from the fall. Bringing your arm up to help against the light then so your eyes can adjust, you try to make sense of things.

Blugh... what happened? Is everyone alright?"

"Everyone's fine, you had a long fall and took a plunge. We got you out of the water though thanks to that life vest, and we're headed back to shore. We called ahead as well, should be an ambulance waiting to get you to the hospital, it doesn't seem too bad but better to be on the safe side."

It's one of the Coast Guard checking you over with help from another, seeing that you're alright and talking to you to get a sense if you're lucid. Just getting a feel yourself, nothing seems broken and you're not bleeding out or anything, but hitting the water from that fall you can still feel it. And dizzy to boot, maybe a concussion. You're alive though, so that's something to feel better about.

Starting to feel a bit better now, at least having the chance to regain your senses more after coming to, you can see others around including Emily and Mr. Starnes. You can tell you're on a boat as well, probably one belonging to the Coasties, and as you understand it probably putting in to the docks soon.

"Hey, what about... the boat?"

"Aha, well..." Mr. Starnes answers a little hesitantly, "...she didn't break apart but she took the worst of the fall. They started towing her back but she was taking on water, not sure if she can be salvaged. Here's hoping though, right?"

Well you haven't gotten a look at it yet, but you'd have expected the boat to have just splintered upon impacting the water. It doesn't sound great, but if they had something to tow back then it didn't just sink. Remembering the gem necklace at this, you feel it still wrapped in your hand, and clutch it close in relief. Hopefully indeed, the boat can be saved, but if not you'll find a way to make it up to Mr. Starnes.

>When you reach the shore, accept the ambulance ride to the hospital.
>Let the EMTs check you out, but if it's not too bad you're staying. You want to make sure everyone else is alright.
>No time for any of that! You can stop by the medical center on the way home, but you've got to be able to represent the team for the ceremony after the event ends.
>[Write-in.]

>>1318412

>Let the EMTs check you out, but if it's not too bad you're staying. You want to make sure everyone else is alright.

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>>1318801

By the time you're sitting up on your own, the boat has already docked back at the Coast Guard station. As expected an ambulance is there, though wonder if they wouldn't have one on call for the event itself just in case. You're helped over for an EMT to get a look at you, and as you guessed it appears to be a concussion, which would fit with the symptoms. They don't think it's too serious but naturally they still suggest you come along to the hospital, and if you didn't have anyone there that you knew personally to look after you, they wouldn't give you much a choice. You thank them for the effort anyway and you probably will want to stop by the medical center before you get home, though you can't leave just yet.

"Hey, Emily? Where is everyone els-"

You're cut off by Laura rushing over to hug you, before being warned by everyone to take it easy because of your state. She and Mrs. Carter were watching the whole thing from the marina, and eventually the rest of the team gathers, Elijah, Mitchell and Mr. Nidevsky having been picked up earlier by another boat. They weren't the only ones who were watching though it seems, and you hear from the team talking to one another that all eyes and cameras were focused on the flying boat.

Even a reporter or two have mingled among the small crowd gathered about you, seeking to find out more and maybe get an interview or a statement. Even though the event technically isn't over and the other competing teams are still out there, instead everyone wants to meet and hear about the Diamond Shoals Amateur Big-Game Fishing Team.

...how am I going to explain this one then?

Perhaps expecting some attention then, you subtly put the gem necklace back on and stow it back under your clothes.

>[Write-in.] If anyone asks, what made the boat fly?

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>>1319288

>Credits Roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuDCTzqJc40

Feel free to go ahead though and come up with an explanation to everything that happened. Otherwise thanks to everyone for playing, had a bit of a rough patch of inactivity those couple days, but hope you enjoyed it!

>>1319300
thanks for running

>>1319288

>If they are local, blame a Gem monster, if they aren't, say you have no idea.