Re: Chapter 2, Phase 4 - Seven-Day Island
"Allright, people, we've lost enough time! If we're to make the deadline we've set for ourselves, we've got to double the work and push on! Miss Thornbloom, I'm afraid we'll need your help to pull this one off. If you wouldn't mind helping us with the winds, I think we'll need that assistance to get where we needed to in a timely fashion. Allright people, quit gawking and get to it!" Lasuri claps his hands together, then approaches the group of Exalts while rubbing the back of his neck. He does not look as somber as he did a moment ago, but it is clear that something bothers the Captain.
Looking up, Lasuri nods towards the others, taking to answer Kareth and Kiana's questions first. "Well, first things first, it'll all depend on if we can get the spirit to open its mouth and keep it open for us to actually get our stuff done. As for who should go... It's hard to judge from here, since there's other parameters that might factor in - the island might have its own conditions, or might only allow some things and not others. So until we know, we'll have to keep the plan fluid. But the main idea is, 'we'll bring in as many people as we can bring in there'. Mostly because the Lintha are not going to kick back and do nothing. We've got to get this thing before they do, and we can't afford to take chances because we can't afford to fail."
Rubbing his forehead for a moment, Lasuri finally turns towards Tageru, leaning back against the railing and folding his arms across his chest. "That particular matter has been brought to its conclusion through duel. I can't reopen the matter, Mister Tageru. But there's a lesson in there. I'm not going to go on preaching forever here, because it's all stuff I've said before. But at the core, we can't strong-arm our way through things here. We're not trying to topple the West, or trying to sit at the top of the pyramid. We're trying to build a free nation, one that can co-exist with the other nations here. One that can fight against those who would threaten the West. But if we're to do that, we have to not only understand how things work here, but also respect them. If anybody is to think of remaining among us, to stay under the Alliance flag and fight with us, they should remember that, at all times."
"The other thing to remember is that no matter what, we're not alone anymore. By joining under a symbol, as a group, we all become related, for better or worse. If I take the Dryad and plunder some merchant ships, I'll be labeled a pirate. I might think it's fine and good, because it's me. But then if Mister Zeru encounters the Navy, and he's sailing the same flag as I, he'll be labeled a pirate too. Maybe he didn't want to be labeled as that. Maybe he didn't want that association. But because of my selfish actions, now he's stuck with it, so he either has to deal or leave, both of which are regrettable."
"Do you understand what I mean, people? Everything you do, every word you say, every act you decide on, you should always think of as not only being your own, but also belonging to everyone besides you. Think long and hard about whether the other people around you would want to be caught with the consequences of what you are about to do. Even better, ask them, and plan with them. That's what it means to sail together, plain and simple."
He nods to the wounded monk, stepping back up from the railing and clasping him on the shoulder before walking back towards the wheel. "You think about that, Mister Tageru. And think if that's the life you want to be a part of, and if those are things you can live with. If not, no harm done, we won't have any hard feelings and part ways. If so... Then let what happened be a life lesson - you'll have your place among us, if you go in the same direction as us."
The Captain walks towards the wheel, and calls out one more time. "Allright, people, get on to it! We're already late, so let's blow this joint!"