Efraim did not bother to correct Sanger’s pronoun usage. The prospect of having to deal with the others and their opinions about them only increased their nervousness. I would just like everyone to find out about me in such a way that would cause the least disruption, they wrote. Here they made an audible sigh, feeling a little overwhelmed.
Mina tilted her head. “The detective looked ill. His insight would be useful, but it may be a good idea to wait until he feels more in the mood to receive this information.”
“You make a good point there, Miss Murray.” Sanger said. “Maybe the Captain then? We’re getting close to this Dorian fellow’s home anyways, I can see the docks on the horizon.” he pointed to the docks, which they were steadily approaching.
Nemo was in the wheelhouse, his hat pushed back on his head and his eyes focused on the ocean ahead. They had no interest in speaking with the rest of the group right now. They saw no point in it.
Sherlock was still taking a few deep breaths. He was starting to feel a bit better, and knew he would feel even better once they were off this bloody ship. He cleared his throat.
(Note: Quartermain is probably retching over the side of the ship right now)
At the mention of Dorian, Mina’s expression seemed to wilt a little. Quickly though, she recovered. “Ah, yes. The Captain. He, at least, should know there are more passengers on his ship than originally thought.” Her gaze drifted to the notebook as Efraim began writing again.
Yes, I think the Captain should know about me, the notebook read.
“Excellent.” Mina made sharp nod. “We should go now, then.”
(Oof indeed)
Sanger nodded, leading the way. Nemo scared him a bit, it had been a while since he'd been on a boat and even longer since he'd had a reason to be on one other than the hunting mission that doomed him, or sailing over to London to terrorize them. He was a hot-blooded American boy, he didn't take well to the idea of… water. Which sounded silly, but it was true. When they found Nemo, it was Sanger that spoke first. "Er… Captain Nemo, sir? We have… uh, news. About a crewmate that we've found. One that didn't get a chance to introduce himself." he looked to the floating sketchbook, the faint outline, and pushed Efraim forward. "He's invisible, for the record."
Nemo frowned as soon as he was introduced, turning to look at Sanger, then at the floating sketchbook. "I see. And who might this invisible being be?" they demanded. Not in a mean way, but…well, Nemo was not an overly patient or kind man, and he didn't see any reason to drag this encounter out longer than it needed to be.
"Efraim, Captain Nemo. Efraim is the name to the… well, not exactly face, but you know what I mean." he said, feeling a tad embarrassed. "Would this be all, then?" he suddenly felt the need to get away from Nemo quickly.
Efraim waved the notebook in a gesture of greeting, not trusting that the Captain would be in the mood for them to write one instead. Their heart was already pounding with anxiety, and they did not want to drag this out either.
Mina stayed off to the side, but she offered, “He is also unable to speak, and apparently uses the notebook to communicate.”
Nemo crossed his arms, watching the notebook waving about. "I see." he said, still frowning a little bit. "And why did M not introduce you, Efraim?" this time, the question was addressed directly to Efraim, rather than to Mina or Sanger.
Nemo was scary. Efraim could not speak aloud, no matter how hard they tried. Instead they opened the notebook and began to write. When they showed it to him, it read, That’s a good question, Captain. I believe he noticed me at some point, but he did not say anything. It would have been very convenient if he had, though.
(not sure if I should respond or what…??)
(ah sorry!)
Nemo narrowed his eyes as he read the note. "Yes, it would have been convenient." they agreed, a scowl drawing across his face. "But, as he did not…" he trailed off, shaking his head. It irritated him that Efraim was invisible; it meant Nemo would have a harder time keeping track of them.
Sanger simply sat there, thinking. There wasn't much he could do, really, and anyways he had never liked boats that much and their captains were always gruff men and occasionally women who didn't have time for your complaints anyways. He held in the urge to jump over the side and just drown, he'd rather do that then watch this scene but generally, at least from a religious perspective, suicide was frowned upon and anyways didn't he have a job to do here?
(Btw I know Ice is still alive but Tired feel free to just let me know you're either busy or otherwise can't respond right now as it is Efraim's turn to say something.)
(Yes I’m alive I’ve just had a busy weekend lol. I will get smth up soon)
(No problem! If you can't today or even tomorrow don't sweat it, just making sure you're okay.)
At first, Mina watched the floating notebook with mild fascination, but soon her mind drifted. Drowsiness took over her, and her eyes dulled. The heat of the sun and the swaying of the ship did not help in keeping her alert and in focus. She left the others to go below deck, and perhaps find a place to doze off.
Efraim watched her go, then turned back and wrote, I suppose my invisibility will be useful in this though, perhaps later on. There’s not much we can do now, except make sure everyone else knows and is comfortable with my existence.
Sanger noticed that the crew had already docked them, and now it was time to exit the ship. They were alongside a few boarded up buildings, far from prying eyes but just close enough that this Dorian fellow’s house would be a few minutes walk away. “Well, I’ll get ready to go.” he said, looking away from Nemo and hurrying off.
Nemo nodded faintly, working on getting the ship at rest, but still ready to go whenever necessary. He would stay aboard the ship; the others could go get this Dorian fellow.
Sherlock headed off the ship. He was feeling a bit better, but still vaguely naseous. It was fine, though. He would be fine.
Sanger caught up with Sherlock, looking at the man a tad concerned. “You don’t seem in a fit shape to be going anywhere, Mr. Holmes. Are you sure you don’t want to stay on the ship?” he asked. But… well, they’d need all the help they could get, and the sun was setting… “Not that I’m trying to force you off the mission, sir.”
Sherlock cleared his throat faintly. "I'm fine. Getting off of the ship should help." he replied, looking over. "Your name is Sanger, yes?" he knew it was Sanger, but it was easier if he sounded unsure. Easier for people to underestimate him. He almost preferred it when they did; it meant he could take them by surprise later.
Efraim closed the notebook, looking to see the buildings that were now in view. Seeing the others making their way off the ship, they silently followed.
Quartermain had taken refuge belowdecks. Eventually he felt the ship come to a stop and began to see members of the crew rushing around. Grumbling a little, they made his way abovedecks when he came across the lady in black from earlier. She was curled up in a corner, fast asleep.
“Miss?” He grunted, touching a hand to her shoulder. “I believed we’ve reached our destination.”
Mina stirred, and she pushed their hand away. She didn’t say a word as she rose to her feet and made her way off the ship, Quartermain close behind.
Sherlock cleared his throat faintly. "I'm fine. Getting off of the ship should help." he replied, looking over. "Your name is Sanger, yes?" he knew it was Sanger, but it was easier if he sounded unsure. Easier for people to underestimate him. He almost preferred it when they did; it meant he could take them by surprise later.
“I mean, yeah? Sanger Rainsford. Well, what do you think of this Dorian situation? I mean, we know almost nothing about the man. He seems to me to be… almost like nothing at all, with how little we know about him.” Rainsford said. He knew there was more to Sherlock than meets the eye, but he wanted to understand more.
Sherlock considered it for a moment. "M must want him on our team quite badly, if he is willing to look past the fact that Dorian did not show up for the meeting like the rest of us. Considering that, I would then surmise that Dorian has some form of power, whether that is intellect, political power, money, or some other kind that I have not named." they did not think it was money, considering the area, but you never knew. Sometimes the richest people would live in the most ramshackle of places, and hoard their money like dragons from legend.
