Standing
Jacob Silas Mitfield was having a frustrating day, which did not come often for him. Normally, he would tell off anyone who dared to interfere with his schedule, especially since today was the grand day for him to meet his crew before the launching of the Endless Rainbow, but he would not spurn a request from his dear friend Irelia. Thus, he found himself already under critcism from his senior-most officers regarding his apparent tardiness, and he had already needed to find himself asserting his authority against his bridge staff.
"Stress is unbecoming of you, friend." His first mate and his friend, Jason Marune, appeared behind him as he took a breath on the rear deck of the Rainbow, taking some moment to enjoy the breeze ruffling his clothing before a scheduled strategic meeting. "I wouldn't let today cloud your thoughts, but instead let today's events wash off of you like water."
"Jason, your honest opinion," Jacob started, still looking over the Bay of Manhesto as the Rainbow hovered in place. "Was I in the wrong for placing my friendship with Irelia over my duties to my crew?"
Jason snorted, but held his hand out before Jacob could respond, knowing the Prince probably felt indignated at that response. "My Lord, that is why you have me as your first mate. You are too used to bearing everything by yourself - please remember that I am also here to help you. With that being said, I do not believe you are in the wrong - your officers are veterans of their craft, and it is clear that the junior officers and enlisted ranks think highly of you. Irelia still requires assistance in certain aspects of her duties, and it is clear she views you as a trusted friend."
"You are right in that regard - even my own mother says so. That I am too used to doing everything myself." Jacob sighed, before turning around and giving Jason a smile. "Thank you for putting up with me. I don't think I could've made it far without you to occasionally kick my ass."
"And there we go," Jason replied, allowing a smirk to creep onto his visage. "You're finally returning to your usual crass self. It's a better look on you." At the thought of Jacob's crew looking up to him, a particular set of eyes came to mind, and a devious smile replaced a meaningful smirk. "Speaking of people looking up to you, there was one young lady that was regarding you like you were her morning star."
Jacob rolled his eyes, knowing the direction Jason was about to take this in. Moving forward to cut him off, he began to speak. "You've said this repeatedly about every young lady that happens to look in my direction. Every time I followed your advice, they turned out to either be oblivious, maligned in character, or just plain simple. Besides, I am happy as I am, without the need of a significant other." Throwing his hands up, he feigned frustration, but the joy on his face spoke of a different emotion. "Besides, I already have my mother and my sister-in-law playing matchmaker for me. I don't need more opinions about my lack of a love life."
Jason lifted his hands in surrender, before the both of them shared a hearty laugh, one that was heard by some of the crew traversing the gangways. "Fine, fine, I acquiese. But, seriously, she isn't bad looking herself. Perhaps try talking to her... you do need to talk to all of your crew, regardless. Get to know them - not as a royal knows their subjects, but as a commander that knows their men. You'll humanize yourself soon enough, and earn their respect."
Jacob finally stood back up, having laughed the stress out of his system. "You are right - I should talk to everyone, and not always surround myself with dour old men." He began to walk about, leaving Jason to his own devices. "I will see you in about half an hour, in the conference room."
"The flagship of Altis should be the Rainbow, as we are being headed by Prince Jacob himself," began the opening argument of Commander Renald Grainid, as the assorted commanders, captains, and Masters of Battlefleet Altis met onboard each of their vessel's conference rooms, connected to each other through an ethereal projection system. "Regardless of his royal standing, Prince Jacob is not the Battlegroup Commander. That remains the responsibility of Wing Commander Venel. Thus, the Sophia Justice remains the flagship of Altis," another officer hotly contested. With the various disagreements that began to foster, Jacob held onto his silence as the other senior officers continued to debate each other, before Wing Commander Alton Venel's gruff voice cut through the arguments, silencing all dissent. "You are all supposed to be the top of your classes, and the finest examples of our Kingdom's might and prowess. Yet, here we are, arguging like spoiled schoolchildren over something as blase as which vessel gets to lead. Tradition demands that the vessel from which I command is the flagship, though the induction of the Endless Rainbow does complicate that factor." Venel's eyes met Jacob's through the screen, as the other officers and masters held their tongues as senior commander met prince. "Prince Jacob, as a member of the Aeroservices Branch, I leave the final decision to you. Do you wish to head the group as the flagship commander?" Jacob debated this question for a moment, with all the attention on him. If he was his younger self, he would have been paralyzed with fear and indecision. Thankfully, the man that he grew to be no longer feared everyone looking up to his words, and instead weighed the consequences of the choices laid out before him. If he took command of the battlegroup as was within his royal right, he could do so, but he did not have the experience of leading a massed battlegroup in strategic operations, which would label him as incompetent. If he allowed Venel to retain rights as the battlegroup commander, his own staff would view him as weak-willed and insecure, though this was something he was used to dealing with. However, he knew his capabilities, and the capabilities of the augmented crew that he was blessed with. Thus, the path was made clear to him. "Wing Commander Venel, as much as it is within my royal right to assume command, I do not yet personally have the experience in leading a battlegroup, or in wider strategic operations," Jacob started, with many of the senior-most officers and Masters nodding their heads, in respect of Jacob's recognition of his limits. "Thus, I would much prefer that you retain the overall command of the battlegroup, as you yourself have lead Altis to victory over our nation's various enemies. Furthermore, I look forward to learning from your example, so that if the time arises that I must assume even limited command of the group, I will have the tools and experience to do so." Alton regarded the young prince before him on his end of the transmission, and nodded his head once, relieving all the tension in the conference call. "I look forward to working alongside you, Prince Jacob. Your presence honors us, and I do look forward to utilizing the capabilities of your vessel and your crew to further expand our areas of expertise. Thus, the Justice remains the flagship for now. We will remain in port for the rest of the week, while the Rainbow's crew is acquainted with our operating procedures. I look forward to our end of week meeting." The transmission faded out, as the other officers and masters disconnected, leaving Jacob facing his own senior-most staff. It was clear in his eyes that there was still an air of distrust and apprehension, though it appeared to be waning. The same eyes that disparaged him in the morning were now regarding him in a new light - that despite his royal upbringing, that he was earnest and strove to do things right by others, even if it meant temporarily laying down that which was his by the right of his blood. They politely nodded their heads to their Master, even as Jacob dismissed them, with only himself and Jason now in the conference room as the other senior officers made their way out. "It will wake a while to them to fully trust you, but it appears you are already making a head start," Jason commented. It was good to see Jacob coming into his own, and making the necessary headway with the crew and officers to begin properly establishing himself. "As my late grandfather phrased it, anything that is worth doing will take time and effort. Thankfully, if anything, I am obstinate." Jacob joked, even as he opened up a flask to take a swig of his favorite iced tea. "Also, I did talk with that one lady you pointed out from earlier. She actually walked right into me, and I may or may have not accidentally put her to the floor," he sheepishly admitted, which had Jason crank his head in Jacob's direction, now inquisitive. "Perhaps this may be the start of something new," Jason teased, even as Jacob waved off any implications of romance. Besides, Doctor Arlenia was just like him - lost in their own world, and it just happened that they bumped into each other earlier while they were both lost daydreamers. "She's probably in high heaven after being able to talk to you. Please tell me you didn't talk to her like how you talk to your officers..." Jason pleaded. Jacob rolled his eyes. "You think so little of me! Of course I didn't talk to her like I talk to most others. She was quite a conversationalist, and easy to talk to." This casual admission was the spark that Jason needed, and a grin threatened to split open his face as he gawked at Jacob. "Dude, you have it hard, and you don't even know. I'm cheering for both of you from the sidelines!" He teased, even as Jacob ushered him out, despite the both of them smiling. It was harmless banter, after all - nothing that Jacob himself needed to worry about. This is just how the two of them expressed their friendship.
1884-06-07
Today was a stressful day, but ultimately a fruitful one. I may have set off on the wrong foot with my officers, but the events at the end of the day have settled them, and it appears they may be amiable to working with me in the future. This is what I need.
Thank the heavens for Jason. Without him, I would probably be running around with my head caught in my own ass. I need to owe him a drink.
If only he would stop teasing me about Doctor Arlenia, though.
-J.S.M.
"The flagship of Altis should be the Rainbow, as we are being headed by Prince Jacob himself," began the opening argument of Commander Renald Grainid, as the assorted commanders, captains, and Masters of Battlefleet Altis met onboard each of their vessel's conference rooms, connected to each other through an ethereal projection system. "Regardless of his royal standing, Prince Jacob is not the Battlegroup Commander. That remains the responsibility of Wing Commander Venel. Thus, the Sophia Justice remains the flagship of Altis," another officer hotly contested. With the various disagreements that began to foster, Jacob held onto his silence as the other senior officers continued to debate each other, before Wing Commander Alton Venel's gruff voice cut through the arguments, silencing all dissent. "You are all supposed to be the top of your classes, and the finest examples of our Kingdom's might and prowess. Yet, here we are, arguging like spoiled schoolchildren over something as blase as which vessel gets to lead. Tradition demands that the vessel from which I command is the flagship, though the induction of the Endless Rainbow does complicate that factor." Venel's eyes met Jacob's through the screen, as the other officers and masters held their tongues as senior commander met prince. "Prince Jacob, as a member of the Aeroservices Branch, I leave the final decision to you. Do you wish to head the group as the flagship commander?" Jacob debated this question for a moment, with all the attention on him. If he was his younger self, he would have been paralyzed with fear and indecision. Thankfully, the man that he grew to be no longer feared everyone looking up to his words, and instead weighed the consequences of the choices laid out before him. If he took command of the battlegroup as was within his royal right, he could do so, but he did not have the experience of leading a massed battlegroup in strategic operations, which would label him as incompetent. If he allowed Venel to retain rights as the battlegroup commander, his own staff would view him as weak-willed and insecure, though this was something he was used to dealing with. However, he knew his capabilities, and the capabilities of the augmented crew that he was blessed with. Thus, the path was made clear to him. "Wing Commander Venel, as much as it is within my royal right to assume command, I do not yet personally have the experience in leading a battlegroup, or in wider strategic operations," Jacob started, with many of the senior-most officers and Masters nodding their heads, in respect of Jacob's recognition of his limits. "Thus, I would much prefer that you retain the overall command of the battlegroup, as you yourself have lead Altis to victory over our nation's various enemies. Furthermore, I look forward to learning from your example, so that if the time arises that I must assume even limited command of the group, I will have the tools and experience to do so." Alton regarded the young prince before him on his end of the transmission, and nodded his head once, relieving all the tension in the conference call. "I look forward to working alongside you, Prince Jacob. Your presence honors us, and I do look forward to utilizing the capabilities of your vessel and your crew to further expand our areas of expertise. Thus, the Justice remains the flagship for now. We will remain in port for the rest of the week, while the Rainbow's crew is acquainted with our operating procedures. I look forward to our end of week meeting." The transmission faded out, as the other officers and masters disconnected, leaving Jacob facing his own senior-most staff. It was clear in his eyes that there was still an air of distrust and apprehension, though it appeared to be waning. The same eyes that disparaged him in the morning were now regarding him in a new light - that despite his royal upbringing, that he was earnest and strove to do things right by others, even if it meant temporarily laying down that which was his by the right of his blood. They politely nodded their heads to their Master, even as Jacob dismissed them, with only himself and Jason now in the conference room as the other senior officers made their way out. "It will wake a while to them to fully trust you, but it appears you are already making a head start," Jason commented. It was good to see Jacob coming into his own, and making the necessary headway with the crew and officers to begin properly establishing himself. "As my late grandfather phrased it, anything that is worth doing will take time and effort. Thankfully, if anything, I am obstinate." Jacob joked, even as he opened up a flask to take a swig of his favorite iced tea. "Also, I did talk with that one lady you pointed out from earlier. She actually walked right into me, and I may or may have not accidentally put her to the floor," he sheepishly admitted, which had Jason crank his head in Jacob's direction, now inquisitive. "Perhaps this may be the start of something new," Jason teased, even as Jacob waved off any implications of romance. Besides, Doctor Arlenia was just like him - lost in their own world, and it just happened that they bumped into each other earlier while they were both lost daydreamers. "She's probably in high heaven after being able to talk to you. Please tell me you didn't talk to her like how you talk to your officers..." Jason pleaded. Jacob rolled his eyes. "You think so little of me! Of course I didn't talk to her like I talk to most others. She was quite a conversationalist, and easy to talk to." This casual admission was the spark that Jason needed, and a grin threatened to split open his face as he gawked at Jacob. "Dude, you have it hard, and you don't even know. I'm cheering for both of you from the sidelines!" He teased, even as Jacob ushered him out, despite the both of them smiling. It was harmless banter, after all - nothing that Jacob himself needed to worry about. This is just how the two of them expressed their friendship.
1884-06-07
Today was a stressful day, but ultimately a fruitful one. I may have set off on the wrong foot with my officers, but the events at the end of the day have settled them, and it appears they may be amiable to working with me in the future. This is what I need.
Thank the heavens for Jason. Without him, I would probably be running around with my head caught in my own ass. I need to owe him a drink.
If only he would stop teasing me about Doctor Arlenia, though.
-J.S.M.
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