reallybadeggs | Test Drive for January 2014 Apps

[A]

I demand to know, what's the meaning of this!

[Scrooge had just arrived on this dilapidated island, and he was keen on getting some answers. He was currently brandishing his cane at one of the Isla Empieza locals]

I'll have you know, that I'm a very busy man. I don't have time for this nonsense.

[Lowering his cane, the local took the opportunity to sneak off. With a deep sigh, Scrooge continued.]

Becoming a pirate... the very idea... why I might be the richest duck in the world but I made all my money fair and square.

[When he finally caught sight of the fountain, it might change his tune]

[B]

I- I canna' believe it!

[Scrooge exclaimed, as he made his way into an expansive cavern littered with gold and treasures.]

This is more gold then I've seen in my entire life!

[An exaggeration on his part but that fact didn't stop his revelry. Racing to the edge of the cliff face surrounding the pit of gold, he ignored his companions warnings as he dove expertly off that surface. The rest thought he was doomed for sure, but no one here had seen him diving into his money bin like he off did back home. Cutting a path through the treasure, Scrooge swam through it like it was water, without incurring so much as a bruise or a scratch for it.]

[Chuckling he added] This is more like it!

[Elsa watches with a mixture of worry and awe as Scrooge swims in the pile of treasure as if nothing. Is that a property of the treasure of this place or something only he could do?]

"More like it"... Are you used to do this sort of thing, Lord Mcduck?

[Oh I wouldn't recommend trying it for yourself. Not without a bit of practice. He'd had to teach the boys how to swim through money before they could do it too.]

It's just like being back home in my own money bin.

[He answered casually. After one more dive, he surfaced laden in jewelry and crowns]

And it's not Lord, Lassie. Just "Mr.". Though after we get all this back to the ship they might as well appoint me a lordship to go with it! [It was obvious that he wasn't planning on leaving any of it behind, even if it was more than the ship's hold could carry safely. Scrooge was being a bit blinded by all the glittery objects around him.]

It must have been quite a big money bin.

[She smiles softly, nodding gracefully at the correction and laughing slightly at the accompanying comment.]

Mister Mcduck, then. I'm not sure the ship could hold on this much gold, though, we could end sinking because of it.

[Elsa looks around, it definitively looks like far more than the ship could handle, and that's just on the surface.]

The biggest!

[Scrooge couldn't stop himself from bragging.. just a wee bit. He'd worked hard for his money, and when he'd lost it all in coming to this new world it had been a terrible shock. Aw- but he could build his fortune again, if he had to. ~~The only thing he couldn't replace were his family members and friends...~~]

.. But how can I even think of leaving any of it behind?

[Stop making sense, Elsa.]

We'll just have to build a bigger ship! [Like it's that easy] Can't you just imagine it. It could have golden sails, and everything! [Just a little gold fever- probably nothing to worry about]

[She stifles a laugh at his enthusiasm. She doesn't agree with the sentiment, but she can appreciate when someone is happy, it's something good to see. Even if a bit dangerous in this situation. But, then again, she herself knows well about fun being dangerous.]

I don't think we have enough materials and work hand to build a bigger ship here, much less to have golden sails. At most we would have to return to a port and purchase a bigger ship there, or order the construction of one there.

[At least this kind of danger doesn't involve a large volcanic pit filled with molten gold, or something that threatened to trigger Elsa into unleashing an icestorm! Yet.]

Awk- [After surveying the room, Scrooge's shoulders slumped a bit] Ye may be right. [Least they'd found some treasure at all. It wasn't a total loss..] We may have to settle for a bit less this round.

[Pulling himself free, he leaned on the top of his cane. Reason might have talked him down this time, but he was planning on returning.] Now Elsa, did you happen to see those markings we passed on the way in?

[The whole situation of being in another world and around people, talking ducks included, is something Elsa hasn't gotten used to, yet. And so she tends to leave in her wake a soft trail of ice which usually doesn't last for long under a warm weather. And it does nothing but serve for herself a grim reminder of how dangerous she may be for others.

She sighs, relieved to see him climb back to the ship of common sense, feeling bad for ruining his happiness but knowing that it's for the better. She nods at his question, locked in her room, day after day, she had developed even more a love for study and details. The marks hadn't gone unnoticed by her, and she had memorized them even before they knew where they directed to.]

I did, and I remember them well.

Maybe we could build some traps on the way here or place fake marks, in case anyone comes while we're away, to keep them away from the treasure. That way when we return with a bigger and sturdier ship everything we left behind would still be waiting for you, Mister Mcduck.

[It was also lucky for her, that Scrooge wasn't always the most observant sort. Yes, he could be but he'd never thought to look for a trail of ice in this weather and therefore he'd never looked her way when the crystals might have been apparent. He was focused on the prize, the goal of their expedition which worked in her favor]

[His mood swiftly picked back up]

[Emitting another yet slightly sinister sounding chortle he nodded his approval]

Well aren't you a clever one~ [The compliment was a genuine one. She was making this trip an easy one for him]

It's like you read my mind. I was thinking of having those marks removed, completely. We'll mark the trail alright.. but with a method of our own, and in a location those pirates won't be looking for. Then we'll replicate their markings in some of the other caves. They won't know which way is up!

[Elsa may not be queen anymore, she may never be queen. But she had been educated to be one, to be a good ruler for her kingdom. In a place where all the government fell in the shoulders of the monarch, it would have been Elsa's job to watch over the trade routes with other countries, which ones were safe, which ones were being rentable... It was a business world way above that of store clerks and workers, but it was business all the same. And if there's a language that Scrooge speaks it's that of business, the best profit at the lowest risk, though he also knew when to take high risks if the pay was exponential to it.

Knowing this, it was very easy for Elsa to know what he wanted and what he needed. And the sinister sounding chortle didn't bother her in the slightest, seeing how happy he had been of finding such a huge treasure she can understand well his wish to keep it for himself. And technically it was theirs, the way the maps worked the island was an unknown one except for them. Following the logic of colonization, the island belonged to them and so did the treasure, protecting it from others was the obvious step.]

We could also leave a fake reward at the end of some of those markings, maybe a map with instructions to another place. Something that would make them leave the island before they bothered to explore it throughly, just in case someone would be able to crack our own marks.

[Aye that it was. Running a kingdom is every bit like running a business. Especially in the sort of setting Elsa hailed from where royalty took an active role in all those fields, and weren't mere figureheads. Her teachings would undoubtedly aide her in many an adventure in this world and prove to be invaluable. Knowledge is power afterall, a philosophy Scrooge firmly believed in.

With their efforts- hopefully - no one would be laying eyes on this treasure save for themselves for a very long time.]

[He stroked his chin thoughtfully] Even better! [Just don't let him use his "personal symbol" to mark your own trail back to the treasure. The "$" Symbol might be too obvious for some. Ripping out a piece of paper from his journal, he set to work drawing up a map.] If they try to follow this particular map, it's only going to lead them around in circles! [He took the time to scruff the paper and tatter the edges to make it look a good deal older. If they only had a little tea in here, it would be perfect. Nothing stains quite like tea.]

There's an old trunk over there. That dilapidated old thing can be one of the decoys!

Edited 2013-12-25 04:35 (UTC)

[As he worked on the map, Elsa looked around, thinking about other things, other details that would help to protect the treasure. Or what to use as markings.]

I'm thinking we could use something simple and not apparent for our markings, maybe footprints of some animal. Hidden to avoid any people with hunting talent tracking them... Or maybe footprints of a dangerous animal so people don't want to follow them even if they find them.

[Scrooge took the time to make a few different maps, before moving over to the old trunk for a more thorough investigation of it. The wood was worn, and there were cracks in the sides. It did appear to be empty... good. If there had been anything inside it they would have had to empty the contents first before moving it]

Even a dangerous animal could attract the most ambitious of hunter, lass. [Though it would be a good deterrent for most people. He puzzled over it, trying to see if he could come up with anything better. He agreed that it should be something subtle. Something that would blend into the landscape.] Not to mention that if the footprint is too unusual it might arouse a visitors curiosity. [Then inspiration happened to crawl by his line of vision] I've got it! These salamanders make their home here, and aren't likely to be sought out by anyone. We can simply alter our "footprints" to be missing a specific toe to differentiate them from all the others!

[It would have to be a very ambitious and reckless hunter in her opinion, but she could see the truth in his words. At his suggestion she thought for a moment about it before nodding her agreement.]

That's an excellent idea, Mister Mcduck. Salamanders aren't likely to be a type of creature seek by visitors.

Oh... Maybe we could actually use a double code? Use those footprints for part of the way then another type of mark, also subtle and hidden. So even if someone were to discover the first trail, they could still get lost and confused?

[She paused for a moment before smiling softly.]

Am I making this too complicated?

[Indeed it would, the likelihood that that sort of person had been drawn here was unlikely but they would be prepared for anything.]

Precisely.

[The whole thing was getting a bit complicated but...]

.. It can never be too complicated, Elsa-dear. [The security system near his money bin was loaded with all manner of traps. If only they had that sort of high tech security available to them here. How he would have delighted in turning this island into a veritable fortress. Repelling criminals was also a hobby of his. Even if that opposition was a nuisance, he did enjoy the mental challenges it took to play the game]

[Climbing back out of the pit, he stood beside her as he added]

We've got a lot to start with so let's get down to business. [Yeah.. he was enjoying this more than a normal person should too...]

Edited 2013-12-25 21:53 (UTC)

[Protecting a treasure is something out of her experience, but she had figured that it was better to make it as hard as possible. The way there hadn't been that easy either, but she was sure that there was a line somewhere that differentiated "hard" from "too troublesome". His words relaxed her lightly, and a smile showed on her face as she stepped back when he joined her.]

Indeed, those fake marks won't place themselves alone. How should we get started?

Why, by removing those pesky marks of course.

[His smile broadened]

As long as they remain, they'll lead whoever placed them there right to us, and I don't fancy running into them before our preparations are complete.

[And just to be sure that he'll be able to remember the old marks well enough he's going to jot those down in his journal. Not publicly of course.]

We'd best replace them with or own as we go or we'll be as lost as everyone else! I'm certainly going to enjoy when we can get to arranging for all those false leads.

There wasn't any ship around when we arrived here, do you think they would be back so quickly?

[It's not really a question to his idea, but a question as to why he thinks so. Elsa trusts his judgement, though, and she can see why no one would want to leave such a treasure intact for long after discovering it.]

Still, even if we replace them as we go, they shouldn't go in the same place. That would be of little use if whoever made the marks first returns, they could easily see through the replacement.

Who can tell in this place? I've heard many a'tale of ships being blown horribly off course, and swiftly at that. The other ships should be days or weeks away, so we should have plenty of time. The keyword being should.

You aren't tired from the expedition are ye' lass? Or was there something else you think is more pressing?

[Elsa hadn't shown any trouble in keeping up with him, but he could outpace his nephews and Launchpad when he was on a treasure hunt]

Mm, quite right. That goes without saying. [But he appreciated her double checking on that point.]

[She smiled reassuringly at his question. It's true that she wasn't the active type. That would be Anna, cheerful, always restless, Anna. However, Elsa's not such a delicate flower herself. Just as the ice wasn't always as fragile as it seemed, she had more endurance and strength that what she usually showed.

That, and she would despise to be a hindrance to the other. She had found Mcduck to be an enjoyable person to be with, intelligent and well versed in adventures. Ambitious and maybe a bit greedy, but in their situation that was more a virtue than a flaw.]

Worry not, Mister Mcduck. I can still go on, and there's nothing else that bothers me, nothing except my own inexperience at adventures and treasure hunting. I apologize if I'm being a hindrance to you.

Atta' girl, that's the spirit.

[Truth be told, inexperience or not he was finding Elsa to be a valuable and pleasant companion on this adventure. She might be new to treasure hunting but she possessed a keen mind and a willingness to both offer her opinion and listen to others. Experience would come in time, so the admiration was mutual.]

Nonsense, you've been no trouble at all. I only wish you could meet my boys. [He smiled fondly when thinking of them] They were new to adventuring too, when I first took them in but they've always been very high spirited. I didn't know how to handle them at first. It seemed like they were always getting into some kind of mischief. You'll have to try a lot harder if you want to compete with them.

.. But you know.. even for all the trouble they might cause, I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. [He looked over his shoulder at the treasure] Not even gold.

Edited 2013-12-27 06:56 (UTC)

[Anna.

She can't help to be reminded of her sister upon listening about Mcduck's kids. She had always been an active kid, not really mischievous but prone to not care much about if something was okay or not if it meant to have fun. How many times had she been awakened by her little sister to go and play? In the middle of the night, in the ball room reserved for the adult parties, while everyone was sleeping that was their own playroom.

She smiles widely as he speaks, specially at the end. Yes, Mcduck is ambitious and greedy, but he has a heart and that's more valuable than anything else.]

They sound wonderful. I'm sorry that you have been taken away from them, though I would prefer if you were to return to your home rather that them being brought here. I would miss your company but... One should be where they are needed, and I'm sure those boys need you.

[Unlike Anna and her. Anna didn't need her, all Elsa had given her was isolation. A shared punishment that the younger girl didn't deserve, it was something she had often wondered, why didn't Anna leave? After their parents died, with the way she had shut herself away, Anna had no reason to stay and yet... She had stayed. Even when it hurt her so much. Didn't it occur to her that she could leave?

Though it doesn't matter, at the end, it was Elsa the one to leave. Maybe it should have been that way from the start. It would have been better if Elsa had been left in the mountain long ago, safer for everyone, the trolls could have easily erased her from Anna's memories and everyone would be happier. Wouldn't they?]

I have no wish to compete with them, though, I'm too old for that. Though if my sister was here maybe you would find a worth contender against them.

If they were brought here, I'm sure they'd welcome the change in scenery. There's a lot to this world that's still unknown to me and I can just imagine the sorts of experiences we could share in together if they were here. Either way though I look forward to the day we're reunited.

At least in my absence they'll have Duckworth and Mrs. Beakly to look after them. And dear Webbigail for additional company. [That put his mind a little more at ease, just knowing that they'd be well cared for but any of his enemies could take advantage of his absence. If that happened, everyone he cared about could wind up out on the streets, or worse.. he'd have to trust in those left behind to manage things] Er- that's my butler, and the governess respectfully. Webbigail is Mrs. Beakly's granddaughter. I don't think I've mentioned them before.

I hope- they haven't taken my disappearance too badly. [Though, he did hope that they missed him just as much even if he didn't voice it. He wanted to think they found him a necessary part of their lives too. No one desires to feel unwanted]

Bah- old? [Look who you're talking to] You canna' be that old. Age is a state of mind Elsa. [He tapped his cane to the side of his hat] I might be older than most the kilt nippers here, but up here I'm quite young. You've barely even begun your life.

You have a sister do ya'?

Edited 2013-12-27 08:42 (UTC)

[She actually stifles a laugh as he explains how the kids would actually welcome the change in scenery, definitively reminded of Anna. Though in her case she probably wouldn't be able to enjoy it as much, not when Elsa's running away basically threw the kingdom on her shoulders. No, the Anna she left behind would be worried about Arendelle and wouldn't enjoy the change as much. Though if it had happened before Elsa had slipped... She could picture it easily, Anna running around excitedly, happy to be out of the castle even if it was in another world. Probably singing and fooling around before getting in some mess because she wasn't watching were she was going.

She shakes her head simply as Mcduck talks about his servants and the little girl.]

No, you didn't, but I'm glad to hear that they aren't alone. I'm sure that they are worried about you, Mister Mcduck, maybe even searching for you, but if they have learned anything from you they will deal with it well, with time. Though it's possible that their worry will turn into annoyance once you return and tell them about your adventures, annoyance for not having been able to come as well, I mean.

[It wasn't like her own case, after all. She had run away, her vanishing from that world wouldn't alter anyone because no one would look for her to begin with, why would they? But Mcduck hadn't run away from anywhere, he had just vanished and no matter what that was bound to cause worry.

She hums, amused at his comment about age.]

I apologize, I guess I should have said instead that it seems too childish to me to compete with your kids for being mischievous and troublesome. I, indeed, don't feel old in any other way.

[Her smile widens at the mention of Anna, despite everything she can't help it, she loved her so much. Even if at times she had wished that Anna had been less Anna and more like her, or that she had at least had powers as well. That way she wouldn't have had to hide from Anna, Anna wouldn't have been isolated just because of Elsa and maybe with someone else with her same power they would have been able to actually succeed at controlling it. But that was just a dream. Anna was Anna, Elsa was Elsa and despite the past and despite being sisters, their worlds weren't made to converge in one. They probably never were, she should have known it, she should have never started to play with Anna and her magic when they were kids. She was the older sister. She should have known better.

None of those thoughts tint her actual words, though.]

That's right, her name's Anna, and she's three years younger than me. She's basically like a summer hurricane, she would love the change of scenery as well. When we were younger she was pretty mischievous, not a bad girl, of course, she is very sweet in fact, but she just loved to play around in the night when we should be asleep. And I know she fell down the stairs several times for riding her bike recklessly.

[She has no idea how exactly Anna did it, but she can imagine it perfectly and the crashing noises down the halls after she heard her passing in front of her room riding the bike made it easy to picture what had happened.]

[Her kind words were appreciated, but they couldn't fully sate his curiosity as to what might be transpiring at home. If Magica Despell so much as ruffles a feather on their wee heads, or gets her hand on that lucky dime.. then nothing could save her from him when he returned. ~~Oh why did he have to have quite so many enemies to worry about? Beagle Boys, Glomgold.....just to name a few and they were all formidable in one way or another~~. Gizmoduck better not be slacking on the job either....]

Aye, that it could. [He couldn't help laughing about that.]

[... And you said you were too mature to get into any trouble. Running away from home would fall into that category, but that secret was safe with her for now.]

Good. You canna be too sure with some people. Though I know a good deal of people that are older than you and not half as mature, so it is possible to be a handful long after ones youth.

[Elsa's expression says a lot even without her words to correspond with it. She wasn't the only one that had trouble with other relatives mind you. Scrooge hadn't always appreciated his family as much as he should.. something he regretted later in life. The stairway to the top of the business world had left some of his family... a bit.. estranged. The way she spoke of her sister, he never would have guessed that there was any sort of problem between them. He listened attentively to what she had to say. It was comforting to know that he wasn't the only one missing someone, and it was sweet to hear just how much she cared about her younger sister.]

A summer hurricane, hmm? Well even I might have trouble keeping up with a lass like that. [Honestly, Anna reminded her not only of his nephews but himself when he was a lad] You must care for her a great deal. Did she ever grow out of being so accident prone? If not, then it might be a good thing that she's not here. There are too many opportunities to fall over board here.. but if she ever does turn up she would be welcome aboard.

[Accident prone. That reminded him of his pilot... Launchpad Mcquack. You can bet that Launchpad could have crashed a bicycle inside of a house. He could crash anything.....]

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Test Drive for January 2014 Apps

Scrooge Mcduck | Ducktales

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Disney times /o/!

The best times \o\!

Indeed!

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The feels Elsa ;____;

so sorry for the tl;drs

It's fine~!

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