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Post by Silvia Raizer on Sept 23, 2020 19:16:54 GMT
"I don't know anything about ships," Silvia said, as she put her hand in Jean's, because Roxanne wouldn't have a clue. "I'm looking forward to dinner. Perhaps you could show us around the ship before we head back to the club. I've never been aboard a pirate vessel before."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 23, 2020 19:19:34 GMT
“Oh I promise to give you both a...thorough tour,” Jean said. “But first...” he called down. “Bread and honey please!” They heard footsteps pattering up the stairs as two men set up a table and some chairs on deck and an older woman brought out a tray with steaming bread and a pot of dark honey and butter. “Something to soak up some of that drink, yes?” He said. “And a view to match the company.”
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Post by Ceutinde on Sept 23, 2020 19:28:37 GMT
Ceutinde took a hunk of bread and drizzled some honey atop it. She gave it a sniff first, hoping to ascertain if there were any...intoxicating additives. "Smells divine, Jean. I must meet this Paolo and find out what you're paying him. My own yacht could do with a new chef."
(Medical 70)
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 23, 2020 20:45:32 GMT
There’s no smell except that of deliciousness. Jean laughed as he ate a hunk of bread slathered in it. “Your pockets are ever so deep my dear!” He joked. “However could I compete with your charms? I must keep him hidden away at all costs it seems. Although...” he winked, “if I were ever to visit I’m sure arrangements could be made. Friends share among themselves, no?”
He looked over at Roxanne. “What do you think of her, Roxy?” He asked, using Ceutinde’s pet name. “Could you see yourself leaving it all behind and living a life of adventure, one step ahead of whatever Force follows you.” He put a hand boldly halfway up her thigh and patted it.
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Post by Silvia Raizer on Sept 23, 2020 21:19:56 GMT
Silvia shivered. "In my dreams I have lots of adventures," she said breathily. "But I'm no adventurer, not really. I'm sure I would soon miss the comforts of home. Although I hear there are plenty of women who adore travel and adventure."
She finally thought of a way to interest in him her real self. "I once heard the Skylark of Bastion perform. She sang a love ballad so beautiful it made me weep, and a drinking song that made me giggle at the naughty bits. And after that she sang a lay of high adventure, about sailing the high seas, slaying one's enemies, and revelling in good wine at the feast afterwards. It made me long for excitement, just for a little while. But I like feather beds and hot baths too much to leave home for long."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 23, 2020 21:27:14 GMT
“I suppose you’d have to see what your bed would be here then,” Jean said airily. “The Skylark? That’s a bird, no?” The question sounded more genuine than rhetorical. “I believe I have heard of this one.” He leaned over to Ceutinde and brushed her hair off her shoulder. “Is this one you’ve heard too? But what use is a song when there music in your voices here?”
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Post by Silvia Raizer on Sept 23, 2020 21:34:56 GMT
"Music is wonderful," Roxanne said. "It cheers me when I'm sad, soothes me when I'm sick." She gave Ceutinde a look, hoping she would play along. "But I thought all sailors sleep in hammocks, captain?"
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 23, 2020 21:44:06 GMT
“Do I look like a sailor?” He asked languidly. They smelled the fish cooking downstairs. “The captain sleeps wherever he wants. Where I want is in my own bed,” he laughed. “My cabin is plenty large,” he assured her. “And just as...decorated as any land loving noble’s home.” The chef came up with the fish and some vegetables. “Ah, excellent. Please eat your fill. While you’re aboard my Paolo is your Paolo!”
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Post by Silvia Raizer on Sept 23, 2020 21:48:06 GMT
Silvia giggled. "I'm not sure you should have said that, else Ceutinde might steal him after all."
She daintily speared a portion of fish with her fork.
"I must say, it's a little strange to me that you are part of this club, captain. I always thought merchants and pirates hated one another."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 23, 2020 21:56:50 GMT
Jean just chuckled. “Merchants are pirates with a legal license,” he said dismissively. “Instead of cannons and swords they have layers and writs. Nothing to get the blood pumping. Besides, if these callow merchants fear me, their minds instantly go toward making me their friend so that I only,” he pinched her knee gently, “take,” he pinched about an inch higher up, “their competitors’ goods.” He stabbed his fish with a dagger Ceutinde never saw him draw and Silvia only did with her years of combat practice and slide a large portion into his mouth. He clearly was a man of insatiable appetites. “But they can’t make me respect them no matter how much gold they fling at me. If it weren’t for...” he shook his head. “...the fine weather, I wouldn’t be here at all. Although now you can bet your dresses I’m glad I came.”
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Post by Silvia Raizer on Sept 23, 2020 22:19:11 GMT
"I'm not willing to take that bet," she said. "I'm rather fond of that dress. It's paid for my dinner several times." She reached out with her foot and nudged his own, enjoying the byplay and very much wishing she could be the real Silvia. "I'm sure weather can't be the only reason you joined the club, though."
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Post by Ceutinde on Sept 24, 2020 6:10:14 GMT
Ceutinde ate her own meal much more daintily than the captain. She swallowed a bite before asking, eyes wide and innocent, "Do they fear you, you think? I would be inclined to think that if a fearsome pirate can be cowed by an invitation to a party, then he's not a fearsome pirate. If you'll forgive the analogy, it seems rather more like giving a dog a scrap from the table to keep it from whining."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 24, 2020 14:33:14 GMT
Jean ran his foot up her leg to her knee but as Ceutinde talked he stopped for a moment. “Seems a rude analogy,” he said, “you are saying that because I choose to make friends with some purveyors of merchandise that I am placated by trinkets tossed my way to keep me from becoming a problem?” His accent dropped as he continued speaking. “That seems a dangerous assumption.” He had a large drink and then shrugged. “I am being here because Hades has asked me to,” his accent came back. “You’re a quite respectable woman in Bastion, no? Everyone knows of the White Widow. What scraps would you be throwing me?” He asked.
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Post by Ceutinde on Sept 24, 2020 16:59:14 GMT
Ceutinde chuckled at his response, slipping another piece of fish into her mouth and taking her time chewing, swallowing, and wiping her mouth before answering. "Forgive my rudeness, sir. I simply hoped to see what it took to get you to drop the pretense. Surprisingly little, I must say. Though I suppose a temper has its uses in your line of work. But unfortunately, I can't think of what the humble proprietor of a hospital could possibly offer you, or why."
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Post by The Forgotten God on Sept 24, 2020 17:21:24 GMT
Jean grinned broadly. “Most women prefer the stereotypical pirate persona,” he said. “More romantic than former naval officer who enjoys classic literature and playing the harp. You’re a very different class of lady than usually comes through here. No reputation for double dealing or the mindless pursuit of profit.” He leaned sideways over to her. As to why we may have mutually beneficial goals, well,” he said. “What do your patients do when they recover and tire of gorgeous elven and human maidens tending to their every desire? The healthiest probably go right back into the meat grinder that is Thessali never to be heard from again, the unhealthy retire to their homes potentially destitute.
But someone like me always has a use for men and women who know how to live a hard life. I’ve got a sort of...private land that has farms and fields to oversee and raids from inhuman beasties. I can’t be everywhere at once.” He took another drink. “And as far what I can offer you, well, my dear, I suppose the answer is whatever you want. Whenever you want it.”
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