038: VIDEO

[intheblanks]

[Lieutenant Robert Chase of the Royal Navy at your service, gentlemen. Before you laugh at the flouncy bow round his neck or the pretty braids in his hair, you might want to pay attention to the finely crafted sword he has belted at his waist.

Or either of the pistols, really.]


So the reports were true. This city really has gone to the dogs.

Fair warning to those who would sail under a pirate flag. These waters are the property of Her Majesty's Navy and we will see them rid of their polluting taint. The dissolute and the immoral, thieves, pirates and savages should throw themselves upon the mercy of the Crown now, or I'll make it my personal duty to see your hides tanning on the harbourside. There may be redemption for some of you yet.

But very few, I'll wager.

Come then, who will fight and who will flee? I have a spot to fill on the gallows in the morning.

Comments

[studmuffin]

Stiles.

[ Boy. ] Uh, of no ship or port or anything. I'm totally not here. Ignore me.

[intheblanks]

I'd sooner not. It's not my habit to converse with thin air, and we appear to be conversing.

Of no ship or port? No home at all?

[studmuffin]

Uh. Mine's very far away? Like super far? I'm just visiting.

[ CHASE YOU SO STRANGE LIKE THIS. ]

[intheblanks]

[He has no idea what you mean. He's just behaving as a gentleman should. A haughty, pretty gentleman.]

Seeking employ? Most of the waifs and strays here are.

[studmuffin]

[ So pretty. ]

Yeah, yeah. I'm looking for a job.

[intheblanks]

[He's going to note that you like him better with a sword, Stiles. But not right now, now his gaze just turns appraising.]

You're strong? Healthy?

[studmuffin]

Check and check. [ Keep the sword in your practice, Chase. ] I mean normal strength, but I've got some muscle.

[intheblanks]

[Well, that's honest. It makes him smile. Or do this quirky lipped thing that looks like one.]

Well, I may have work for a boy of normal strength but some muscle. Better to have gainful employment than the other varieties on offer in the port.

[studmuffin]

So you're telling me not to become a pirate?

[intheblanks]

I'm telling you I'd rather pay you than hang you.

[studmuffin]

I would rather nobody got hung, y'know? That sounds unnecessarily violent.

[intheblanks]

Not unnecessarily. Unfortunately such measures are the only message these curs and degenerates understand.

[studmuffin]

You might want to hold on that thought for like, twenty four hours, bro.