simplestgift | Twenty-Eight Bells: [VOICE/ACTION(ish)]

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Twenty-Eight Bells: [VOICE/ACTION(ish)]

[It's around ten or eleven at night when the transmission begins. Two voices, Kennedy and Bush, are sounding decidedly sloshed. They are, in fact, sitting at the bar in Good Spirits, because how often do you get to introduce someone to Romulan ale twice and see their reaction the second time like it had never happened before? Only if said person went home and came back and doesn't remember the first time. Due to this, Kennedy sounds considerably more sober.]

Your attention, everyone. Mr. Bush has something he would like to say.

Yes, yes I would.....What was it again Kennededy?

Begin with "my profoundest apologies." And-and end with...with the hair thing.

Ah! Right, right. *ahem* My sensherest apologies to the ladies of Lusheti....I like all of you and your is - hair - is very pretty.

Nunno, William, it's...the envy bit, that was nice. Do add that in.

I envy all of your hair.

And how silly a man are you?

Extremely, Kennedy. Siller man there ever was.

Now recite an appropriate verse.

Help me think of one.

What about, "O woe! O woeful, woeful, woeful day!"

It is.

And...why is that, Mr. Bush?

Hm?

Why is it a woeful, woeful, woeful day?

This isn't England and there's no naaavy. Missthenavy.

And...that's the only reason you insulted the crew, isn't it? Just want things to be like they are at home?

Mmhm.

...Do you need a bucket to vomit into?

Please.

[OOC: This is a joint post with

wouldntbetonit]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Go on.

Once everything was set, I climbed into the rigging and stood on the fighting top. The dress was rigged like a ghastly marionette. I flew it before the captain's cabin windows, and soon enough the men inside were on the deck, watching. You should have seen their faces! Such fright!

I moved the dress to point out toward the captain, then to the sea off the larboard side. They took the bait, eager to know this 'sign' the spirit wished to show them. As they reached the railing, I swooped it straight over their heads to the port side. The dress's flight knocked over a lantern, and the flame caught a path of oil, carefully lain before.

The oil spelled 'Tortuga'.

[She gestures as she tells the story, hands swooping and then her own body mimicking the dress's eerie posture, her arm pointing before imitating the frightened crew.]

[It's just like one of Jack's stories--possibly too wonderful to be true, but a good story regardless. And when she tells it, he believes it.]

The lady-ghost come among us to deliver a message from beyond the grave!

[She laughs.] They seemed to think so!

Their thickheadedness only proved to be difficult when they ran past the overturned lantern and missed the fiery message altogether. I let the puppet drop while they stared at it, slid down a rope to the deck, and in my most boyish voice, lowly said, "What's that over there?" [She drops it like she did then, then has a short at herself.]

Finally, the saw it and changed course that night. They even let out sail for speed!

[He laughs, delighted.] Did you ever tell Jack?

I wasn't given the chance, really! By the time I did I suppose I had other things pressed on my mind. Once we docked in Tortuga, I kept my male disguise on and looked amongst the taverns.

It should not surprise a soul that when I found Jack, the whole tavern was in the midst of a brawl. The only way to reach him was to... well, join.

[She nearly mentioned James, however it would do no good to tarnish his image here. It was not her place to, nor would she ever desire to hurt him in that way.]

[A lady pirate joining in a brawl?] Do wonders never cease! I think I shall never discover all your depths.

[This lady pirate has been around pirates too long not to find a bit of forwardness in that statement, Archie. Have an eyebrow.]

[You may never have seen a lieutenant turn this red, Elizabeth.]

[She chuckles and takes another drink from her ale. She feels badly that he is so embarrassed, but she also cannot help being amused at it.]

I did not think you truly meant it in that way. Forgive me.

[No no, Elizabeth. His life is ruined. He has one elbow on the bar now and is hiding behind his hand.]

Forgive me.

Nonsense! There is no reason to! I am not offended in the least.

[She places a bold but gentle hand on his shoulder.]

[He peers at her through his fingers, then lowers his hand stiffly.]

Next time, perhaps less whiskey.

Or perhaps I should have joined earlier.

[The poor man! She hadn't meant to make him feel so terribly.]

I'm afraid we were even worse earlier.

I have enjoyed company still that has been far worse, Lieutenant! Do not be so hard on yourself. [She finishes her ale and considers whether or not to move on to rum.]

[A weak, somewhat relieved smile. After a moment he glances into his glass.] I beg your pardon. You are a sailor--I shouldn't underestimate you so.

And yet you have not seen me sail.

[It's a lighthearted way to try and make him feel better.]

...You're a lady. A pirate, perhaps, but a lady more so.

I should like to think so, though I am not entirely certain that is the case.

[And with that, she places her order for a pour of rum.]

[Is the rum to prove a point? Maybe.]

On the contrary, the more like a sailor you act, the more of a lady you become to me. You're never uncouth, always bright, and behave with unparalleled elegance. The rum, see, the rum might make another man hesitate, but I believe it only shows you are very enriched, experienced, and unafraid to be a free individual. And freedom, you should know, is what a Scot prizes above all.

[For a man with too much whiskey--by his account--he flatters very well. Elizabeth's cheeks tinge slightly with pink.]

I am no scoundrel, yet I do value freedom more than most things. That is what a ship represents, isn't it?

Not in the Navy, I'm afraid.

[A beat.]

Well, yes it does, in fact. Even in the Navy. Only...on a grander scale than a pirate ship, I suppose.

What makes it so grand in the service?

[She's always wanted to know.]

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