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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 15, 2011 18:20:02 GMT -5
Francis was slightly taken aback by the sudden venom in Arthur's tone. He pulled his wrist out of Arthur's grip abruptly as though it scalded him and stepped away, trying to maintain some distance between them. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Whatever gave you the ridiculous idea that I was planning to 'seduce' anyone?" Francis shook his head. "All I want is to go home. I have no time for games."
Especially dangerous games involving unforgiving pirate captains and broken hearts. Francis shook off the notion and took a deep breath, adopting a blandly polite expression.
"If you would be so kind, Captain," said Francis, "I would appreciate it if you land the ship for only a few minutes to drop me off. I don't particularly mind where. I can find my way home."
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 15, 2011 18:24:08 GMT -5
And there's where Arthur can't help but glare, a little confused and a little annoyed. He's picking up on the other's unusual behaviour.
"... Cut this crap with whatever you're playing at, Francis. Why the hell are you being so bloody distant? Cut the crap already, I didn't brace myself for someone who looks like they're pulling a bloody expression which just makes them look and sound constipated. What the hell is the issue?!"
His arms fold.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 15, 2011 18:32:43 GMT -5
Now Francis was bewildered. He couldn't understand why Arthur was suddenly so angry again. Was Francis still too familiar with him? Francis had been very meticulous about being detached with his words and actions, but it didn't seem to work. How then was Francis supposed to honor his promise to the pirate?
But the only emotion Francis betrayed was through a small frown. "I want to get off the ship," he said, enunciating each word clearly. "I want to go home."
But then it crossed his mind that perhaps Francis' request was what had irritated Arthur. "Would that be too much trouble?" he asked politely. "I'm only asking for a few minutes. I don't even mind if you don't land properly, Captain. Just throw down a rope ladder and I can leave immediately."
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 15, 2011 18:39:31 GMT -5
Something seems to shift in Arthur's eyes. His expression drops, and he suddenly looks a lot more ... sad.
"... Francis, stop it..." he says, his voice rather weak. ".. What.. What are you playing at? Don't you usually want to talk to me. See me? What's wrong?" He pauses, letting his guard go and reaching for Francis' shoulder. How he'd seen Francis like in the shop and how he was acting now was discomforting. ".. H-Haha, Francis, come on. you're... you're scaring me. What the crap are you playing at?!"
He gazes at him, green eyes wide.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 15, 2011 18:55:05 GMT -5
Francis had never before thought of Arthur a cruel. Abrasive, yes; rough, of course; quick-tempered, yes. But this - this pretense of uncertainty and sadness...did the pirate hate him that much? Francis thought he would burst into tears at the heart-wrenching expression on Arthur's face.
Francis backed away quickly, away from the warm weight of Arthur's hand on his shoulder. For the first time, Francis was truly frightened of the pirate. Not only did Arthur hold what was left of Francis' heart in his hand, but he was crushing it with no remorse.
When Francis finally found his voice, it was tight and trembling. "Don't touch me, please..." It was hard to speak with the lump that formed in his throat. "There's nothing wrong. I simply don't want to keep you, and there are many things I need to attend to. I - I need to go home. As soon as possible."
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 15, 2011 19:03:57 GMT -5
And with the way Francis seems to cower away from him, beg him not to touch him, does this scare Arthur. He suddenly retracts back, feeling about five again, and sinking back into the room. He blinks, eyes still wide. Why... why was he being like this? Did he... did he...
Then something hit him, and his expression faltered further.
".. Shit, is... is it because of last time? Because of how I responded? S-Shit..... I....I-I...."
He knew what it felt like to have someone leave you suddenly and not hear from them or believe that they're doing it for purposes only aimed to make your self esteem crack.
Arthur hadn't felt so guilty in such a long, long time. And with the uncertainty of what he'd seen and what he was feeling, Arthur could only sink to the floor as his back presses to the wall, curling up on himself. He seems to stare ahead of himself, lost for a moment. Then he shakes his head, weakly. If Francis doesn't want to deal with him, then...
"... m' sure if you ask my navigator they'll touch down." He mumbles, suddenly lost on himself.
He feels so, so guilty. Even though he's meant to be a bloody pirate.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 15, 2011 19:15:07 GMT -5
Francis felt like he was collapsing into himself as he watched Arthur slide down to the floor. His stricken expression was too much. Francis took a sudden step forward, instinct screaming at him to fall to his knees and take the pirate into his arms and whisper reassurances into his ear. But he stopped himself in time.
"Right."
But Francis did not move. He remained in his spot, frozen, as he stared down at Arthur. He kept telling himself that he would be an idiot to fall for this, that Arthur knew Francis' weakness and would not hesitate to play with it.
He squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head toward the doorway, opening his eyes only when he knew Arthur wasn't in his line of sight anymore. Francis concentrated on the doorway.
"Thank you, Captain." Those three words were the hardest he had ever forced out.
It was through sheer will that Francis was able to march out of the brig and onto the deck, keeping his posture high and proud. He glanced around aimlessly, suddenly feeling like he never wanted to find Arthur's navigator or even go home.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 15, 2011 19:21:28 GMT -5
A few minutes later Arthur appears onto the dock, brushing by Francis with the same expression on his face as he heads back up to his cabin. As he pushes by a few crew members they both turn and murmur to each other, the Captain's sudden mood something rather unusual for them to come across. It didn't happen often.
It was the hardest thing for Arthur to close the cabin door itself, striding to his desk -- and of course, taking some rum and hiding under his desk with it.
He didn't want to remember that expression and the man's cold tones. He didn't want to remember how much his chest was suddenly hurting. Neither did he want to realise why.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 16, 2011 12:31:23 GMT -5
Francis did his best to ignore the way the cabin door slammed shut or the stir Arthur caused among his men. He made his way carefully up to the man at the wheel.
Though his presence caused grumbles, whispers, and much appraising looks, Francis did not acknowledge it; he knew from experience that the slightest hint of weakness was an invitation for a beating. Francis was a pirate too, and knew his way around a ship, even if the crew was not his own.
When Francis finally reached who he presumed to be the navigator - and he presumed right - the man stared him down for as long as he could before choosing to answer. Francis kept his stance and gaze level, never flinching or even blinking. He needed this man's respect before he could ever get an answer.
Apparently the man approved, albeit grudgingly, because he turned to face the sky again, squinting at the sun. He told Francis that the nearest port was two days away, and that he couldn't drop him off soon, because they were hours away from the nearest land they could find.
It was only then that Francis grew nervous. "Are you sure?" he asked, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice. "No small islands, or anything?"
The man gave Francis a strange look, possibly wondering why a sane-looking man would choose to be stranded on an island. Francis thought it was a step better than being trapped in a ship with Arthur. The man's answer did not change, and Francis wandered away in disbelief.
How was he supposed to survive two days on Arthur's ship?
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 16, 2011 18:03:16 GMT -5
A couple of minutes later and the cabin door opens, Arthur obviously having decided against drinking himself silly -- mainly with the reminder that he had jobs to run on the ship itself, and he didn't exactly have time to get bladdered and leave his crew to themselves.
Instead, he appears out of the cabin, shirtless, and looking like he'd just dunked his head in water, having just washed himself. He scans the deck in front of him, a sudden jump when his eyes rest on Francis, and he quickly moves away, heading towards his navigator. There's hushed tones for a moment, Arthur's voice raising suddenly, before he seems to grumble and just simply stomps away. As he stamps further towards deck, he jumps towards one of the ropes, hanging off it and beginning to pull it down. He hollers to the rest of the deck.
"Hoist the sails! We're heading east!"
There's a sudden scatter of men running to their posts, before one suddenly stops and pipes up, pointing accusingly at Francis.
"Oi, what about that posh get over there?! If he's going to be on deck then he might as well make himself useful!"
Arthur's expression drops, and he growls.
"Are you telling me what to do?!"
"Captain, he'd be getting in the bloomin' way otherwise."
Arthur can only glare in response, still holding onto to the rope. He switches his gaze to Francis, before he sighs inwardly.
"Bonnefoy, you know the ropes. You're on my ship, you're under my command. Get to it!" He shouts, in more of a 'Captain's order' tone, and continues to climb up the roping on the side of the ship -- not at all bothered by the fight if he slipped and fell it'd be imminent death.
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