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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 17, 2011 18:01:58 GMT -5
Francis keeled over at the sharp pain shooting from his knee, unable to help a yelp. But the kick also inspired in him a rage he had not felt in a long time. Hobbling quickly, he seized Arthur's arm and turned the pirate to face him.
"How dare you!" he cried. Before he knew it, he had shoved Arthur away with as much force as he could muster. "You - you bastard! You play with my feelings, use them to make me out as a fool, and just leave! That was your answer!"
He pushed Arthur away again. "And then - and then after weeks - months! Months with no word from you, I'm suddenly on your ship with no way to get home and you want me to act as if you haven't torn my heart to pieces!"
Francis' last push left him staggering. "There's only so much people can take, you know!"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 17, 2011 22:48:23 GMT -5
And as Francis shoved him, something seemed to snap in Arthur. He actually stumbled, possibly a little overthrown at the power Francis did have in him. He glared incredulously
"What? You made those assumptions! You're the one that acted in that way! I can't help what you bloody feel, can I? Don't you dare put your feelings and how they respond as my responsibility! How fucking dare you! I'm a bloody pirate! Don't you get it?! I can't afford to make attachments --- and why the bloody hell would I make them with you anyway after how shallow you think I really am even after you claim to 'see me as I am'?!"
And with that, with a large hiss, he launched himself at Francis, and they went tumbling across the deck.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 18, 2011 19:37:35 GMT -5
Francis really should have expected Arthur's retaliation, but he was still shocked when he found himself on his back beneath Arthur - for the second time in his life. He had no time to consider the pain shooting up his back.
Francis twisted under the pirate, trying to wiggle free, and when that did not work, his palms rammed against the pirate's shoulder. Francis remained, trapped, though, and so changed his aim towards Arthur's head.
"You're wrong!" he spat out. "I would never make you responsible for the way I feel! All I asked for, all those months ago, was for me to act on them and allow me to care for you!"
Francis landed a solid punch on Arthur's abdomen, taking advantage of the pirate's momentary lapse of concentration to roll them over. Now straddling Arthur, he gripped the pirate's face firmly between his hands.
"But you made my emotions out to be something disgusting, something hateful! Then - then you just stormed out! And I don't hear from you for days and weeks and months and I was sick to death of worrying and pining - !" Francis took a shuddering breath. "Can you blame me for trying to escape? For trying to find comfort where I can?"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 18, 2011 19:48:57 GMT -5
Arthur can only growl, a bit of a crowd having gathered or at least having stopped to watch the two men brawling it out between them. As he lands on his back, his eyes sharpen into a glare and he slaps the other across the cheek.
And there it is again, that glare flicking to hide the sudden discomfort he held and inner pain and confusion. He snarls and reaches to yank at Francis' hair, so he can gain the upper hand.
"You stupid 'pretty-boy'---"
And all of a sudden, the ship comes to a shuddering, lurching halt. Arthur stops, and his eyes widen.
... What just...
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 18, 2011 20:32:29 GMT -5
Francis couldn't help a shout of pain and outrage at the direct assault on his hair. Now Arthur had crossed a line. With another yell, Francis caught Arthur's cheek with his fist.
But just before he was about to land another blow, the ship stopped and the man in the crow's nest was calling for Arthur.
"Another ship! Another ship is approaching!"
Francis tried to push Arthur off again, but the pirate knew how to keep their positions even with distractions.
"Arthur, get off me!" Francis cried. "This could be dangerous!"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 18, 2011 20:44:06 GMT -5
Arthur wasn't paying attention by now. His eyes had widened, in rather surprise --- He hadn't expected anyone to have come this way. It was a very isolated voyage line to be in, hence the reason Arthur had given orders to head this way.
Suddenly ignoring Francis, he slams the man down onto the deck and leaps off of him, running towards the bow of the ship, yelling out orders to his crew as they prepared to take defense and try to get the ship moving again. There's a bit of a crew as several people dive to the ground, Arthur included, as a cannonball flies by their heads.
But before another second Arthur's back on his feet and ordering his crew, like he'd been doing this all his life. --And the crew responded to him as such.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 18, 2011 20:55:51 GMT -5
Grumbling, Francis picked himself up and dusted himself off. Of course Arthur would get a last hit in, even when faced with danger. His back hurt, but before he could dwell on it, the first attack was launched.
Francis cursed under his breath. Arthur was ignoring him, but Francis wasn't going to hide and do nothing. Francis ran to the mast, calling up to the man in the crow's nest.
"Toss me your glass!" said Francis. "Captain wants you at the stern!" When the crew member did not respond, most likely doubting Francis' lie, Francis shouted, "Do you want the captain to skin your hide? If he doesn't, the other ship will!"
Francis only had a split second to realize that the man's scope was on its way down to him, making the air whistle in its descent.. Francis caught it and ran to the rail, watching for the other ship. He was on edge, but he knew he had to wait...
And it soon emerged from the clouds, an imposing barge, closing in like a predator. Francis counted down until it was close enough, then bolted off to the hatch. He seized it open and jumped down into the gun deck, immediately running towards the largest cannon.
"Up on the main, captain's orders!" Francis yelled at the man stationed there, pushing him off.
He was still counting down mentally, loading the cannon as fast as he could. With the weapon loaded and aimed, he bid his time, until the ship approached at the right angle...
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 19, 2011 17:27:01 GMT -5
Arthur had no awareness of this up until one of his crew members tapped him on the back, right about as he was about to bark orders. Whirling around, he growls.
"... What--- why aren't you on the main cannon?"
The man looks at him, bewildered.
"He said it was your order--the 'prisoner'---"
The ship suddenly lurches, and Arthur's eyes widen.
"WHAT? CAN'T HE SEE THE SHIP'S GOING TO AIM THERE?!"
Without another word, Arthur's left the bow and has practically dived under the deck. He's yelling, crew members swarming in the opposite direction --- already knowing what's coming -- and he yells as he approaches Francis.
He dives on him as a cannonball wrecks through the area, and they both go tumbling.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 19, 2011 18:42:39 GMT -5
Between focusing on his aim and the chaos of the crew, Francis was completely unprepared when Arthur pounced on him. Shaking out of his daze, Francis glanced around frantically to find a cannonball hurtling toward them.
Cradling Arthur's head in his arms, Francis pushed them off and rolled them out of the way. When he found the strength, Francis hurried to his feet.
"You could have cost us a shot!" Francis shot Arthur a glare and resumed his original position behind the cannon. "Don't move!"
The enemy ship was gaining on them, and Francis was relieved that he still had a chance at them. He began his count, feeling the need to move as adrenaline coursed through him - but he needed to stay still.
The ship was so close - Francis could see the forepeak, it just needed to move a few more inches...
There.
Francis fired. The whiz of a cannon shooting through the air and the splintering wood that followed was more than satisfying. He fired two more shots, knowing that he had damaged the ship at its vital point.
By now, he had to back away to avoid the spray of shattered wood. He hurried off to find more ammunition.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 19, 2011 18:53:51 GMT -5
Arthur could barely believe that Francis had completely blanked him out, completely defied his motions and commands and had continued to shoot at the ship. While yes, he was helping in a fashion, it was stupid what he was doing. Arthur sat there for a moment, before he leapt to his feet.
Before Francis could move and hunt for more ammunition, a hand grabbed at his wrist, squeezing it agonisingly tight.
Before Francis could properly tun around and react, a fist comes flying around and cracks him across the jaw. If that doesn't knock him out, it'd at least put him in a daze long enough for Arthur to get him on deck and in control of the situation.
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