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Post by Mattie Williams on Oct 25, 2011 18:07:06 GMT -5
"... I knew someone, once... who always talked about seeing the world..." Mattie's voice was soft, almost as if he were talking to himself, or the bear. Indeed, a moment later, Mattie nodded like something had been said, but offered no further comment.
Hearing the other question him, Mattie looked up. "... Oh... I'm sorry... he's rude sometimes... this is Kumajiro." It took him a moment to answer the other question. "... sometimes... sometimes. Most times... they're just people from town... ah... this place isn't as popular as some others..." He shook his head, then looked up at Arthur, some sort of faintly hopeful light in his eyes. Yes, he was nineteen. That didn't stop him from being a child still. "... do you have any stories...?"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Oct 25, 2011 18:28:27 GMT -5
Arthur couldn't help himself. It was like being with Alfred all over again when he was rather younger, and would pine and nag him for stories about being a pirate and all the cool things he'd seen and got to do. Arthur would roll his eyes and complain about how he had stuff to do, but he'd always give in. He'd always love the expression in Alfred's eyes, looking bright eyed and awed and just so excited by everything---
"Well..." He starts, leaning in. There's a sort of happy expression hinting at him, as though he's done this many times before -- almost like a proud parent. "... There was one time on the ship I was on, and a ship crashed into ours..."
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Post by Mattie Williams on Oct 25, 2011 18:54:54 GMT -5
Mattie couldn't help his smile when the other started speaking. He loved hearing stories of others' travels. He'd never go... not with Maman and Daddy and Al depending on him to look after the house and them... and everything. He couldn't just up and go.
He leaned forward on his stool when the other leaned forward, wide eyes centered on Arthur. Kuma, too, had his gaze centered on the other man; but that was nothing new. "... a ship crashed..." Mattie breathed, looking down at the bear, then back up at Arthur. "... what happened?" For all the world, though he was drinking coffee, though he owned the restaurant... he looked like nothing more than an overgrown child.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Oct 25, 2011 19:39:19 GMT -5
"Well, we all wondered what had happened, of course. A few of us even prepared to fight back." He pauses to take a sip of his tea. "Though, all of a sudden, the Captain appeared -- and he had one of our crew on board, knife to the throat."
He was smiling to himself, but it was more of what he was doing to the story. Sure, there were on a ship, sure, it was actually his ship he was on about, but who said Pirates told the truth?
"He'd taken them hostage. 'Course, we all had to do something about that."
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Post by Mattie Williams on Oct 25, 2011 19:50:50 GMT -5
Mattie held onto Kuma tightly, watching Arthur. The story was already exciting and they weren't very far into it. It almost surprised the boy, because at first, he hadn't thought his guest would be the type to tell stories, as reserved and quiet as he appeared.
His coffee sat untouched, for now. He'd remember it later, and then mourn the fact that it was cold, but for now, the story was more interesting. Kumajiro, too, was interested, causing Mattie to make a shushing motion. It was rude to interrupt the storyteller, after all.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Oct 26, 2011 18:03:57 GMT -5
"Of course, he makes a declaration that he'd kill him if we didn't hand over money. So," he pauses, and leans forward. "I take it upon myself while everyone's panicking to sneak onto the ship. I had to kill a few of them otherwise I wouldn't be sat here now. Then I finally got to them, shoved the Captain off board and he fell to his death. And so our shipmate was saved."
He smiled, triumphantly.
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Post by Mattie Williams on Oct 29, 2011 11:34:25 GMT -5
Mattie's eyes widened. "... he'd kill him...?" He whispered, then looked down at Kuma, blinking. "...oh. Sorry..." He both loosened his grip on the bear and fell silent, not wanting to interrupt the storyteller again. If he did, he might not get to hear the end.
"... your shipmate was lucky you were there to save him from that pirate..." Mattie finally said, quietly, reaching for his lukewarm coffee. He sipped it, watching the man across the bar. What else could he think? Pirates weren't known for having civil conversations in restaurants over tea and coffee. Pirates were known for robbing, for killing people... for shoving people off ships to their... no. That had to be a coincidence.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Oct 29, 2011 11:54:42 GMT -5
There was a huge smile from the man, one that seemed almost secretive yet delighted at the same time. "Yes, quite."
He took to sip of his tea, when suddenly there was shouting outside - forced shouting, accusations from the military, it seemed. Calm as anything, Arthur politely takes another sip of his tea, making sure to place the tea down with the softest of clinks. He slowly dabs at his mouth with a napkin, remarks with a small "Excuse me." Before proceeding to leap over the counter with Matthew, and hide behind it just as some military personnel burst in.
They hold their guns up, but stop as they realise that no one else is in the room. They look around for a few moments, barely seem to acknowledge Matthew, before muttering to each other and backing out again.
As soon as the door clicks shut Arthur stands up, dusting himself down and leaping back over to his seat, casually resuming his tea. He doesn't look up for a few moments, but when he does, he seems surprised that Matthew appears at least a little dumbfounded by him.
"... Ah. Sorry about that."
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Post by Mattie Williams on Oct 29, 2011 12:28:11 GMT -5
Mattie smiled hesitantly back at the other. There was something off about that smile, but Mattie, of yet, wasn't entirely sure what it was. Maybe it was just his imagination.
The shouts gave no support to that conjecture. Mattie froze in his seat, his grip on Kumajiro tightening again. The soft clink of the teacup in the saucer was enough to catch Matt's attention, draw his eyes away from the door and back to Arthur, before the polite, "Excuse me." And then he'd jumped the counter and ducked down. Mattie didn't have time to ask, didn't really have time to react, as the door was thrown open.
Seeing the guns, Mattie began to tremble. Especially seeing the guns pointed in his direction. Maybe at him. What did he do? What had he done...? Gil hadn't said anything... Gil would have told him if he'd done something to get into trouble with the law! When the weapons were lowered, and the military men looked around, Mattie stayed still and silent. He didn't want to draw attention to himself, and if they weren't looking for him, then... then he didn't want them to.
He didn't move until the door shut behind them. And that was only to draw Kumajiro closer to him. And then the other man stood. Mattie's gaze snapped to him, though he didn't turn his head. He wasn't sure if he could move without falling, he was so tensed. His heart was pounding... but... but if they hadn't been looking for him... and then this man had hidden...
"... s-sorry...?" Mattie forced himself to talk. No one could read minds, people told him. He had to be vocal if he wanted people to know what he was thinking. "... oh." For a moment, he'd been confused as per why the other was apologizing. And... wait. He still was confused. "... Were they looking for you...?" As soon as the question slipped out, Mattie paled. He hadn't meant to be so blunt. He'd meant to circle around, or something!.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Oct 29, 2011 12:36:35 GMT -5
"Actually, I don't know." He remarks, simply smiling. "They probably weren't, but it wouldn't have ended well if they'd spotted me. The military and I don't get on too well."
He continues his tea, nearly finishing it.
"It'd be a bit bothersome if I got arrested by them right now. I have a ship to get back to at some point which is still docked and my crew are waiting for me."
And so the penny falls....
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