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Post by Mattie Williams on Nov 1, 2011 1:04:51 GMT -5
Listening to the explanation, Mattie pressed his lips together firmly to keep from interrupting. He didn't want to offend the pirate, after all, and he had asked... so it was best to listen to everything before asking something else. "... so... so Al was sort of like..." But he paused, unable to find a parallel between that and his own life. "... nevermind..."
Before he could ask anything else, Arthur had continued on. "... b-battlefield...?" And then he had to fight the urge to smack himself in the forehead as Kuma suggested. Of course Al was out on the battlefield, if he'd been shot - and if he were a pirate. What had Mattie been thinking? That Al would sit belowdecks, out of the action? ... no... he knew Al too well for that... Alright then. Stupid.
"... why he left...?" Mattie questioned, this time having very little idea what he'd meant.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Nov 1, 2011 17:26:54 GMT -5
"Mhm, battlefied!" He repeats, smiling suddenly, smiling fondly as he appears to reminisce. Smiling like a proud parent.
It's kicked off his face as the next question is asked. The same hurt emotion Matthew saw when Alfred was first mentioned had returned, and it seemed to stay, at least in his eyes.
"Don't have a bloody clue." He mutters, darkly. "Two years ago. Docked. Woke up. Everything gone. Not seen him since." He suddenly pulls his cloak around himself, and stands up, tensely.
"I'd better go."
Well, that had ruined his joy.
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Post by Mattie Williams on Nov 2, 2011 13:05:57 GMT -5
Immediately, Mattie felt guilty for asking. Why did he feel guilty? Arthur was a pirate. ...but he'd been so nice... and he obviously cared for Alfred... and... and he hadn't meant to upset him...
"... Oh..." Mattie could only watch as the other stood, tense. But he reached out, before the other could leave, and grabbed the hem of his cloak. "... w-wait... I... If you have to go... let me check outside first... the guards could still be there... and then you would get into trouble." And him alongside. ... well... yes.
Hesitantly, the boy crawled out of the small space, then picked himself up, dusting off his hands. "... just a second... then..." Hesitantly, he walked toward the door, hoping the other would change his mind - it really was nice (nice? Really?) to visit with (fraternize with) someone who knew Al... (the enemy that had supposedly killed him... and the one who had killed Daddy). ... Whatever. All Mattie knew, all Kuma knew... was that if this person was important to Al, and maybe might see Al again... he had to stay alive long enough to do it.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Nov 3, 2011 19:13:10 GMT -5
Arthur just folds his arms. He didn't want to have to deal with this. He didn't want to have those memories of Alfred come up. It'd been too long, and it was like fresh wounds all over again.
He blinked a little at the insistancy of the boy, and couldn't help almost be confused by him. Why would he be helping him now?
It probably meant that he believed him. Trust Alfred to go and have abandoned someone else, too. Damnit.
Alfred wasn't worth this at all.
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Post by Mattie Williams on Nov 7, 2011 12:39:37 GMT -5
Mattie walked to the door of the restaurant and opened it, peeking outside. No one to the front... And after glancing left and right... no one was there, either.
He sighed, closing the door, and turned back to Arthur. "... It looks like they're gone..." He paused, then continued. "... I hope... I hope you'll come back... one day..." Was he really telling Arthur Kirkland... pirate... this? ... yes. ... Yes he was. Because it was true. Why was it true? ... he didn't know. But... but it was.
"... I... I'm glad... to have met you... ... And... I'm sorry for any trouble Al caused you... He... Always was a little self centered..." Mattie shook his head, hugging Kuma closer. "... But... I know if he stayed with you as long as he did... and then left... it was because... because he was trying not to hurt you.... He doesn't think things through... but... if you see him again... give him a chance... And... tell him... if you get the chance... tell him that he's always welcome home... and... you're welcome, too."
What was he doing? ... What needed to be done. What was right. What was right.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Nov 7, 2011 17:13:18 GMT -5
All Arthur can do is look at the other for a few minutes. He doesn't quite know what to do. Thank him? Tell him it's okay? That he'll be back? Arthur wouldn't know. He could guess later on when it all hits him he'll be distraught for a few days. But he could also see the hurt in Matthew's eyes.
The Captain silently wanders up to the entrance, in front of Matthew, and puts a hand on top of his head; like he used to do with Alfred when he was a child.
"... You'll see him soon."
He tries a smile, puts his hand down, and proceeds to walk out of the door.
As much as he wanted to, he couldn't quite believe Matthew. Not yet.
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