Jack smiled, but he shook his head. "I appreciate the concern, but don't worry about me. I'm fine," he said. "People are just on edge because of the whole attacker and the quest and the partnership. It'll get better soon." *** Jade listened carefully and then smiled. "Well, go back to him after this quest is over, and he'll be begging you to come back. Y'know, if they legends are true."
Avice raised an eyebrow. "Did you just tell me not to worry? About the well-being of dearly beloved first mate?" She teased, then watched the other people do their business on the deck. "Evening is my favorite time of day." (Also, is it alright with all you guys if I draw certain scenarios or characters every so often?)
(OMG SHE'S THE ABSOLUTE CUTEST. Also, yes yes yes to the second note. Please do. At least with any of my characters/scenarios.) "Really? Why?" Jack asked, folding his arms, and leaning against the side of the boat
(Oh good! I'm excited to start the first drawings!) Avice shrugged, "I guess it's because when people are the most awake, and it's when the stars come out. My logic.. it doesn't always make sense, even to me, but I suppose there are just things out there that I love without explanation. What about you?"
He paused for a moment, absorbing her words and thinking on them before finally nodding "I don't really know," he admitted. "I guess I would have to say early morning, like six or so. The world is so quiet, and only those who get up early enough get to enjoy it. It's a peaceful time."
Jade cocked her head, her brows furrowed. "That sounds sinister," she eventually said. "What, are you planning on fighting him or something?"
Avice laughed a bit. "I would like mornings more if I had the will to get up. I don't unfortunately." She was then silent, pondering and watching the sky.
Jack shrugged slightly. "I don't know. I think the payoff is worth it." A minute of silence passed, but it wasn't awkward. It was a comfortable silence, where two people have enough going on in their own brains and enough familiarity in their relationship where they don't need to fill a space with endless chatter. He reflected on that for a moment. It was a refreshing situation. Most of the people who approached him on the ship needed solace and solutions. He never had time just to digest ideas. It was different here, though. The conversation could come and go naturally, and it wasn't an absolute necessity. He turned to Avice, who appeared deeply in thought. "What are you thinking about?"
"Perhaps... He's been buying out the Naval Corps and different Mercenary Ships slowly.... I know him best and I worry that he'd use his Navy to do something terrible." Cobiah looked around to make sure no one over heard him. "This stays private, you hear?"
Jade laughed lightly. "Cobiah. Even if I wanted to tell someone, I wouldn't be able to. I follow you everywhere, and vice versa. Hell, I can't even get out of my room without your sword." She stirred the mug of tea in her hands, apparently deep in thought. "What kind of terrible things would he do? If you can tell me, of course."
"Our business practices have been... Questionable at best. He's been known to have the Corps raid pirate ships, and then sell the loot. It's illegal in most ports, but his influence let's him get around it anyway. In personal life he's been quite aggressive. Worse case scenario, he uses his fleet and blockades ports to pressure them into catering to his business."
Avice seemed surprised that he asked her this question. What was she thinking about? "I don't know. The sky. Today. You. Other people. Everything, really."
"Seems like quite the charmer," Jade said dully. "So, is that why you guys had the falling out?" She paused for a moment, suddenly aware that she might have pushed too far. "You don't have to tell me about this stuff if you don't want to," she said rushedly. "I'm just curious." * * * "Everything? All at once?" Jack asked with a smile. "That's an awful lot of things."
A small smile took form on her face. "You have no idea. Sometimes it's hard to concentrate on one thing. What are you thinking about?
"Obviously, I'm solving the mysteries of the world as we speak," he said. He paused, but then shrugged. "In all honestly though, I'm really just thinking about conversations, and the difference between an awkward one and a comfortable one. The silences sound different in your head with different people."
"No, it's okay. I was planning on telling the captain soon enough. This concerns her as well. Our falling out was un related. I didn't start to see his bribes and mercenary groups until I did some digging around."
"So.. what? You plan to overthrow, maybe take over the business?" Jade asked, finished the last bits of her meal. * * * Jack laughed, dropping his head. His thumbs rubbed his knuckles as he thought. "Sorry, I guess that didn't really make any sense. It's a little bit of both, I suppose. I don't normally talk to people on this ship because I want to, but..." He trailed off, and then shook his head, blushing slightly.
