What do you do with a drunken sailor?

[aranov]

Thomas, feeling the ship finally move, eagerly hurried out on deck to watch Tortuga fade into the distance. The wind was brisk and clean, and he wondered again why he ever willingly descended into such squalor, aside from the knowledge that such a place was the fastest ticket to another ship and another job. Maybe one day he'd finally get enough gold to start over, maybe somewhere decent like the Carolinas, and settle down with a pretty little wife and a mercantile store. Until then, he could only pray that no musket ball or cannon projectile had his name on it.
He looked around. Gossip said they were heading to Spain, which was promising. Everyone knew the stories of the fat, treasure-laden galleons, and he'd certainly have no qualms about taking a few gold ingots for his own share. But treasure fleet or no, he'd likely get not a bad penny's worth if he didn't make himself useful on board, and that was precisely what he meant to do.

[glass_trees]

"All Hands to the deck if ye ain't already here!" Called out Bloodbath. As the men lined up she gave each his orders. James was given cooking duties day, and the new hand, Thomas was ordered to the crow's nest. Bloodbath figured a new pair of eyes would pick up things that were out of place if need be. Once orders were out and men at their stations, Bloodbath spoke with Two Fingered Pete privately about this leg of the journey. Pete was a story teller of sorts, passing around gossip and one piece had caught the captain's attention. There was word going around that a clue or vital piece of an unsolved puzzle was located in Spain. Pete and Bloodbath spent the next couple of hours plotting the Captain's next move.

When they returned on deck it was time for shift changes. Pete Climbed up to the Crow's Nest sending Thomas back down.

[aranov]

Thomas gratefully returned to deck. He enjoyed being lookout; it was light work compared to most other positions, but it did get a bit cramped up there after a few hours. Glad for a few hours of freedom, he decided that he would seize the opportunity to mend his rather shabby hammock to his own standards, so that if it tore and he fell out in the middle of the night, it would at least be his own fault. He collected hammock and sewing kit, settling himself out on deck in an out-of-the-way patch of shade and setting to work.

[glass_trees]

Sailing after a few more hours, the Captain had the ship shift direction "sensing" a storm was awaiting them if they had continued to sail straight, Bloodbath was hoping to avoid anything that could possibly damage her ship before reaching their destination.

James was done on his shift as well and headed down to his hammock looking foward to some sleep, knowing that Thomas had only been given small portions due to being up in the crow's nest and many hands working on the deck, he filled up a plate and brought it down stairs with him. When he got there he saw Thomas getting to work on re patching his hamock.

[aranov]

Thomas looked up sharply at the noise, then recognized the boy from earlier. He acknowledged him with a nod, even managing a smile. Spending those hours in the crow's nest had put him in a good mood. That was good, though. He didn't really want to alienate anyone that high in the captain's good graces, especially since he'd seen an example of her shipboard justice.

[glass_trees]

"Figured ye could use a bit of nourishment, Cap'n likes 'em strong and fit if at all possible..." and under his breath "a lil taller wouldn't hurt any" he was positive that Thomas couldn't hear that last part. So he added a wink. "She likes you as a sailor already y'know. Keep this up and you may just make it into her good graces. But I warn you after we hit the port in Spain, things will get harder as the days wear on."

[aranov]

"Thank you," Thomas said, taken aback by the unexpected generosity. He carefully laid aside his mending and took the plate gratefully, smiling genuinely. "I can't say I've ever been to Spain." No, his sailing had mainly kept to the west end of the ocean, though maybe if he'd stayed on with Captain Daniels...
"Not to change the subject, but do you mind me asking why she likes you so much?" he asked quickly before he could stop himself. If only he'd had such an easy time on his first voyage. The captain had ruled his ship with a rod of iron, and only Thomas's quickly developing love of sailing had kept him from running back home at the quickest opportunity. "You must be rather exceptional for her to trust you as much as she seems to."

[glass_trees]

"Well i guess if the rest 'o the crew knows, then you ought to know, but we also don't make that big of deal of it, i'm hear to learn, nothin more, 'cept a portion of the riches ye'see? The Captain is my Aunt." James replied fiddling with a loose thread on his shirt.

[aranov]

Thomas's eyebrows raised slightly. "Ah. I see." Well, nothing wrong with favoring your own kin. As long as the boy proved himself useful, she could do as she pleased, not that Thomas could stop her anyway. "Thank you for the food, in any case." He carefully split open the biscuit and laid a bit of the meat on top of it before biting into it.

[glass_trees]

"Don't look at me with that raised eyebrow, ask anyone on this ship the reason she's nice to me ain't the fact we kin. That may have a tad to do with it, but i've never once been late, never once got drunk, i've never slept with a whore, i don't go off wandering on my own, and i always stick to a mission. I've never once backed down from a fight or ran away when things got rough. Cap'n sailed with a crew where most of her shipmates did that, she hates it. I keep on top of things, and offer help if needed. Ain't never did her wrong and don't plan on it either. I've earned my keep and the Cap'n's kindness. And your welcome for the food" he added kindly, no harsh words detected in his speech.

[aranov]

Thomas made a slight bow over the plate. "My apologies. I didn't intend to offend you."

[glass_trees]

"no offense taken, just don't want the cap'n givin you the lashings."

[aranov]

Thomas winced. "Thanks. I'd definitely prefer to avoid that, especially if she's doing the flogging."

[glass_trees]

"Yeh her floggings can be brutal, although i've only witnessed it."

Bloodbath needed to speak with the new recruit and James before the journey was underway, seeing as they had both been relieved an hour ago from their posts now was the time before they bunked for the night. She walked in just as James gave Thomas the warning she knew was going to happen. "Damn right ye don't want your floggins from me, glad to hear you intend on heeding the boy's warnin's. Now listen before we reach the next port, Pete says the two of you are gonna be the best men to go in and bargin with some of the people we needs to buy some questionable items from, since your new to my style of pirating Mr. Thomas, follow his lead, James knows what i'm looking for and the price i'm willing to pay, watch out for him though, that be your main job, don't need my best gettin' injured before the voyage. You understand." the cap'n taked on as a statement rather than a question. and for her a statement was just as good as any warning.

[[[sorry it too so long, been going with mom to physical therapy]]]

[aranov]

Thomas was faintly surprised at the assignment of bodyguard. "Of course. I mean, aye aye, Cap'n. I will certainly do my utmost." He didn't want to know what might happen if something did happen to the boy, but he was fairly certain that it would not go well for him. He was tempted to ask about the sort of "questionable item" they would be looking for, but decided that he'd find out soon enough. "I look forward to the... learning experience," he concluded with a smile and a slight nod at James.

[[no problem! i hope that's going well...]]