Next round's on me, then. [He's pretty sure that dude for was going for Kidd, but he's in a good mood. He'll pull out some coins and slide it her way. He's good for it, after all. All the money he could want now.]
You wound me. [Because this is still banter, and also because that hint of sincerity as she leans into him is slightly uncomfortable. He doesn't... Want her to have faith in him only to be disappointed. Caroline had faith, and he's aware enough to know that he's a shite husband, that she put her faith in the wrong man. That it wasn't really her that gave up on him.
That's a sobering thought as he leans in and chucks Kidd gently on the chin with his knuckles.] My interests suit me just fine. What man doesn't want to have all the riches he can steal? [But it's obvious by now that they're hollow words. He's either not drunk enough or too drunk for this kind of talk.]
You think I haven't been proving myself, Mary? [He leans back in his seat, still careful to keep her name nothing but a whisper.] Aye, I agree with all that. But I have the respect of my crew [sort of] and the men I deal with [most days] and I... [He trails off, drinking instead. Not drunk enough, too drunk.] What would you have me do, eh?
[Because he's not stupid enough to think she's not talking about him.]
Bloody gentleman, you are. [ Yeah, she'll take that free drink tyvm. She'll take a second to wave down a bar maid and ask for another drink, cashing in on this now rather than later. ]
You'll live. [ Said with a chuckle and she's slouching back, picking at some dirt under dull, blunt, entirely unladylike nails while a foot props up on the edge of the table, chair tipping back a bit. ] A full purse don't make an empty house full, a cold bed warm, or a heavy conscious light, Kenway.
[ She blinks up for her nails for a second to regard him frankly. ] But you know already.
[ Edward has in him the potential to be a great man, but for now, he's an alright man. Erring towards scoundrel, but who isn't these days? ] You know what I'd have you do. [ They've had this talk and Edward's told her what he thinks of the Assassin's, but that doesn't change the fact she thinks he'd do a hell of a lot more good for the world with them than off chasing shiny things like a hyper kitten. ] Fight for something grander than yourself. For all the globe, not just y'self and the men that happen to be on your ship.
Bein' that they survive long enough to make it to the next prize.
That I am, when the situation calls for it. [He snorts softly, because it's not true. He's not very gentlemanly like at all most days.
He could be worse, but he could be much better, too.
Her unladylike actions don't bother him none. He's spent more time thinking Mary was some bastard son, and even knowing she has a pair of teats under that shirt of hers, it doesn't particularly make her any different to him. Except for the fact that he's aware that she's a woman. That's awkward.
His jaw squares for a moment as he grits his teeth.] What does a man need of a full house when his life is at sea? My bed is plenty warm if I need for it, and my conscience... Well I wouldn't be a pirate if I listened to voices telling me 'no', Kidd.
[There it is again, that look, like she wants something more out of him than he's willing to give her. He can't be better, can't be the kind of man she wants to see. He is just fine, doing as he pleases. That's why he became a pirate, after all. A mood settles over him as he glares at his glass.] Fight for the globe, she says. Is what I do not good enough? What do my reasons matter if I am still helping you and your creed?
[ There's a very bried pause before she nonchalantly answers the 'full house' comment ]
I figured the man lookin' for a place to call his wife over to might have the answer to that one. [ O o p s, personal. She was never very good about pussyfooting around things. Yeah, she remembers that chat on the beach years back, and maybe he's given up on that now, but the fact is he wanted it once. He had that in him. She doubts that fades so easily.
She blinks at him for a moment before laughing, shaking her head, a little incredulous. Maybe she'll never really get Edward. ] Don't nothin' about the whole 'steal gold, spend gold, steal more gold' routine ever get old with you?
[ Of course it's more than he's willing to give, and that's really the rub of it. She can't force him to it, even if she knows he'd be better for it, and even if she did, it wouldn't make the difference it'd need to. It's something Edward would need to choose for himself. But oh hell no does she snap when he talks about him helping. ] You, Edward, have done far more harm to our creed than you'll ever really understand, I reckon.
[Edward winces at that, the mention of Caroline and how he wanted to bring her to Great Inagua and... That seems like such a lifetime ago. Two years, Edward. Promise me. It's been more than two years. Kidd's not wrong, but he doesn't like that particular wound being poked at.] Jaysus, Kidd, you know how to hit a man below his belt. [He's silent long enough that it might seem like he's not going to comment any further.] I have been gone a long time. I doubt she would want to have anything to do with me. It's best if that particular fantasy is left behind for the time being.
[But it's obvious that it's something he wants. A home, a family, one day having the means and appropriation to take care of all this.]
Not yet, at the very least. [He grins back at her before dropping a wink.
Good mood ruined then. He could snap back, and honestly, the words are on the tip of his tongue, his finger pointing directly at her, but nothing comes out. He holds that position for a moment longer before sighing loudly.] I don't wish to understand, but you and yours will never give me any peace. [He glances at her before nudging her foot off the table.] I didn't mean for it to happen that way, Mary. I didn't know.
[ There's a vague shrug like 'welp, you decided to drink with me and then pretend ur some kinda badass'.
He hears that longing still in his voice, and knows he doesn't want to give up on that dream. Nor should he. Perhaps he's right, but giving up before knowing is defeating in a kind of way she knows Edward's better than. ] Y'don't know that. Givin' up's not in your character, Edward.
[ She lets her foot fall idly, and for a moment regrets snapping at him for that last bit in particular. He knows the deaths don't sit lightly on him, as blindly and recklessly as they were caused. There's a nod of sincerity and a sigh. ] I know you didn't.
[There's a tilt to his head that could look like a drunk lean, but the sharpness to his gaze, the way one corner of his mouth lifts in a self-deprecating smirk says that he's more sober than anything.] Not giving up, mate. Pushing it back until the time's right. I still have the Observatory to find before I go crawling back to Caroline. Might as well have something to show for all of my talk.
[They're still married. She's still his wife, even if she's angry at him. They still love each other, don't they? But the fact that Edward has to ask himself that is... depressing. Telling.]
Good. I'd hate to be an even bigger bastard in your eyes. [Not that what she thinks of him is important. Nope.]
[ It'll never cease to amaze Mary how set he is on that fortune - thinking it's somehow the key to all his problems. ] You don't need riches to hold a woman's love, Kenway.
[ It seems an elementary thing, but she wonders if he's actually aware of it sometimes.
Sighing, Mary rises up, picking up the bottle of rum nearby and taking a good hardy few swigs of it. She never was very ladylike when it came to drinking. Plopping it down in front of Edward, she walks to his side, leaning a hip against the table and lays a hand on his shoulder. ]
I don't think you're a bastard. Only a bit dense. [ A short squeeze there, and she moves away, towards the room the tavern rents out. ] Come on. Got somethin' to show you.
[He almost tells her. He almost lets it slip that he can't go back to his wife until he has that fortune, or his father-in-law will kill him. And Edward has no doubts that Mr. Scott has the connections to do that. Has no doubts about his Templar connection.
He almost tells Mary that he gave his word he'd have a fortune, and Edward doesn't want to go back on his word and seem cowardly. Seem unfit for Caroline's hand, even though this has been detrimental to their entire relationship.
But he doesn't.] Aye, but I need riches to properly care for her in the manner that she deserves. [He wants to provide.
He looks up at her as she stands, bleary eyes squinting at her hand.] Oh, well. I can live with that, at least. [He doesn't even hesitate to stand up, although he wobbles a bit.] Yeah, what's that?
If you've to leave her in a manner she doesn't, though, is it truly worth it?
[ Spoken idly as she turns her back on him, likely not very audible. She's certain there's more to it than that, but she's seen Edward taking more than a few women to bed with him to really make sense. Being separated from her must not be easy, but how much is really solely for his wife?
She waves him along as she heads towards the hallway, leading to the rooms that get rented out, and shoves a shoulder against the one she's claimed for the time they're at port. ]
Couple old maps. I've my hands full with some other interests - not likely to look into 'em anytime soon. [ Turning the key in the door, she pushes it open, allowing Edward to follow in behind her as she goes to a leather satchel dropped on a bedside table, Mary seating herself on the edge of the mattress. A couple scrolls of ancient looking parchment are brought out and passed over to Edward. ] Take a look.
[Edward hears her, but he has no idea how to answer. How does he begin to explain the events that led to his departure from Bristol? He supposes Mary would understand a good portion of it. He loves Caroline truly, but he recognizes now that his soul was meant for adventure, that his true love is the sea and danger and the gold that drips through his fingers.
His eyebrow arches at the mention of maps. Maps could be intriguing.
He takes the scroll she passes to him, sitting heavily down on the edge of the bed without thinking about it. He is, after all, drunk, and it's the closest place to sit. Despite that, however, he has enough presence of mind to carefully unroll what's in his hands.]
[ As he looks over the scrolls, Mary goes about tugging her red bandanna off, removing the hair tie and shifting the corset that holds her chest bound while she's in disguise as James Kidd. She's planning to call it a night soon, and she doesn't have to worry about keeping appearances up around Edward. That's an appreciated thing. ]
In a villa I raided along with some other a few months back.
[ And to be frank, she's never been much to track treasures unless she's in need of the coin. She's comfortable enough as she is at the moment. ]
I'm between ships and got no time to track whatever it leads to at the moment.
[The movement catches his eye, and he glances at her from the corner of it while pretending to still be looking over the map. Her hair falls over her shoulders, and it somehow gives her a softer look. Or maybe he's just that drunk.
He definitely doesn't look away when she begins to mess with her corset.]
Perhaps I could do the tracking for you, in that case. Split the findings fifty-fifty.
[ Welp, that sure is Edward Kenway staring at her chest like it's a pot of gold. Christ, but the man's so predictable, and she's chuckling a little at the reaction, thought not pausing in the action as fingers tug at the lacings of the corset. ]
Sounds fair enough. Somethin' I can help you with, Edward?
[ Spoken pointedly, eyebrows raised. Messing with him could be fun, and really, it's not like he's not attractive, body or personality. Edward's a good man, he just doesn't know it yet. ]
[Edward raises his eyebrows back at her, dragging his gaze slowly back up to hers.]
No, can't say that you can, Mary. [Christ, is she still unlacing herself, though? He looks away, as though he's uncomfortable. As though he's trying to give herself some privacy.
Honestly, Edward doesn't know what he's doing.] You couldn't wait until I left?
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2013-11-28 11:43 pm (UTC)You wound me. [Because this is still banter, and also because that hint of sincerity as she leans into him is slightly uncomfortable. He doesn't... Want her to have faith in him only to be disappointed. Caroline had faith, and he's aware enough to know that he's a shite husband, that she put her faith in the wrong man. That it wasn't really her that gave up on him.
That's a sobering thought as he leans in and chucks Kidd gently on the chin with his knuckles.] My interests suit me just fine. What man doesn't want to have all the riches he can steal? [But it's obvious by now that they're hollow words. He's either not drunk enough or too drunk for this kind of talk.]
You think I haven't been proving myself, Mary? [He leans back in his seat, still careful to keep her name nothing but a whisper.] Aye, I agree with all that. But I have the respect of my crew [sort of] and the men I deal with [most days] and I... [He trails off, drinking instead. Not drunk enough, too drunk.] What would you have me do, eh?
[Because he's not stupid enough to think she's not talking about him.]
no subject
Date: 2013-12-05 07:31 am (UTC)You'll live. [ Said with a chuckle and she's slouching back, picking at some dirt under dull, blunt, entirely unladylike nails while a foot props up on the edge of the table, chair tipping back a bit. ] A full purse don't make an empty house full, a cold bed warm, or a heavy conscious light, Kenway.
[ She blinks up for her nails for a second to regard him frankly. ] But you know already.
[ Edward has in him the potential to be a great man, but for now, he's an alright man. Erring towards scoundrel, but who isn't these days? ] You know what I'd have you do. [ They've had this talk and Edward's told her what he thinks of the Assassin's, but that doesn't change the fact she thinks he'd do a hell of a lot more good for the world with them than off chasing shiny things like a hyper kitten. ] Fight for something grander than yourself. For all the globe, not just y'self and the men that happen to be on your ship.
Bein' that they survive long enough to make it to the next prize.
no subject
Date: 2013-12-05 07:45 am (UTC)He could be worse, but he could be much better, too.
Her unladylike actions don't bother him none. He's spent more time thinking Mary was some bastard son, and even knowing she has a pair of teats under that shirt of hers, it doesn't particularly make her any different to him. Except for the fact that he's aware that she's a woman. That's awkward.
His jaw squares for a moment as he grits his teeth.] What does a man need of a full house when his life is at sea? My bed is plenty warm if I need for it, and my conscience... Well I wouldn't be a pirate if I listened to voices telling me 'no', Kidd.
[There it is again, that look, like she wants something more out of him than he's willing to give her. He can't be better, can't be the kind of man she wants to see. He is just fine, doing as he pleases. That's why he became a pirate, after all. A mood settles over him as he glares at his glass.] Fight for the globe, she says. Is what I do not good enough? What do my reasons matter if I am still helping you and your creed?
no subject
Date: 2013-12-05 08:02 am (UTC)I figured the man lookin' for a place to call his wife over to might have the answer to that one. [ O o p s, personal. She was never very good about pussyfooting around things. Yeah, she remembers that chat on the beach years back, and maybe he's given up on that now, but the fact is he wanted it once. He had that in him. She doubts that fades so easily.
She blinks at him for a moment before laughing, shaking her head, a little incredulous. Maybe she'll never really get Edward. ] Don't nothin' about the whole 'steal gold, spend gold, steal more gold' routine ever get old with you?
[ Of course it's more than he's willing to give, and that's really the rub of it. She can't force him to it, even if she knows he'd be better for it, and even if she did, it wouldn't make the difference it'd need to. It's something Edward would need to choose for himself. But oh hell no does she snap when he talks about him helping. ] You, Edward, have done far more harm to our creed than you'll ever really understand, I reckon.
no subject
Date: 2013-12-05 08:13 am (UTC)[But it's obvious that it's something he wants. A home, a family, one day having the means and appropriation to take care of all this.]
Not yet, at the very least. [He grins back at her before dropping a wink.
Good mood ruined then. He could snap back, and honestly, the words are on the tip of his tongue, his finger pointing directly at her, but nothing comes out. He holds that position for a moment longer before sighing loudly.] I don't wish to understand, but you and yours will never give me any peace. [He glances at her before nudging her foot off the table.] I didn't mean for it to happen that way, Mary. I didn't know.
no subject
Date: 2013-12-10 04:16 am (UTC)He hears that longing still in his voice, and knows he doesn't want to give up on that dream. Nor should he. Perhaps he's right, but giving up before knowing is defeating in a kind of way she knows Edward's better than. ] Y'don't know that. Givin' up's not in your character, Edward.
[ She lets her foot fall idly, and for a moment regrets snapping at him for that last bit in particular. He knows the deaths don't sit lightly on him, as blindly and recklessly as they were caused. There's a nod of sincerity and a sigh. ] I know you didn't.
no subject
Date: 2013-12-10 06:25 am (UTC)[They're still married. She's still his wife, even if she's angry at him. They still love each other, don't they? But the fact that Edward has to ask himself that is... depressing. Telling.]
Good. I'd hate to be an even bigger bastard in your eyes. [Not that what she thinks of him is important. Nope.]
no subject
Date: 2014-02-08 06:59 am (UTC)[ It seems an elementary thing, but she wonders if he's actually aware of it sometimes.
Sighing, Mary rises up, picking up the bottle of rum nearby and taking a good hardy few swigs of it. She never was very ladylike when it came to drinking. Plopping it down in front of Edward, she walks to his side, leaning a hip against the table and lays a hand on his shoulder. ]
I don't think you're a bastard. Only a bit dense. [ A short squeeze there, and she moves away, towards the room the tavern rents out. ] Come on. Got somethin' to show you.
no subject
Date: 2014-02-08 04:20 pm (UTC)He almost tells Mary that he gave his word he'd have a fortune, and Edward doesn't want to go back on his word and seem cowardly. Seem unfit for Caroline's hand, even though this has been detrimental to their entire relationship.
But he doesn't.] Aye, but I need riches to properly care for her in the manner that she deserves. [He wants to provide.
He looks up at her as she stands, bleary eyes squinting at her hand.] Oh, well. I can live with that, at least. [He doesn't even hesitate to stand up, although he wobbles a bit.] Yeah, what's that?
no subject
Date: 2014-02-12 05:53 am (UTC)[ Spoken idly as she turns her back on him, likely not very audible. She's certain there's more to it than that, but she's seen Edward taking more than a few women to bed with him to really make sense. Being separated from her must not be easy, but how much is really solely for his wife?
She waves him along as she heads towards the hallway, leading to the rooms that get rented out, and shoves a shoulder against the one she's claimed for the time they're at port. ]
Couple old maps. I've my hands full with some other interests - not likely to look into 'em anytime soon. [ Turning the key in the door, she pushes it open, allowing Edward to follow in behind her as she goes to a leather satchel dropped on a bedside table, Mary seating herself on the edge of the mattress. A couple scrolls of ancient looking parchment are brought out and passed over to Edward. ] Take a look.
no subject
Date: 2014-02-20 02:01 am (UTC)His eyebrow arches at the mention of maps. Maps could be intriguing.
He takes the scroll she passes to him, sitting heavily down on the edge of the bed without thinking about it. He is, after all, drunk, and it's the closest place to sit. Despite that, however, he has enough presence of mind to carefully unroll what's in his hands.]
Where is it that you found this?
no subject
Date: 2014-03-01 12:17 am (UTC)In a villa I raided along with some other a few months back.
[ And to be frank, she's never been much to track treasures unless she's in need of the coin. She's comfortable enough as she is at the moment. ]
I'm between ships and got no time to track whatever it leads to at the moment.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-07 07:52 am (UTC)He definitely doesn't look away when she begins to mess with her corset.]
Perhaps I could do the tracking for you, in that case. Split the findings fifty-fifty.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-10 02:43 am (UTC)Sounds fair enough. Somethin' I can help you with, Edward?
[ Spoken pointedly, eyebrows raised. Messing with him could be fun, and really, it's not like he's not attractive, body or personality. Edward's a good man, he just doesn't know it yet. ]
no subject
Date: 2014-03-12 10:07 pm (UTC)No, can't say that you can, Mary. [Christ, is she still unlacing herself, though? He looks away, as though he's uncomfortable. As though he's trying to give herself some privacy.
Honestly, Edward doesn't know what he's doing.] You couldn't wait until I left?