CassyK

CassyK/Truepirate

I like your pursuit idea also, maybe they follow them to the port? He could have her crew or his own?

CassyK/Truepirate

Really I was just thinking he’d sleep on it, and something would click and he’d just have this cascade from the drowning to the altercation backwards. I was thinking we could go to the port first, maybe some interesting things could happen there, before he remembers? Also need to decide where the layover is, France?

CassyK/Truepirate

Joseph is taking in all these familiar things about Elissa btw, I’m not ignoring them! I think the general collection of everything subliminally will eventually trigger his memory :)

CassyK/Truepirate

“My lady?” Joseph grinned and sat up, he’d drawn down his brow in a confused yet interested expression for only a moment, before he figured out whom Elissa was referring to, “oh uh… no, Rhea’s not my lady” he smiled and seemed to pause thoughtfully before he reached for the brandy and beaker, “hmph…no, I’ll eat later” he reassured Elissa the offerings were entirely for her.

“Plain as I see it Miss… you put a rather ugly mark in the ship’s wheel with that dagger, so I owe my friend, who owns the ship… so you owe me, I’m sure we can find a job for you” Joseph began, mostly joking, “we’ll be stopping off somewhere soon, we can discuss it then how we’re going to approach this, I have to make sure the crew are on-board with a change of plan and circumstances and we’ll also need to verify your…credentials as it were”, he was sort of lying of course, or maybe he had lied to Rhea - he hadn’t entirely decided, and wanted to see how the next few days panned out. He considered pursuing the topic of the dagger, but felt some sympathy for Elissa clearly still pretty exhausted.

The crew would be drinking late into the evening, Joseph usually made a point of joining them, alongside his closer associates, he could hear some untempered laughing and shouting from outside his quarters already, but most of the activities and drinking continued below deck. There was still the issue of Rat to attend to but, really he could wait… would do him some good no doubt, in any case he wasn’t letting him loose with Elissa on board.

“So, why were you planning on running away from your fiancé?” Joseph asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

CassyK/Truepirate

Elissa’s outburst startled Joseph but he held fast as she grabbed him, he scanned her eyes and could see they were vacant in a dream state, her body soon relaxed once again to slumber and Joseph released her, soon after, she awoke. Who exactly was her fiancé? What kind of man?; he thought it best not to mention the nightmare to Elissa, however. He maintained his position as Elissa sat up, and caught a glimpse of the tattoo as she adjusted her clothing - again, familiar, but he didn’t clock exactly why right there and then.

Joseph examined her quietly for a moment, it really was better not to mention the outburst, he was sure, he let out a breath through his nose and dropped his shoulders, “yes, I brought food…and beer, I’m sure you’ll be used to it” he stood up to pass the plate to Elissa, and placed the flagon on a small table beside the bed. He took a seat once again on the chair opposing Elissa, and slouched back, “you can stay here, if you like, if you feel safe with me” he looked at her and shrugged. He hadn’t initially been too impressed to open up his personal space to the captive, but now that Elissa was here, he didn’t completely dislike the company.

CassyK/Truepirate

Rhea wasn’t wrong, Joseph was a sucker when it concerned women and regrettably, the ‘damsel in distress’ plea often worked on him rather well, he’d lost a lot of money that way.. Rhea did tend to look out for him as well as she could but, once they reached the port where he went and what he got up to was anyone’s guess (although Rhea had a fairly good idea of the latter), she’d met several of his female… acquaintances over the years, asking after him. There was usually a man here and there too, looking to have a ‘conversation’ regarding Joseph’s acquaintance with their wife, that had led to a bar fight or two, but he’d been more low-key lately.

Joseph had gathered what he could find in the galley, they’d stocked on some provisions before the raid, so there was still some fresh bread left - he gathered along with it biscuits, butter, cheese, an apple and some salted meat onto a pewter plate, he also filled a flagon of the weak beer they had supplied on the ship, and made his way back to his Captains quarters.

Elissa appeared to be asleep when he returned, the motion and noises of the sea and the ship and her contents were enough to mask his entry. Rightly she’d be exhausted, also too she’d be weak from her wound. He placed the articles he’d taken from the galley on the desk - his weapons were undisturbed, and it seemed at least she hadn’t appeared to have had rummaged around the room. He bit the tip of his thumb thoughtfully as he observed her sleeping, for all he tried, he could not recollect her. Elissa seemed to become increasingly restless until she exclaimed fearfully, calling for Joseph, he frowned with some concern and moved to the bedside, descending to one knee he grasped her upper arms and shushed in attempt to settle her.

CassyK/Truepirate

I think that sounds good btw :) he could have something similar, perhaps the linked images always stayed in his mind? Even if he didn’t know why

CassyK/Truepirate

Joseph sat back in the chair, he concluded only with a grumbled “hmph” that he’d likely have to accept Elissa’s explanations; her experiences were indeed highly…unorthodox, that he had trouble fully believing them, but then Rhea too had defied the odds stacked against her, and she was particularly fierce about her achievements. Getting the Gallant back was complicated, it was a case of requiring leverage, Mr. Bishop was a slimy character, even for Joseph and he knew his fair share of characters. It was unfortunate that they’d found Elissa and not Mr Bishop himself.. although perhaps not too unfortunate for her.

Joseph breathed out a deep sigh when Elissa posed her questions to him, he eyed her bundled up in the heavy blanket and coat; her bright eyes and hair seemed to illuminate against the material and were a stark contrast to his own darker features. “Miss, look I…” he began, but there was a banging on the door “Joseph?”, the female voice called from the other side, “I need to talk with you”, the Captain looked at Elissa, “get some rest” he instructed as he arose from the chair to meet Rhea at the door, he closed it behind him.

Rhea met him with a grin and an upward nod as if to enquire what the story was, Joseph smiled uncertainly and shrugged, “let’s go talk on the upper deck Rhea” he beckoned, “The crew have started the Bishop scotch” Rhea remarked, once they’d arrived back at the ship’s wheel. The day was still mild and fair, the air was good. There was indeed some raucousness aboard the ship, quality alcohol was always and very much appreciated, rum was rough and grog even rougher, so this haul was great for morale. “So what’s happening with the girl? We’re going to have to move off soon” Rhea questioned, placing her hands on her hips, Joseph pulled a face that made it clear the plan wasn’t playing out quite as he’d hoped, “it’s complicated…and she wants to work with us”, Rhea raised her eyebrows - she’d have to hear this one out. Joseph explained in brief that which Elissa had revealed to him, Rhea was silent for a few moments, seemingly stunned by the information, she shook her head and frowned at Joseph, “she’s playing you Joseph” she began, “if that was a man you’d have battered him by now!” the sailingmaster expressed a loud ‘ffs!’ in disbelief, Joseph looked uncertain, “we’ll drop her off at the next port, we’re not going back to England, set the course for our usual lay-over” he affirmed, Rhea looked at Joseph unimpressed, her expression relaxed into a smirk, she rolled her eyes and shook her head gently, “aye, Captain” she fixed a warm gaze with Joseph for a moment, before walking off to join some of the crew on the main deck.

Joseph puffed his cheeks and expelled a deep breath. God did she do that on purpose? He’d worked with Rhea a while, it was hard, at first, she’d knocked back his advances several drunken times before he came to understand quite how determined she was to be taken seriously within the crew, and that for her meant not canoodling with the Captain.

He might as well bring something back for Elissa to eat, Joseph considered.

…and maybe some of the Bishop scotch.

CassyK/Truepirate

Oh yeah…her party. Joseph hadn’t entirely forgotten, but this was their first real interval for conversation. He didn’t have much to say when she revealed her intentions and the plans they had allegedly made together in their youth, but she did sound fairly convincing. He leaned forward to receive the bottle from Elissa and refilled the beaker, he had a number of mixed leather, beaded and silver bracelets on both wrists. He glanced up with interest as she mentioned her fiancé, but merely blinked and nodded agreeably as though to acknowledge her disdain.

Most powerful, greatest pirate to ever live? Joseph couldn’t hold back this one, he almost choked on his brandy as he took a mouthful from the beaker, but thereafter made an effort to compose himself, “Miss, firstly if you’re going to tell me you’re Eli, then you’ve got more explaining to do” he began, “second… I am the greatest pirate to ever live, clearly” he grinned broadly, once again displaying the slightly deviating upper canine, he gestured as though to exhibit the obviousness of that statement, “and thirdly… I don’t know if we were friends Miss but, we’re drinking together now and that counts for something. You said it was your birthday...” Joseph began, it was a question… sort of. It seemed to him she was spending it in a better way than she’d anticipated in light of everything she’d explained..

Flattering, really.

CassyK/Truepirate

Hmmmmm! I’m not sure yet I will have to think about it! Oh thank you! :)