CassyK

CassyK/Truepirate

“Alright..” Joseph replied a little distrustful of Elissa’s instruction as she positioned herself behind him, but he complied anyway, he took a deep breath and as he exhaled Elissa made a swift motion that seemed to pop something back into place that certainly felt it hadn’t been there for quite some time, the experience was simultaneously somewhat painful yet brought relief - Joseph furrowed his brows with a mixed expression, not sure how to respond, “uh… thank you” he sort of winced, flexing his shoulders.

Elissa was taking her seat when Pete mentioned the rumour, and was taken aback by her sudden and terrified reaction to the very mention of the institution, though it made sense. “Aye, pity any poor beggar has seen the inside of that hellish place..” Pete agreed, even nodding towards Adam, wether Elissa’s experience confirmed her identity as Eli was uncertain, in any case her credentials made her a worthy candidate. Joseph examined her with some sympathy, and considered Adam’s suggestion but Elissa protested, “it’s… fine” he grinned, a little surprised she’d circled back to his fairly insignificant back discomfort, he looked in the direction of a few discordant notes from an accordion - one of the shipmates was preparing the instrument, another was gaining the attention of the crew as he began a rude limerick, “it’s going to get noisy in here” Joseph laughed, they’d soon be entertaining with a mixture of shanties and poetic (albeit sometimes vulgar) limericks and rhymes to the delight and participation of the audience. Joseph hoped it would cheer her up.

CassyK/Truepirate

That’s totally fine! Will read now

CassyK/Truepirate

The effect of the scotch on Joseph was beginning to compound, he smiled and laughed at her recognition of his gesture, but took interest in her generous offer, “ahh nah well it’s nothing..” he began, “he hanged…for a little while” Rhea interrupted, “who cut you down?”, “you cut me down” Joseph replied gratefully, “aye, damn right!” she smiled. Joseph sniffed, “Elissa, we drink now to forget the stories” he laughed, “but, now that you mention about my back I..” he tightened his shoulders with obvious discomfort, Rhea rolled her eyes from across the table, oh here he goes …

Peter leaned forward, having taken some time to consider the rumour in which he wanted to share amongst the group, “I heard” he began, rather secretively, “that Eli met all the crew in Bedlam”, as mostly everyone knew, the institution was rather notorious.

CassyK/Truepirate

“Aye! But Eli Bishop hasn’t ran into the likes of us now has’e?” Pete laughed coarsely in response to Adam, when Elissa revealed her identity, he blowed a puff of air in disbelief, “oh aye?” he proclaimed, baffled, whilst Rhea spat the mouthful of whiskey back into the tankard as she had just taken it, this made Joseph grin with delight, displaying his unruly canine.

“Well if that be true, lass, I’d certainly like to hear it! And then perhaps Joseph can recount a few ventures” Pete exclaimed, Joseph gulped his drink, “nah” the Captain replied awkwardly, he rubbed a hand around his neck as he looked at Pete, “we all have a story to tell, don’t we” he said so in such a way as to indicate the hearty pirate too had his near brushes with law. Joseph glanced at Rhea, she remained quiet, he knew she wouldn’t share. She removed her hat and set it on the table, and undone the band pinning back her thick dark hair, she shook out tight curls with her hands and brushed it away from her face with her fingers.

CassyK/Truepirate

Ok.. I guess we can just see how it plays out haha

CassyK/Truepirate

Rhea raised her eyebrows for a moment and rolled her eyes as Elissa slid the tankard to Joseph and passed her remark, you’d not be drinking with us if you’d been a man.., Elissa’s response had been a slight in Rhea’s eyes, who had considered the action a gesture of hospitality - she could have taken a sip, at least. “If he didn’t want you here, you wouldn’t be here” she muttered, making a broader implication that perhaps she would have been executed, or thrown overboard.. Joseph shot her a look, which she returned before taking a drink.

“I uh.. mentioned” Joseph sort of coughed, “Adam identified the brand” he indicated to his neck. Joseph listened as Elissa elaborated on her story, which in detail sounded far more plausible - he found himself feeling a little guilty for initially dismissing her. Rhea was quiet, listening to the story, but maintained a poker face, whilst Pete was astonished at every revelation in the tale and boomed with a variety of “oh!”, “no!” and “aye is it!?”

Joseph glanced at Elissa as Adam posed the question to her, he wasn’t sure if she’d really want to divulge the painful relationship with her father. “Well it’s Mr. Bishop as we know” he said sternly, giving a weak smile as though to indicate he had some understanding of the man’s character and that his behaviour towards his own daughter perhaps came as little surprise - a few of the group murmured and nodded agreeably.

CassyK/Truepirate

Do you have any ideas what you’d like to happen here particularly? Joseph will mostly just drink and maybe look for an opportunity to show off at some point, before he eventually goes back to his room once he’s had enough, if there is such a thing haha

CassyK/Truepirate

“Hmph… I’m always nice” Joseph retorted with a grin as Adam brought his hospitality into question (though Joseph perceived it to be jokingly so), he took another swig of the scotch and tried not to wince, it was powerful stuff - a few more though, and his sense of taste would certainly cease to function for the evening.

Rhea eyed Joseph as she approached the table - she could see that he was watching Elissa, his eyes flicked to Rhea and they locked a gaze for a moment or so, “thank you for escorting her here, Rhea” he expressed, as he didn’t want for Elissa to feel uncomfortable. He gave a gentle smile as Elissa took her seat at the direction of the surgeon, she was sat between the both of them. Joseph had noted she’d looked like she’d been upset, as Adam had identified, but he considered he had behaved particularly cordially and certainly appropriately… she’d been that upset about the ring? No, he wasn’t going to think about it, not tonight, he knocked back another drink to banish any concern that may have been beginning to resurface, the scotch was starting to take effect particularly quickly and already he was feeling more carefree. He allowed the scent on the collar to envelop him as he observed Elissa and her doe-like expression, “my crew are keen to hear about your adventures” he prompted.

Rhea sat on the opposite side of the table, she’d found herself a couple of tankards intended for the beer, she filled them only partially with the scotch - it would last her a little while, she placed one down in front of Elissa.

CassyK/Truepirate

Elissa seemed fearful and flustered, back to her cabin? No way, Rhea considered if she could sabotage as many opportunities as possible for Joseph to be alone with Elissa, then she’d ensure the new plan would go ahead as discussed. “Relax, I think some of your father’s scotch will make you feel a little better” she replied, she let go of Elissa’s arm to indicate she wasn’t going to force her and began to descend the steps, she looked back, hoping she’d trust the gesture and follow her. There was a general noisy babble and the smell of musk and alcohol drifting from the gloom within the stairway.

Joseph raised the bottle with a nod to the surgeon as he sat down and complimented the beverage, “aye that it is” Joseph agreed with a grin, it faded as he considered Adam’s questions, “she seems to be recovering, she has eaten and drank well, you did a fine job as always.. and aye, I did that… a story at least, I couldn’t say truly if it was the story” he raised an eyebrow and shrugged, “but you can ask her yourself” he nodded towards the doorway, he spied Rhea and Elissa lingering on the steps - had Rhea gone to his room to collect her? Why?

Pete and the other shipmates at the table looked bewildered by what the surgeon had to reveal about Elissa, but similarly interested to know the story she had to tell about it.

CassyK/Truepirate

It’s up to you, she doesn’t have to, she can take full advantage of the situation haha