CassyK

CassyK/Truepirate

Joseph had nodded, as though to acknowledge he understood Elissa’s reasons for posing as a man in her dealings, and taking in the information regarding her father’s whereabouts. The Captain drew his lips in slowly to moisten them, as though in thought then pulled a sideward pout, he sat at a sloped angle against the arm of the couch, he took a deep breath and sighed heavily through his nose as he examined Elissa.

“Elissa, I’m still thinking about it alright.. after all I would like my ship back” he laughed, then cleared his throat, “you’re going to have to find a way to get along with Rhea, though” he expressed this in a rather serious tone, but a smirk spread across his face as he glanced up at her as he took another bite from the apple, “your fiancé going to miss you then?” he gestured with his hand holding the fruit and grinned whilst chewing.

CassyK/Truepirate

Ok I’m done editing :)

CassyK/Truepirate

Hang on a sec I’m going to modify my reply

CassyK/Truepirate

Joseph had received Elissa’s previous remarks about the gown with some humour and had expressed such with an amused smile - of course her clothing choice would have to functional in that particular regard. Speaking of clothing, he’d really have to change, not as though being smeared with old blood was unusual for him.

He thanked the surgeon as he left them to resume his duties, Joseph did wonder how he’d sourced the water though, as the cook was rightly possessive of his modest stash, and although he was the Captain, he made do with similar rations as much of the crew, although he didn’t doubt Adam had some kind of leverage and sway to some individuals on board. In any case, Joseph would not see the water wasted.

“No you’re alright” he expressed gently, he slid the food from his own plate onto Elissa’s and lingered at the other side of the desk, content to stand and wander whilst he ate. He laughed gently as Elissa imitated the surgeon, it was an accurate likeness. Joseph listened to what Elissa had to say, and there was a pause between her questions and his response as he bit through an apple and mused; he didn’t consider her frail, or weak, although he did have concerns where she seemed to struggle with her nightmares.. she also seemed to antagonise Rhea.

“I think we’re just another day or so” he finally replied, indicating they’d arrive shortly in France, it wasn’t necessary for her to pull any weight on the ship, she’d been a captive after all. “I don’t expect you to work on the ship” he grinned, “we still need to flog a lot of…wares once we arrive, I think we should discuss what’s happening at that time” he made reference to the fact Elissa knew his intention to drop her there, he’d assumed this is why she had asked. “I understand that if you are Eli as you say, you do have a ship and men at your disposal, in England of course..” he continued as his thoughts ran in succession, but paused for a moment, “won’t your father be watching them?” he questioned, he’d expect Mr. Bishop may be looking to exact revenge for the raid, even if he did not care for Elissa.

As much as Elissa wouldn’t like it, Rhea would have to be involved in the plan.

CassyK/Truepirate

The Captain found the smaller plates and cups in particular rather novel, as he rarely had need to dine in such a way regularly on the ship, in any case, he noted Elissa had portioned him more food for which he was grateful, but he’d have to share it.

Adam and his coffee though, it wasn’t a beverage Joseph had considered on the ship until the surgeon joined the crew, he wasn’t sure if he cared for it, but it worked rather remarkably to wake you up, so he tended to consume it nonetheless.

The Captain had finished drinking from the flagon when Adam passed his quiet comment, “aye, I’m hospitable” he retorted with the same discretion, he raised his eyebrows for only a flicker, as he exchanged a look with the surgeon. Adam then lay out his instructions, as he always did in vain - they often went unheeded. Joseph drew his sleeve across his mouth and under his chin, seeing as he had drunk so voraciously, but he hadn’t finished it all. The Captain made an apology and placed it on the table for Elissa, he pulled round the wooden chair to the desk and gestured to her, “please sit” he expressed, before he reached for his plate. There was the usual mixture of pickled vegetables, biscuits, cheese and salted meats, he was especially pleased there was fruit, he moved the meat items to one side of the plate however and offered them to Elissa, Joseph felt he’d seen enough human dismemberment that human flesh was not unlike that of the mammals he had typically consumed, eventually the sight of it turned his stomach and unless absolutely necessary to eat it, he rather avoided it - he wouldn’t tell this reason to his guest, though.

CassyK/Truepirate

Far too easily manipulated by particular means, he knew that, he sort of let it happen though. His heart was settling but still beat faster than usual, on account of the dehydration and his stomach felt less than empty - other greater necessities were winning out, he was grateful Adam was there to disrupt them in all honesty.

Joseph acknowledged Elissa’s flirtatious expression by returning a grin, “maybe” he responded to her suggestion with amusement, meeting her gaze, he remained in position whilst she moved to the couch, then sat back propping himself up on his palms, “I’d have thought you hated the gown” he laughed, she’d been quick to remove herself from it, and he gathered having lived a life predominantly at sea these past years, it would not be her customary attire.

Their conversation was interrupted as Adam returned, Joseph pressed himself up to his feet and brushed off his clothes, he answered the surgeon at the door and received the items from him, he wasn’t sure if Adam meant to come in to re-examine his patient, so he made way for him to enter the room. The Captain couldn’t help himself but guzzle from the flagon the surgeon had brought to water them, as rude as that might have been, he felt as though he’d be insatiably thirsty, he otherwise presented the plate to Elissa as he did so.

CassyK/Truepirate

Hey been trying to reply today but little one been non stop so will have to be later!

CassyK/Truepirate

Oh no she did not.. well yeah, she did.

Joseph made a subtle sound, something between a groan and a growl at Elissa’s remarks, this was painful.. now she really was taking advantage. He breathed in deeply, taking in her scent, he felt hot and his heart was thumping, which he couldn’t wholly attribute to the hangover. His hands had slipped to Elissa’s hips and he squeezed them firmly, he let out a deep breath and released his grip.

Show some restraint man, for God’s sake, he had to remind himself they’d not be alone for much longer, and, truthfully, he didn’t want to hurt her, like he seemed to have done so often since her abduction. He breathed out again deeply and dropped his shoulders which released some tension, he had to think straight. He pulled away slowly and sat back on his heels, he sniffed and cleared his throat, “uh… I think Adam is coming back soon…” he expressed quietly, massaging his brow and gesturing, he met Elissa’s eyes for a moment then looked away as he unfolded his legs to sit on the floor, he outstretched them in a relaxed manner and leaned forward, with his arms resting across his knees, “…with some food and water, Adam I mean” he elaborated, still trying to straighten himself out, he really wanted to add, maybe I can look for it later, though? But decided against it as his better judgement.

CassyK/Truepirate

The atmosphere between them lightened immensely as Elissa brightened and became playful, she placed his hands on her waist which he almost couldn’t bear.

Oh why now?

Joseph was terribly hungry and thirsty, and he knew the surgeon would be returning soon. This couldn’t go too far, in any case it shouldn’t. He felt too, that she knew now how he could be - why oh why was she playing with him like this? Is this what she wanted? Surely she knew he couldn’t promise her a single thing..

He followed her lead, hell, she could lead him in any which way she liked. “Maybe then… you can… help me?” he strung together the sentence between kissing her, before he gave her a glance and moved to a spot just behind her jaw and beneath her ear.

No, he knew he had to stop, Adam would be back soon and assume he’d been taking advantage, Joseph believed it was quite the opposite in this instance, in a lot of instances.. but it never looked that way.

CassyK/Truepirate

Fear and pain was not often something you exposed on the ship, that wasn’t how you built a reputation and trust with your crew, or within the crew, there couldn’t be trust in that kind of perceived weakness. Rhea knew that, she’d locked her fear and pain away a long time ago, deep down, Joseph knew her story, of sorts, he’d been a part of it.

Joseph found some comfort in what Elissa had to say, but friends, allies, came and went, some of them long expired from this earth, there was no certainty in life and this kind of life in particular, Joseph therefore made no promises, no commitments - he couldn’t, and Rhea kept a distance, some kind of coldness or void, a rift.

As Joseph allowed, forced Elissa to inflict fear was to transfer to her some measure of power, he believed she needed to feel that, in a place where she perhaps felt she had none. He glanced to her as she knelt and she kissed him, he was taken by surprise and he felt his heart beat harder in his chest, his tense shoulders sank and he loosened his grip on her hands. Kissing deeply was a relief from fear, like that first breath after drowning. He felt like he could crumple to the floor, like she could push him down, he’d not fight it, he couldn’t.