daretosee | For whatisthatmelody

For whatisthatmelody | Pirate AU

They'd been attacked before, the Imperial ship was great in size and well armed. Both with great cannons and trained soldiers with rifles and swords. Attacks had been easy to fell, nothing to be concerned about.

Until it was very well something to be concerned about.

Harold wasn't a soldier, he barely knew how to use a gun, much less any blade. He was a man of ink and paper, his work in maps, not death. So when their ship is attacked then boarded, he hides. Manages to find his way to the captains quarters to the many maps and papers there. Maybe he can escape some how.

One of the row boats?

Shoving everything into a large satchel he heads to the door, meaning to sneak out in the madness, but hears someone trying to get in just as he goes to undo the lock. Guess he's not leaving. Harold works quickly to move whatever he can in front of the door, barricading it. The lock won't last long if the pirates truly want to get in.

Then he huddles in the furthest corner from the door, satchel behind him as he shakily pulls out and aims the pistol he'd snatched up when first entering the room. One shot. If he were lucky he might take down one of the pirate bastards before they got him.

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There are a lot of things he'd like to say in response to Siebren, but he'll hold his tongue lest they cut it out. At least until the pirate steps in closer and he's touching him again.

Harold tries to behave, but his repulsion at the pirates has him stepping back and pulling his head away.

"My legs work fine." Is what he'll quip sharply, eyes hard. Lead away captain, but do stop touching him.

"So, you can be reasoned with. Excellent. If you will follow me."

The crew stood aside to make room for their captain, and busied themselves splitting the spoils between themselves. Siebren did not have to look back to make sure the officer was following him. The man had literally nowhere to go and he did not seem the suicidal sort, so he did not have to worry about him bailing over the edge to the sharks.

Across the deck and beside the stores is the brig. It isn't terrible. It hardly ever gets used, so it is clean. There is a cot with pillows and a blanket, a small stack of books, a spitoon and a chamberpot, both of which are empty and shiny. It really has been awhile since anyone has been here.

The captain opened the door to the cell and gestured for Harold to step inside. He made no move to take the bag the other man was still clutching so hard his knuckles were white.

"I want you to sleep on my offer. If you then decide you would rather not...I'll relieve you of your cargo and drop you off at the next port...but that could be awhile yet...so you have time to think it over. I really could use a cartographer."

Siebren was being honest. He'd never had one before and one seemed to have just fallen into his lap...and a wise one. Of all the spoils on the ship, the man had chosen to save the store of maps.

The pirate closed and bolted the door.

"Make yourself at home. I must attend to some business but I will be back later with some refreshment for you. I'm not a savage. I'm not going to starve you or anything as gruesome as that."

He tipped his hat and made his way across the deck and clapped his hands to get the crew's attention. He wanted details, inventory and to make sure everyone got their fair share.

Harold follows closely, if only cause he'd rather not bump into any of the other pirates. He can see then all having a look, their captain is toying around with their new captive, it must be some sort of head game... right?

Beyond the kidnapping, and setting the imperial ship ablaze everything had been pretty tame. It was nothing like he'd heard. Barely any survived an attack by the great pirate captain and his crew! Usually none! Yet... Harold is quiet as he steps into the cell, contemplating a lot already.

His brows do lift a little when Siebren assures him he won't be starved or anything of the sort. What kind of pirate... he won't offer much in reply, but when the pirate finally leaves he'll sink into the cot, only then setting the satchel aside, breathing out and scrubbing his hands over his face. Would he truly let him go? Could he believe the words of a pirate?

O-Of course not! Don't be silly, Harold!

For the most part he'll watch from between the bars of the cell, trying to listen to anything he can hear. See anything that may tell him what's going on. The adrenaline of what had happened has worn off and he's tired and scared, he shouldn't have taken this job. Foolish.

The splitting of the loot was relatively simple. Everyone had their own preferences and sorted things out, swapping with each other as children might swap candy on holidays. Siebren merely oversaw everything to make sure everyone got their fair share. He took his own bag of gold coins and a stack of books back to his cabin to stow them for safe keeping.

He changed his cloths, opting for a sleeveless teal shirt and a pair of beige pants. He put his hat back on and went to the galley to gather up a few things for his guest in the brig. He hoped the man would come around.

He managed to find an apple, a few pieces of jerky, a tin cup of water and a jug of his own personal grog. He often made it himself and thought perhaps it could be something of a peace offering. He had just kidnapped the cartographer, after all. He placed the food on a pewter plate and carried it with him.

Siebren made his way to the brig where Harold sat on the cot. He rapped his large knuckles on the door.

"I thought perhaps you could use some refreshment."

There's something about the juxtaposition of the Captain's thick strong arms and the kindness of his voice and offer of a meal that throws his for a loop. Shouldn't he strangling information out of him with those arms? Not offering a little nibble and drink?

He's never met any pirates before, but this is not the picture that's always been painted of them. Nasty filthy scoundrels that kill and take what they please... er well, okay these pirates do check off on a few things.

Harold lifts his head to look dubiously at the offering.

"... perhaps." Warily, tired, but the way his eyes linger on the offered food and drink easily give him away.

"Is this how you treat all your prisoners?" There's a dry bit of humor to the question, but he's honestly curious. Not that there were any others but him, still the question stands.

Siebren slipped through the door and set the down the plate and the jug on the floor where Harold could reach them easily through the bars. He moved back, eyes moving across the floor and looking for the stool he knew was there and pretending not to notice the way the other man's glance was lingering on the food. He found it and brought it closer to the bars and he sat down on it, crossing one of his long legs over the other.

He thought for a moment at the question.

"Yes and no. I always feed my prisoners, but only those I want to get on good terms with get a sample of my grog recipe."

He beamed a little. He couldn't help it. He had worked hard on it. It had kept him warm on cold, wet nights and kept the scurvy away for years. He chuckled to himself and turned to Harold.

"So...where did you study?"

How could this pirate sit across from him and smile and chuckle like this was some normal conversation between friends at a tavern? It throws him off, disarms him a little too, but Harold can't help but roll his eyes with a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He really must be tired after everything, this pirate is managing to come off amusing in a good way.

He reaches down for the food and drink, setting it on his lap as he plucks the apple from the plate to take a bite. He doesn't expect the question, no doubt it shows in the quirk of his brow as he chews. Was the captain really trying to small talk him? Swallowing down the bite of apple he'll humor Siebren for the moment.

"My father and my grandfather. They've taught me everything I know. My grandfather was a sailor by trade, but he learned how to read the stars and sun and passed it down to my father." Another bite, he takes his time to enjoy it before that's swallowed as well. He's a gentleman, no talking with out mouth full.

"My father followed in his footsteps."

"A man in the family business? Fascinating."

Siebren looked at the floor and drummed his fingers on his knees for a few moments before he continued.

"You know...I wanted to study the stars as well....to learn to read them...learn about them...but that was a long time ago. Ancient History and all that. Still, from time to time I do fall back into old habits and do what I can to learn."

He looked up and smiled at the cartographer.

"I bet you weren't expecting that from me, were you? I'm a pirate, after all. The embodiment of scum and villainy and all that entails. A scourge on the Empire. "

The captain shrugged.

"And I am that...but...not...just that. However...I suppose they can't fit all that much on the wanted poster."

He smiled up at Harold, hoping his small joke would be noticed, but he also nodded toward the satchel at the other man's side.

"We both know the most valuable thing on the ship wasn't the treasure. I must say...I respect a man who knows where real and true value lies."

For a moment it feels like just a normal conversation, he almost offers to teach Siebren, but then oh. Right. He's a pirate captain. A notorious one at that! His lips press into a thin line as the captain talks, it sounds like he's trying to prove something to him or at least suggest more to him. He's a pirate, but he's not THAT kind of pirate. Or not so much of that kind of pirate.

Honest!

"I don't know what to expect of you. I was certain you were going to gut me back on the ship, but instead you tossed me over your shoulder like a sack of potatoes and stole me away." Spoken blandly, he's not here to make friends with a pirate, but still, Siebren maybe has a little bit of a point. Most pirates would be concerned with murder and loot, which sure they did some looting, but this attack was nothing like he'd heard of.

"So I suppose I should thank you for not spilling my guts, captain." Finishing up the apple he'll set the core aside and considers the jerky next, he'll wait though as he then asks, "Since you know the value of these maps and documents, why not just take them? Why is gaining my trust so important to you?" Was his mention of needing a cartographer really true? There was no one in the uh, pirate... circles... that could meet those needs? He had to kidnap a man on an Imperial ship to get one? Seemed strange.

Siebren chuckled.

"And waste such a skilled man? I might be a pirate, but I am not a fool. Think nothing of it."

He tapped a long finger against his temple.

"I am always looking for someone with potential. I was not lying. I could use a cartographer. I have a navigator and they are quite skilled....but we're going to start exploring soon. I'd like to have someone who can record it for us. We've got enough supplies to last us a good while now."

Harold can only regard the captain with an odd look. He's so strangely earnest about this one thing, but he can't let himself be taken in by him so easily. Pirate! Don't forget what he is, Harold!

"Captain de Kuiper, as... merciful as you've been, I've no intention in working with your lot." His tone is firm, resolute. It feels weird simply telling a pirate no thank you and not expecting something terrible in retaliation. Or Siebren doesn't seem like he'd do such a thing.

One expects torture and death, not a simple meal and drink and a job offer.

Siebren looked at his tattooed knuckles and nodded silently. Yes, yes. It seemed there was nothing else that could be done....at least for the moment.

"As you wish."

After all, it was not like he could force the man...then he could not trust any work on the maps he did. That was not productive at all.

He suddenly found his nails very interesting. He took a knife out of his boot and began to clean his nails.

That's the very thing, the pirate could force him, or kill him if he refused to comply. Yet... he hadn't done any of that.

Kill them with kindness? If kindness was kidnapping a person, still better than being dead he supposed. Though sitting behind bars wasn't any less terrible in some regard. As much as the conversation seemed to be over, Siebren doesn't leave and Harold wonders if he intends to sit there until he relents.

W-Well he won't!

Gaze dragging away from the pirate captain he'll finish his little meal in silence... maybe appreciating the drink more than he thought he would. After that he's setting the dishes on the floor and sitting cross legged on his cot to have look in the satchel to make sure nothing had been damaged.

Some things are squished, but nothing that would ruin them. Don't mind if his eyes flicker to the pirate captain here and there, until some awkward time has passed.

"... I hope you don't intend to sit here till I change my mind. You'll be here for a while. I'm a stubborn man."

Now that Harold had taken to looking through the satchel, Siebren could not help but steal a glance over now and again to see what was in the satchel. His eyes darted up and then back down, trying not to look like he was interested...but he might make eye contact with the map maker once or twice before turning his attention back to his nails.

"Oh, no. I am not going to sit here until you change your mind."

He blinked and looked up earnestly this time.

"Is there anything in there that needs fixing or flattening?"

Siebren says that, but he's still doing just that. Sitting there. Guess he can't tell the captain what to do. This is his ship after all. Taking one of the more innocuous maps, when it comes to information, Harold will unroll it on the cot, trying to smooth it out as best he can.

"Everything is fine here, Captain. Thank you." He's got this, please go do... piratey things. Actually wait don't do that, uh go be a nice sailor! Sorry Siebren, this cartographer is going to do his best to brush you off or ignore you now.

The captain nodded, seeing he was getting nowhere fast. He stood up to his full height and stretched, cracking his neck and dusting himself off.

"Well, I have things to do. I'll leave you to get comfortable in your settings."

He proceeded to do just that. He went to his quarters and reorganized his new belongings. He met with his first mate and discussed plans and courses, pulling out the maps he did have and taking the plans to the navigator.

The sun started to set and he mad ehis way around the crew-checking in on everyone and making sure he was seen doing his share of the work. He was the captain, but that did not mean that he did not help out with basic upkeep. He swept the deck and made sure the rain water collection barrels were still clean and doing their job. He took his dinner in his cabin, but emerged to listen to some music that his men were playing. He looked at the stars before returning to his own cabin...to his own large, soft bed for the night where he slept.

The next morning, he was back to checking on his new resident cartographer, Pot of coffee and two mugs in hand.

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For whatisthatmelody | Pirate AU

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