[center][img]http://www.bannerfans.com/img/18882991_f2ee5f60-m3_0214/15_1487058290.jpg[/img][/center]


[i]For the love of the Sisters, what the hell has happened to Lucien? He's always had a temper, but this ... This is new. Oh, where is the boy I had gone to look at boats with, dreaming of adventure?[/i] 

Feeling the clap of Lucien's hand on his back, Pieter turned slightly to his old friend, reaching out and clasping his shoulder for a moment, squeezing before letting go, concern lighting Pieter's gaze.

At that moment, a sweating servant with a patchy comb-over began to refill Pieter's drinking cup. Watching the wine pour out, Pieter lightly held his hand out when the glass was nearly half full, saying softly,

"Very good, Eduardo. This is excellent for now. Thank you."

Taking a small sip of the wine, Pieter reached over to a bowl brimming with bread buns. Taking one that had cheese melted over it, Pieter took a bite of it. He thought it a good idea to eat, it would encourage others to become more at ease. More like a family sharing a meal than a group of Pirate Captains sizing each other up. Hell, Pieter knew a few pirates who would gladly hang from the gibbet just to get at this meal. These cheese buns were good.

"Lucien, try these cheese buns, they're just like when we were kids." 

Washing down some of the cheese bun with a small sip of rosé, Pieter narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched the heavy wooden chair scrape against the stone, before Lorenzo sat down.

[i]What is Nalia trying to do here? If she's trying to win succor with Fiona, this might not be the path I would take. (Then again, I would go down some very dark paths to win Fiona's succor.) Giving too much favor to Lorenzo and Fiona and she might end up letting Fiona take over. Or maybe this is an early concession? Either way, I'm going to have to talk to Nalia privately sooner rather than later. Lucien too for that matter. Oh, Leon! If only you could see us now. I'd write you that sycophantic ode I always threatened you with when you were annoyed at me. [/i]

Well, if the Head of the House orders to eat, Pieter's the last one to dare disobey that order.