Balidor
The captain's smile faded and he raised an eyebrow. He wasn't exactly expecting that. And it was for that reason he let her continue to speak. He raised a hand, a finger pointing up as she kept talking. He studied her, trying to hear the pitch and timber in her voice to see if this was some kind of trick to save her own skin.
And yet she kept talking. Offering a whole bunch of juicy little tidbits. Heck she even shouted back, showing a little bit of grit and backbone he wouldn't expect from someone who looked as if she worked a day in her life. Skin was too smooth, teeth too perfect. Still she was earning time with her display. She addressed him, he raised his chin and showed him the map. He leaned in, his eyes peering through it. It... looked... authentic, but he made up maps in his time. All it took was some time and artistic skill. Still he gave it the benefit of the doubt. He ripped it from her hand to inspect it closer. It wasnt enough time for him to figure out where the coastlines meant or if they matched. He could probably compare if he got back to his room.
He looked back to her when she suggested an adventure.
"Indeed." Color him interested.
"Maybe it's good luck for me. But lets test that." He passed the map to a crony nearby and reached into his pocket, pulling out a chipped piece of gold. She could see the Pheonix like bird emblazoned on one side representing the 'Tails' part of the coin.
"You a gamblin' lass? Heads tells me you got lies commin' out of yer mouth. But a lady's 'tails' don't know how deceive. Lets see which I should listen to." He rolled the coin in his fingers and it went high in the air. It went over him and he swung his hand behind him to catch it in his fist. He swung it back in a single motion and presented the closed fist to make sure they both saw it.
He opened his hand. Tails.
"Well, lucky for both of us then. Lets see what your map and book say. Then we'll talk bout this little venture. Hands off the lass mates! She might be our next customer." He tipped his hat to her even as some of the crew groaned, laughed, or complained.
"Aww c'mon Cap. Balidor? That's a right drunkard's tale." Said one of the bigger crew men.
"We'll see. Maybe its my good fortune strikin' again. How often do we find pretty women in barrels? Very different day." He began to make a few steps before he stopped a moment as he noticed something from before when he looked out at the crew as part of this little distraction. He pointed to two crew together who immediately stood up, then he pointed to the top of the mast.
"Ay! Take the colors down!? You be wantin' to give everyone a head start!?" Honestly, keeping the black flag out you might as well be telling the world and all the ships with their guns and cannons that pirates were a coming.
The two crew men saluted and in a nervous shakey manner they proclaimed.
"AY AY SIR!" before getting to it.
"Follow me lass." He bid her with a playful finger to follow him, his path going across the deck and towards the quarters on the aft end. She would no doubt get some looks on her walk, but atleast now that the faces were moving, she'd be rather shocked to discover, there was women. Maybe a handful, and they didn't look too much better than the men but there was a feminine curve, a chest bind, and the pointed chin, and terrible makeup. But she'd find no empathy or pity in those eyes either.
The captain opened the door for her and allowed her to step inside.
"So, whats your name lass, and most importantly, whats your story?" the captain said.
The interior was lavish, in fact the entire ship seemed more a naval vessel than a pirate ship. The Captains quarters served as a meeting hall, treasury, navigation, library, and other services. There was even more than a single nook that held a bed. One was open, the other closed with some kind of curtain hiding their contents.
vietmyke
