Uncharted Waters discussion

A large paved courtyard in the center of town, overlooked by the Winchester Manor. A statue of the town's founder, the governer's father, Percival Winchester stands on a marble platform in the middle. The seaport is a short walk away and the smell of seasalt is ever present.

Hanalea walked out to the town square. She absolutely hated land, it felt so weird to walk on. After all these years, she still wasn't used to it. The dress was an oddity too, but she actually liked his this one looked. It was blue and the bottom fell just above her ankles. No one would suspect that she was a pirate besides perhaps the gold jewelry she wore.

Franklin hurried down the cobblestone street with no clear direction in mind. Maybe he could barter a ride on a ship for his labor? He turned toward the ocean.
There was a nail sticking out of his shoe that kept poking his heel, so he ran with a limp. After tripping and nearly falling on his face, he kicked off the shoes and kept running in his woolen stockings. "Almost there." He whispered to himself before running into a lady in blue. "Sorry, Miss...?" He waited for a name.

Hanalea was just wandering until she got bumped into. "Hanalea," she said, knowing it was better than giving her last name. "My name is Hanalea. And it's quite alright, no harm done. Why are you in such a rush?" she asked, smoothing the skirt of her dress again.

"Just have places to be." Franklin said evasively. "He glanced around Hanalea at the nearest ship that appeared to getting ready to leave. Hopefully he could bargain for a cabin boy position or stow away. "May I pass, Miss?" He fidgeted nervously.

Hanalea glanced behind her at the ship. "Oh, my apologies," she said politely, stepping to the side. "I don't wish for you to miss your ship." Though looking at him, it didn't seem as if he was supposed to be on the ship. Her father had always taught her to notice people's fear and this boy seemed more than nervous. She narrowed her eyes, wondering about him.

"Thank you, Miss." Franklin said quickly, then ran off. He didn't get far before stubbing his toe on a raised cobblestone and tripping. Embarrassed he picked himself up and continued running. At the dock, he ducked behind a barrel. When it seemed as if no one was watching, he ran up the gangplank of a cargo ship flying a foreign flag. It was one he didn't recognize, but that didn't matter.

He made his way halfway to the stairs leading down below deck, before a tall gentleman with a heavy accent and eyes that seemed to stare at everything at once, as if seeing it for the first time.

"Whut aw yoo doin' hee-ah. Suhn?" He spoke slowly, as if saying the words phonetically.

Franklin froze, and smiled sheepishly. Moments later, he was standing on the dock again, his ear smarting from having been pulled so roughly.

Hanalea had watched most of it, just out of curiosity. When he got thrown off, she found it rather amusing and couldn't help but laugh, though it was quiet. He obviously wasn't actually allowed on that ship. Maybe....he was trying to run away? She wondered if that was the cause of his earlier worry.

Franklin walked back to the town square. "Okay. So yeah. Not really supposed to be there. In truth, I'm running away." He glanced around nervously, as if looking for anyone who might be following him. Wait. Why'd I say that?" He grabbed Hannalea's shoulders. "Promise me you won't rat me out, I beg of you!"

Hanalea was startled when he grabbed her. Instinctively, she grabbed out her dagger, ready to defend. She pushed him off her. "I won't rat on you," she said, what he had just said registering. She couldn't actually do that without getting herself in trouble someone. A pirate captain doesn't just flaunt around information like that.

"Please help me." Franklin pleaded. "Where can I go? He figured she was a citizen of the town and knew her way around. He was desperate and willing to do anything.

Hanalea narrowed her eyes, trying to decide something. "You're running away, are you?" she asked. "Well....have you ever thought of becoming a pirate?"

Franklin shrugged. "No. Not really. I, uhh... I value my life too much." He rubbed his neck, imagining the noose. "Wait, you're not...?" His eyes went wide with fear. "Oh. Oh, no!" He took a step back, then tried to run."

"Oh relax, I'm not going to kill you," Hanalea said, sighing. Why did people always think that pirates went around killing people? She only killed when necessary, and right now it wasn't necessary.

Franklin stopped just before getting hit by a horse drawn carriage in the middle of the street. "I can't talk. It's against the law to engage with pirates. I've already said too much." He continued walking backwards.

"It's against the law to be a pirate, do I look like I care?" Hanalea asked, putting her hands on her hips in annoyance. "Plus you've already broken the law, so what's the point of not talking to me for a little bit longer?"

Franklin swallowed, not at all comfortable with this conversation. "But this is so... public!" He whined. Helooked around desperately for a way out.

Hanalea frowned. "But nobody other than you and I know what I am," she said. She sighed a little. He was so nervous that it really had been worthless to suggest he be a pirate. He would probably die in the first few days.

Seeing no way out, Franklin sighed. "Fine. But don't you dare do anything to compromise what litttle safety I have here." He straightened his shirt.

Hanalea sighed. "Do you even see a weapon? I'm not carrying one easily accessible to me. I won't harm you." She was, however, quite pleased that he feared her despite her femininity.

"I meant theft or something." Franklin said quietly. "Why are you here, anyway? If you were planning to pillage us, you'd have brought weapons. And a crew for that matter." He looked around nervously.

"Supplies," Hanalea said simply, shrugging. "My crew left the ship a while ago to have some fun. I stayed behind for a bit so that's why I'm alone. We only pillage other ships anyway."

"I see... and by have fun you mean...?" Franklin asked. "Nevermind. Not so sure I want to know. Isn't a woman buying sailing supplies a tad bit suspicious?"

Hanalea laughed. "Of course not, because we're just buying food and water." They needed those things to survive, and everyone was getting a portion of it so that it wasn't suspicious.

"I see. You have a lot of confidence assuming I won't turn you in." Franklin said foolishly.

"If you even think about it, I'll kill you," Hanalea smiled, her voice not threatening. "Plus, who says I couldn't get away before getting caught?"

"Fair point." Franklin gulped. "So what do you need me for? Couldn't you just be on your way and we can forget this little talk ever happened?"

"Why can't I just want a conversation?" Hanalea asked. "You know, I'm not too 'in the know' about social convention, but I'm pretty sure you're being rude."

"Says the pirate who threatened to kill me." Franklin said simply, then sighed and straightened his shirt again. "You're right. May I buy you something to drink, M'lady? The last word was forced out.

"I didn't threaten you," Hanalea said with a slight frowned. "I was just telling you. Anyway, I would love a drink." She smiled again politely, ignoring the sass he was giving.

((Sorry for the delay. My grandfather unexpectedly died a few days ago and there's been a lot of craziness surrounding that.))

Franklin smiled weakly. "I know a nice establishment. Ever heard of the Blue Rooster?"

((Oh, it's alright, I understand those kinds of things. I'm so sorry for your loss.))

Hanalea shook her head. "I don't think I have. Is it a good place? Been there before?" It sounded good to her, but she was hoping she wasn't just a test animal to try out the new pub...if it was even.

((Appreciated. Thank you. How are you?))

"Yes and yes. A few times. It's very clean with cheap drinks. And the staff are very respectable." He then realized who he was talking to. "Is that not your kind of venue?

((I'm doing fairly okay, thanks for asking :) ))

She shrugged. "I'm fine with just about anything. Something respectable is perfectly fine by me 'til someone tries to turn me in."

"Shouldn't be a problem if you don't go shouting it from the rooftops that you spend your spare time stealing from innocent merchants." Franklin said shrugging. "Also, take it easy on the alcohol. It's not very common for a woman to drink."

Hanalea frowned a little. "Hey, I can hold my liquor!" she declared, thumping her own chest lightly with a fist. She was offended that he would think differently! What she didn't understand was what he actually meant.

((Sorry, I have to go. I know. I just got on.))

((It's alright! Talk to you later then))

"Yeah. That's not what I meant." Franklin protested. "Just watch the other women and act like them." He pointed to a group of ladies in large hoop skirts and bustles chatting idly about the merits of needlepoint and tea parties.

Hanalea made a face. "Ugh, fine...." She absolutely hated acting like a proper lady! It felt so demeaning when she was used to being in charge. But she knew she had to in order to not get caught.

"I mean, if you're in a tavern, I suppose you could be a little wilder." Franklin shrugged. He led her to the front of a two story building that looked slightly out of place in the town and a little rustic. A wooden sign hung over the door on which was painted a blue cockatrice gripping a tankard in his talons.

"Good because I definitely don't want to be all prim and proper. That is the most dull thing...." Hanalea said with a sigh. She looked at the place where he was walking too. Didn't look like a law enforcement office, so that was good.

((Want to head over to the Blue Rooster Tavern thread?))

((Sure! Can you post first?))

((https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...))

Silver walked on the outskirt of the square, whistling and twirling a sword around. She was in a good mood today. That did not happen often enough, he crew would sometimes say. Silver didn't care. If she was sad, she'd act sad. If she was angry, watch out.

Silver weaved her way through the few people that got in her way. She then passed a fruit vendor and after several paces, revealed an orange which she started to peel. The vendor not even noticing that her orange was gone. Silver continued to hum, tripping some passerby and pickpocketing others.

Silver sheathed her sword, eying a rather fine looking lady. Putting the orange chunk in her mouth, Silver adjusted her clothes before finishing the orange and tossing the peel to the side. Wish it was a banana peel... Silver thought as she slowly made her way to the lady who was chatting with a handsome young man. Silver smirked.

((?))

Coleridge took the portmanteau from Lola and held it awkwardly against his chest, supported from underneath by one arm and in front with the other. He shifted so he could take the sandwich bag with a hand and balanced it on top. "Thanks kindly." He grunted, "You were right, this is heavy! What's in here? Are those dresses you ladies are so fond of that heavy?"