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| Have you seen this McAllister?; Andrew and John, NPCs | |
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| Topic Started: 20 Dec 2007, 07:31 PM (380 Views) | |
| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:31 PM Post #1 |
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Originally posted by Keegan McAllister: It had been three days. Three whole days. Keegan hadn't been seen in three whole days. Needless to say, his family was extremely worried about him. At first they thought he was away on an emergency assignment he hadn't had time to tell them about. John went down to the docks the day before just to see, but the Dauntless was still there. He had to leave before he could investigate further (the damned etiquette tutor was a real stickler for punctuality) but today John was free of such restrictions. He was worried about his older brother, and for more reasons than his present absence. John was there when Jack Sparrow helped them rescue Robin from that sinkhole, and it was his fault Keegan's dagger had gotten stolen. But the other day, also during Keegan's absence, he saw the dagger returned, tucked safely in his brother's side table. Somehow he'd gotten it back from the pirate, which meant they had met again. Keegan hadn't told him about another meeting, and John was beginning to worry that Keegan was getting mixed up with the pirate. He tromped up to the Dauntless and first asked the dockhands about his brother. They didn't seem to know him, so he began asking sailors. He even carefully crept aboard, hoping he looked enough like his brother that he might go unnoticed. People did seem surprised when they looked at him more closely, but whenever he asked about Keegan, he was ignored or given vague answers. No one wanted to just tell him outright where he was. The best he got was that he was last seen three days ago, and he already knew that. Finally an officer saw him snooping about and interrupting the work of the sailors, so he was booted off the ship. He grimaced as he walked down the dock, stopping to ask a couple more men where Keegan might be. Some seemed genuinely uncertain, others seemed...secretive. This made for a very frustrated boy, and when he reached the end of the dock, John wasn't sure where to go next. "He can't've just disappeared into thin air," he murmured, looking around with a frown. Perhaps Alden knew where he was, though John had asked him the first day Keegan went missing, and the tavern boy hadn't known either. The only place left to go was Commodore Norrington himself, and John didn't have the clout or acting skills Keegan did to just go waltzing into the fort. John rubbed his eyes. Where was he? |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:32 PM Post #2 |
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Originally posted by Brendan: In his white-trimmed scarlet coatee, Andrew Shepherd thought he cut a very dashing figure. The hat helped a good deal too, for it was canted at an angle on his head. He carried his drum, of course, the white leather strap hanging off his left shoulder. There was the cutlass too, present as it ever was at his left hip. The white crossbelt from which the cutlass hung had been freshly pipe-clayed and so gleamed in the sunlight. It was the only piece of kit on him that was newly cleaned, however. His coatee was slightly rumpled and there were traces of dirt on his breeches, and if he had bothered to look close at his shirt, he'd have seen the smear of gravy leftover from the previous evening's meal. None of this mattered to him, however. He was on his way to Dauntless for another day lounging about with the marines aboard. His brother was with him, for once, having escaped from wasting another day standing round the parade ground with his bugle waiting to make this call or that. What a sad way to spend a day, Andrew thought. There were so many other things a lad could do with his time. It'd taken some convincing, but Thomas had grudgingly agreed to turn over his duties to the older drummer, who sometimes doubled as bugler, for a price. Still, Andrew had gotten what he'd wanted and that made him happy. As he walked, he twirled one of his drumsticks between his fingers, chattering easily at his brother and ignoring the fact that Thomas hardly bothered to reply. It was all fine with Andrew. Thomas had grown into a proper bore, but he was still his brother. "An' anyways, th' ol' guv's s'posed t'make sum sorta visit wi' th' officers tomorrer, I 'eared. 'Ardy ain't chuff'd t' 'ave t'clean th' cap'n's rig, 'e ain't! I'd reckon t'ings is gonna go 'ard fer th' cap'n, 'spec'lly after that t'do in th' Comm'dore's office. Didja 'ear wot th' cap'n said, eh?" To this, Thomas offered a slight shrug. "Nah, I ain't 'eared. Not fully, no 'ow." "Well I'll tell yeh, th' cap'n's a ri' good fella. Snubb'd that Beckett bla'gard ri' proper, 'e done, no lie! 'Eared it from Corp'ral Bowyer 'isself, an' 'e was outside th' door, like," Andrew told him, giving a ruffle on his drum. "Woulda give me foot t' 'ave bin there!" As the pair came within sight of the dock, Andrew drew in his stride. He always liked looking at Dauntless from a distance, for she was more impressive to him when view as a whole. Pleased with the warmth of the day, and the fact that he was going to be aboard his favourite ship, he slung the strap of his drum over his head so the instrument sat properly in front of him. "We ain't s'posed t'be 'board fer anot'er bell, wot's 'bout a quick penny-show, eh?" The drummer boy looked round at the crowd, scanning for potential customers. His gaze fell on a single lad standing near the edge of the street. "Oi yeh there, inna street. Yeh looks like yeh c'n use a dance, eh? C'mere an' 'ave a jig then, me bucko, s'on me!" So saying, Andrew applied the wooden sticks to his drum and rolled out a quick flourish. Now, he thought, this was going to be a fine day. |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:32 PM Post #3 |
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Keegan: "Oi yeh there, inna street. Yeh looks like yeh c'n use a dance, eh? C'mere an' 'ave a jig then, me bucko, s'on me!" John blinked and looked around, wondering if the voice he heard was directed toward him. It wasn't hard to find the speaker among the crowd of people, for he was dressed in a bright red marine's uniform. At first John thought it was a soldier, but upon closer look he saw it was one of the drummers. It was still a marine, but a young one. John couldn't tell the age exactly, but he knew the other boy was older by a good few years. "I'm afraid I can't, sorry," he replied, giving the boy a blank look before glancing off around the crowd. "I'm looking for...." He stopped and thought a moment. Keegan was older than him by two years, and these boys didn't look that much older. Boys of similar ages tended to gravitate toward each other when surrounded by adults, at least enough to know names, and maybe faces. John turned back to the drummer and ambled closer, his face hesitant and suspicious. "I'm looking for someone," he said, his fingers anxiously twiddling with each other. "You might know him, actually. He's the cabin boy aboard the Dauntless, Keegan McAllister? He's my brother and...." He swallowed, looking a little more desperate. "D'you know him?" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:32 PM Post #4 |
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Brendan: With the small crowd beginning to gather, Andrew nearly missed hearing the lad's reply. His brow furrowed when he heard the younger fellow say, "I'm afraid I can't, sorry. I'm looking for...." Looking for what? The drummer boy was instantly curious. Anybody looking for something or someone else was of interest to him. If it was a something that lad was trying to find, Andrew might be able to acquire it for him. He was good at such things. He waited, figuring there was more information coming, and he wasn't disappointed. "I'm looking for someone," the lad said, his fingers anxiously twiddling with each other. "You might know him, actually. He's the cabin boy aboard the Dauntless, Keegan McAllister? He's my brother and...." He swallowed, looking a little more desperate. "D'you know him?" McAllister... McAllister... the drummer searched his memory for the name, sure that the name sounded familiar. Cabin boy, the lad said his brother was. Probably hung round the Commodore a lot, then. Ah! A grin came onto Andrew's face. He did know the lad, having seen him aboard Dauntless. "That 'un? Aye, I knows 'im. Th' Comm'dore's lad, ain't 'e?" Andrew glanced at his brother, who sighed and lifted his fife to his lips. Good then. The drummer pushed carelessly through the crowd, leaving Thomas to entertain them. When he was clear of the onlookers, he doffed his hat and sketched as much of a bow as he could with his drum. "Mist'r Andrew Shepherd, at yer service, sir. Reckon yer one o' Mast'r McAllister's brothers, eh?" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:32 PM Post #5 |
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Keegan: John tried not to look too concerned as the older boy racked his brain in search of something to do with Keegan. Having had so many false hopes in the past couple of days, John thought he was really on to something asking a person who was closer to Keegan's age. But then he realized that this boy wasn't in the Navy, so he and Keegan might not've had much contact with each other after all. "That 'un? Aye, I knows 'im. Th' Comm'dore's lad, ain't 'e?" John beamed. "Yes! He follows him around a lot, does little errands and such." Before he could elaborate and ask more from the boy, he was led away from the gathering crowd. The other one with him pulled out a fife to entertain the crowd, and John only then realized they must have been brothers. They looked almost identical. He turned back to the drummer as he was introduced. "Mist'r Andrew Shepherd, at yer service, sir. Reckon yer one o' Mast'r McAllister's brothers, eh?" "Yes, pleased to meet you," John said with a slight bow. "My name is John." He looked at Andrew carefully, trying to discern the drummer's present feelings. He didn't seem reluctant or secretive or dismissive like all the other people who knew Keegan. But he also didn't seem to remember Keegan especially well, and might not have any useful information. It didn't hurt to ask. John took a deep breath. "My brother has been missing for the past three days," he said bluntly. "I've been asking about him, and no one knows where he is. Even the sailors on the Dauntless were unhelpful." He grimaced and glanced at the ground. "They didn't seem to want to talk at all, really...." He looked up again. "When was the last time you saw Keegan?" John ask, sure it was probably more than three days. "Or do you know where he might be?" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:33 PM Post #6 |
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Brendan: "Yes! He follows him around a lot, does little errands and such." Ah, good. His memory hadn't played him false. Andrew set his mind to work ferreting out recollections of each time he'd seen the cabin boy around, whether it was aboard ship or at the fort. The last time he'd seen the fellow... "Yes, pleased to meet you. My name is John," the lad said, making a slight bow in return. Andrew returned his hat to his head, adjusting it so that it tipped at just the right angle. The other boy seemed to consider further words, so Andrew waited, thinking he might be able to help this lad. For the most part, he stayed away from the sailors, but he was familiar enough with several of them that he could probably ask questions without arousing suspicion. "My brother has been missing for the past three days," John said at last. "I've been asking about him, and no one knows where he is. Even the sailors on the Dauntless were unhelpful." He grimaced and glanced at the ground. "They didn't seem to want to talk at all, really...." He looked up again. "When was the last time you saw Keegan? Or do you know where he might be?" Well now... three days missing and nobody knew a thing about it? Andrew pursed his lips, mentally cursing Dauntless' sailors. An entirely unhelpful lot, those men. The drummer reckoned the sailors knew very well what had to have become of Master McAllister, for there was precious little that happened aboard the second-rate that the sailors didn't know about. "I ain't seen 'im fer ni' onna a week," Andrew admitted. "But I reckons I c'n stir up sum know-'ow 'bout it fer ya. Tom, 'ave yer fun, I'm goin' 'board wi' this lad," he called over his shoulder at his brother, who could only nod in reply. Laying a hand on John's shoulder, he added, "If there's one t'ing I knows, 'tis that a body can't go a-missin' off that ship wi'out one o' them Tars knowin' 'bout it!" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:41 PM Post #7 |
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Keegan: "I ain't seen 'im fer ni' onna a week," Andrew admitted. John visibly deflated and looked at the ground in defeat. He had expected this, but it was no less disheartening to hear. He turned his mind to other places to look. Perhaps he would have to wander a bit further outside Port Royal.... "But I reckons I c'n stir up sum know-'ow 'bout it fer ya. Tom, 'ave yer fun, I'm goin' 'board wi' this lad." The words were a surprise to John, who hadn't expected any further help from the boy. He looked up in shock, and then smiled gratefully as he was led back toward the ship he had been fruitless at just a few minutes before. "If there's one t'ing I knows, 'tis that a body can't go a-missin' off that ship wi'out one o' them Tars knowin' 'bout it!" "I asked a few of them already," John said, frustration creeping into his voice. "Some didn't seem to know Keegan at all, but there were others who didn't seem to even wanna talk about him, or they ignored me once I started asking about him. It was weird. But then I was thrown off by an officer." He cracked his knuckles. "I prolly won't get on again this time. They might think I'm trying to cause trouble." After a moment or two, he looked up at Andrew and smiled. "Thank you for helping me, by the way." |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:41 PM Post #8 |
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Brendan: "I asked a few of them already," John said "Some didn't seem to know Keegan at all, but there were others who didn't seem to even wanna talk about him, or they ignored me once I started asking about him. It was weird. But then I was thrown off by an officer. I prolly won't get on again this time. They might think I'm trying to cause trouble." The pair ambled toward Dauntless as Andrew considered the other lad's words. He hadn't missed the defeat that had streaked across John's face when he'd announced not seeing this Keegan for a week. Wherever that lad had gotten to, it was probably not a place he needed to be. "There ain't gonna be trouble, yer wi' me," he told John. "S'easy 'nuff t' yell fer th' lads if them Tars wanna act orn'ry." "Thank you for helping me, by the way." Andrew grinned. "Ne'er a problem t' 'elp anot'er lad, s'on'y ri' anyway!" The drummer lifted a hand to wave at one of the marines standing near the deck-rail when the pair neared the end of the gangplank. "Where'way's th' watch officer, Patt'rson?" "Down belowdeck, some-place," Patterson answered, and eyed the drummer contemplatively. "Best not let Sarn't Devlin catch you with your hat like that, Sticks, or he'll throw a proper fit!" "Ain't worried 'bout alla that, this 'ere lad's brother's gone a-missin'. 'E's the Comm'dore's cabin boy, nobody's seen 'im fer t'ree days. Reckon summa these Tars know wot 'came o' 'im, but they ain't talkin'." Andrew smirked. "T'ink we c'n git sum answers from 'em wi' a li'l proddin'. Which ones didja talk t', John?" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:42 PM Post #9 |
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Keegan: "There ain't gonna be trouble, yer wi' me," he told John. "S'easy 'nuff t' yell fer th' lads if them Tars wanna act orn'ry." John smiled and let himself relax a little bit. It was certainly nice to have someone help him, especially someone with a bit of influence among all the other military men. Even if Andrew was just a boy, he was in a uniform and probably had friends in the Marines. John tried remembering if Keegan had mentioned any other boys on the Dauntless, and thought he might have heard a mention in passing. "Ne'er a problem t' 'elp anot'er lad, s'on'y ri' anyway!" John nodded as they reached the Dauntless, wondering then if there was something he could do in return for the older boy. Probably not, but he would be sure to tell Keegan about Andrew's helpfulness. John wondered if joining the marines might be a good career choice for himself. They seemed very companionable and helpful. He didn't know why Keegan had been so determined to join the navy if the sailors he met were any indication of the type of people one worked with. He listened as Andrew talked to an officer on the boat, one who hadn't ushered John from the boat earlier. It certainly helped to have friends in high places. "T'ink we c'n git sum answers from 'em wi' a li'l proddin'. Which ones didja talk t', John?" John glanced around and drummed his fingers against his mouth, his lips pressed into a tight line. "I don't know their names." He pointed to a sailor nearby busily loading barrels onto the ship. "I talked to him. He seemed funny about it when I asked." |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:42 PM Post #10 |
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Brendan: "I don't know their names." He pointed to a sailor nearby busily loading barrels onto the ship. "I talked to him. He seemed funny about it when I asked." Both Andrew and Patterson looked toward the sailor John had singled out, and the marine private smirked. "Robbins, might've figgered." "Th' master's mate?" Andrew sneered. "I t'ought 'e was a steady lad. C'mon, John-o." With Patterson leading the way, the drummer followed. The sailor called Robbins eyed them warily as they approached and Patterson said, "Oi, Robbins, this here fella wants to talk to you. " Gesturing at John, the drummer ceded control of the impromptu interrogation to him. With Patterson present, the sailor had little choice but to listen, at the very least. Andrew couldn't the surge of triumph that came with having mates who could get things done. Just let Robbins try to weasel out of answering any questions, Andrew would have no trouble calling for the boatswain. "G'ead then, me bucko, I'll bet this fine sail'r knows wot 'came o' yer brot'er." |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:42 PM Post #11 |
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John looked between Andrew and the other marine, his hands reaching for each other again as his fingers began to fiddle with each other. He listened to what they had to say, equally confused by their assertion that this Robbins person was a "steady" person. Had Keegan done something to him that warranted such strange actions? Keegan wasn't the type to garner an enemy. At least...not so soon. He followed the marines as they ambled to the sailor, and when he was suddenly introduced he felt shy and nervous. His hands wrung each other anxiously and he visibly swallowed. "G'ead then, me bucko, I'll bet this fine sail'r knows wot 'came o' yer brot'er." Remembering his brother, John cleared his throat and took a deep breath. He straightened up and stood as tall as he could. He wasn't wearing a uniform, but he was dressed nicely and hoped he would still be taken seriously. "Keegan McAllister, my brother," he said, glowering and sounding rather accusatory. "I asked you about him earlier and you just brushed me off. He's been missing for three days and...." He clenched his fists by his side and pressed his lips together. "What do you know about him?" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:43 PM Post #12 |
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Brendan: Young John drew himself up and stepped forward. The two marines beside him watched Robbins closely, with Patterson making sure to keep a firm grip on his musket. If nothing else, the firelock was useful for intimidation. "Keegan McAllister, my brother," he said, glowering and sounding rather accusatory. "I asked you about him earlier and you just brushed me off. He's been missing for three days and...." He clenched his fists by his side and pressed his lips together. "What do you know about him?" Robbins looked almost fearfully at Patterson, who only gazed mildly back at him. Swallowing, the master's mate lowered his eyes and mumbled, "I dunno nothin'." This wouldn't do. Andrew unlimbered his drumsticks and gave a soft ruffle on the drum, narrowing his eyes at Robbins. "That ain't good 'nuff, me bucko, so 'tain't. C'mon, ain't yeh a man 'nuff t' tell th' trut' when 'tis arsked o' yeh?" The drummer rapped his drumsticks together in a quick, angry rhythm. "Let's 'ave it, or I'll drum up th' bo'sun an' tell 'im yeh 'elped Mast'r McAllister get spirit'd off. 'Ow d'yeh t'ink th' Comm'dore'll like 'earin' 'is cabin boy got taken off wi' 'elp from 'is own crew?" Cowed, Robbins looked at the two marines helplessly. "It was Taylor that ratted, the stupid blackguard. The cabin boy sat wit' us fer cards coupla nights past an' the rum was goin' round. Reckon he ain't used ta drink, but he had some anyhow. Took us fer close ta two shillings, he done." The master's mate scratched at his ear and did his best not to look at John. "Came ta story-tellin' an ho that lad had some fine tales. Talk 'bout that pirate Sparrow an' how he knew him. I figgured it were all talk, meself. That weasel Taylor went off an' peached ta his bloody lordship, an' came back crowin' how he'd got a crown fer doin' an errand." Andrew and Patterson looked at each other, neither one speaking. One of the sailors had turned-coat on Norrington's cabin boy? He was likely to be hung for that. Robbins shifted uneasily, his gaze once again on his hands. "S'all I knows, I swear, sir." |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:44 PM Post #13 |
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Keegan: "I dunno nothin'." John's face scrunched up into a scowl as he recieved the same answer as before. He really didn't understand this! Why was it so hard to answer him? Didn't these people understand it was his brother he was asking about? In addition to that, Keegan was only a child, which John knew despite the times Keegan seemed not to. John knew sailors could be coarse and rough, but would they really just sit by while some little boy was probably in trouble somewhere? "That ain't good 'nuff, me bucko, so 'tain't. C'mon, ain't yeh a man 'nuff t' tell th' trut' when 'tis arsked o' yeh?" The little boy turned to the drummer and was thankful for his companionship, and the older man added a certain sense of intimidation with his hand on his rifle like that. John wasn't sure he liked using violence to get information, but the threat alone would hopefully work. He was getting desperate, and he hadn't even realized his eyes were tearing up in frustration until he looked at the marines and saw the reds were blurring. He rubbed his eyes as the sailor finally began to talk. "The cabin boy sat wit' us fer cards coupla nights past an' the rum was goin' round. Came ta story-tellin' an ho that lad had some fine tales. Talk 'bout that pirate Sparrow an' how he knew him. That weasel Taylor went off an' peached ta his bloody lordship, an' came back crowin' how he'd got a crown fer doin' an errand." John couldn't help but stare. Keegan had told these strangers about meeting Sparrow? He'd played cards with them and drank with them...and told them about Sparrow?! John had always worried a little that when Keegan joined the navy he might change, but this was a surprise. He always thought his older brother detested the other sailors, who were all usually dirty and crass and rude. What had gotten into him? Besides the drink. "S'all I knows, I swear, sir." John absently shook his head, still horribly confused. Keegan had only met Sparrow once, maybe twice if he got the dagger back. The time on the beach wasn't a terrible thing, was it? Sparrow had even stolen something from them. Why was Keegan in trouble for that? "I don't understand, it was only one time...." He blinked and scratched his head. "Wait...Lordship? Who exactly? And why would he want to know about Keegan?" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:44 PM Post #14 |
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Brendan: That hadn't been quite what he'd expected. The cabin boy had connections to a pirate? Andrew wasn't sure he wanted to believe it. Worse, Taylor had sold the lad out for a crown. Granted, a crown was a lot of money to a sailor, but still... it was a despicable thing to do to a ship-mate. John seemed confused as well, though he had no inkling of the seriousness of Robbins' admission. "I don't understand, it was only one time...." He blinked and scratched his head."Wait...Lordship? Who exactly? And why would he want to know about Keegan?" Patterson answered this, his knuckles turning white as he gripped his musket. "Lord Beckett. Claims to be here to crush pirates, but he's fulla shite. All he's after's power." The marine sneered. "His toadies ain't worth the dye in their coatees!" "I reckons 'is lordship wants t' know 'bout Sparra, mate," Andrew told John, ignoring Patterson. "If 'e's got yer brot'er, on'y t'ing's t' git 'im back!" How to manage that was quite unknown, but the least he could do was snoop round. Perhaps he could overhear something useful. Pointing a drumstick at Robbins, he said "Pass th' word fer Taylor, wouldja? Patt'rson, rouse up summa th' lads. I t'ink there's a rat needs teachin'." When the older men moved off, surprisingly quick to obey the commands from a younger and unranking boy, Andrew sighed. This wasn't good. "I dunno wot yer brot'er's got inta, but sure 'tain't good, mate. 'E's bin gone t'ree days, that means 'e's no-place in P'rt Royal. Can't do much fer yeh 'cept sneak round an' keep me ears open." |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:44 PM Post #15 |
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Keegan: "Lord Beckett. Claims to be here to crush pirates, but he's fulla shite. All he's after's power. His toadies ain't worth the dye in their coatees!" Beckett? That name sounded a little familiar to John, but he was a child, and didn't take care to pay attention to the politics of adults. Beckett was a lord, though, so his parents surely knew who he was. John couldn't remember if he was spoken of positively or not, but he seemed to be fairly disliked among the marines. "I reckons 'is lordship wants t' know 'bout Sparra, mate," Andrew told John. "If 'e's got yer brot'er, on'y t'ing's t' git 'im back! John was still a little confused with everything happening around him. The other men seemed to understand the dire situation, but John was unaware of Beckett's powers and antagonistic tendencies. He still couldn't believe Keegan had spilled the beans, and he still couldn't believe that meeting Sparrow on a beach was grounds enough for such drastic measures. "Yeah...." he murmured in response. "I dunno wot yer brot'er's got inta, but sure 'tain't good, mate. 'E's bin gone t'ree days, that means 'e's no-place in P'rt Royal. Can't do much fer yeh 'cept sneak round an' keep me ears open." The little boy turned to look into the drummer's face, his own expression changing to one of increasing worry and dismay. "How...How bad is this man? This Lord Beckett? And...can't we just go ask him?" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:44 PM Post #16 |
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Brendan: It struck Andrew that he had not chosen his words very wisely when John looked at him with unconcealed concern. Tact wasn't one of his strongest suits, though he'd been pretty careless with his tongue thus far - nearly a record, in fact. "How...How bad is this man? This Lord Beckett? And...can't we just go ask him?" How to answer without sounding like a jack's arse? If half of what the marines said was true, simply strolling up to Beckett in the street was akin to sticking one's neck into an open noose. No need for John to know any of that, though, Andrew decided. "We could, aye. Wot could it 'urt? Yeh an' me, we'll arsk 'is l'rdship, this same aft'noon!" The promise sounded hollow and worthless to the drummer's ears, but he hoped it would buoy the younger lad's spirits. He'd have to get with Thomas and do a little scheming. There had to be a way to find out where this lad's brother had vanished to. "Gerroffame, y'bleedin' lot o' scoundrels!" A distraction was coming topside, though Andrew had no wish to let John see what was about to transpire. Stepping neatly between the lad and the group of sailors just appearing from below, he said, "C'mon, there's not'in' else t'do 'ere. Let's us go find 'is lordship an' see wot 'e knows 'bout yer brot'er." Thomas was just coming up the gangplank when Andrew moved to lead John away, and the drummer grinned. Good, he could get rid of his drum and thereby eliminate the hindrance of the instrument hanging off his shoulder. " 'Ere, Tom, 'old onta this fer me. Gotta errand t'run, won't be long. Ta!" Even as he spoke, he was unslinging his drum and holding it out by its leather strap. Sighing, his brother took the drum from him and headed below with it. Free of his burden now, Andrew felt more confident. Perhaps he might be able to be of real help to young John this afternoon. |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:45 PM Post #17 |
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Keegan: "We could, aye. Wot could it 'urt? Yeh an' me, we'll arsk 'is l'rdship, this same aft'noon!" Perhaps the words were false and hollow, but John was desperate for reassurance. He smiled a little at Andrew's grinning face, his expression still clearly anxious and worried and upset, but he trusted these marines. They seemed like a good sort, and they'd already helped him immensely. John glanced back as a loud racket suddenly erupted from below, but Andrew stood in his way and began leading him away. John tried to look around him, because he was curious and couldn't imagine what was going on and also had no idea who it was that was yelling and cursing so loudly. He couldn't see anything though, so he gave up and let Andrew lead the way. His brother arrived again and the drum was removed, and they continued along. "Where should we go?" John asked, his hands fiddling together again. |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:45 PM Post #18 |
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Brendan: "Where should we go?" Now that, Andrew thought, was the question of the hour. "Why, down t' 'is l'rdship's office, ain't no bett'r place t'find 'im!" In truth, the drummer had no idea where to find Beckett. Well, almost no idea. He knew the dock where the EITC's longboats moored, it was fairly likely that there was a boat-crew there that could direct him further. Provided, of course, that John was a decent actor. It would require a suitable ruse to get answers from any EITC men, Andrew thought. " 'Ow good an actor're yeh?" He asked, a plan taking shape in his head. " 'Cause we can't jes' go a-strollin' up t'them EITC boyos wi'out sum sorta story." He paused and studied John, considering the boy's size and features. The lad looked too clean and well-kept to fit into the plot Andrew had thought up. Hopefully he wouldn't mind getting dirty, or else this would never work. He'd have to painted up a bit too. Andrew had learned that it was generally easier to get away with something if there were some traces of having been in a fight on him. "Yeh'd 'ave t' git painted up sum too," the drummer added. "I knows jes' th' place fer that, though. C'mon." |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:45 PM Post #19 |
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Keegan: "Why, down t' 'is l'rdship's office, ain't no bett'r place t'find 'im!" "Okay," John said. He hoped Andrew knew where Beckett's office was, because he had absolutely no idea. It could probably be anywhere, really. On a ship, in the fort, at someone's house. Did Beckett even have a house on Port Royal? If it was on a ship, they might have a harder time getting in to see him. " 'Ow good an actor're yeh?" He asked. " 'Cause we can't jes' go a-strollin' up t'them EITC boyos wi'out sum sorta story." This made John frown a little. Aside from the fact he didn't think he was a very good actor, he didn't see the reason to tell a lie in this circumstance. "Well, I don't know really. But why can't we tell them the truth? Wouldn't they wanna help find Keegan?" "Yeh'd 'ave t' git painted up sum too," the drummer added. "I knows jes' th' place fer that, though. C'mon." John blinked, then his face slackened to a disgusted grimace. He knew what Andrew was talking about, or he thought he did, and being surrounded by so many older sisters made him instantly averse to the idea. He was sure, at one point in his childhood, he had been painted by all four of them. "I'm not dressing up like a girl!" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:45 PM Post #20 |
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Brendan: "Well, I don't know really. But why can't we tell them the truth? Wouldn't they wanna help find Keegan?" Andrew lifted an eyebrow. The truth? Not considering that the EITC sailors weren't likely to know anything... why tip their hand so soon by asking directly after John's brother? It was almost laughable, the whole idea... and then he thought about it a bit. Perhaps the lad was onto something. "I'm not dressing up like a girl!" He grinned foolishly. "Now, that weren't no-place in me plans, mate." The drummer planted his tongue firmly against the inside of his cheek and contemplated changing his plan. Perhaps painting the lad up wasn't necessary. No, it would help lend credibility to Andrew's presence. It couldn't be avoided. "Jes' a li'l dark colourin' 'round yer eye, s'all it'll be. An' per'aps sum dirt on yer clothes too. Yeh look too clean by 'alf!" This, of course, was perfectly typical coming from the drummer, who looked as though he had slept in his uniform. He reached up to tip his hat even further back on his head and smirked. "Th' plot is, yeh gotta look a bit worse fer it, 'cause o' 'ow yeh were run off from Dauntless. That sure ain't a full lie anyways, aye?" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:46 PM Post #21 |
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Keegan: "Now, that weren't no-place in me plans, mate." John relaxed, but his expression was still twisted in a small grimace. He remembered well when he was just six years old and his sisters all dressed him and Evelyn in similar clothing, which meant him looking like a girl. Sometimes they even dressed Evelyn like a boy, since at that age they had looked extremely similar to each other and at a glance could pass for one another. Evelyn hadn't liked the treatment anymore than he did. "Jes' a li'l dark colourin' 'round yer eye, s'all it'll be. An' per'aps sum dirt on yer clothes too. Yeh look too clean by 'alf!" Well that didn't sound so bad, but it made him look down at his clothes. They weren't his fanciest, and in fact they were quite plain and simple. But when he looked at Andrew's crumpled uniform he could see how he might look downright genteel beside him. Still, his mother wouldn't appreciate dirt on his clothes or a rumpled appearance. Why did he have to look like that anyway? "Th' plot is, yeh gotta look a bit worse fer it, 'cause o' 'ow yeh were run off from Dauntless. That sure ain't a full lie anyways, aye?" John stared at him, his expression blank and devoid of any emotion. In other words, he had no idea what was happening. "No...but...why do I have to look roughed up? What's that going to do? Won't it make them even more suspicious of me?" Then he had another thought when he remembered his supposed black eye. "And...you have paint of your own?" he said, taking a small step back and letting a funny expression grace his forthright features. He had heard military men could be odd...but not that odd. |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:46 PM Post #22 |
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Brendan: "No...but...why do I have to look roughed up? What's that going to do? Won't it make them even more suspicious of me?" "Yeh've ne'er 'ad t' make up 'scuses fer nothin', I reckons," Andrew replied, trying not to sigh. " 'Ere's th' rub then. I'm a-goin' t' drag yeh t' th' EIC blokes like yeh belong t' 'em an' say yeh'd jes' bin run offa Dauntless fer tryin' t' spy. An', 'course, I'll 'ave t'ake yeh back t' Beckett 'isself, not no und'rlin'. Make sense t' yeh?" Despite himself, the drummer was beginning to rethink his willingness to help the boy, for he was too blatantly naive to understand anything. He should've sent the lad off with Thomas. Ah, well. The chance to thumb his nose at the EIC was too good to pass up. Besides, if John had been with Thomas, the poor lad would've been bored to tears. "And...you have paint of your own?" At this, Andrew laughed outright. The notion tickled him. Paint of his own... wouldn't that make for some good jokes, then! "I could on'y 'ope, me bucko. I'd 'ave sum fine fun wi' some paint, though, th' jokes'd be top an' nothin' less! Nah, I knows somebody wot c'n paint yeh up nice, an' give me a real shin'r too. Best t' 'ave real stuff, yeh know." The pair was nearing the building Andrew had chosen for a destination, and to his happiness, the woman he had come to see was lounging outside. She caught sight of the drummer and waved the battered fan she was holding. " 'Ey, Ruby, this 'ere lad needs a black'd eye painted up nice, c'n yeh swing it?" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:46 PM Post #23 |
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Keegan: " 'Ere's th' rub then. I'm a-goin' t' drag yeh t' th' EIC blokes like yeh belong t' 'em an' say yeh'd jes' bin run offa Dauntless fer tryin' t' spy. An', 'course, I'll 'ave t'ake yeh back t' Beckett 'isself, not no und'rlin'. Make sense t' yeh?" John watched the older boy very carefully as he explained the plan. He thought he understood well enough, but it was difficult for him to grasp. He wasn't used to lying and sneaking and acting. At least, not on his own. He knew Keegan did it all the time, and sometimes he joined him in his excuses, but now Keegan was gone, and John felt unbalanced. Even when Keegan wasn't at home and spent his nights on the Dauntless, John still knew where he was. "Yeah...all right," John replied, frowning slightly and looking at the ground as they walked. He tried to think back to all the times he'd been in trouble and how he acted. Most of the time he didn't look anyone in the eye out of shame, and that might work here. It would help if he didn't have to look at anyone's face, because then he might be pressured to tell the truth. "Nah, I knows somebody wot c'n paint yeh up nice, an' give me a real shin'r too. Best t' 'ave real stuff, yeh know." John supposed only a true friend would punch you in the face, but it wasn't a test of a relationship he was willing to try. This whole day was turning out extremely different than what he expected, but at least he was doing something for Keegan. He had already discovered much more than he thought he would, and they might still find out more. It might take some lying and sneaking to do so, but it was his brother. He was family. " 'Ey, Ruby, this 'ere lad needs a black'd eye painted up nice, c'n yeh swing it?" When they reached their destination John looked up and fought back a grimace. They had suddenly arrived at a whorehouse without him even realizing, and they were already talking to one. He couldn't scuttle away now though he knew it was what he should be doing. Ironically enough, he didn't want to appear rude to the whore who might end up helping them. But he didn't think he wanted one touching him either, considering their profession. He couldn't help but stand a little closer to Andrew as they approached, making sure to stand behind him in case he got infected through some kind of air-borne disease. And why in the world did Andrew even know her? |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:46 PM Post #24 |
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Brendan: "Yeah...all right," John said grudgingly. Good. That removed the worry of having to explain things again. Andrew set his mind to working out what he'd say when they encountered the EIC sailors. This had to be the biggest charade of his life and he was determined to make it successful. Fortunately, John chose not to speak further, though he drew a little closer to the drummer when Ruby smiled and bent down a little to peer at him. "Aye, I can help yon lad," she said after a moment's appraisal. "Got jus' the colour too. Wait y'selves here." The whore disappeared through the brothel's entrance with a flounce of skirts and Andrew couldn't resist a cheeky grin. "She's summat, ain't she? One o' th' bett'r lasses 'round 'ere." The drummer pulled himself up onto a barrel setting near the brothel's door and felt in the small pocket of his coatee for a pouch of tobacco leaf. Though he was several years younger than the other marines, he had already acquired many of their habits. Spitting tobacco was one of the first of these and he thought nothing of what it had to look like to John when he stuffed a pinch of leaf into his cheek. Presently, Ruby returned with a small tin, which she opened and held out for inspection. "Shou' be a good 'nuff colour fer yon lad. Ye think?" Andrew peered into the tin and nodded. "Aye! S'spot on. 'Ere, mate," he said to John as he hopped down from the barrel. "Turn yer face up sum, this'll on'y take a minute." |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:46 PM Post #25 |
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Keegan: "She's summat, ain't she? One o' th' bett'r lasses 'round 'ere." John gave Andrew an incredulous look, sticking close even as the older boy ambled ever closer to the brothel. The fact Andrew could even make a comparison meant he had been around a few such "lasses" before. John was beginning to wonder if he had made a mistake in trusting this marine. He was surprised when the boy even took out a leaf of tobacco and proceeded to chew it. What the heck had he gotten mixed up in? Then the whore came back and displayed her make-up, and John couldn't hide the small grimace that snuck onto his face at being even closer to her. She seemed nice enough for any kind of person, but John could hear all the bad things ever said about a prostitute echoing in his brain. "Aye! S'spot on. 'Ere, mate, turn yer face up sum, this'll on'y take a minute." John took a deep breath and closed his eyes very tightly, like he was preparing to be hit or punished. He even tried holding his breath but realized that wasn't going to do any good. He couldn't hold it for a minute. The only thing keeping him from running away was the constant reminder that he was doing this for Keegan. Keegan was in trouble; he needed help, and if John had to be painted up by a whore to help him, then so be it. "All right," he said and turned his face up, his eyes still squeezed tightly shut. |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:47 PM Post #26 |
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Brendan: "All right." Andrew spat a brown stream of used-up tobacco onto the ground as Ruby set about the task of turning John's left eye an ugly shade of dark purple. The face-paint went on easily enough and the whore's fingers smoothed it round until it looked like John had been socked solidly in the eye. Grinning, Andrew sucked on his lower lip, then spat out another wad of spent tobacco. "S'grand's e'er, Ruby. I owes yeh," the drummer said, studying her handiwork appreciatively. He looked up to grin at Ruby, who offered a slightly snaggle-toothed grin in return. "Aye, ye will. Now hold ye still." Andrew straightened his back and waited while Ruby set aside her precious tin of face-paint. She balled up her small fist, paused a moment to select her target, then struck him square in the left eye. The drummer staggered back half a step, surprised by the force of the blow. He felt his eye already beginning to swell up when he lifted his hand to touch the spot. It was lightly tender and that was good. "Good swing! Yeh almos' 'its 'arder'n Thomas!" Ruby smiled at him as she collected the tin of face-paint and headed back inside. She said nothing more, though Andrew knew he'd be back later in the day to pay her back for the use of her paint. Fingering the swollen flesh round his eye, he decided that he was fit for the part he had to play. "Arright, we's done 'ere. Let's go." He laid a hand on John's shoulder and started toward the docks again. |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:47 PM Post #27 |
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Keegan: John blinked his eyes open once the whore was done painting his face. He couldn't see a difference of course, and his eye wasn't going to be swollen. But it probably wasn't that important if he was going to be looking down the whole time. The soldiers they were going to ask would pay more attention to Andrew anyway. The boy made sure not to rub his eyes (despite the overwhelming urge to after being touched by that woman) and just watched as Andrew went about getting his own black eye. John winced as the older boy was punched, amazed he would go to such lengths to help him. "Arright, we's done 'ere. Let's go." "Okay," John said, letting the drummer lead him along. The closer they got to the docks the more nervous he became. Despite the make-up on his face and the determination to help his older brother, John wasn't sure he was such a great actor. His hands began wringing together again. "So what exactly is going on? You caught me sneaking on the Dauntless, and we fought, and you're bringing me to Beckett?" He tried not to sound so anxious when he spoke, but he wasn't as good at acting as Keegan. His voice did waver a little. "Just...so I know what's going on." |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:47 PM Post #28 |
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Brendan: "Okay," John siad, his voice a little hesitant. "So what exactly is going on? You caught me sneaking on the Dauntless, and we fought, and you're bringing me to Beckett? Just...so I know what's going on." Taking a moment to poke experimentally at his now-well-swollen eye, Andrew nodded. "Aye. S'righ'. Jes' leave mosta th' talki' t'me an' yeh'll be arrigh'." Part two of his plan was about to begin, as they neared the dock that the EIC had taken over as theirs. Andrew was pleased to see a longboat tied up to the dock, with handful of sailors idling about on the pier near it. Good! "Look pathetic," he murmured to John, taking a firm hold of the boy's shirt collar. He regretted having to handle the lad so roughly, but he couldn't very well go strolling up to those EIC sailors with John trailing along placidly behind him. Hopefully John was quick of mind enough to realise what he had to do, which was be as unwilling to follow as possible. Otherwise, the entire ruse would fail. Andrew lengthened his stride slightly and scowled, as though he was disgusted. It was time to see how good an actor young John was. "Oi, yeh lads, where's yer lordship? I found one o' 'is toadies a-spyin' 'round me ship!" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:47 PM Post #29 |
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Keegan: "Aye. S'righ'. Jes' leave mosta th' talki' t'me an' yeh'll be arrigh'." John nodded as he walked along, following closely. He had to force himeslf not to reach up and touch his eye, sure that would smudge the make-up. It was hard to tell it was even there, as he wasn't in pain and it wasn't swollen at all. He would have to remember to take it off before he went home. If his mother saw it...Dear Lord. "Look pathetic," he murmured to John. He glanced up and saw they were approaching the dock for the East India Company. There were some men there around a longboat, lazing around. Well, if all John had to do was look pathetic, then maybe this wouldn't be so hard. He could be a very pathetic boy. He didn't appreciate being handled roughly, especially since it wasn't going to be easy to explained ripped clothes to his mother. But it was an act, it was all just an act. It was for family. When his collar had first been grabbed John almost instinctively resisted, but as the grip didn't loosen and they moved ever closer to the dock, he tried to put more acting into it. He didn't want to hurt Andrew, but he tried kicking at him and swung his arms around to hit something. None of those worked of course, and only served to trip him up as he was dragged along. "Oi, yeh lads, where's yer lordship? I found one o' 'is toadies a-spyin' 'round me ship!" "I en't no toadie!" John snapped, reaching to try and remove Andrew's grip on his collar. "Leggo a'me you bloody red!" Well, acting wasn't so hard, John figured. As long as he didn' t look anyone in the eye, he could do it. He hoped. |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:47 PM Post #30 |
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Brendan: OOC - Mild taking-over of EITC men. Can edit if need be. IC - "I en't no toadie!" John snapped, reaching to try and remove Andrew's grip on his collar. "Leggo a'me you bloody red!" Good lad! He caught on quick. Andrew's scowl deepened when John thrashed and kicked, strengthening the appearance of great displeasure. He'd have to get this lad something to reward him for his efforts later. " 'Ush there, yeh wee blackguard, yer back wi' yer mast'rs now." The EIC sailors stared at them and for a moment Andrew was afraid they would call him on his bluff. One of them pushed away from the crate he'd been leaning against and peered close at the drummer's blacked eye. "He gotcha good, din't he? Ain't no gettin' to see his lordship, though, nobody does 'less he wants ya to. 'Sides, he's tendin' business on Endeavour." Blast. Andrew huffed, releasing John's collar pointedly. "That don't solve up th' matt'r o' this scoundrel lurkin' 'bout Dauntless, it don't. 'E's gotta be one o' yers, why else'd 'e be pokin' 'round arskin' why our lads made off wi' 'is brot'er. Now I arsks yeh, why'd any o' us wanna do anyt'in' t'our cabin boy, eh?" His comment earned him a raised eyebrow and he sensed an opportunity. Curling his lip, Andrew added, "Sure 'tain't not'in' t'do wi' that blackguard Sparra who's bin cap'rin' round, eh?" The sailor hesitated, then said, "I 'unno what yer talkin' 'bout. His lordship don't care 'bout makin' his business known to nobody. Nope, he don't. That lad ain't none of our'n, anyway, like's not he's jus' some street-ling. Git him off our dock, an' ya too. Bloody lobsterback!" That was it. The other sailors shifted and Andrew let his scowl deepen. "Bleedin' lotta rat-dogs, s'all yeh are, can't e'en rec'nise one o' yer own. Arrigh' then, 'tis off t'the dungeon wi' yeh. Move it!" |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:47 PM Post #31 |
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Keegan: John kept his eyes down during the entire confrontation, trying to look as pathetic as he knew how. He made sure his stature was slumped and his movements gangly. If he was going to pass for an urchin, he would have to be a little less genteel than usual. "'Sides, he's tendin' business on Endeavour." John almost stumbled when Andrew released him, and he made a show of straightening his clothes. He kept his eyes on the ground the whole time his hands passed over his waistcoat. The Endeavor was clearly not here, if this was the EIC dock. That meant Beckett wasn't there either. Which meant another dead-end. Unless Keegan went with Beckett. But still, where did they go? And why was Keegan taken in the first place? Sure they'd met Sparrow, but they hadn't really done anything. "Bleedin' lotta rat-dogs, s'all yeh are, can't e'en rec'nise one o' yer own. Arrigh' then, 'tis off t'the dungeon wi' yeh. Move it!" In John's contemplative stupor he lost a bit of his raggamuffin edge, but he was quickly reminded and slouched again. He wordlessly turned and walked back down the dock, his face changing to a frustrated pout. If anything meeting those soldiers only created more questions. And he still didn't know where Keegan was. Beckett sounded like a dangerous man too...what if Keegan was hurt? Or...worse? "That didn't get us anywhere," he squeaked, his hands wringing each other once more. "We're right back where we started...It's another dead-end...." He gritted his teeth and kept his eyes on his striding shoes. "I don't understand...It was only one time! And I was there too! I should be with him!" John reached up and ran a hand through his hair, biting his bottom lip in frustration. |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:48 PM Post #32 |
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Brendan: As he led John away from the EIC dock, Andrew thought about what the sailor had said. Whatever that "business" was that sailor was quick to denounce, it had to have something to do with Sparrow. Why else would that dough-faced sod have hesitated before answering? Too, the man's expression had given him away. The drummer resolved to do more snooping round, if only to satisfy his own curiosity. It was all strange and somewhat puzzling, but Andrew suspected he could find out more. "That didn't get us anywhere. We're right back where we started...It's another dead-end.... I don't understand...It was only one time! And I was there too! I should be with him!" Andrew waited until they were out of sight of the EIC dock before letting his act drop. He pulled his hat off and scratched at a spot on the back of his head. The lad had a point, sort of. They weren't necessarily right back where they'd started, but it seemed that way. " 'Tain't 'not'er dead end, me bucko. Where d'yeh t'ink Sparra an' alla them ot'er pirates go t' 'ide?" He didn't think the lad would have an answer for that. Thus far, John hadn't shown much in the way of worldly knowledge. Perhaps it was just as well he didn't, for the thought that the lad's brother had somehow been taken off to Tortuga sent a shiver through Andrew. Best of luck to the cabin boy, if he was there. There was nothing the Navy could do for him until he got back to Port Royal. If ever. Slipping his hat back onto his head, the drummer suppressed a sigh. How could he explain this to John, so the lad might understand? "Let's git that paint offa yeh, 'fore anyt'in' else." |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:48 PM Post #33 |
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Keegan: " 'Tain't 'not'er dead end, me bucko. Where d'yeh t'ink Sparra an' alla them ot'er pirates go t' 'ide?" So it was about Sparrow, then. John still didn't understand how events had happend as they did. Keegan was taken by Beckett, right? And now they had left the island. John knew that if Keegan were on the island he would have gotten back to them somehow. So if they were off the island, looking for Sparrow, they had to go somewhere pirates might go. "Let's git that paint offa yeh, 'fore anyt'in' else." John frowned as he racked his brain. He had heard people talking about someplace like that dozens of times before. Keegan had even mentioned it, usually in telling them stories from other sailors. Suddenly he had it, and he looked up at Andrew. "Beluga! He went to Beluga? Why would Beckett go there? And why take Keegan with him?" He followed Andrew as he tried to think and make sense of everything. He didn't understand all the politics involved, the mind games and ulterior motives. He hadn't caught on to such things yet. All he knew was that Keegan was in trouble, and it was his fault. The dagger had gotten stolen because he hadn't been paying attention. Perhaps the real trouble had happened when Sparrow returned it, because John had seen the dagger sitting in the side table. Keegan didn't carry it with him anymore, and the blade was still laying there. Well wait...if Keegan was off to Beluga, and Beluga was where all the pirates were hiding.... "Oh Lord," John sighed, piecing two and two together. Keegan was in more trouble than he had anticipated. It really was helpless then, wasn't it? John couldn't go after Keegan, and if Beckett was a powerful as he seemed to be, the navy probably couldn't help either. There was nothing he could do, and the hopelessness brought tears to his eyes. He reached up to rub them despite the paint that smudged onto his hands. |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:48 PM Post #34 |
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Brendan: "Beluga! He went to Beluga? Why would Beckett go there? And why take Keegan with him?" Beluga. It was a close enough approximation to Tortuga. Either way, John's brother was in a bad way, to be there. Worse, there were no answers for him to give the lad. All he had was suspicion, which wouldn't help at all. "Oh Lord." Andrew glanced down at John, offering a slightly strained grin. The lad had rubbed at his eyes and now had the dark paint smeared on his hands. If the circumstances had been different, the drummer might have chuckled. Pulling a torn handkerchief from his waistcoat and holding it out to John, he said " 'Ard t' answer why, me bucko, but s'fair t' t'ink 'tis summat t'do wi' wot yer brot'er said t'them Tars. Beckett's aft'r that Sparra, I reckons, an' since that no-good sod Taylor ratt'd yer brot'er out, 'is l'rdship's gone an' 'ad th' young master spirit'd off." Thinking about it, he could see why it all might be confusing. At the heart of it all, however, was the fact that the Commodore's cabin boy had gone missing and that blackguard Beckett was probably responsible for it. Andrew made his mind up to carry word of all this to the Commodore as soon as he could. " 'Ere, wipe off yer face, mate. No need fer that paint no more." |
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| Aztec Gold | 20 Dec 2007, 07:48 PM Post #35 |
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Keegan: "Beckett's aft'r that Sparra, I reckons, an' since that no-good sod Taylor ratt'd yer brot'er out, 'is l'rdship's gone an' 'ad th' young master spirit'd off." Okay...John could understand that. But he didn't get why Keegan would need to be kidnapped. He couldn't do anything to help get Sparrow, could he? They certainly weren't friends, and Keegan wouldn't be so stupid as to be friends with a pirate anyway. He hated pirates; everyone did. And for good reason if a mere association with one landed them in as much trouble as Keegan was in. John grimaced when Taylor's name was mentioned. It was all that man's fault. If he hadn't gone and told Beckett, Keegan would be home right now, safe and sound and with his family. "I hope Taylor gets what's coming to him," John grumbled shakily, rubbing his eyes again as tears continued welling up. " 'Ere, wipe off yer face, mate. No need fer that paint no more." John accepted the handkerchief and only then noticed the paint that had smudged on his hands. He gasped and looked at his clothes, but was relieved to see nothing had gotten on them. He proceeded to wipe his hands, and then his face. When he felt the make-up was gone, he stared sadly at the ruined piece of fabric. It was hardly clean before, but it was almost completely black now. John wasn't feeling bad about that anyway. "Thank you for everything anyway, Andrew," John mumbled, handing the handkerchief back. "You've helped me a lot. I hope I can repay you someday." He looked back at the older boy and attempted a smile. "I suppose I should be getting home now." |
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4:03 AM Jul 30
