[We Interrupt Your Usual RP to Bring You... International Talk Like a Pirate Day!]

[kirktastic]

It was morning on the Enterprise, and it came with the slow creaking of wood deck around him, swelling in the heat of the morning, the sound of waves against the sides of the ship. Definitely a damn good way to wake up.

Even better was waking up between two warm bodies, one pressed to either side of him. On one side was his cabin boy, a young buck with a foolish head but a pleasing face and tongue. On the other, his first mate, a smug, stoic, uptight, ridiculously intelligent bastard who he had finally talked into ...sharing his bed. At least in the physical sense. He'd won the argument that the captain's bed was the most comfortable place on the ship, but anything beyond that was met with a pointed look and a reach for the sword hilt.

It was a damn good life here on the Enterprise.

He was Captain James T. Kirk of the pirate ship Enterprise, the most feared name on the open seas. He ran his crew with a mixture of charm, command, and the point of his sword. He was a good swordsman, a better brawler, and decent with a flint lock.

[OOC: This will be the ONLY pirate thread everyone, no multiple posts on multiple journals! Post just in here for this! Today only!]

Comments

Re: What ho?

[ephram-green.livejournal.com]

Ephram takes the drink, mindful of Nero's fingers; he'd heard the man reacted strongly to touch. "It's acceptable." He lets the Commodore's disdainful tone slide...for now.

"As long as they don't attempt requesting asylum with the Orion Syndicate, we have a fair chance of catching them." Ephram's nose wrinkled. Pirates were preferable to Orion slavers.

Re: What ho?

[mirror-brightly.livejournal.com]

"Hn..."

Nero pauses and regards his drink before him, turning the glass in the mid-morning light. The gentle blue is reminiscient of his home waters and being so far from them puts him in a sour mood. He scowls lightly and then turns a bright smile toward the Foreign Marshal.

"If they do, we shall simply have to...be more mindful in our pursuit." He tilts the glass back and takes a drink, savoring the sharp flavor of the beverage with a light hiss of appreciation.

"Lord Ephram, you are skilled in the arts of infiltration are you not?" His smile does not reach his eyes, but his tone is respectful and even. "Should we be forced to conceal ourselves, I should not like to abandon...the Federated States by leaving their officer behind."

Re: What ho?

[ephram-green.livejournal.com]

Ephram raises an eyebrow at the Commodore. "I am capable of fending for myself, as well as concealing my identity, should it become necessary. I'm not a sheltered Lord, sir.

"As to the mindfulness of our pursuit, I expect you to use nothing less than all resources at your disposal...which includes service of my own sword."

If Nero's tone became any more respectful, Ephram might be obliged to remind the Commodore that he, Ephram, was no pushover.

Re: What ho?

[mirror-brightly.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Nero acquiesced, his tone light and easy as he motioned blithely with his free hand. "I would do nothing less in the pursuit of such hazardous ruffians.

"There is no need for offense, good sir," Nero added and punctuated his statement by finishing his drink. "I merely wished to pose a inquiry.

"My curiosity is quite sated."

Re: What ho?

[ephram-green.livejournal.com]

"Then we are at an agreement."

Ephram was accustomed to military personnel assuming things of him. It never failed to rankle him, though. With a long drink from his own glass of ale, he considered their pursuit of Enterprise.

"How long do you estimate until we catch up to our...quarry?" he asked.

Re: What ho?

[mirror-brightly.livejournal.com]

Nero replaced his glass genially onto the tabletop, settling the formed crystal against the mark of Isla del Risa. He examined the map briefly and adjusted his shoulders before turning back to the Foriegn Marshal.

"If my navigator's estimates are correct," Nero prefaced and paused, gently folding his hands at his sides, "and they always are. We should arrive before the next dawn.

"Well in time to circumvent The Enterprise and her crew."

Re: What ho?

[ephram-green.livejournal.com]

"Good." He paused, wishing that he could simply give orders rather than defer to this commander. What use were his services if he had to constantly ask Nero?

"Your recommendations for a boarding party, then? And do keep in mind my request to capture them alive if at all possible. Justice should be served in a civilized court of law and not at the end of a blade, however one - including myself - might wish it."

Re: What ho?

[mirror-brightly.livejournal.com]

Nero's expression tightened slightly, his smile growing sharper around the edges as he genially inclined his head. He did not relish being told his job by a spoilt Federated Lord, no matter how H.R.H. desired his cooperation. He would, however, do anything she requested of him.

"The party must be kept small, discreet," he answered. "This adhered to, it is far less likely that we shall have to resort to...violence. Sabotage and covert capture are often far more effective."

Re: What ho?

[ephram-green.livejournal.com]

Ephram noticed Nero's expression, though outwardly his slightly bland tilt of an eyebrow did not change. He knew that kind of tight smile. As long as orders were followed and results reached, he could ignore it.

"Of course," Ephram said, agreeing with the need for discretion. "I would like to avoid violence, to be honest. It's...beneath us, don't you think? Battles of wits are much more satisfying in the end."

Re: What ho?

[mirror-brightly.livejournal.com]

"Beneath us?" The surprise in his tone is sharp and the laugh is light, though disguised thickly under an exhalation of the words. "Why Lord Ephram, I had not thought you to be a naive man."

His smile is genuine and the light in his eyes almost patronizing again as he laces his fingers just beneath his belt buckle. "We are men of minds, good sir, but we are Soldiers first and foremost. Violence is in our blood.

"It would not be beneath me to take a life, nor a lesser man to take mine," his smile falls somewhat, but his expression remains genial. "Do not forget this."

Re: What ho?

[ephram-green.livejournal.com]

"I have not forgotten," he says, a colder edge to his voice, "I merely believe that violence has its place behind other methods. Kindly don't presume to know my level of experience or naivete."

Ephram doesn't return the smile, but sips the remains of his ale. "I carry a blade as do you, and it is not for show. I could call you out for your disrespect, but it serves no use here and now. We have our mission. Surely the capture of the Enterprise is enough to set aside our personal differences?"

Re: What ho?

[mirror-brightly.livejournal.com]

"Surely," Nero agrees vaguely, no change in his tone or expression, and extends a hand to take the empty glass from the Foriegn Marshal.

"I trust your quarters have been prepared to your liking?"

Re: What ho?

[ephram-green.livejournal.com]

Ephram hands his empty glass to the Commodore. Mentally sighing, he wondered if the two of them would wind up crossing swords at some point before this assignment was completed.

"They have been, and more," he says. "I thank you for the accommodations."

Re: What ho?

[mirror-brightly.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Nero inclines his head and takes up his own glass, replacing them beside his ale. "If you require anything, let the men know. They are under order to provide within reason.

"If there is anything specific, I will take it into consideration," Nero added as he turned to regard the Foriegn Marshal.

Re: What ho?

[ephram-green.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't presume to make unreasonable requests as a guest on your ship, Commodore."

He is silent under Nero's regard for a long moment. Then... "I would like to sample more of that ale. Perhaps over a game of chess in my quarters? Two such...civilized men as ourselves must have interesting topics to discuss."

Re: What ho?

[mirror-brightly.livejournal.com]

Nero looked the man over, silently assessing him, before deciding in his favor and inclining his head.

"Of course," Nero responded with a placid smile. "Conversation and formal company is difficult to attain in such places and times as these.

"This evening, perhaps?" He asks as he steps forward and back behind his desk, regarding the map again.

Re: What ho?

[ephram-green.livejournal.com]

"I look forward to this evening," Ephram says smoothly, a genuine smile warming his features. "Until then, Commodore..." He gives what might be a bow with only his head and leaves Nero to his perusal of the map.