Mirror plot II.

[stuck_mynock]

When the morning comes, Atton's gone, but there are two rather ragged and thin looking pirates poking Will with their feet.

"Get up," one says (he's very shrill). "You're to report to the quartermaster, down on deck four."

Comments

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Shrug.

"He's good at what he does. But he doesn't particularly care about the crew."

[will_scarlett]

"Aye, ye just 'elp 'im live longer."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"But once you're here, you're here for however long he contracted you for. If you escape, somehow, he hunts you down. Over time, a lot of the people here just get absorbed into his will and lose their minds."

[will_scarlett]

"Oh aye, I can see that."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Really?"

[will_scarlett]

"'e's a powerful an na quite sane man."

He's the Atton Will knows taken to one extreme.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"True, true. Well, I have repairs to make. You're probably going to get some trouble here - people trying to figure out where to put you on the hierarchy of things."

[will_scarlett]

"Oh aye, I'll 'andle it."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"I should hope so. You're not likely to find any help."

[will_scarlett]

"Figured na, but I'll survive, good at doin' that."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Always good to hear," the old pirate says, heading away.

[will_scarlett]

Will nods and returns to his food.

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

Some of the pirates get a little closer - three especially burly ones, grinning and watching Will.

[will_scarlett]

So he turns to them and gives them a long look,

"Ye 'ave somethin' to say or doin' yer best bear 'mpression?"

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

This throws them for a loop, a little.

"What's a bear?"

[will_scarlett]

"Big ugly 'airy thing."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

One of them grins, a little.

"Are you actually looking for a fight?"

[will_scarlett]

"Nay, I'm eatin'."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

A slightly confused pause.

"After you're done eating?" One of them ventures, a little uncertainly.

[will_scarlett]

"'rhaps, ye really wish to get beaten that much?"

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"Well, we were actually hoping to beat you."

A pause. One of them pipes up, hopefully: "I mean, there are three of us."

[will_scarlett]

"Aye, but I'm probably faster."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

"We're fast! Very fast."

[will_scarlett]

"Course ye are, 'rhaps after I finish eatin'."

[stuck-mynock.livejournal.com]

This is not what the pirates were expecting. They're a little unnerved.

"We could just attack you before you finish eating," one suggests.