AGE OF PIRACY AU (1)

[agoodname]

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[enigmaster]

[what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck--] And I'm just supposed to trust that- just, just supposed to tell you what I want, and it'll just miraculously happen? That's a lot of trust I'd be putting in a complete - and, no offense, rather unsettling - stranger.

[agoodname]

[there's a rough laugh] "Oh, no, I don't peddle in miracles, lad. It's not jest goin' t' magically happen. Rather...I nudge destiny in the direction yer lookin' for. Convince the fates to turn your path into the right one.

For a price."

[enigmaster]

[Ah yes, there it is, the catch. The key to whatever scam is going on here.] What sort of price? Or is that going to be delightfully vague as well?

[agoodname]

"It'll differ depending on what ye ask for. It could be a cut of yer eventual treasure. It might be a bottle of good wine. It might be tyin' your path to someone else's for a time."

The man leans forward a bit over his legs, back bending a bit oddly.

"Ask, and I'll tell ye the price.`

[enigmaster]

...Well, fine. Sure. Why not! [he rolls his eyes a little, crossing his arms.] I want a ship of my own. How many bottles of wine is that, pray tell?

[agoodname]

"A ship of yer own." The man's eyes narrow.

"Surely you're smart enough to know better than to phrase it like that."

[enigmaster]

Oh, for-- What? Do I need to be more specific? Is this going to have some ironic twist if I don't phrase things carefully enough? You asked me.

[agoodname]

"That's how deals *work*, boy." [annoyed, now.] "Ye've heard enough of the stories, and riddles, t'know better. Now *ask*. Proper-like this time."

[enigmaster]

It's hardly like I'm asking properly yet, I just want some idea of the terms involved! [oh HE'S annoyed?] Fine. I would like a decently sized but proper ship, such as a sloop or a schooner, manageable without too many people, that belongs to me alone, so that I can set out on my own and not have to answer to someone else, without the ship having belonged to someone else before or upsetting anyone so that I won't be shanked in my sleep for even so much as looking at it, preferably with someone to help me sail it so I won't end up stranded somewhere on my own the first time I actually set out. Also if the decorations could be a nice tasteful green that'd be great. Better?

[agoodname]

[and he'll get a slow, pleased smile for that, again with those too many teeth]

"Much. Now tha's a proper ask."

[that hunched form leans a bit closer]

"Ye'll have what ye seek, and the price is this: find the flightless bird in the tavern, an' take him with ye. Tie his destiny t'yours for a time, an' you'll get yer ship."

[amusement, now]

"Green decorations an' all."

[enigmaster]

Tie his-- What does that even mean? Just bring him along?

[agoodname]

"Aye, but that sounds less poetic." [dryly]

[enigmaster]

But much, much clearer.

[agoodname]

"Ye still got it, though." [AMUSED]

"Now, that's the price. Do ye accept?"

[enigmaster]

What, take along some "flightless bird" and that's it? That seems pretty low as far as prices go. [And also, like. Clearly bullshit.] What do you even get out of this? [it's not a no, yet]

[agoodname]

"Mostly the joy a' pissin' off the Fates. But also a Destiny changed by me gives off ripples, and those 'r delicious. No consequence to ye n' yours, but it's a nice side effect fer me." [casually]

[enigmaster]

D...elicious...? [w what] ...Ugh. You know what. Sure. Sure, why not.

[agoodname]

"Good. Our deal is struck. Now get ye gone!" [and a long-fingered, pale-skinned hand waves him out of the alley lmao]

[enigmaster]

No need to be so rude about it... Not that I particularly want to keep hanging around here. [you know what! he will leave! because he WANTS to leave and for no other reason!]

[agoodname]

[there's an amused, creaking laugh that follows him out of the alley. ur hilarious, he very much enjoyed this]

[enigmaster]

[wow! wow!!! so rude!!!!

but honestly, okay. let's see how much of this is horseshit. let's go to the tavern, why not.]

[agoodname]

[the tavern is...as loud and raucous as expected. Drinking, laughing, shouting, a brawl in the corner--standard pirate town tavern stuff. No sign of any birds, though :) There's a young man behind the bar, polishing a glass. His pale blue eyes flick over to Edward as he walks in, briefly, before they glance away again, called back to his task]

[enigmaster]

[Of course there's no bird. Why did he think there'd be a bird. And now he's in a tavern, all loud noises and chaos and--

he just barely manages to sidestep someone spilling their drink on him.

Eugh.

...He's just going to find whatever place is least

crowded

and sit down there.]

[agoodname]

[he's got a couple minutes to wait before that young man behind the bar counter manages to make his way over to him, limping over, foot turned oddly outward as he slings a bar towel over his shoulder] Alright, what'll it be?

[enigmaster]

Huh? [he blinks, looking up. oh. right.] Ah. Whatever is both cheap and unlikely to make me throw up, I suppose? If you have any recommendations for that.