[23] - [Private to Reaver]

[sharpememory]

We need to talk. You have something of mine, sir.

Comments

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

Do I?

[Private]

[sharpememory]

I'm afraid so. Commodore Prefect and I have been rivals at sea for a very long time. After so many years of battle, I would hate to see him hung. It seems like such an unfortunate ending.

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

Shame his ship fell to mine rather than yours, but you know that is his own fault.

I suppose we could play by the naval rules, here. There oughtn't be a hanging if no one's had a chance to buy him yet.

[Private]

[sharpememory]

It was foolishness for him to pursue other men, but he did not know that I was still present in the area.

Buy him? [Pause.] Have you had any other offers?

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

Of course not! I'm not at all fond of silent auctions.

[Private]

[sharpememory]

What would be your starting price?

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

Three hundred gold, I think would be fair. The first price ever laid upon my head.

As you can imagine, the bounty has grown considerably since then.

[Private]

[sharpememory]

That's a considerable bounty to start with! I could promise you the next ship that I capture.

[A pretty big call, considering Barron doesn't even have his own ship right now. It sank.]

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

I would sooner the spoils inside, as I have no need of another ship, myself.

[Private]

[sharpememory]

A fair price. You would keep him in your cells until I could pay it? It may be a number of weeks until I return. [Aka months.]

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

I would prefer you take him off my hands much faster than that and put an end to his constant squawking.

Just know you may not be so warmly welcomed should you return to this island again without the payment I am owed.

That is, provided I decide to have a gentleman's accord with you and not simply throw him to the highest bidder.

[Private]

[sharpememory]

He can't help that. It's in his nature. And really quite pleasant to listen to, if you are in the right humor.

I am going to need more assurance than that. I don't want bids to be placed. I would prefer that only our agreement exist.

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

Then I have to wonder what else you are willing to offer me.

[Private]

[sharpememory]

I can offer you more than one bounty.

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

[Yawwwwn]

Go on.

[Private]

[sharpememory]

Reaver, come on. You've known me long enough to know that my word is good. I know that you've been known as a hard man [understatement], but I am asking you for one thing. He may be a navy man, but he's my navy man.

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

Ah, unspoken attraction. Is there anything more touching?

You're asking me to forgo pure entertainment in exchange for what?

[Private]

[sharpememory]

It's not an attraction. He's my nemesis.

What can I offer you? What do you want?

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

I'm sure he is.

Something to replace the spectacle you would deprive me.

[Private]

[sharpememory]

What kind of spectacle would you prefer? A replacement man? Destruction? Women?

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

So uncreative. And you captain a ship?

[Private]

[sharpememory]

I did, but she has been sunk. I am in the process of gaining another.

[Private]

[tatty_bye]

Sunken, you say?

...I suggest you take up a collection and see me at auction.

[Private]

[sharpememory]

[Damn it.] Fine.