Pirates (For Dare)

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Captain Blackwood blinked, that brief locking of eyes setting his mind spinning. But he proceeded as though nothing had happened. "Blackheart is not a name," he said, looking at the pirate curiously now. "What is your real name?" And why was it so important for him to know?

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Blackheart's eyes darkened, an action which probably gave away more than he intended it to. "I believe you forget which one of us is the prisoner, Captain," he said, voice low. He didn't want to give away his name, it would give too much away. His clothes and mannerisms gave away that he was more than a simple pirate, however battered the clothes had become over time, but any more was more than he wanted to give.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Captain Blackwood was silent at that. He was impudent, disrespectful and daring, but could sense the lines so many did not see. "I do not speak to figureheads," he said simply. "Figureheads and legends are only that. I will speak to a man, or a woman if she is intelligent and well-spoken." He looked up at the pirate, his eyes focusing, evaluating before he went on. "I have spoken once or twice to a horse, but would well appreciate it if that did not leave this room, as I have a reputation to uphold."

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Blackheart stared at Blackwood, eyes remaining dark as he debated. "Michael," he said after a long moment of silence. He couldn't be certain what had made him give his first name, but it was out and there was no taking it back now. He watched the captain for another moment before letting his eyes flick away, out over the office.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

The name of the archangel. Captain Blackwood nodded his head and again silence settled. It felt as though far more than a name had been given, and the moment deserved its respect. "As my ship is now gone and the light faded," he said at last, breaking the silence, "The Queen's papers will have been destroyed. I sailed on her orders, Michael." The name felt strangely intimate on his tongue, and held it now, wondering at the strange tension hovering in the air.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael's eyes narrowed at hearing the name of the man's employer, and darted away at hearing his name from the unfamiliar voice. It was wrong to hear it, but it didn't feel as wrong as it would have coming from most others. What was he thinking? "I assume it wasn't a pleasure cruise?" he asked, looking away for another moment before finally bringing them forward again.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Rightly so," Captain Blackwood said, his eyes meeting those of the pirate without fear. "I was transporting both cargo and passengers to Her Majesty, Queen Hells. I think you will find a suitable return should the latter be restored in good condition." Thank God the papers would be destroyed. The captain could only imagine the hell and chaos should the pirate discover exactly whom those passengers were.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"I have no reason to harm passengers," Michael said. No, not Michael, he wasn't Michael. He was Blackheart. No matter who he was, he wouldn't benefit from harming his passengers. The cargo was what would help, the passengers were just useless additional mouths to feed aboard the ship. "Though they must be important to be on such a ship for the Queen."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Touché, Captain Blackwood thought. The knowledge shone in his eyes, but he offered no information. Which passengers were so valuable and who they were would remain a mystery until their safety was assured. "I suggest, then, that they each be treated as though they were the princess herself," he said. Favorites of the Queen all, and companions to the princess, they were the reason he was captain of that ship. He was the best that the Queen's fleet had to offer and would lay down his life for Her honor.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"None of them are being mistreated," Michael assured. "They may not be allowed to leave their respective areas, but they will be cared for." It wouldn't do to abuse his prisoners, he was more likely to be hunted down even worse than he already was should the people he took prisoner come to harm. "I'm sure they will all quite enjoy their rooms. You, however, I can not decide."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

The captain tilted his head slightly, implying a question where perhaps there was none at all. Challenge shone in his moss-green eyes, but behind that challenge was a steady wit measuring its chances. "If you spare my hide I will best you at an honest game of chess the first opportunity I have," he vowed. "I make no promises as to the honesty of any games of piquet."

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael's lips quirked and he shook his head. "I have not had a good game of either in years," he said, before he realized that it probably gave away more than he wanted it to. He watched the captain for a few moments before dropping his eyes. He didn't need to do this. What was this, though? Attachment? It couldn't be, it wasn't possible for something like that to happen.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Well," the Captain said, eying the pirate, "While you are deciding what to do with me, have you a chessboard or a deck of cards?" What was it that he had said? It was unnerving to sense such vulnerability from a pirate, most especially from one not immediately facing the gallows. His brows drew together slightly. "Who are you?" he wondered, the question a whisper that might have been his imagination altogether.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Whether Michael heard it or not was irrelevant, as he didn't respond to it. "I do," he said. "However, the sets are old and have not been used in years." They were well maintained, though, even if they were never used. The ivory pieces of the chess board were clean, not grimy, and the bone board was spotless, if worn from old use. The cards were brightly colored, obviously expensive, but lightly worn at the edges. The two sets were among the things he had been able to salvage back when he had taken to the seas.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"Then we ought to make them useful, Michael," the Captain said. "Unless, of course, there are other ships on the horizon you wish to pillage. Perhaps you can capture another captain to amuse me while you continue your pirating duties?"