Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 12:52 AM
After speaking with Spider, Andre was...not quite ready to talk to Judith.

Instead, he went to the next best place.

"Ollie?" he asked the older man, a bit shyly, as he approached. "HAve you got a few minutes?"

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 12:58 AM
Sturges was trying, with limited success, to negotiate the ship and oversee those on watch without moving spending an undue amount of time on his feet. Thusly, when Andre approached, he gave the man his full attention immediately, happy for the distraction.

"What's the trouble?" he asked, noting the man's expression with a frown.

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 01:01 AM
"You have daughters."

The younger man gave the older man a sheepish look. "What did you do when you...ah. Found out they were...any of them were going to bed with men?"

He looked incredibly uncomfortable about the question. "Did any of them? Before they were married, I mean?"

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 01:08 AM
Sturges choked, mustache poofing out as he exhaled sharply. "Sylvie, or Elaine?" Then, considering that Jochy had made no secret of his desire for the younger twin--"Sylvie."

Casting his eyes upward, he scratched at his head, summoning up memories that were utterly unpleasant. "The first time around I hauled the cheeky little bastard home to his mama and took took to Simone with a belt. For the record, I don't recommend that particular tactic."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 01:15 AM
"Considering the current distance between them and me?" Andre pointed out. "I don'T think that'S possible. What did you do the second time around?"

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 01:22 AM
"I never did catch Adélaïde out, but with Helaine?" he considered this. "She was older than Simone, and I never married her mother proper, so I didn't have much room to criticize, now did I?" He laughed.

"I sat her down and made sure she knew just what she doing. It was the most awkward conversation on... ah... physical mechanics I've ever bloody well had. How to know if she's gotten herself mixed up in a permanent way, that sort of thing."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 01:27 AM
Andre looked a bit white. "Considering the position Sylvie was in? I think she had a very good idea what she was doing," he answered. "And Spider's going to discuss it with her, so, ah...do you supposed it's because they're part African?" he asked, sounding worried. "I mean, the whole...not worrying so much about it?"

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 01:31 AM
Sturges stroked his beard, thoughtfully. "Could be. Although my Simone was French through and through, and I daresay she could have taught Sylvie a thing or too, 'fore she settled down at last. You know things are different there. Things matter more, or less."

He pulled out his pipe. "To be fair, Sylvie was raised on a boat, and boats are generally filled with sailors. It's not as though she's ever been sheltered from it."

This was not a criticism, just a statement of fact.

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 01:34 AM
"I never tried to shelter her," Andre answered. "Being too sheltered? That's what got me and Iolanthe in trouble. I don't question her need to know, to see what men do. I do think...knowing it, she should know better! She should have known not to behave like this! What could happen to her."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 01:43 AM
"She's sixteen," Sturges said, tamping the pipe full and lighting it up with a sigh. "It's not an age generally spent pondering the possibility of failure. And yes, I know that won't make you feel better."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 01:46 AM
"She's heard what happened to me," Andre said unhappily. "Repeatedly. I...that's what I don't understand, Ollie. It's not like I've just spent my time preaching about virtue at her empily."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 01:53 AM
"What happened to you did result in two lovely young daughters," Sturges pointed out. "You're happy yet, and relatively successful in the grand scheme of things. Sylvie only sees what your choices gained you, and not what they lost you at the time."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 01:56 AM
Andre snorted. "What, are you saying she wants incorrigible twins to run her ragged for the rest of her life?" he teased.

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 02:01 AM
"I hope not," Sturges said fervently, then laughed. "My piggy backs are all booked up for the next three years, we've no room for twins."

Then he sighed. "All you can do is point them in the right direction, Andre. Whether or not she sticks to that course is nobody's choice but her own. She's a smart girl, for sixteen."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 02:12 AM
"It's horrific," Andre said, seriously. "Thinking that one of my girls could have a baby the same age as their little brother or sister. And Spider wants more," he said hesitantly. "I'm not being a grandfather till I'm done and well through with being a father."

He gave Ollie a pained look. "smart for sixteen isn't all that bright."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 02:14 AM
"Well," Ollie sighed, "Does Elaine's convent have a basement? We could always lock her there 'til she hits the ripe old age of 25."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 02:19 AM
Andre gave Ollie a pained look. "Sylvie knows how to pick locks," he pointed out.

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 02:20 AM
Sturges grinned. "So I suppose the old chastity belt is out of the question?"

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 02:24 AM
Andre laughed out loud. "Those things cause hip-burns," he pointed out. "No, no, I just...the boy's Judith's grandson."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 02:26 AM
"Good lord! And I take it you mean to share this information with her?" Sturges laughed roundly, slapping his thigh. "I don't think I'd fancy having a sea-witch for a grandmother. I imagine she's got quite the temper."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 02:34 AM
"She does," Andre replied. "But Tuatha don't...they havent got the same sense about these things. It's...more like Africa. You know, they don't...women aren't possessions. They-- you should have heard the way that boy went after me."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 02:37 AM
"...I suppose similar expectations are something to be grateful for. You caught him with his hand in the cookie jar, and he tore into you?" Sturges asked, torn between feeling impressed and offended.

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 02:44 AM
"Well, hand in the cookie jar is a nice way of putting it," Andre replied, "and yes. He started talking about how all horrible us talllfolk are to our daughters. I...well, I would say I lost my temper a bit, but it was already lost."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 02:49 AM
"Stupid boy," Struges said, dismissively. "One who can't have known a great many tallfolk in his lifetime... don't spare him a thought. There are men who protect their daughters, rather than allow a valuable commodity to spoil, and then there are men who protect their girls out of love, knowing that a woman's virtue may secure her happiness," he snorted. "We both know the sort of man you are."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 02:54 AM
Andre blinked. "The sort that completely forgets to parent his children until they're too old to be parented?" he asked. "I've half a mind to tell Jochy that if he's no longer married, he's got to state his intentions toward Elaine, but..." he shrugged. "Then I'm dooming Elaine."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 03:00 AM
Sturges snorted. "And what would having Jochy do that mean, beyond giving you some peace of mind? If condemning her to that would bring you any peace..." this was doubtful, in his mind. "I doubt he would find a mere statement of intent binding, if a marriage itself was not."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 03:09 AM
"It was a marriage to a man," Andre said helplessly. "I-- don't get me wrong, I'm fine with that sort of thing as long as they keep it away from me, but how can you call that a marriage? It wasn't anything binding and Jochy knew it."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 03:15 AM
Sturges snorted and shook his head wearily. "Marriage is first and foremost a promise of lifelong commitment. I've no idea why he'd feel the need to paint that sort of relationship up as a marriage, but a promise is a promise. Walking away from that agreement, regardless of your ... partner's sex ... demonstrates a distinct lack of character. Judgement. Compassion." That was putting it nicely. "We could just nudge him overboard?"

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 03:19 AM
Andre shook his head. "He's...got potential. He's helped us too much. He saved Spider's life, Ollie. I can't just leave him after all that. All I'm saying is that if all a so-called marriage consists of is buggery, you probably aren't thinking of it as a marriage in the first place. Are you? It's like saying a wheel of cheese is married to a ham. You can say it as much as you want, but no one's really taking it seriously."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 03:27 AM
"I'm not arguing that," Sturges said, holding up a hand. "I say the only valid aspect of it... the only aspect that affects Elaine, at least... would be the understanding they'd reached when the promise was made." He shook his head.

Blowing a rather well-crafted smoke ring, he leaned back. "You're too kind, Andre. Whatever the boy has done in the past, all he stands to do now is hurt Elaine further. Entertain her affections until he grows bored and walks away. Or worse--marry her and take that just as seriously as he took the last one."

He scowled. "We could leave him at any port--with his fare wages and our best wishes, tell Elaine we couldn't manage the dead weight, too many men aboard without the proper skills."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 03:34 AM
Andre gave the older man a pointed look. "And he'd go right back to Elaine if he weren't tethered here."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 03:35 AM
Sturges was silent for a long, flat moment. "Ask the sea-witch to bar him passage on her ship? Else find him a nice dress and try the convent basement?"

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 03:39 AM
Now Andre laughed aloud. "Ollie, he's trying, if you didn't notice. He's...I know you didn't know him then, but he's...he's gotten much better in a few short months. Believe me. The first time I met him, he spent all his free time ogling my ass."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 03:44 AM
"What a resounding recommendation of character," Olivier heaved a heavy sigh. "Why can't you just dislike him, boy? You're so damn forgiving."

One last drag on the pipe, and the man limped to the railing, tamping the remaining contents overboard. "Sylvie is heading back to Africa. Once she's there, I daresay there will be plenty of distractions from this Tuatha boy..." he did not comment on what sort of distractions might be.... Sturges had good reason to believe Starling was not the first Sylvie had grown close to. "Ask Judith to call him home, give her a stern talking to, and cross your fingers."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 03:47 AM
"I'm sure Judith will call him home anyhow, once they get to a place where they can call him," Andre said. "What kind of stern talking-to? It's not as if she doesn't already know the consequences."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 03:57 AM
Sturges studied the other man for a long moment. "Well, for God's sake, don't just order her not to do it. It's her decision, and if you tell her not to, she's bound to push as far as she can in the opposite direction."

He tangled his fingers in his beard. "Were I you, I would try honesty. Utter honestly. Apologize for getting angry. Speak to her as an adult, recognizing that her choices are her own... it might leave her more inclined to listen. Tell her she's got a vast potential that shouldn't be wasted or limited by the consequences of a poorly thought out choice. Tell her it scares you, watching her toeing the line you overstepped when you were her age, tell her you want her to be a better parent than you were, and that involves not having children when you're a baby yourself."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 04:05 AM
By the time Ollie was done speaking, Andre's jaw was hanging at a rather odd angle. "Is that me being totally honest?" he asked, sounding very impressed. "I sound much better than I think I do."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 04:10 AM
"It's probably just the beard," Sturges said, smirking. "It lends a certain air of sincerity to things, I find. But I am being serious--treat her like an adult. Sylvie obviously thinks she is capable of making these decisions, and if you don't acknowledge that, she'll shrug off any and all advice thinking you don't understand her."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 04:12 AM
Andre blinked. "Do I need to grow a beard first?"

He rubbed at his chin.

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 04:19 AM
"Well, if we're looking for immediate damage control, I'm not sure we've got the time," Sturges resisted the urge to ruffle Andre's hair--he was a grown man, after all. "You'll be fine. Odds are good she'll be fine, too."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 04:20 AM
"If you say so," Andre said cautiously. "I'm wondering how much of this is just because Elaine did it," he said. "You know, so she's not behind her twin sister."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 04:21 AM
In a show of restraint some might consider phenominal, Sturges kept his face perfectly blank. "I don't think Sylvie has ever worried about being left behind in that respect, Andre."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 04:26 AM
Andre looked relieved. "I just...Starling. I know you don't know him, but I don't see it. He's such a kid."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 04:30 AM
"So were you, when I met you," Olivier said with a shrug. "Sylvie's a baby herself--at least she's found herself someone of an appropriate age?"

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 04:33 AM
Andre snorted. "Yes, I already know you don't like Jochy," he reminded the older man.

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 04:36 AM
"Seeing as you can't bring yourself to, I fully intend to dislike him enough for the both of us," Sturges decided firmly. "Is that it, then? No more sage advice required?"

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 04:38 AM
Andre shook his head. "Not for now," he said hesitantly. "You know, I never got one of these talks. I just got orders to ship out. I don't even know how normal people do this."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 04:41 AM
At that, Sturges' gruff look cracked slightly and he reached out to clap a hand to Andre's shoulder. "The normal way doesn't mean the best way, or even the right one... You're doing fine. And just think, you'll be all practiced up for baby number three."

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 04:43 AM
"Wonderful," Andre agreed dryly. "I'll have one child who doesn't acquire any problems from its father."

Posted by: Olivier Sturges Jul 5 2008, 04:46 AM
"Better than none," Ollie said, cheerfully. This time he did reach out and ruffle the younger man's hair.

Posted by: Andre Romain Jul 5 2008, 04:49 AM
Andre gave the man a sheepish smile and smoothed his hair back. "All right, all right, I've got to go see if my future wife is still even considering beng my future wife," he said, excusing himself.