Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 02:39 PM
It had been a moderately good morning.

Renaud adjusted his uniform coat slightly, as always a hint too warm in this climate. But it wouldn't do to go on visit in a less than official capacity, after all there was nothing to be said that he wasn't watched. And he had history with the captain... even if the ship was new.

He had taken his time approaching the ship, trying to judge how she would sail should he meet her on the seas. A bit bigger and heavier than what Judith had been using the last time, but if things had not changed he would never make the mistake that she would be slow.

He had not yet seen any ship under Judith's command that had not surpassed what it would have done under any other captain.

Even including himself, as much as it galled him to admit it.

So, he approached the ship, giving a holler to one of the men aboard. "Bonjour monsieur, your captain or mademoiselle Romain wouldn't be aboard now, would they?"

He had gestured to the two men he had brought along for propriety's sake to stand back a bit.

Posted by: Umar ibn Rafat Oct 1 2007, 02:44 PM
The Moor raised both eyebrows at the man. "Or Mademoiselle Romain?" he asked, eyes twinkling amusedly. "Are you the one who sent her the flowers? You look a little old for her."

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 02:48 PM
"Someone sent la petite mademoiselle flowers?" Renaud raised an eyebrow, thin lips resisting the urge to smile. "I am afraid that must be someone else Monsieur. I am here about the man that shot her."

Who would have done such a thing? The girl was hardly the type to steal your heart away at first glance.

But then again perhaps his taste was not the best there was.

Posted by: Umar ibn Rafat Oct 1 2007, 02:51 PM
"Well, that is a relief," Umar admitted cheerfully. "Because I think the little lady tore them to shreds." He rolled his eyes at this. "May I have your name?"

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 02:57 PM
"Grand Commandeur Moreau if you please." He shook his head a bit, a wry smirk on his lips as he looked away. Tore them up?

Girls that did not appreciate presents?

It seemed that there was no coincidence she was on Judith's ship.

Posted by: Umar ibn Rafat Oct 1 2007, 03:03 PM
"I will see what I can do for you, Commandeur," the Moor assured the man, nodding deeply and respectfully before he turned his back on the man and started up the deck. "Captain?!" he called. "Elaine! Man with a fancy title to see you!"

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 1 2007, 03:09 PM
Judith flopped cheerfully down the steps, arms swinging at her sides. "If he's the one I'm thinkin' he is, did he bring more wine?" She paused to examine Renaud's empty hands. "No? Damn. Ah well." She crossed her arms over her chest. "What brings you?"

((with guest appearence by Niabheara!))

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 03:14 PM
"Wine could be arranged, but it do look rather bad to drink while on duty madame Ni Dowd." He bowed his head lightly to her. Even if she was his subordinate she was still a woman, and politeness never harmed anyone.

"Two reasons madame. I wanted to see how la petite mademoiselle was doing, and I wanted to hear whether you had more trouble with Admiral Romain." He hooked a thumb into his belt, relaxing somewhat though he always felt slightly silly standing next to her.

There were no two ways about it. She was short.

But not to be underestimated.

"Despite his bold words yesterday he does not seem to have contacted the government yet, at last not according to my contacts."

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 03:21 PM
Elaine was somewhat slower, walked rather awkwardly so as to move her side as little as necessary, and when she got close enough to see who it was, she shot a slightly smug, knowing look from the man to Judith and back. "Bonjour, Monsieur le Commandeur! she greeted him cheerfully, doing her little shuffle-step over toward the adults.

Then she gave him a frown. "I thought you were the authorities. He's not going to try any more with you now that you took my side. Sort of."

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 1 2007, 03:24 PM
"Never mind the wine, we'll steal some of Rafat's orange juice." Judith shot the Moor a teasing grin. "I think a bottle of that would fetch a higher price than wine around these parts." Then she straightened her back somewhat, in order to appear at least slightly more business-like. "Not a trace of him. Likely he's crept into whatever hole he popped out of. Is he in dock anywhere? Have you checked the registers?"

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 03:29 PM
"He is in dock here, the Edna is moored over on the north edge. And I am glad you are feeling better mademoiselle Romain." He bowed briefly to her before straightening his back again. "I might be the authorities here, but as madame Ni Dowd here can attest to, I am not the only authorities. These islands have a... bit of a lax way of dealing with things at times. And in theory, my charter is on the seas, same as hers."

He looked around the docks, and the way people skirted them thanks to the two men that were standing a bit further back.

"Have either of you two lovely ladies eaten yet?"

Posted by: Umar ibn Rafat Oct 1 2007, 03:29 PM
Umar held out an orange, tossing it to the woman. "Squeeze your own."

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 03:32 PM
"Is that an invitation?" Elaine asked, looking skeptical. "Because I'm not sure I can. It might leak out my side. It still feels like hell," she assured him, wrinkling her nose. "But I'm not dying, no, thanks."

She looked to Judith to hear her answer.

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 1 2007, 03:38 PM
Judith laughed and clapped both hands around the orange, tranferring it to her pocket. "He buys these things with the money he saves on shirts," she explained to Renaud. She wrinkled her nose at Elaine. "You're not perforated, and even if you were, your stomach's higher up. Can you heel-and-toe enough to come along, or would you rather stay here?"

Posted by: Umar ibn Rafat Oct 1 2007, 03:40 PM
"Shirts are for the weak," Umar informed Judith dryly. "My skin is already impervious to the weather, why add a layer that can get soaking unless I have to?"

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 03:41 PM
"It is not far. But if you would rather not walk mademoiselle, I can have my men bring something to eat here. I just think that it is a shame that your first impression of our fair islands would be bullets, and not its more pleasant sides."

Renaud turned back to Judith, smiling faintly. "I see that your crew still holds the utmost respect for you." It was another thing that he had never quite understood. Her particular way of dealing with her crew.

But to each their own.

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 03:41 PM
"To keep gentlewomen from passing out at the sight of you," Elaine told the Moor, before she grinned at Judith. "I can walk. I want to come," she answered, her head bobbing to the man. "I want to see what Monsieur le Commandeur eats."

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 1 2007, 03:46 PM
"And yet if I take mine off, you act as if I've undermined all civilisation," she told Umar. She shrugged and let it go for now, turning back to the commandeur with her hand on Elaine's shoulder. "All right, monsieur, la petite has decided. We'll come. On the condition of no blood sausage."

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 03:57 PM
"It is breakfast Madame..." He gave Judith a reproachful look but refrained from commenting about the shirt. He had to keep some dignity around here after all.

"This way if you please?" Renaud gestured with one hand, leading the way to one of the small dockside locanda that dotted the island. It was indeed not that far, and his men had orders to keep an eye out for the admiral.

Honestly, he was doing the same. He had no plans to get the girl shot while under his protection.

The place was half open to the elements like most places here, and didn't look very much for the world as it half leaned against the neighboring building. It was not one of the drinking establishments for the sailors, it was more of a low key eatery for people that worked in the vicinity.

And it was not averse to serving people in uniform. Which was why he went there.

"Have a seat Madame, mademoiselle..." He gestured to one of the tables nested against the cool wall, shaded by the vines that served as roof. It was a secure position, one would easily be able to watch any people coming and going.

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 04:03 PM
Elaine sat down eagerly, but gritted her teeth as she moved a little too quickly for her side. Instead, she slowly eased herself onto the seat, and then looked around with anticipation. "I think I could eat a horse," she informed them both cheerfully.

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 1 2007, 04:08 PM
"If it don't leak out your side," Judith concluded, taking her seat. Cool if a bit suspicious about this whole arrangement, she stuck tight to Elaine. Also, she felt ever so slightly underdressed in comparison to Renaud; this never happened to Judith.

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 04:12 PM
"I'm not perforated," Elaine retorted cheerfully, swinging her leg on her good side back and forth.

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 04:15 PM
"This is not a country for horse mademoiselle." Renaud looked faintly relieved to get out of the sun for a while. He loosened the top buttons of his uniform, beckoning the serving girl to their table.

"The oysters are delicious and quite safe this time of the year. The red tides have passed. The shellfish are good as well. They have a delicious selection here, they split them in half lengthwise and grills them on a bed of coarse sea-salt. Quite delicious."

Wine and bread were served, together with a large clay pitcher of water of which Renaud poured himself a glass.

"Now Madame..." He gave Judith a faint smile before continuing. "Don't you think your la mademoiselle and her little friend are a bit too young to go visit a brothel?"

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 1 2007, 04:15 PM
"You ain't a pendulum, neither," Judith returned, pressing down on the girl's leg to keep it still. She shot a quick, surprised look at Renaud. "I think if they're old enough to pay the fee they're old enough to use the facilities. Although the idea of 'em goin' in together is a bit surprising, seeing as how they're barely on speakin' terms back on deck. I sense a wager may have been involved there."

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 04:21 PM
"There was!" Elaine assured them both, before giving the man a skeptical look. "Who told you about the brothel? Did I, or were you checking up on us?"

She made a face at Judith, giving her foot one more swing before she let it go. "Starling bet me I wouldn't walk into the brothel and sing a song and walk out. That's all. And I am definitely," she said, giving the man a pointed look. "Not too young for a brothel. Not that I'd frequent one. Or work at one."

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 04:29 PM
"Of course I was checking up on you mademoiselle." Renaud looked quite a bit more alive after a bit of water and some shade. "You were an alleged thief who were shot my an alleged crazy admiral. I would be a fool if I did not at least attempt to unravel a bit of the truth there."

He turned to the serving girl, not having heard any objections. "We would like a platter of mixed grilled shellfish, and make sure that the prawns are large, non?"

He added, almost as an afterthought. "Oh, and a Corkscrew for the wine if you please chéri."

With that he turned back to Judith, shaking his head. "Young people and their g-mes. Makes me miss those days."

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 04:30 PM
"They're not as much fun when you get shot in the side," Elaine said sullenly. "We went to the brothel. We left the brothel. The Admiral shot me. That's pretty much the whole of the story."

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 1 2007, 04:36 PM
"I dug it out of me grandson, who made up the other half of the pair that night." Judith nodded in confirmation of the girl. With a wry twist of a smile at Renaud, she took up one of the glasses. A small arch of water leapt from the unmoved pitcher and directly into the mouth of the cup. Judith took a sip. "And I were the one what sent 'em out. Mea culpa."

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 04:55 PM
Renaud smiled thinly at the display, shaking his head as he opened the bottle of wine. "You have turned flamboyant with the years madame..." He added some wine to his water, he was not here to get drunk but the flavor was soothing.

He offered some to the ladies as well if they were interested before sinking back a bit in his seat.



Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 04:57 PM
"She wasn't always like this?" Elaine asked the Commandeur, before holding her cup out to Judith. "Do mine?" she asked, with an eager look.

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 1 2007, 05:02 PM
Judith rolled her eyes. The water jumped from pitcher to cup, and she added a splash of wine to it before handing it over to Elaine. "Builds up your blood. You've lost too much."

She turned back to Renaud, her own cup in hand. "Anything else interestin' from investigating my two juniors?"

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 05:08 PM
"I am sad to say not. As I told you, it is a sleepy little island." Renaud did seem rather depressed at that, though the scent of cooking food seemed to cheer him up some.

"Though I am sure that will change now that madame Ni Dowd has arrived." He sipped his diluted wine slowly, chuckling at the pair. "Have you sailed with her long mademoiselle? She can have quite a calamitous effect on the environment and people in it."

Yes, he still was sore about being shot.

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 05:11 PM
"A few months, now," Elaine answered, shrugging, as she grinned at Judith and took the cup, drinking obediently. "Most of the calamity has been at other people's hands, though. Mostly the Admiral's to be honest. The worst thing Judith's done is try to kill my father, but I'm hoping she won't be doing that again soon," she said, with a sly look at the older woman.

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 1 2007, 05:14 PM
"I didn't shoot 'im," Judith clarified quickly. "I save all my bullets for you, monsieur. Nostalgia." She looked far too innocent about it. "I told you, I come to drop off my reports and pick up supplies. If any trouble breaks out, it won't be from us. I try to keep from shittin' where I have to eat."

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 1 2007, 05:27 PM
As if she had been summoned by Judith's words, the serving girl arrived with a large wooden plate piled with grilled shellfish and crustaceans of various kinds.

A small bowl of salt was placed to one side, and a jar of butter on the other.

"Language madame, language." But Renaud was smiling now, quite obviously enjoying himself quite a bit. "I am glad to hear that, because boredom aside... I like the quiet."

Not that he had not arranged for his own ship to be resupplied, because he had a feeling he might soon have need of it. It was always better to be prepared.


Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 05:31 PM
Elaine looked curiously at the fish, then started piling them onto her plate. "So we don't have to worry about you deciding to enact vengeance or anything like that?"

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 1 2007, 05:39 PM
"Which one of us d'you mean?" she asked Elaine smoothly, picking out prawns. "I had my vengeance; I'm quick to burn out once I've already taken a crack at whatever I meant to take my crack at."

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 1 2007, 05:52 PM
"Him, naturally," Elaine answered, rolling her eyes at her captain. "I want to know what I'm getting into before I eat a poisoned lobster."

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 5 2007, 05:05 PM
"It is not poisoned. And I am not in this for the vengeance mademoiselle. The past is the past, and Madame ni Dowd was simply the fastest shot, that is the sad truth. But..." Renaud gestured with the wine glass in Judith's direction. "I would have to say that fire played in your favor more than mine. Still, c'est la vie."


Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 5 2007, 05:11 PM
Judith paused mid-prawn to look Renaud over, as if she did not quite believe he was serious. "That's a new one, comin' from you." She propped her feet on the base of the table. "What's this, you went straight and gave up the revenge business?"

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 5 2007, 05:16 PM
"You say that like you'd turn your back even if he had," Elaine put in cheerfully, before sucking heartily on a crab leg.

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 5 2007, 05:23 PM
"Perhaps I have turned over a new leaf madame...." Renaud bowed his head lightly to Judith, then chuckled. "Honestly, the best revenge I can have so far is the fact that you now answer to me when it comes to your charter. That will have to do for now, I've past the days of challenging people to duels. Like it or not, I'm getting too old for that."

He pondered a particularly delicious looking shrimp before spearing it with his fork. "Besides, you are a woman. You don't duel women."

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 5 2007, 05:27 PM
"And you've not been with me half long enough to make such a judgement." Her eyes crinkled at Elaine before she raised her voice enough to direct her next statement to both parties at the table: "For example, the real reason he would never duel me is because he knows I can beat 'im with the sword as well."

Now she was all for Renaud. "It hardly matters, does it? I'd be answerin' to someone, any which way I managed it; I'd prefer it be someone I know."

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 5 2007, 05:32 PM
"Oh, as if you'd ever believe anybody." Elaine pulled the crab leg out of her mouth just long enough to inform the other two that Judith barely counted as a woman.

"And she's right," she added, a bit more gracefully, shooting the Aquitinean man a look. "Don't underestimate us."

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 5 2007, 05:38 PM
"Madame, I've seen you fight, and while it is efficient it's hardly fair most of the time, is it? Would you even obey the laws of a duel should it come to that?" Leaning back in his chair, Renaud cast another glance around the establishment before smiling at Elaine.

"It is not about underestimating mademoiselle. Regardless of your capabilities, the fact remains that you are women. Any gentleman would feel ill at ease aiming a weapon at you." He frowned for a moment, then smiled quite sweetly at Judith.

"Perhaps that is the difference between us madame, I hesitated because of what had been between us... you did not. Nostalgia can be a dangerous thing indeed."

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 5 2007, 05:46 PM
She shrugged. "You should know better'n to pull a weapon you can't bring yourself to use." Past the heat of the moment, she could dissect the incident down to its component parts, like an object lesson, and use it for a study in technique. She seemed neither smug nor offended. "Not everyone works well with nostalgia. Some of us take a gun pointed at us as realisin' that the bastard on the other side bloody well means it." And she smiled at Elaine. "Someone just learned that."

Judith picked up her wine again.

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 5 2007, 05:48 PM
"I did not just learn that!" Elaine exclaimed defensively, waving her crab leg. "I was running! What I just learned is that when they say not to run in a straight line, they mean don't run in a straight line!"

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 5 2007, 05:54 PM
"I was meaning to use it madame, but for a moment of hesitation. I won't make the same mistake again I assure you."

Renaud chuckled at Elaine's exclamation, nodding. "It is easier if you know how to shoot yourself mademoiselle. Then you know how many breaths it usually takes to get aim, and can change direction before the shot should come. C'est chose facile, really."

The chuckle seemed to have dislodged something though, and he turned discretely sideways stifling a cough. It wasn't a bad one.


Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 5 2007, 06:06 PM
Elaine stuck out her tongue. "I know how to shoot," she said. Well, she did, but badly. "My father was a firearms dealer most of my life. I was running away from him. I couldn't see what way he was pointing."

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 5 2007, 06:09 PM
"It were much easier before they started distributin' guns to every reprobate with brains enough to load the damn thing correctly. Your tallfolk pistols take all the compassion out of a fight." She looked as if she held Renaud personally responsible for the decline, but her face darkened when he coughed again. Under the table she tapped the back of Elaine's hand.


Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 5 2007, 06:18 PM
"Progress madame, you can't really expect us all to remain in the past after all. I see your ship is equipped with cannons now as well." Renaud cleared his throat, sipping a bit more wine as he willed himself to breath slowly.

From across the terrace another man in the uniform of an Aquitanian sailor approached, pausing for a brief bow to the party before speaking in a quiet whisper meant for Renaud only. "Vous avez voulu être averti, mon Commandeur. La femme, elle a été repèrée." He paused, awaiting orders.

Renaud had stiffened slightly at the words, nodding curtly at the man. "Assurez-vous qu'elle est observée." With those words he waved the man away, pouring himself some more wine.

His face had gone quiet and unreadable.

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 5 2007, 06:22 PM
Elaine raised both eyebrows, looking back and forth warily between the two adults.

"Qui?" she asked the man.

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 5 2007, 06:27 PM
Judith only leaned back from the table. "I thought this was gonner turn toward business eventually." She sounded pleased and more than a little relieved. "That a sign to take your leave, Commandeur?"

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 5 2007, 06:36 PM
"Oui Madame..." Renaud ignored Elaine's question, because he had absolutely no intentions of explaining what this was all about.

"It seems this is a week for old acquaintances. So I am afraid I have to abandon the meal and you mes dames." He chuckled, but it turned into a short, rather sharp cough that took a moment for him to get under control. As soon as he did he shot Judith a glance as if daring to comment.

Then he rose.

"Au revoir Madame, Mademoiselle." He bowed lightly as the men he had come with once more stepped in behind him. "If you want to, I can leave my men here to escort you back to the ship."

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 5 2007, 06:38 PM
The girl snorted. "It's Judith," she pointed out. "Does she really need somebody to protect her? And do you really think we won't find out on our own?" she asked sweetly.

Posted by: Judith ni Dowd Oct 5 2007, 06:42 PM
Judith took the dare, giving the man's coughing fit a flat, non-committal stare. "You're a damn ijit, Renaud."

She pushed back from the table hard enough to nearly knock over the ridiculous little chair and gestured that Elaine should follow. And that she should hush up. "I'll catch up to you before we leave Serenidad, Commandeur."

Posted by: Renaud Moreau Oct 5 2007, 06:46 PM
"It takes one to know one Madame." It was childish, yes, but he didn't have time for any more clever retorts.

If she was here, he needed to find her fast. Unless his people had been mistaken, which he rather doubted. At least some of them knew the danger that the woman could pose.

And with that he turned and went, making sure not to let another cough escape until he was well out of sight.

Posted by: Elaine Romain Oct 5 2007, 06:54 PM
Elaine shut up obediently, but snorted and rolled her eyes to show her displeasure as she followed Judith out.