Topic: The Trouble With Plucking Flowers

CptStephenKidd

Date: 2007-01-24 12:49 EST
Stephen didn't mind the cold nearly as much as he minded being sober his stagger had steadied back into a powerful swagger. Turning his coat pockets inside out in search of some coins, only to find them pitifully empty. Giving it one last shot his gloved fingers slipped through a hole in the silk lining of his coat pocket. Withdrawing a single, dull shilling he held it aloft in the moonlight. "Always did 'ave the luck o' the devil." He grinned as he flipped the coin to his other hand, swaggering off to find the evenings fortune. He might not be able to afford more then one hand of cards, but perhaps he could find some pretty bit of muslin to take pity on him and offer him at least one glass of Madeira. Crossing the street, he ducked into a Covent garden gambling hell so disreputable to allow even the likes of him. Indeed his luck held on this night, less then two hours later he was sitting behind a substantial pile of winnings at the brag table. Employing a lethal mix of charm, guile and wit he had managed to parlay that single shilling into a small mountain of British pounds and guineas. Gently rubbing the lower back of the dark haired, doe eyed beauty perched on his knee, gaining a jealous glance from the golden haired minx who draped herself over his shoulders like a mink stole. A trio of men sat at the table trying in vain to hold back their hopeful looks, while Stephen calmly flicked his long fingers with negligent grace, over the cards fanning them out to reveal yet another winning hand. A stench of desperation hung in the air. Most of the patrons having worn out their welcome at any reputable gambling house. It was all to similar to the scenes Stephen had witnessed in then opium dens of Istanbul and Bangkok, places he too worn out his welcome. Fingers twitched and their eyes gleamed as they awaited their next play. Absently he stroked the rounded hip of the brunette as he pondered how easily it would be to lure in a pair of over extended merchants, or perhaps even a bastard son of some titled gentry into his snare. Settling back into his chair as he cleared some of the winnings from the table, he stretched out his legs out. The brunette took full advantage to wiggle herself deep into the cup of his lap. "Why don'cha quit the cards an' come upstairs an' play with me?" She cooed at him. The blonde leaned forward to refill his glass of wine from the half empty bottle on the table. Batting her fawn colored lashes against his cheek, her ample breasts strategically pressed against the back of his neck and shoulder. "Play yer cards right luv an' you can win the pair of us for the night." Their admirable efforts were undeniably stirring, but he wasn't quite ready to abandon the table just yet. "In good time me darlin's. Fer now the table be me mistress an' I'll nae leave 'er tae a cold an' lonely fate when be she still warm an' willin'." While the blonde nuzzled his neck in protest, he soothed the brunettes pout with a lingering kiss upon her rouged lips.

CptStephenKidd

Date: 2007-02-01 13:40 EST
Just as Stephen had begun to consider leaving the table at the persuasion of the brunettes lips, he was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Looking across the table he was shocked to find young Thomas Caster. Thomas at sixteen was at the moment the youngest member of Stephens crew, and perhaps the closest with the captain. "Beggin' your pardon Cap'n but, mister Fornesby sent me to find you sir." Stephen pulled himself fully away from the brunettes willing lips, much to her great displeasure. "Tommy me lad someday soon ye an' I shall 'ave tae be 'avin' a talk on the term previously engaged." Stephen smiled at the lad and waved his hand towards the pile of coins on the table. "Take ye some coins lad an' buy yerself a bottle o' spirit. Maybe buy yerself a lass or two fer the evenin' wha' can train ye proper in the fine art o' debauchery." "Maybe he don't like quim at all. Maybe he has been on a ship so long he likes to bugger a boys arse." The brunette giggled at her assessment of Thomas, while the boy turned red of embarrassment. "Mind yer tongue ye foul wench!" Stephen gave her a sharp slap on her rump. His words were both a order and a warning. Stephen soothed her wounded pride with a gentle caress to her cheek before turning back to Thomas, who still stood at the table waiting. "Sir mister Fornesby said it was of the highest importance to find you Cap'n." Tommy pressed his captain for his attention. Stephen took the time to visually gauge the urgency in Tommy's eyes. "Ye know tha' o' which mister Fornesby considers sae important?" Thomas gave a nod signaling that indeed he did. "Aye sir I do. Tis very important matter indeed sir. Might well be best to speak on it outside." Tommy was very serious in his duty, and left no question as to the importance of the message. "Vera well mister Caster let us attend tae our vera serious business." Stephen shooed the brunette out of his lap, and rolled his shoulders to free himself from the clinging blonde. Clearing the rest of his winnings from the table into his purse before standing. He pulled on his coat, and as he snugged his hat down upon his head he touched two fingers to the front of it saluting his female companions. The women grumbled at the captains flippant attitude, and where at this time of night they would find another benefactor with such a purse or looks. Neither of them could have guessed that the unexpected interruption would save their necks.

Once Stephen and Thomas were clear of the gambling hell Stephen inquired about the nature of these important matters which had pulled him away from his cards and meal.

"Well sir mister Fornesby was having the lads load up the cargo we got from squire Folsom, when a constable and several troopers showed up and confiscated what cargo was still on the docks. They arrested seven of our lads and then tried boarding the ship sir. Mister Fornesby would not allow that of course. When they left that is when he sent me to find you sir. He thinks they will be back with more troopers and will board us by force if need be."

Stephen paced back and forth cursing under his breath. All the while nodding his agreement with mister Fornesbys word as relayed by Thomas.

"Sir there was one more thing. The warrant that the constable is working under was signed by Lord Hynd. They said that if they caught you they were to hang you."

Thomas watched to see what kind of reaction that last bit of news would get from Stephen, he didn't have to wait long as his captain exploded with rage.

"Honorable Lord Alfred Hynd I should 'ave known tha' scum would nae leave well enough alone."

"Perhaps had he not caught you plucking the flower of his fiancees innocence at their engagement dinner he would not press for your death so."

Thomas smiled abit as he said it, and could not help but let his grin widen at his captains shocked look.

"Mister Fornesbys words sir not mine. I would have simply said shagging and been done with it."

Stephen forgave the lads indiscretion and simply shook his head saying.

"Pluckin' flowers or shaggin' I be thinkin' a discussion on proper discussions about the captains adventures be in order."

Grabbing the still amused Thomas by the elbow Stephen pulled him along, they would have to hurry if they thought to beat Hynd and his warrant back to the Pride and Fury.