apped to tushanshu and psl talk

[jackdaws]

I'm gladdened to see you're a lass who knows not to drag her heels. But what madness possessed you to send me to a dirty great turtle? And why pull me from that point in time? I suppose if Mary should come along she'll find me a more tolerable man, but still...

Humiliating me in front of Haytham, by the by, isn't half as funny as you think it is. Give over, will you? I came into this partnership to make a profit, not just for your own cheap laughs. Don't go forgetting it.

Comments

[nottheproblem]

Perhaps the turtle will make you seem more appealing, Captain.

[Because Ziio's almost's positive that the turtle is cleaner than him. Pirate Dirty is way different from Forest Dirty, after all.]

[jackdaws]

Oh, I don't know about all that. I'm plenty appealing without that overgrown lizard.

[nottheproblem]

In your opinion, though I suppose you have some charm about you. An idiotic sort.

[jackdaws]

[He rolls his eyes.] You wound and flatter me all at once, good lady.

[nottheproblem]

I detect sarcasm and slight compliments. Better for me to keep you on your toes before you actually begin understanding me.

[Except that's not possible.]

[jackdaws]

[A sly grin.] My idiocy would prevent such a thing, so there's no worry of that.

[He might act stupid, but he's more than capable of keeping up the banter.]

[nottheproblem]

[Oh, no. Now she's actually starting to like him.]

I guess that it would, wouldn't it. [Ziio shakes her head.] A curious note, by the way. It'd seem you know who Haytham is now.

[jackdaws]

Aye, it'd seem. London fellow, fancy hat, genteel way of bearing himself?

[Evading the question? Maybe. If she intends to keep him on his toes, he can return the favour.]

[nottheproblem]

Sounds like the man I know. Did you find any similarities?

[In earnest, she really wants to know because it's going to drive her mad otherwise.] Not that you two are anything alike. You put it aptly- he's a bit 'cultured.'

[jackdaws]

[Edward considers whether it's more fun to hold the answer over her head for insulting him, but eventually relents.]

He's my son, or so I hear.

[There might be a note of pride in his voice. Intelligent, well-to-do, "cultured", as Ziio put it -- he's precisely what Edward would want for any son of his.]

[nottheproblem]

[She pauses so blatantly that most of her joking has pretty much escaped out the window. He's... not serious, right? No. He has to be. But they're so different.]

...Is that so.

[It makes her look at him much closer. Maybe there's something they have in common that she just hasn't seen.]

It... does explain the slight familiarity in the features.

[jackdaws]

And why you knew of him, while I'd never heard of a Kenway with the name.

[He's never even met Haytham's mystery future mother, much less fathered a second child. The whole thing is boggling.]

[nottheproblem]

[It's his son. It's his son. It's his son. Ziio doesn't even know how to begin processing that information.]

He and I certainly have our own history, yes. I'm acquainted with the man.

[Acquainted. Maybe they had a kid. Maybe she held a grudge. Sort of. Maybe she wanted something better for them both.]

[jackdaws]

[Edward knows the feeling, given how things went with Caroline. He also knows when not to pry too closely, even if Ziio hasn't given him much to go off of.]

Well, I hope he was less condescending and secretive with you than he was with me. [...No, Edward. Those are just stock Haytham personality traits.]

[nottheproblem]

He was never condescending with me.

[No. Haytham was... what. Entranced? Entranced is a good word. He gave her smiles that she's believed he's never given to anyone else.]

But secretive, yes. I don't suppose he got that from you. I can't imagine that he would or will change anytime soon.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

A giant turtle seems somewhat charitable.

[Because there's so much weird shit that goes on with this one.]

[jackdaws]

Charitable isn't a word I'd use, lad. The second our turtle friend feels like going for a swim beneath the surface, the whole city is doomed to Davy Jones.

[Morbid, but Edward constantly has to be aware of the risk of drowning while sailing at sea. He's not about to trust what he can't sail himself.]

[jackdaws]

I'm better at uncovering secrets than in keeping them, I'll be level with you. But he seems an interesting fellow to get to know.

[As for how he is as a son... Well, Edward supposes he'll find out someday.]

[nottheproblem]

He is an interesting man. Clever, capable. In all forms, not entirely a bad person. Just questionable.

[And that's really the short of it.]

[mohawk_tomahawk]

An entire city on the top of such a creature?

Connor could hardly even see how that is possible but...well it existed. Good for it.]

Surely there is a way to safeguard this city then?

[Because okay, that does sound concerning. Just a little.]

[seisfleur]

Turtles are very reliable partners. Unless it dives and crushes everyone on-board beneath the pressure of the ocean... but the chance is very small. [ Only happened once that she's seen. Hmm. Ah well. ] Most of them are good-tempered.

[jackdaws]

Who knows? All I know is, I'm getting a boat the first chance I get. I'm not letting that thing drag me down with it.

[jackdaws]

Aye, and it's the bad-tempered ones I'm worried about.

[...]

...What d'you mean, "partner"?

[jackdaws]

Oh?

[Questionable doesn't sound promising. He doesn't expect Haytham to be anything like the scoundrel he himself has been known to be, but still...]

[nottheproblem]

[A nod.]

That would be the simple way to put it. I couldn't say he's a terrible person, but I think him capable of terrible things.

[jackdaws]

As is any man.

[Surely Edward would have raised him to be better than that, regardless?]

[nottheproblem]

As is any man.

[That's her agreeing with him.] Some things aren't meant to be said by me, but you may come to find yourself surprised with your son.

[jackdaws]

I doubt I'll get any answers from the man himself. Beyond his name, he wouldn't offer much.

[Not much besides apologies, anyway. And what would make someone want to hide their identity from their own father? So much doesn't add up.]

[nottheproblem]

I think, knowing what I know, that he likely felt conflicted by discovering who you are. I can't say what your relationship was to him, but from personal experience, I knew someone who worried a great deal over what I thought, in spite of the idea that I had been absent from his life.

[Ziio pauses.]

Haytham may feel the same way. Perhaps how you view him is important to him and he would wish not to disappoint you. Children sometimes do not know what their parents expect of them and that can be daunting. Being a disappointment to one would be or could be a shattering of the heart.

[seisfleur]

Hm, is there more than one meaning?

[mohawk_tomahawk]

They did not allow you to have yours?

[...Well Connor didn't get his either so if he didn't then they could be sad sacks together.]

[jackdaws]

I said a boat, lad. Not a ship.

[Edward's as touchy about the difference between the two as your own Mr. Faulkner. It's important, okay.]

But nay, I don't have the Jackdaw with me. There's no use for her if I'm to be trapped in a city anyway.

[mohawk_tomahawk]

[Oh my god, he's not thirteen anymore. Don't treat him like one. HE JUST THOUGHT YOU WANTED YOUR SHIP MANG.

But he stays quiet about it. He puffs a little. Feh.]

As much use as the Aquila would be at an academy, it would seem.

[feels bad man]

[jackdaws]

He'd be hard-pressed to disappoint me.

[Edward's sank to the lowest of lows, and emerged from the other side. He can't fathom in what way any son of his could be a bigger disappointment than he was to his own parents.

Which isn't to say his expectations of him would be low; only that he imagines himself to be more forgiving than most fathers.]

[jackdaws]

[HE'LL TREAT YOU LIKE A BABY AS MUCH AS HE WANTS TO, GRANDCHILD.]

Is that the name of your brig? [Sounds fancy. Not that Edward has any idea what the name means.]

[nottheproblem]

You shouldn't assume he knows that.

[She shakes her head slowly.] But I share the sentiment you hold. If he was my son, I would feel the same way. So perhaps that is just the perspective of a parent.