Scene #7698: Interview With A Pirate

Owner	Pose
Captain Hook	The directions to William Hook's apartment are excellent. Hook is nothing if not diligent and precise. He's taken up a place in one of the less-ritzy apartment buildings in Grand Dorado, a more traditionalist sort of apartment, more affordable. Sure, he could live in an upscale building in the lap of luxury, but at least at the moment he's chosen something a bit more homey. It's a nice homey, of course, with well-maintained brick walls and somewhat garish yellow wallpaper, with the sense that perhaps it was a hotel at one time but went out of business and was purchased and slightly renovated. The doors have little gold numbers on them, the halls are reasonably wide, and the cleaning service is polite and well-mannered. Also, it is blessedly dry, because the cleaning service is diligent, and the rain is rough out there. When Kale arrives he finds Hook handing off a plastic bag of groceries to an old woman with a broad smile, a nice blue umbrella tucked under his arm. The pirate doffs his hat to her, bows, and then heads over to his own apartment, a wide smile on his face. He claps Kale on the shoulder. "Pardon, my good man. An unexpected diversion, but, well, obligations, and all that." He removes the keys, unlocks the apartment, and walks inside. The feeling that this was once a hotel only amplifies as Kale is invited in - it's a one-room apartment with a bathroom, a bed and dresser on one side, a kitchen on the other, a dining room table separated from the kitchen by a counter, and a television against one wall. There's little sign of anything personal about the place. Hook hangs his hat on the coatrack and removes the coat from over his shoulders. "Please," the man says, a broad smile, "I'll go set the tea on and just be a moment. Make yourself at home."
Kale Hearthward	"You certainly don't fit the profile of someone I'd expect in the Concord - or a Captain Hook." Kale's dressed up, opting for a bit of a formal-casual mix. He's not carrying his weapons - he is wearing his jet-boots, which get taken off and left at the door. He's also carrying a small gift-wrapped box. "If you don't mind the observation - it looks like a nice apartment, but you haven't done much to make it yours yet? That really does go against what I'd expect..." He takes a seat at the table. "I would have expected some stolen flags, or trophies, or maybe even just some flair. Or do you keep all that elsewhere, and this is just somewhere to put down your head?"
Captain Hook	"Well, I've only been here a few days," Hook says, waving the hook at Kale with a smile, "And I've been out quite a bit. Helping out Miss Princess-In-The-Tower, stealing parts for an engine for Mr. Guzma...a bit chaotic, you know." Hook turns and smiles, leaning forward over the counter. He's dressed in a frilled white dress shirt, blue-and-gold naval pants, black boots, and a black eyepatch. His hook is a bright silver. "Do I really not look like a Captain Hook to you?" He asks, tilting his head at the pirate hat and coat at the door. "I should think I look exactly like a Captain Hook, being as that is indeed who I am, but I should be curious to think what you think I do look like. Do I look a William, or do I not even look that? Perhaps a Franklin, a Jonathan, a Michael? Or maybe German, a Frank, a Johan, a Michel?" His smile is bright and genial. "So long as you don't say I look a Peter, we shall remain friends." The Captain tears open a box of biscuits - the cookie sort, with a vegan label on them - and politely arrays them out on a tree. "So tell me, Mr. Hearthward - might I call you Kale, if you don't mind terribly? - about yourself! Whatsoever you like. I've a great love of conversation, and should like to learn as much as possible about my guest, as is the proper role of a good host." "You know," he adds with a one-eyed wink, "Besides being entertaining. But I'm quite certain I'm entertaining regardless of whether I'm trying or not, mmm?"
Kale Hearthward	"Hmm." Kale's beak curls up in a smile. "I can put on a hat and an eyepatch, and that does not make me look like a pirate. I'd say it's more- well, nevermind. It'd get into theatrical theory, and you already shot down my suggestion that you try acting. So I'll say, yes, you do look like a William." The bird eats a cookie. "Oh, and yes, Kale is perfectly fine. Title-wise, I refer to myself as the East Wind in the same way that you are 'Captain Hook' - though the source of that title has become a bit obsolete, so it's more of a self-appealation?" He sips at his tea. "The Paladins don't seem entirely enthused with titles - like they're more utilitarian than anything. When I tell them that words have power, they seem to either just gloss over it or assume I'm speaking about some sort of literal 'magic words' sort of way." "And you seem plenty entertaining, trust me. I'll have to invite you back to my place sometime - as a guest, please, not in your official capacity."
Captain Hook	"Feel free, then, to call me William, or Will, if you prefer. I don't mind Mr. Hook, nor Captain Hook, but I hardly stand on formality when I'm simply making tea." The kettle whistles. Hook lifts it off the stove with his hook-hand as he fetches several teacups and puts them on the tray. Then he moves over, sets the tray down, pours a cup for Kale, sits down across from the birdman, and pours himself one. He waits, politely, for Kale to have a biscuit before he takes one of his own. "Why, if I might ask, the 'East Wind'? Another governmental title, or a knightly one, or something you thought sounded good and held onto?" He takes a sip of the tea and sets it down. "Goodness. 'Magic Words.' Well, if you'll pardon me for saying so, that's government for you - the titles matter until they get in the way, and the idea that something can have power besides powder and shot and paper is simply remarkable to them." "Ah, but I don't wish to get too political. That will doubtless lead to an argument better spent on the banter-channel, where we can hear all the other dissenting opinions that we can both look down on as ignorant and silly and thus enjoy our own self-assumed superiority of thought." He winks over the teacup. "I should like that very much. Worry not! I'm a gentleman. I should never steal from my host. Unless he left something especially valuable out, and then it should be a bit of a challenge to contain myself, as I am an awfully greedy man, but I'd hardly, say, purloin silverware."
Kale Hearthward	"One of a squadron of four. North, south, east, west." "And avoiding a political argument would be appreciated. I'm already having to deal with... certain things." He glances into his teacup. "My plus one being too busy again to make it out to something I asked him for." "Anyway, though. If you're interested, it's a small island upon which a town is taking shape - you can ascribe whatever you like to governmental roles, but I am quite proud of how its coming along under my stewardship." Albeit doing so more because of Tom Nook's turnkey township package than Kale's stewardship, but still. "... Oh, and..." He gestures at the package he brought with him. "I couldn't think of what to bring as a hosting gift, but... there's a copy of The Cave Away - which is... my world's analogue to the Peter Pan story. I thought you might find it interesting."
Captain Hook	Hook watches Kale glance down not with the serpentine look of a man looking for information about weakness but with a genuine sympathy. "I'm sorry to hear that. I'll look forward to meeting him some other time, then." It's not just a politeness - it's true, earnest, and compassionate, something one probably wouldn't expect from the man who did what he did to Reyes just the other night. William skewers a biscuit on the end of his hook, mostly so he can keep holding his teacup in his other hand. He takes a sip as Kale mentions the island. Then he laughs. "Well, I shan't refuse an invitation so proffered." Hook sets the teacup down and takes the book. There's a brief, unreadable look in his eye before he puts on a smile and stows it in his chest pocket. "Thank you. I should look forward to reading it." "I'm afraid I've no gifts for you other than my company, my tea, and these pleasant vegan biscuits, but I'm happy to offer all of them." "Tell me. What made you join this squadron of four? Or the Paladins?" There's a beat. "Again, unless you'd prefer not to. If you distrust me, feel free to tell me about anything you like. About your world, about your people, about your favorite foods. I simply enjoy a good conversation."
Kale Hearthward	Kale genuinely has no idea that a Captain Hook might not want to read about another version of a Peter Pan. "Well, originally I wanted to be a playwright," says Kale, going for another biscuit. "And then those plans flopped. Spectacularly," he adds, with a bit of sourness to his voice. "I ended up joining the military to avoid going into debt." "And the Four Winds Regalia was offered to me as a career path from joining the military, essentially - better pay, better prestige, and it also lead to me meeting the currently missing plus one, which was nice. And then... things happened, and I was cut adrift." There's clearly a lot that's unsaid in that 'things happened'. "And - Paladins started out as just a way to keep the lights on. I aced the tests that put me at elite level, obviously. But... as I'm seeing more and more of the other worlds, it's becoming more than just a paycheck." He holds out his teacup for a refill. "As for my world - it doesn't have monsters. Just people. That's been one of the bigger things to get used to, people who carry around massive amounts of weaponry but profess to being 'peaceful'. In my world, if you carry a sword, it's because you expect to have to use it on someone."
Captain Hook	Let alone a former Peter Pan. "Have you considered acting?" Hook asks, leaning forward, crossing his legs, "You've certainly the sense of the dramatics for it. I rather liked the Encore bit. Very stylish. And, of course, you've the wind down pat. Nothing like a good wind for a flapping coat." Will doesn't push on 'things happen.' "More than just a paycheck, hm? You've a genuine desire to change the worlds, have you? Noble of you, I suppose." Will doesn't offer any other thoughts on the subject. He is, after all...well, a pirate. "Ah, well, you know what they say about a lawyer who can't hang up his duelling pistol while he's walking down the street," Hook says, raising his teacup and tilting his head forward, "A lawyer who can't hang up his pistol is looking for an excuse to claim self-defense. Your world sounds very pleasant. Even in my time, London still had men with knives on the street." "Have you gotten used to the Multiverse yet? I confess it's a bit of a...I'd call it culture shock, but I suppose I'm not all that shocked by anything save the absolute state of the literary arts."
Kale Hearthward	"Well, funds were so tight during my one and only run as a playwright that I had to act - as well as direct, manage, and write," he says. "So yes. I like to think I'm quite good at it." "... And you want to know about culture shock..." He reaches over and taps the cookie wrapper with its vegan mark. "My world didn't have animals. I mean, animals that weren't people. So anything with meat, milk, leather - three things that are absolutely everywhere, and the methods of acquiring them are... hard to swallow. I'll spare you the details of what I found." "And people will countenance that, will let that stand, but then cry out in dismay at any sort of killing otherwise. The clean kill of a blade versus the slow death of being hooked up to a - ahem, not proper teatime conversation." "Since you brought up the subject of dueling pistols - are you that sort? The kind who's itching for a fight? I wasn't entirely paying attention and missed what lead you to call out Reyes that night."
Captain Hook	"Ah, money. Ever that which brings honest men to the table and dishonest men to lie to themselves about circumstance." Hook purses his lips. "I can't say I've some objection to eating meat," William admits, "But I shan't argue with you on that subject. I've hardly ever thought about it. Perhaps I'll try this lifestyle for a bit. It does seem agreeable, at least at the moment, though I've no certainty I'll stick with it. Trying new things, I think, is what life is all about." William waves the hook hand in front of his face. "Certainly not. I don't believe casually taking is a life is possible. If you take a life you take a life. A life has weight and value which cannot be measured in gold, or at least, ought not, as those reprehensible practices called 'slavery' and 'trafficking' are far below a gentleman such as myself. Not that I'm averse to taking a life, but nor do I seek out reason or excuse, nor actively delight in slaughter." He taps his hook on the table. "And I have only ever taken one life in mine, and so I should like to keep that number as low as possible, circumstances permitting." He leans back in his chair, eye on Kale. "I should rather not fight at all, sir. But I shall also not take to be called someone not worth fearing. Fear is a form of authority. It keeps unruly folk in line. Assures that people won't casually cross you without you having to do much of anything, especially anything particularly messy." "The young man," which is pretty odd, coming from Hook, because he couldn't be older than twenty or younger than seventeen, and only his eye seems older, like someone who's dreamed many lifetimes, "Looked down on my family, my Concord. He looked down on me and told me that I was not worth fearing, that what was frightening about me was not my capability, merely my tongue and my mind. He claimed that he was not afraid of me at all, in fact, and that he was more afraid of entities he will never encounter than the end of my blade." "I warned him that it would be far wiser to fear me, as I am far more likely to cross his path than his imaginary foes, and that he is at heart a coward looking for reasons to claim that I can be 'handled' easily." He taps the hook on the end of the table. "And even then I did not challenge him. I warned him that he should not...what is the phrase? 'Option-select'? - which part of me is dangerous. That he ought to find all of me dangerous. And he, in his infinite wisdom, challenged me to a duel to prove that I ought to be feared entirely." Hook spreads his arms. "And I accepted, and there you have it." "Tell me, sir. What ought I have done in those circumstances, when confronted by a coward and told that I am 'merely' a man with a flintlock, a cutlass, and a hook hand? That a spineless child of a man is less afraid of me than something he shall never meet? When I am challenged to show that I am, indeed, a dangerous man to be feared? Ought I say no?"
Captain Hook	"Well," Hook admits after a bit, "I say I should rather not fight at all, but, you know. A pirate ought to at least have swordfights, else, how dare he call himself a pirate?"
Kale Hearthward	"I feel as though I should be taking notes on fear fromn you. Or that you shouldn't be so readily teaching the soldier and politician you're having tea with," says Kale, wryly. "You've really only taken a life once. I see. That'll be some comfort for when we cross blades, then." "... Did he say all that," says Kale flatly. "I doubt I'd manage to extract an apology out of him, and I'd apologize on his behalf but he's not mine to apologize for." "You may rest easy that I consider all parts of you dangerous, William," says Kale, setting his teacup down with a soft yet dramatic clink on the saucer. "You, your title, your prowess, your family and your Concord. Possibly more than those five things I've listed. Trust me that I've learned to be cautious of such things," he says, a statement that will be provably untrue once William spends any amount of time around Kale. "And to give them the due respect they reserve," he adds, which is at least somewhat more true. "Of course, that then leads me to try to counter those things, in full, at any given opportunity - aside from teatime, at least." "And also no, I would not say that you should have said no. I would have asked, however, that you try to have beaten the lesson more thuroughly into him. As a favor." He goes to sagely sip at his tea, realizes that it's empty, and goes to hold it out for another refill instead.
Captain Hook	William refills it politely, even before Kale is hanging it out. "And rest assured, sir, that from what I saw of you, I should consider you as dangerous as you think me. You've strange powers, like so many others in this big, wide world I've become part of. You're also quite polite, and if I'm any example, a polite man is perfectly capable of a particular sort of bloody-mindedness that those who wear their anger on their sleeve cannot grasp, because a polite man knows the value of courtesy and cordiality as well as the value of blade and bullet. And I've no doubt that a man with a military title from an elite force is someone to be concerned about." "Besides, I should hate to think I would be swordfighting a rank amateur puffing up his chest." He chuckles. "Please. Sir, you're a politician - you've so many better avenues to learn fear from. Compared to the ruthlessness of a man in office I'm but a rank amateur." "No, no. Apologies are unnecessary. Next time I'll draw it in his skin." The dip of ruthlessness in the man indeed is a good reminder that he is a pirate, that he doesn't just put on the smile and talk the talk and pretend. He isn't the Happy Funtime Pirate Man. He really, truly is Captain Hook. "So, sir! Enough talk of blood and blade. Tell me! Hobbies! You mentioned writing. What else do you do to while away the midnight hours, awake beneath a burning candle, metaphorically speaking? I'm looking for some new ones, as I've mentioned. Some at all, really. Never quite had a hobby before." "Other than," he underlines, "Acting. I should neither wish to write nor go anywhere near a stage."
Kale Hearthward	"Mmm, well I like shopping," says Kale. "I like shopping more than my budget allows, unfortunately..." "... Oh, flying! Flying's fun," he says, perking up. "Admittedly I have an advantage there, in that I've lucked into a method of flying that's as natural as, well, as breathing, but flight's big in my world in general too. A lot of personal airships, hang gliders, and the like." "Just exploring the multiverse has been fun, too. Seeing what's out there. Ideally I'm not doing it in places that come under attack and I need to jump out and save people... but, well." "And... having tea? Can I list having tea as a passion?" He smiles.
Captain Hook	"Flying." Hook's face...shifts, slightly. It's almost imperceptible. Almost. But...there's just the slightest little hint of a frown at the word, as if something bothered him there, just a bit. It's something that Kale might pick up on, if he's paying an especially great amount of attention, but otherwise, it's gone in a heartbeat. "Oh? And what sort of things have you seen? What sort of wonders have you found in your travels, in your shopping adventures and other sorts of merriment and mischief? I assume you are indeed the sort who gets up to the occasional spot of mischief now and then - you've too much of an air about you to be a straight-laced enforcer of law." As for the tea, Hook laughs. "Absolutely. Shall I give you a few packets? It's no trouble, really. I've a goodly supply. You've no idea how good it is to have some proper tea after...well, after goodness knows." "As for me, I'm afraid my only hobby at the moment is reading. And, possibly, knitting, depending on how I enjoy it. It was suggested I model, so I'm looking into that, too, but I don't imagine it's for me. Doesn't seem like my thing, really."
Kale Hearthward	Expecting Kale to be observant enough to pick up on obvious things is already asking too much. "Hmm, there was this place called Kamurocho..." "... Oh, knitting?" Kale's crest perks. "I wouldn't say I'm a master by any stretch, but I know my way around a needle pretty well. It comes in handy."
Captain Hook	"Then I shall have to ask you for tips at a latter date." Hook smiles. Then he checks his pocketwatch and frowns. "Speaking of...I'm afraid I made a promise to Mrs. Hudson tonight, as I mentioned previously. I've very much enjoyed this; we shall have to take tea again another time." He stands and offers his hand for a firm shake, then heads to grab a few packets of his tea brand and hand them to Kale, along with a package of the biscuits. "Have a lovely evening, Mr. Hearthward. If you've need of an umbrella there's some in the lobby." Oh...so he is that cheap.
Kale Hearthward	"Why would I need an umbrella?" says Kale, as he takes the biscuits and tea and then goes to get his boots back on at the door. "Umbrellas are for people who are scared of getting rained on in their lives."
Captain Hook	Will laughs. "Marvelous philosophy. Some people do, enjoy, standing in the rain without an umbrella. That's what it means to be free." "Good night, Mr. Hearthward."