We Aren't So Different, You and I

[Ethan Black]

They had a guest. Though that was a loose term. prisoner was correct. Yet he liked guest more. Not for moral reasons. Simply for fun. Sometimes it made the guest more talkative. Or at least got a reaction. From what he heard, this one was reactive. Ethan wanted to see just how reactive that meant. So he headed down. Went to the cells. The only one currently occupied.

"Cozy in there?" It was a joke. He doubted she would find it funny. Yet he did, and that's all he cared for. He came closer to the bars. He'd brought the food with him.  He held it before him. Clear in sight. A tease and a bribe. If she wanted food, she'd have to talk. Or at least she would for him. "Brought you something to eat as well. It might not be of the finer ingredients you're used to, but I assure you that it is edible. Even if everything you see points to the contrary."

[Ellen Orland]

No, funny enough none of this was remotely amusing to Ellen Orland in the least. At the best of times, Ellen wasn’t really that easily amused but if being locked in a cell her normally perfect hair ruined totally, her clothes almost totally disintegrating and in a state of general disrepair having been stuck on a pirate ship for god knows how long. Ellen’s humour has gone the way of her personal hygiene….which is pretty much nonexistent at this time. She felt DISGUSTING and yet she had to deal with pirates…


But...no if nothing else, she had her dignity so she’s made a point to ignore any and all taunts that might come from the crew, she didn’t have to respond. She didn’t have to lower herself to their level, she was content in the knowledge that soon, her father will catch up with them and burn this ship to the ground.


...So naturally when the...boy saw fit to talk to him, Ellen didn’t even shift from her position sitting at the base of her bunk her knees tucked into her chest a scowl on her face, she tilted her head in her direction and gave him a look that seemed to suggest he offered her a vial of small poxs let alone a smile before resuming staring off into space

[Ethan Black]

She hardly moved. Only glared at him. Then stared off into space again. Ethan just watched. Observed. She looked awful. Even for a prisoner. Or a guest. A sliver of sympathy grew in his chest. Not enough to show on his face. But it was there. Most of his concern was placed with the possibility of her getting sick. Which could lead to death. That wouldn't be good for ransom.

"Good grief, are they trying to get you sick?" It was a mutter. Mostly to himself. He moved into the cell. He was unarmed, but ready. Even looking relaxed, his body was tense underneath. Prepared to spring should she try anything. He crouched. Slid the food towards her. Then looked her over.

She was pitiful. Like a wounded animal. Even with the scowl. Ethan smirked. "How would you like some new clothes? Maybe a bath too."

[Ellen Orland]

If this cabin boy had taken the time to walk into the cell and chop her head off and throw it over the side of the ship, she would be far more comfortable with the idea of that, then the idea of him or anyone else actually having the nerve to consider her pitiful. You pity a tramp. You pity the lamb but there is no way in hell that SHE would ever be the one that could be considered worthy of pity, that’s one thing she would ever allow. Disgust, that was fine. But Pity. Never.


Ellen again didn’t react to anything he said, not willing to give him any sort of satisfaction….until she mentioned a bath and a change of clothes, after a moment her sharp eyes looking up at the pirate full of distrust just general disbelief “Since when do pirates use baths” She muttered her head sinking again

[Ethan Black]

She didn't move. Barely responded. Her body stiff in its position. Yet then there was a glance. Full of mistrust and disbelief. Ethan could understand why. Since when did pirates use baths? It was a mutter. Barely audible. Yet it was more than anything she had offered so far. Ethan had almost assumed she was mute. Or one of the others had cut out her tongue. But here she was. Speaking. Reluctantly it appeared

He chuckled. "Despite most of their smell, we do indeed bathe. It prevents disease. Wouldn't want everyone running around sick and getting us all killed." He tsked. "That would be a rather disappointing way out. Although I doubt you care what way we die, so long as we do." She had no reason to care for their health. They were the ones to capture her, after all. "Still, I will ask you again Would you like a bath and new clothes? Surely anything would be better than the rage you have right now."

[Ellen Orland]

No, it was true that Ellen had barely said anything to the rest of the crew,she didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of conversing with her, besides, what would be the point? Ellen didn’t see the reason why she should talk to anyone if she didn’t have some tangible to gain for it, so no she didn’t have anything to say to kidnappers, so she sneered and she snared and she growled and tried incorporate as much hate as a person can in one cold gaze…



...The look she was giving to this swashbuckler now as a matter of fact….



Ellen didn’t speak a word but her eyes did narrow a little bit once the pirate started laughing at her her already low opinion of him falling rapidly breathing somewhat heavily, caring very little about his personal stories “Don’t you mock me” She muttered her teeth gritted in anger

[Ethan Black]

She was glaring at him. It was rather intense. Filled with hatred. He didn't doubt she would gladly be the end of him if she had the chance. She had every reason to wish him harm. Or anyone else in the crew. Yet here she was. Caged like an animal. Scowling like one too. He wasn't bothered by it. He'd seen much worse, and barely felt affected by that. Nothing really could anymore.

Don't mock her. Ethan raised a brow and smirked. "If I was mocking you, you would know." He hadn't meant to mock her. Tease her, perhaps. But not mock. Ethan stood up and regarded her again. "Well if you won't accept my offer than I can just leave you in rags." He stated, crossing his arms. "Careful when it starts to stiffen. It can get particularly scratchy then. Even infectious."

[Ellen Orland]

Ellen did not have a sense of humor, not in any way shape or form and no she couldn’t laugh at herself. She was not in a laughing mood, she was not a jester. She was not here for anyone’s amusement. She didn’t appreciate being teased not now not at any moment. So it could be fair to say that Ethan was really getting on her last nerve and she really didn’t appreciate the clear fun mr pirate was having at her expense.



Yes, she was in a bad situation now, but soon she’ll make everyone on this ship pay that she can promise,



Until then she was at the mercy of her kidnappers and as such she had to sit here and watch him dangle the carrot of a bath in front of her…..



….and Ellen was tempted….



...Damn it..



“If you’re going to play games with me, You’re wasting your time….I’m not playing”

[Ethan Black]

He was getting under her skin. It was clear as day. Made Ethan smirk. Her irritation was slightly amusing, if understandable. Still, if she was so crabby then he wouldn't play with her. He was on his way out when she spoke. She wasn't playing. Ethan glanced back. Smirked slightly and shook his head. With this attitude, the others would let her starve willingly.

"If you aren't going to at least be even a little agreeable, you aren't going to get much at all." He came back to her. "I am far more conversational and willing to make a safe deal with you than the others. You've less to fear from me than them. And you're likely to get more from me. With how you're acting right now, your chances of starving or dying from infection are much, much higher."

[Ellen Orland]

Crabby? Oh no. She was well passed crabby at this point, In an average day Ellen’s go to emotion in her day to day life was “Crabby” She was crabby when she was woken up at six am every morning. She was crabby when she was caught in the middle of a rain storm -She HATED the water ironically enough for the daughter of a prominent admiral. She couldn’t STAND ships-


“Agreeable?!” Ellen exclaimed out loud her stunned demeanour overriding her vow of silence “Agreeable?! I’m in the middle of a CELL. A CELL and you have the nerve to call yourself agreeable?!” Ellen said sounding totally incredulous,


If she had any sea legs whatsoever she would rush pass him right now...but the floor was a lot more agreeable.


But still, she had to admit, her curiosity was pipped somewhat, she sighed to herself as if she knows she’ll regret the next words that’ll come out of her mouth “ What sort safe deal does a pirate make. I don’t have any money if that's all you want

[Ethan Black]

Agreeable? She was in the middle of a cell and he dared to call himself agreeable? "Yes." Came the calm, easy reply with a smile. "I am more agreeable than most of the others. Who would've no doubt gagged you by now for all this yelling you're doing." Ethan was actually a little surprised it hadn't happened already. She was quite loud. Although for a good reason, he had to admit.

What sort of safe deal did a pirate make? She had no money. Yet that wasn't what he wanted. "Well first of all, I'm not going to ask you to do something any other pirate might ask a pretty young girl to do." A look of disgust came with the statement, and Ethan shook his head. "Nor am I asking you for money. No, a safe deal with me is simple. In exchange for something you want, I just want you to perform a simple task like...oh I don't know..." He though for a few seconds before a smile came to his face. His eyes met hers. "Like sing, for instance. Sing, and I'd get you a nice bath and some new clothes."

[Ellen Orland]

….Ellen was deliberating for a moment, and she has come to the conclusion that this was easily the most irritating pirate she has ever had the misfortune of speaking too. Sure the other pirates may well be vicious, ill-educated and generally skin crawling company of the entire crew. But she can not claim to ever meet the acquaintance of someone that seemed so smart, so smug and generally irritating like this…..thing.


“If you did make THAT kind of deal you’d be leaving your cell carrying all your teeth in your hands” Ellen bluntly remarked, less threatening Ethan and more starting a cold fact, probably because Ellen wouldn’t care one damn bit if he was armed, or if Ellen was weak from lack of food. If anyone so much as laid a hand on her, they’d live to regret it…


At first, Ellen smirked a little at his “Deal” bitterly amused by the thought of it….before the laugh died in her throats with dawning horror he realised one thing


Oh, my god….He was being serious….


Ellen blinked at him several times over seemingly deliberating with…..before she eventually nodded “Ok. Deal” She nodded taimly patting the place beside her in the cage “Don’t suppose you have any requests?”

[Ethan Black]

If he made that kind of deal, he'd be leaving with his teeth in his hands. Ethan chuckled and shook his head. "I don't doubt that." She looked like she would do it to anyone who tried it. It was a cold fact, not a threat. "But you don't have to worry about that with me, honest." It was a promise, which was rare for him. "You're not exactly my type, see."

She smirked. Laughed. Yet it faded when she realized he was serious. Why not be? It would entertain him at least. She seemed to consider it before agreeing. Patting the spot next to her. Did he have a request? The question was so simple. Tame. Deceiving. Ethan raised an eyebrow and stayed where he was. He was no fool to trust a caged beast. So he thought. Considered her question. Then shrugged. "No, not particularly. Pick any tune you'd like."