piratejournal | 003 [voice]

[You all remember Hector, of course. The ass who's torn apart most of the folks who've asked stupid questions? And has been highly offended at the assumptions about the way he speaks? Well, he's just come upon a thought that struck him out of the blue, and really, in his opinion you just might want to pay attention.

But hoo boy, does he sound full of schadenfreude. Because he is.]

Just as an aside, as that execution do bring some things to mind. At least for meself, as I'm a bit more versed in the laws and rules of the sea...

You do realize, o'course, with your sailing and bartering without proper papers - letters o' marque or otherwise granting you permission to do such from a nation - you are all, in fact, committing acts of piracy, aye?

No papers, no authority to conduct yourself as a legitimate crew. No authority, of course, to organize yourself in a militaristic force. You aren't privateers. You aren't merchants, and you aren't treasure hunters.

You're pirates. Piss poor excuses for pirates, I'll grant ye that, but not a single soul brought to this place has authority to do anything. You're conducting in black market trade, operating a craft that is not, in fact, registered in any home port, and not a single one among ye has a place ye make berth.

This, of course, does include our little ship full o'sparkle and light in the name of justice et cetera, et cetera.

Pirates, the lot of you. Every last one of you be staring at Jack Ketch, waiting to be the next to dance the jig. No matter your noble intentions.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

. . . you say men turn to piracy for reasons other than greed. You say pirates won't have me because I'm too much of a goody-goody. You won't admit whether you consider yourself a pirate or not.

In the eyes of the stupid law enforcement here, sure, we're outlaws, and the smartest of us will adapt accordingly and avoid getting caught. But beyond that, deeper into what's in our hearts and minds, those of us who don't consider ourselves pirates aren't gonna call ourselves one just because the Navy does.

[getting a little deep there, Kaito?]

That's what I mean when I say there's more to it.

Touching. Except these feelings you are feeling will do nary to keep you alive here, especially if they view you as pirates. You don't have to call yourself one.

In fact, I'd rather you didn't, as you'd be likely to give the actual pirates a bad name, and we can't be having all of that.

But what you can do is stay out of the way. Won't take fire for some noble cause I care less about.

[wry snort]

I know it's not my feelings that'll keep me alive. But I still won't call myself one.

Good. I'll not have my good name tainted with the likes of the do-gooders.

Your good name?

[He is almost convinced that this guy is a pirate now]

Don't worry, us do-gooders wouldn't dream of such a thing.

Of course you won't. Nary have the stones, I'd wager.