𓂃 @LadyBarbossa
He does not look up when he hears the knock at the door . His attention remains fixed upon the document in his hands .
〝 Whoever you may be, do come in . But be quick about it .〞
He regards her for several moments in silent scrutiny, before allowing himself the faintest of smiles . For what reason, only he could say .
〝 Lord Cutler Beckett .
A pleasure, Madam Lily .〞
Anyone else would have succumbed to the mermaid's charms by now, or concluded that so much back and forth served no useful purpose .
But Lord Cutler Beckett knows full well that the finest bargains are negotiated .
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Her voice was but a soft purr, playfulness never leaving as her long tail whipped around.
"Just one. Place the blame on my infamy, pirate. No one shall suspect you."
He smiles with the quiet satisfaction of a spoiled cat, drumming his fingers upon the head of his cane as he watches her . And studies her .
After all, who would not wish to leave a favourable impression upon a mermaid?
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Beginning the day with a cup of tea (courtesy of the EITC) to quell the overwhelming urge to throw half the crew overboard with their pockets full of stones .
Whether they come from the Church or from some malevolent creature that is, in all likelihood, infernal .
The surest way to measure another's desperation is to appeal to their pride .
He studies her with keen interest . Not every day does one have the opportunity to strike up a conversation with a mermaid .
At her honeyed words, Cutler smiles faintly, a look of unmistakable shrewdness upon his face . His eyes gleam with quiet, amused mischief .
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"A man like you seldom needs a crew this big. A favour to the waves, m'lord. I promise to grant you safe passage.
But, you are not wrong. It has been weeks, perhaps even months. Trust when I say, the bodies wouldn't reach rot."
〝 Feast today, famine tomorrow .
Would it not suit you better if, rather than throwing you the body of some witless fool for you to strip to the bone, we were to come to an arrangement ? 〞
He is not taken in by tales of charity, nor by counterfeit lamentations .
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