Slacking off in the Sun

"It's a dirty job, fighting. But someone's got to do it." He replied calmly. Now that it was made clear enough that he was 'innocent', he did not feel like rising to bait. Atleast he hoped he would not.

Leaford almost smiled. "Dirty indeed. Rather like striking a man who does not lift a hand in his own defence."

"...That's why he's t' one learning to fight. And I am the one teaching. Wouldn't need to be teaching him anything, if he knew how to!" He shrugged.

"Stands t' reason." He would have gone by now if he could.

"I think," Leaford said slowly, glancing at the Master-at-Arms, "that any lessons in combat should be left to those who can conduct them competently. Without resorting to cowardly attacks upon shipmates as a means to prove a point."

"If I knew what you are talking about.. I'd be delighted to help you with an answer to it." Cattling replied coldly. Leaford he was beginning to dislike, an annoying creature of a man that he was.

This game was over. "Meaning," the master's mate said flatly, "you're stupid for attacking a shipmate in full view of the quarterdeck."

He glanced at the Master-at-Arms. "Take him to the irons, if you please."

Cattling knew exactly what being put in irons meant. "....But i did not attack 'im. You can ask him." And the landlubber would be smart to lie. "Was all just a bit of fun." He motioned towards the two. "Honest."

"It hardly looked to me that he spoke a word before you struck." Leaford glanced at the landsman. "Not given much to speaking, are you?"

The poor man looked ready to keel over. "No sir." Even that sounded like it was uttered unwillingly.

Cattling looked at the man that he assaulted. He better speak in his favour, and soon. He loathed the ship as it was. He did not need another thing to be added to his reasons for loathing her. And this lad did not need to upset him further. If he was smart, he would do the right thing right now!

The sailor's eyes were on him. Hales could feel it, but he dared not glance in that man's direction. He already knew what he'd see there.

"Well," said the sailor with the blue jacket. "I think this matter is resolved. For now." He turned away to clomp back toward the quarterdeck, leaving the small gathering behind.

Cattling glared at Hales. The damned landlubber will pay for not speaking out. Pay dearly. And that little brat that was with him. He too. He looked as nonchalant as he could. "Well..better get it over with. Though you got it all wrong.."

The Master-at-Arms simply scowled. "Move along, you," he said curtly. "An' you two - back to work!"

With an annoyed grunt, Cattling moved in the direction the Master-at-Arms pointed to him, where at its end he could find the irons to be clapped onto his limbs. "..honest didn' mean nothin'." He said simply and gave the two one final look, before he walked off.

De Guarde gave a quick: "Aye, aye." He looked at Hales and muttered a quick: "'s better we shove off." Which the other man knew already anyhow. "..You a'right?" He asked very quietly, deciding that if they went in any direction which would lead them from the Master-at-Arms' gaze, they would have done the right thing.

Didn' mean nothin'. Of course not. Hales turned away and shrugged stiffly. "Fine," he replied, his gaze shifting once again toward the glittering sea.

De Guarde sighed and shrugged. He'd done his best. Which was not enough before, nor was it now. Atleast it was no surprise. With a soft grunt he looked away from Hales and moved off from the railing. "....." He had wanted to say something, but initially decided it was as fruitless as all his other efforts. If the man wanted to hate everything...then let him. If he did not want help, then.. help would not be given. He was stupid to think he understood him because he had felt the same.

Stupid.

"Sorry." He said, but he was really sorry because he bothered Hales. Without another word he turned to leave. It was better that way. Probably Hales would be thrilled about it too.