video | evening after the feast | open to both courts

[desperate_times]

[The video turns on and shows Chloe, a stunning woman with olive skin and pale blue eyes. Her hair, jet black, is tied behind her, and she looks at the camera with smug amusement. It’s probably her typical expression.]

Hello, darlings.

[There’s a notable Australian accent in her voice.]

Since it looks like I’m stuck here for awhile with the rest of you, it seems like a good idea to stock up on some supplies. It’s a dangerous world out there, you know. A girl can’t be too careful.

I could also use some maps of the area. Roads. Obstacles. That sort of thing. I imagine there might be something worth finding out there, too.

And just maybe, if you need something found, I can be the girl to get it for you. Name’s Chloe Frazer. People say I’m the resourceful type.

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[desperate_times]

After a time, Chloe managed to find her way to the cellar entrance. She was cautious, of course, since Jack was still a stranger (stranger than most), but she was armed and confident she could handle things if she was being played. She didn't think so, though, and was quite interested to hear what the man had to say.

As she descended the stairs, she heard the singing, which did put her at ease. At least she knew his whereabouts from the carry of his voice. As she sauntered her way down the stairs she finished the line, "Drink up me 'earties, yo ho."

There was an amused look on her face as she came into the light. "Well, this is a romantic spot." A dark, damp cellar. But she'd been invited to worse. At least there was rum.

[all7seas]

He raised his brows. Oh, Romance. He was excellent at Wooing. Though, from the look of her, so was she. There had to be no quarter given.

"At least there's rum."

He was holding two bottles 'round the neck; he offered her the smaller one.

[desperate_times]

Chloe didn't usually have problems in the wooing department, though even she had been turned down before. It only hurt once.

"Thank you." She accepted the offered bottle and lifted it for a first drink. "Cheers."

[all7seas]

"To the sea!" Jack raised his bottle.

[desperate_times]

She smiled at the toast and drank from the bottle. It wasn't bad, but she's had better. Obviously, it couldn't compare to some of the stuff they've both had in San Juan.

"Now, tell me a story, Jack." Chloe slides into a seat at a small wooden table reserved for passing the time. "About this treasure you mentioned."

[all7seas]

Truth be told, Jack wasn't one hundred percent certain about a) what the treasure was, b) where it was if it was, or c) whose it was if it was where it was.

He only suspected, you see, because there were so many royalty-types marching about with crowns and such. Folk like that liked gold and sparkly things, and it was Jack's job to sober up and open his compass and put his focus on said gold and sparkly things and find them.

"Once upon a time," he began slowly, rolling the words about on his tongue, "there was a treasure." It was an auspicious beginning. "Here. Somewhere. Probably."

[desperate_times]

"In other words, you have no idea." She shrugs, looking amused. "Typical. Men are always promising more than they can deliver."

But she doesn't think Jack is entirely wrong. This is the kind of place that seems ripe with treasure. It's already filled with so much magical nonsense, after all.

[all7seas]

Well, she was sort of right about that first thing.

"SOME. I have some idea. But it going through with it might mean we get our hides skinned off and flown from the tallest towers of Caers Glaem and or Scima!"

There WERE risks involved.

[desperate_times]

Now she had to laugh because he must be crazy to suggest such a thing.

"It has to be really good if you're suggesting we take something from the stronghold of our would-be enemies. Or our own side, who don't really look like the forgiving sort."

[all7seas]

"Exactly. And assuredly they're the ones with the really good items!" He only wanted a peek. Just a peek, that was all.

"Though it might be better not to burn a hole in the floor we're standing on, if you take my meaning."

[desperate_times]

"I take your meaning perfectly." Better not to get kicked out of the place that offers them food and shelter.

"I'll bet there are a few things there the royals here would like to have. If we were to pick something up for them, it might grant us additional riches."

[all7seas]

"Very well: a pact, then? We keep our eyes peeled and then plan a strike on anything worth our while?" Not that he trusted her one single red cent.

[desperate_times]

It was best not to trust people too much. If he had any sense, he wouldn't trust a woman he just met, and she thinks he does have a bit of sense after all.

"Agreed. A job like that would take two people, most likely." If not more.

[all7seas]

"I haven't met anyone else I can rely upon in that regard," he admitted. The sound of something clattering on the other side of the cellar stopped him.

He put his finger to his lips.

[desperate_times]

Chloe lifted her drink and was about to speak, but stopped when he indicated she should be quiet. Could someone be listening in on them? She suspected it was probably rats.

Casually, she sat back and looked to the other side of the cellar. She didn't want to appear jumpy or up to no good if someone was there.

[all7seas]

It might have been imps. It might have been nothing at all.

Jack waited a long moment; then: "We'll have to find a better place in the future, methinks."

[desperate_times]

"But what about the rum?"

This is where the drinks are.

[all7seas]

"We're going to have to transport the rum with us somehow. Perhaps if we got ponies...a wagon.

Though there's got to be a tavern in the fairylands." Perhaps something like the Twelve Daggers...

[desperate_times]

"Sure. What do fairies take for currency, anyway? I'm all out of fairy dust."

Rum from a tavern certainly won't be free, and she thinks carting it along in a wagon is a bit silly. They didn't need the rum that badly. Or maybe he did.

[all7seas]

"They do like gold." Jack himself had a bit of star that he'd never given back, but he wasn't about to use that as payment. "Point is, any pirate worth his sugar has a secret hideaway. I'm still in need of mine."

Problematically his compass wasn't working well at the moment because he was missing both hat and pistol.

"Don't suppose you have a place."

[desperate_times]

"No, but it's a good idea. Big as this world seems to be, you should have a few in different areas. It's always good to have a back-up plan."

Chloe believed one couldn't be too careful. She's used to hanging around the risky types, and she doesn't care for close calls.

[all7seas]

Any good pirate worth his salt had a good cache. Though he rather enjoyed close calls when it came down to it.

"Agreed. Shall we swear a bloody oath?"

[desperate_times]

A bloody oath? She'd prefer not to.

"Why don't we just drink to it?"

[all7seas]

Good. He liked the sound of that. Bloody oaths were horrible things. "Very well -- we drink."

Except his bottle, sadly, was empty.

"..............Oh."

[desperate_times]

She smirked, amused by the look on his face.

"Allow me." Chloe got up and sauntered over to the stock to retrieve a new bottle, then brought it over to Jack. Can't have him going dry now. A person should enjoy the drinks while they're still flowing.