aye aye!

never smile at a crocodile

[apirateslifefor--smee]

SAMUEL “SMEE” ALFRED SMIEGEL

my christian heart cannot withstand the thundering arena / i’ll see you when the violence ends/ for now, ciao ciao bambina

Nicknames: Smee, mostly known by people around town as Mr. Smee. Most people don’t even know his real surname is Smiegel.  Magic status: Mundus Nationality: English Ethnicity: White Accent: English, London Height: 5′10″ Build: Portly Complexion: Pale, red-cheeked Eye color: Blue Hair color/length/style: White with some gray streaks, usually neatly combed over but when it’s messy it’s a bit shaggy Tattoos/piercings/daily jewelry: Tattoo of a heart that says “Mom” on his chest (rarely seen). Wears a couple of rings, though nothing signifying being married. 

What would you find if you Googled them? Not a whole lot. Maybe some recent local interest article from the Squire quoting him commenting on the Fall Carnival or something.

What natives would know about them: He’s lived in Swynlake for the past twenty years, after retiring from some import/export job on the coast (that is his story). He lives with Hook in Southern Isles and helped him raise his son. He’s a regular attendee at town events, has a cocker spaniel named Squeaky, and goes to Hatter’s every morning to drink a cup of tea and read the paper.

Other: He runs a small illegal Magick items trading business (secret) and used to be actively hunting/poaching for 20ish years (1970s-early 2000s) so if your character is involved in that world, they may know him. 

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Those Hallowed Halls | Vampirate

[gabrobichaux]

She could have swore her heart was about to explode as he sat beside her. This was real, this was happening. He leaned toward her and she felt like she was watching in slow motion. She forced herself to move slowly as well. 

There was a humming in her mind, a tune she didn’t think actually existed. No melody, no rhythm, just a fluttering symphony bouncing between her ears as her lips met his. 

This time there was no rush to pull away. No embarrassed afterthought. Just her lips on his, her hand moving to cup the side of his face. There was a moment she felt like she was spinning upside down. There was a rush through her core. Gabrielle readjusted, sliding closer, lips still testing the waters with his. Seeing how they moved together, trying to know when was right to deepen it or pull away or reposition. She shouldn’t be thinking about it so much and yet it was all she could think about. 

That, and how much she enjoyed it.

She pressed her palm against his chest, feeling his heartbeat. She felt the desire to press closer, she wanted him to hold her tighter.

This night was already one she would never forget. They could stop now and she would be happy. But she didn't want to stop.

She had been moving slow, but her heart was beating faster. Her hand on his chest gripped the fabric of his shirt and she kissed him harder, no longer just testing the waters but wanting to dive in head first.

@apirateslifefor--smee

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Samuel's heart raced. He'd been uncertain before, but now he seemed to know exactly what to do. It was only supposed to be a kiss at first, a kiss away from the prying eyes of their classmates. But now Samuel wanted more— and it seemed Gabrielle did, too.

When he realized that, it scared him. He was losing his head now, well and properly losing it. And if they continued on this path, things would change forever.

(One could argue that things had already changed forever. But Samuel would not).

He pulled away suddenly. "No. We shouldn't do this," Samuel said. "You should get home. I'll walk you. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea."

@gabrobichaux

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Tales From The High Seas | Jolly Roger II

[captainjamesjoneshook]

@apirateslifefor--smee

James snorted and smiled wider, teeth showing. He didn't mind the jab at his father at all. It was nice to hear Mr. Smee talk about him at all without it being about him being dead or so– sadly. It was hard, he knew, but his father was more than just his death, wasn't he? He was the sound of the cabinets in the middle of the night as he got himself a glass of water and didn't care who he woke up in the process, and he was a hearty thump to the spine as he moved behind.

Obeying Mr. Smee's request, James picked up the tray and held one corner up to his open mouth. He tilted his head back a little so that the tray was at an angle, all the food sliding over for him to shovel inside. Cheeks ballooning with the excess, he chewed, and once the food was gone he set everything down. He downed the rest of his water glass. Then that was done put it beside the tray and held up his hands.

"Finished!" he proclaimed.

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Smee watched in horror as the lad poured the rest of his food down his gullet like he was some sort of human trash compactor. "Good lord. You're going to have a stomach ache from that later," he commented, picking up both of their trays anyway. "I'll be right back."

A few moments later, Smee returned with a photo album. It was a small plastic book, hardly the sort of artistic scrapbook Smee had created celebrating various milestones in James's life. Photos of life at sea couldn't be as publicly displayed.

"Right, here it is," Smee said. The first image was a blurry still of the horizon. "I think this is just Hook figuring out how the camera works."

@captainjamesjoneshook

[plutothe-pup]

"Maybe." Milo agreed with a soft shrug of his shoulders, glancing back with Mr. Smee with a sigh. At least the older man seemed to understand what he was saying. Maybe he was right though. It wasn't as if Milo hadn't had those very same thought before. In fact he'd often gone back and forth, grappling with the weight of his upbringing.

A terrible burden. Or.. perhaps a privileged one. He still didn't know.

"...I don't know. I was raised --.. A very certain way. It was everything I knew. I was taught and I was told and everyone I spoke to, they all held the same opinions. I had a path set out for me. I never had to wonder what I was going to do or who I was going to be -- and then..."

Milo trailed off, his brows furrowing again as he sipped at his tea, occupying the silence he'd fallen into as he rolled his shoulders again, uncertain.

"...You end up here and suddenly everything knew was.. wrong. Bad. Illegal...even, maybe, I guess." He added with a wince. "...At least that's what I'm told. But then sometimes - not. I don't know. It's always been more confusing here. I never thought to question it back then."

@apirateslifefor--smee

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Smee furrowed his eyebrows. Was Milo saying that he was born in a hunting family, but now he wasn't so sure it was the right path?

"Well, it's natural to question the world you were raised in," Smee pointed out. "Everyone rebels against his father sooner or later. You've just got to decide for yourself whether it's just that, rebellion, or if the direction you choose for yourself really is the right one. And once you do, you can't look back."

That came from experience. Smee had never looked back— well, maybe once or twice, but only once or twice.

"This place is confusing, though, I will agree with you. It's not normal to have magic so out in the open."

@plutothe-pup

[apirateslifefor--smee]

One look sent knees to the ground Young bloods can't be settling down Young hearts need the pressure to pound So hold me close my baby

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Those Hallowed Halls | Vampirate

[gabrobichaux]

Gabrielle curtsied and bowed her head, "why thank you," she smiled, entering his dorm.

His room was well kept and neat. Nothing like some of the other dorms she'd been in to study or hang out. It was clear Samuel wasn't like everyone else here. He didn't grow up with people who would pick up after him like so many of the boys here. Boys who had no idea how to take care of their space or themselves because they'd grown up with people to do it for them. Coddled and grown into the worst version of themselves that they could possibly be, with no hope of breaking that cycle.

Samuel wasn't like that. He was breaking a different sort of cycle.

After taking in the surroundings and hearing the door shut, though, it resettled in Gabrielle's mind where she was and what was going on. Her heart was beating a little faster already. She turned on her heels to look back at Samuel, smiling a little. It was definitely shy, though. Awkward and shy and small, all the things she tried not to be out in public.

Gabrielle took off the small mask she'd been wearing and slipped her shoes off to be polite.

"You have a nice room," she said, smoothing her hands down her dress. She glanced at him, then at the bed. Taking a breath, she walked over to the mattress, sitting on the edge of it, looking back over to Samuel.

"I'm going to be honest, I'm not really sure what to say," she laughed a little. "I haven't..." her face flushed and she looked away. She blinked, trying to regain her composure before looking at him again, though it was far too late, her cheeks were tinted with blush and she had a feeling they would stay that way for the rest of the night.

"I would really like you to come over here and kiss me some more," she said. Then, her tone a little more teasing, "If, of course, you want to."

@apirateslifefor--smee

[apirateslifefor--smee]

In that moment, Samuel realized that Gabrielle was nervous too. She wasn't some mythological creature, she wasn't from another universe. She was a girl, like he was a boy. Away from home for the first time. In a room they would call their own for the first time. Whatever happened next, Samuel would have to be sure he was not careless with it.

So he didn't move right away. He just stood there for a moment, mulling this over, admiring Gabrielle's pink cheeks in the dim light of the lamp.

"I- yes, I do." It was a bit embarrassing, Samuel knew, the way his competent demeanor had completely fallen away. And yet, he trusted Gabrielle. There was something thrilling about losing himself like this, a rush like jumping into the sea.

He sat down on the bed next to her and set the cowboy hat on the bedspread next to him. Then he leaned in to kiss her, and this time he did it slowly, carefully. There was no one around to watch. But there was music, there was Nat King Cole, maybe not out loud, but Samuel could hear it everywhere around him. Unforgettable.

@gabrobichaux

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Tales From The High Seas | Jolly Roger II

[captainjamesjoneshook]

@apirateslifefor--smee

James dimmed considerably as soon as Smee said that, but he nodded with acceptance. Okay. He'd pushed too far. Had his fun, now he was having to eat the bullet for it. That was– fine. Lesson learned, Mr. Smee.

He manged to get a gentle sigh in and drop his cheek against his closed fist to rest on while his other hand went to pick up his fork, ready to go back to eating. Though he doubted that it would taste like anything now that he'd gone and ruined the mood for tonight. He always did that, though. Pushed too far, asked for too much, expected–

Then Mr. Smee said his second sentence and James' eyes flicked up to meet the older man's. He lifted his head a little, blinking.

"Really?" he asked. "No way! I didn't even know he knew how to work a camera!"

[apirateslifefor--smee]

"I never promised they were very good photos," Smee replied, which felt a little bit wrong to say. It was the sort of teasing he never would have done in front of Hook, and now he couldn't even defend himself. In some ways, the joke called all the more attention to Hook's absence.

And yet, this was what James wanted, wasn't it? He wanted to think of his father and Smee as "human," for some reason, which went against all of the ideas around parenting Smee had been taught. But nothing made sense anymore now that Hook was gone.

"Finish up your dinner, I'll go get them," Smee added, standing up. He hadn't finished his own, but he wasn't very hungry.

@captainjamesjoneshook

[apirateslifefor--smee]

All Above Board | Pirate Chicken

[alzcomicbarn]

Al totally understood the hmph. He felt that way too! Honestly, he’d been about to agree, till this man recognized him — 

“Oh, well, I was getting married right around election season,” Al confessed. “My fiance wanted all my time devoted to wedding planning. It was honestly a lot. We, er, didn’t end up getting married, though,” he added. “But by then… well, it was too late to submit myself for the running!” 

@apirateslifefor--smee

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Not running for Board because you were getting married? Well, that was a shame— it was a good thing Smee had never let a silly thing like romance get in the way of his own goals.

"Oh, that's unfortunate. Not very good timing," Smee commented. "Sorry to hear the marriage didn't work out either. When it rains it pours, eh?"

@alzcomicbarn

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Those Hallowed Halls | Vampirate

[gabrobichaux]

She couldn't believe they were doing this. They weren't like their classmates, who could have their parents buy their way out of trouble. This was a risk to their academic careers.

And didn't that just make it all the more thrilling?

She let out the smallest laugh as she hurried along. From the excitement? From the small bit she'd had to drink at the party? From the pure delight of kissing a boy she had a crush on and now they were running off to his dormitory to kiss some more? It didn't matter, she was having the time of her life.

Gabrielle listened closely to his plan, nodding along, but a smile kept creeping across her features.

"Clever plan," she said. "Alright. Stairs on the left, got it."

As they entered, Gabrielle let out a playful laugh, like she and Samuel had been having the most delightful conversation.

"I can't believe you actually said that to him!" she laughed. "Oh, I won't soon forget the look on his face."

She glanced out of the corner of her eye, seeing the night guard at his little desk peering up from the book he held.

"Well, thank you for walking back with me--I appreciate it," she sighed, stepping toward the left staircase. "I'll see you in class, alright? Have a lovely night, and happy Halloween."

And with that, she'd played her part of making a show of it all and ascended the staircase.

As soon as she was at the top, she broke back into that elated grin, doing her best to not just squeal with delight at this absolutely wonderfully wild night.

@apirateslifefor--smee

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Gabrielle played it perfectly, barely hesitating before giving the doorman an award-worthy performance. Indeed, she was clever— Samuel had known that from the moment he'd met her, their verbal sparring on the dance floor all those months ago. But here Samuel was, falling for her all over again.

"A brilliant performance," Samuel complimented. He pushed the door to his dormitory open. "After you."

The room was meticulously tidy. Samuel's roommate went home practically every weekend and rarely spent time in their shared space. Samuel, on the other hand, rarely left— but each of his books and pens and papers was neatly tucked into place. There was only one photo on the desk— an old one of Samuel with his mother.

He followed Gabrielle in, and it was only in that moment that Samuel realized he'd never done this before and had little idea of what he ought to do (though he knew what he wanted to do— weren't there pleasantries first, though?). Samuel stood there awkwardly and took off his cowboy hat. "Er... welcome."

@gabrobichaux

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Tales From The High Seas | Jolly Roger II

[captainjamesjoneshook]

@apirateslifefor--smee

James started to open his mouth to explain further– but Mr. Smee just brushed right over it, either not actually caring to hear James' reasons or because he was trying to run away from the topic at break neck speed. He was inclined to believe the latter rather than the former. Mostly so James' very fragile ego didn't turn to dust, you know.

The only problem with that method was that James wasn't willing to drop the topic so easily! Oh, no, no, no. He and his father shared this quality. Or maybe James had just learned it from him. Whichever it was, neither Jones was so willing to simply open their jaws up on a topic they had already sunk their canines into. They would have to be shaken much more substantially to get away from.

"I like reading it because it's you, Mr. Smee. I like reading about you and about dad. You could have been writing about what you had for breakfast for all I care, and I'd read it. The same way you two would hang my shitty drawings up on the fridge or hung my horrible ornaments up on the tree or came to my school concert when I was the one playing the stupid triangle," he said. And then he let out a breath, showing that he had finished his rant and ushered the other man on. "But– yes, I'd love another question. Hit me."

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Smee softened. He knew James was struggling with his grief, it was quite a normal response to everything he'd been through. And Smee had thought that it would be enough to make sure the lad was eating well, going to work, seeing his friends. But there was more to it than that, wasn't there?

In some ways, Smee was one of the last people left who remembered Hook the same way James remembered his father. One of the last people who had loved him too.

"Actually, I think that's enough questions for tonight," Smee decided. "But I've got some photos you might want to see. Educational photos. Your father took them."

@captainjamesjoneshook

[apirateslifefor--smee]

All Above Board | Pirate Chicken

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Smee paged through the newspaper as he sipped his tea, his daily routine here at Hatter's. As usual, it was more bad news. Nobody had caught MAFIA yet. Everything was more and more expensive. And lo and behold, what did the town board have to say for themselves?

Smee hmphed to himself as he turned the page, drawing the attention of a nearby patron. "Oh, it's just the usual things," he grumbled. Then he realized who the man was. "McWiggin, right? You used to be on Board, didn't you? Why didn't you run last year?"

@alzcomicbarn

[chiefhugo-slade]

Aces Wild // Poker Night

[ralph-wreckin-reilly]

Ralph was honestly shocked when Chief had reached out to him. They'd been pals in the past, but he assumed the years had drifted them apart--not maliciously, it was just how things were. He'd left for bigger and brighter…well, maybe just bigger things. While they'd had a few polite run-ins here and there, he didn't think they were close enough that he'd be invited to a boys' night.

In fact, he'd never been invited to a boys' night. In between his traveling and his time with the giants, it just wasn't really a thing that happened. It almost felt stereotypical, something you'd only see in a movie or a game. That kind of thing didn't happen in real life, especially not for people like him.

But here he was. And wow, did it feel stereotypical as he climbed the porch steps only to be met with the sharp smell of smoked wood and the sight of his friend sipping a beer. Standing next to him was another, rugged, man--Chief seemed to befriend them exclusively, it seemed--carrying a case of beer. Oh, were they supposed to bring something? He definitely hadn't. He felt weird bringing attention to it by apologizing, so chose to say nothing. Instead he just shambled up the steps, soon towering over the both of them once he reached their height.

"Hey man, what's up? That smells amazing," he said, gesturing to the wrapped plate. He looked to anyone else who was there, none that he recognized. "Hey. Name's Ralph."

@apirateslifefor--smee @busterstrouble @chiefhugo-slade @crickey-itsjake

[busterstrouble]

Buster stepped onto the porch, shoulders loose but eyes scanning—half habit, half instinct. The place smelled like ribs, smoke, and somebody’s overpriced cologne—sharp enough to cut through the air like it didn’t belong out here.

The table caught his eye first—cards stacked, chips already lined up. Not just a casual night, then. They all came here to play.

He scanned the group next. A few familiar faces from around town, but nothing that came with a name. A pair of guys across the way—Ralph and Jake, apparently? Ralph was that guy with Elsa or was it Georgette at prom...Either way, they didn’t look too much in his direction, and he didn’t mind that one bit.

When the older man—Smee—offered his name and that flask, Buster stepped forward and offered a dry, near-silent chuckle.

“Buster Palmerteri,” he said, voice low but clear, as he picked up one of the waiting glasses. His hand hovered a second too long before pouring—steady, measured, just enough to occupy the space between his ribs and the noise in his head.

“’Preciate it,” he added with a nod toward Smee, then flicked his gaze toward Chief.

@chiefhugo-slade @crickey-itsjake @ralph-wreckin-reilly @apirateslifefor--smee

[chiefhugo-slade]

“All right, boys,” Chief finally said, clapping his hands once as he moved toward the table. “Let’s deal in. Food’s hot, drinks are flowin’, and if I can wrangle you lot into one decent hand without someone callin’ bullshit, I’ll call it a miracle.”He pulled out a chair and looked around the table, that easy smile tugging at the edge of his mouth.“Hell, we’ve all got different roads behind us, but I reckon tonight? We’re just a damn good table.” @crickey-itsjake @ralph-wreckin-reilly @apirateslifefor--smee @busterstrouble

[crickey-itsjake]

Right, yeah, introductions. "Jake, how ya going." The Australian grinned at the blokes who'd come by, fishing out an already cold provided beer and opening it. "If anyone else wants one for the table let me know."

Once drinks were situated, he sat himself in a seat and looked between the guys that had all assembled here. They were a mystery bag of a randomly assorted lot weren't they? Chief seemed to just collect people.

"What's the game? Five card draw? Hold 'em? Seven card stud?" Admittedly, he did research these different poker games in preparation for this night. (He didn't really gamble all that much, but he was one of the boys tonight). He looked between the other men at the table and leaned back a bit in his chair, taking a long swig of his beer.

@ralph-wreckin-reilly @apirateslifefor--smee @busterstrouble @chiefhugo-slade

[apirateslifefor--smee]

"Smiegel. But everyone calls me Smee," Smee said, swirling the liquor in his glass. "I prefer a five card draw, personally. But I'm flexible," He'd grown up playing hold 'em, but he'd gotten much better at five card draw.

Looking around at this motley crew, though, Smee didn't expect them to be versed in the various kinds of poker. If they even knew how to play at all. Well, then, Smee thought. Someone was just going to have to teach them. It was a life skill, after all! Many of Smee's best deals had been completed around a poker table.

@ralph-wreckin-reilly @busterstrouble @chiefhugo-slade @crickey-itsjake

[bones-weary]

I Do || Skull & Crossbones Crack!ship AU

[bones-weary]

It was when that recognition flashed that Bones knew he had won. And despite this all being essentially manipulation and extortion, there was still a boyish way his heart fluttered in elation. Perhaps it was the victory, perhaps it was the knowledge that soon he would finally be free from decades of servitude. Or maybe it was something more.

His smirk turned into an all out grin as the man verbally agreed. "Oh, I can't wait to go ring shopping," he teased, though underneath the shit-eating grin was a warmness he hadn't felt in many years. "No, but really. We don't need to draw it out for too long, just enough to be legally enforceable," he mused.

"We can discuss more of the details tomorrow. I'm sure I've kept you far too long for your liking." And at this point, he trusted that Smee would not flee were he to be left alone. Because if he did, Bones would hunt him down. As he went to move towards the door, however, he hesitated, casting him a coy glance. "Unless…you'd like me to stay?"

@apirateslifefor--smee

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Smee wasn't going to flee. Bones had found him once and would find him again. And, more importantly, Smee didn't want to.

Yes, fine, he could admit it. He didn't want to. Being rich and successful was nice, but it was lonely and, quite honestly, boring. There was something romantic about playing at being an outlaw that Smee hadn't realized until now that he wanted so badly.

"We might as well celebrate," Smee said innocently. "I'll have a bottle sent up. Some chocolates and fruits, maybe, too."

@bones-weary

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Tales From The High Seas | Jolly Roger II

[captainjamesjoneshook]

@apirateslifefor--smee

James blew out a breath, wondering how he had never noticed how stubborn Mr. Smee was before this moment– probably because his father's had been stronger than diamond and made anyone else's look like a feeble piece of talc in comparison. It also seemed much easier for Mr. Smee's mood to plummet than it had before. Which was understandable, but James had been trying to do the opposite of this, so it made him feel very guilty.

And that meant that he needed to fix it.

"Well, hold on a minute, I haven't finished mine yet," he said, drawing the food toward him so he could put his arm down in front of it in a protective manner. "And I'm not trying to make you feel better about it. Or worse. I'm saying– I liked reading it. I'd never heard that story before."

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Smee looked at James suspiciously. He liked reading it. Because, he'd said, it reminded him that Smee was human or something.

Which seemed like a silly notion to Smee. Of course he was human! What else would he be?

But James seemed sincere, from the look on his face. And Smee was powerless to say no to that. He spent so much time wondering how he could cheer the lad up, how he could possibly try to heal that ever-present wound they both had. This wouldn't exactly do that. But Smee didn't have it in him to say no.

"I still don't really really understand it," Smee said, shaking his head. "Why you'd even find that interesting. But alright. Do you have questions? Or do you want another one?"

@captainjamesjoneshook

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Those Hallowed Halls | Vampirate

[gabrobichaux]

She sucked in a breath, unable to breathe. He said okay. But that distance remained. She didn't want to move anymore, she didn't know what to do now. He'd just said okay.

And then he pulled away. Not here. That was probably for the best. But... to his dormitory? She blushed and she couldn't help it. "Okay..." Gabrielle nodded slowly, her confidence suddenly waning and she was the one who felt on uneven footing.

"Lead the way," she breathed, taking his arm in a way that could just look friendly. Like a friend guiding another friend home after too much to drink.

Her heart was racing, her face was flushed, and her stomach turned. All in good ways--the best ways. Excited nerves. She walked with him casually and slowly but there was a part of her that wanted to skip her way there.

And maybe she should care more that he didn't want to be seen kissing her. Maybe she should have questioned it. But the giddy infatuated schoolgirl part of her heart didn't care. He wanted to kiss her more and that was all that mattered right now.

@apirateslifefor--smee

[apirateslifefor--smee]

This was completely and utterly irresponsible. This was a terrible idea. This was exactly the sort of trap Samuel had promised himself he'd never fall into during his time here, because he believed himself to be smarter and more level-headed than his peers. Samuel had been wrong about that, clearly, because he didn't care.

All he could think about now as he darted through the streets with Gabrielle was her hair in the moonlight, the sweet smell of her perfume, her lips on his. And yes, part of him was racing home so quickly because he didn't want to be seen. But there was another reason— he hardly wanted to wait another moment.

"Right, here we are," Samuel said as they approached the dormitory. "The night guard's horribly nosy. I won't hear the end of it if he sees me showing a co-ed to my dormitory. When we walk in, we'll make a great show of saying good night, as though you live here too. Go up the stairs on the left and wait for me at the top, and I'll come from the other staircase."

Samuel's eyes glimmered, as though he were entirely enchanted with his own cleverness. He'd never done anything like this before, sneaking around. It was fun, wasn't it?

@gabrobichaux

[plutothe-pup]

The snort was involuntary, Milo's hand immediately coming up to cover his mouth as he shook his head. No, he certainly had not meant the dog-transformation business. "Ah- no." Milo clarified. "..I wish I was - because perhaps then I could be rid of all that. Unfortunately that's--.." He trailed off.

It was dangerous, to be saying the things he was in front of Mr. Smee, but... the older man had always looked out for him. James had always looked out for him. There was no way that James would let someone who was like family to him hurt Milo, right? Not to mention, he'd known Mr. Smee for a while now. He knew he was a bit more conservative in his ways. Someone who reminded Milo of his parents, like he said. Someone who might've gotten along with them in another life.

"...I'm cursed for a reason." Milo admitted softly, looking down at his tea with a small frown. "I know a lot of stuff I'm not supposed to, for a reason...My parents are--.. I think you get the point."

@apirateslifefor--smee

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Now Smee's curiosity turned to concern. He was starting to put the pieces together, but he could tell they would make quite a complicated picture.

"They had the wrong sort of enemies, you mean," he concluded. "But you don't have to feel ashamed of anything. Knowledge is power, my boy. Who's to decide, really, what you're supposed to know? It could be useful someday."

He still wasn't entirely sure he understood. But he wanted Milo to trust him so that he could tell Smee more. Smee did mean what he'd said— it could be useful someday.

And maybe a small, romantic part of him imagined that maybe he could train the boy, too. Maybe James could have a friend who was experienced in the ways of hunting, to take to the seas with him after Smee was gone. Because Smee wouldn't be here forever. He was especially aware of that lately.

@plutothe-pup

[plutothe-pup]

The young man sipped at his tea, glancing at up at Mr. Smee as he clarified Milo's words. He didn't reply right away, caught between wondering if he shouldn't just dismiss his words as them being not what he meant, or if he wanted to be clear, that that was exactly what he was referring to.

"...Yes, sir." He ended up saying after another beat of silence, tongue running over his teeth absently. "I uhm... - well. Like I said. I just.. have an abnormal subset of skills and knowledge. "

@apirateslifefor--smee

[apirateslifefor--smee]

Smee looked at the lad curiously. Skills and knowledge. That was different from, say...

"You don't mean the, er, dog-transformation business, do you?" he asked. Smee was under the impression that whole thing was in the past, but he couldn't imagine what other sorts of connections to magic Milo would have.

Unless... well, he had said he had some experience with hunting growing up, but surely that wasn't Smee's sort of hunting, was it? It was probably a little too much to hope.

@plutothe-pup