anchored to a fate

[shotandshell]

When Evil stalks upon the land / I’ll neither hold nor stay me hand / But fight to win a better day

             featuring muses from history and Age of Sail | written by: Tish 

[camimendes]

[undauntedloyalty]

conquistadoradelmar:

How anyone could actually wish to drink leaf-water when he might have coffee, or better yet, chocolate, was a problem that Torres reckoned only God himself could explain. But then again, the English did defy all logic and reason; they even seemed to genuinely enjoy tea. Her steward swept in to clean up the leafy mess before hurrying off to make the chocolate.

“Five drinks?” Torres asked, resuming her seat with a pleasant smile. “Why no, I have never heard such a thing. Perhaps I could prevail upon you to enlighten me, Lieutenant Gillette.”

“Yes, I would be delighted to.”

This topic was one he had just read about and an opportunity to discuss with someone had not yet arisen. At her invitation his amber eyes lit with unrestrained excitement. Intellectual discourse was one of life’s greatest pleasures, and to do so with another officer over chocolate was euphoric.

“Aside from water, the first drink created by man was beer. In the cradle of civilization beer was important enough that it was used to pay wages. It was called a ‘gift from the gods.’ Communities were founded around the resources necessary to the process. There were significant social, religious, and economical discoveries because of beer.

“After ale came wine with the Greeks, the Founders of Philosophy. Wine illuminated their minds, and loosened their tongues. Which lead them to believe that it was akin to a truth serum. The Romans made wine vital to religious ceremonies- Bacchus and his bacchanals for instance? The constant fighting between the Muslims and emerging Christians led to the creation of spirits, and the process of distilling. I have not yet met a sailor who does not praise God for the gift of rum. And, when spirits became popular they were called aqua vitae.

“In the past century the new philosophers claimed it is coffee that opens the mind, not wine. We have coffeehouses dedicated to sitting and discussing such topics, no?

“And lastly we come to tea. It was only for the king a hundred or so years ago. But, as we established trade routes the cost of tea lessened.

“And there you are. This history of mankind in five drinks.” Will glanced at the cup that had been brought while he had been talking. “Perhaps chocolate will be next, and it will be six.”

[undauntedloyalty]

thepromiseofredemption:

Gillette’s information was processed silently and without response just as he had before. What was there to say to such a statement? The man was quitting a life on the sea because of him. Because of his actions. Because of blind, stupid ambition.

Norrington could feel the rift deepening between them, widening ever further apart to make way for the wall that would surely be built between them with time. His carefully-kept expressionless face soured, thinking back on the actions of that night, actions he was still loathe to claim as his own. He turned away from the bars and the Lieutenant, seemingly ending their conversation on a most unsatisfying note for them both.

He moved to the small window his cell offered and gazed out for many long moments. It was a surprise to both men when Norrington spoke again, the silence had settled so thickly between them. His words were so quiet it was easy to imagine they were only wishful thinking and hadn’t been spoken at all, but the catch in James’s normally steady voice grounded them in reality. “I had to catch him. I have to.”

Lit by the soft moonlight falling in from the window, Norrington’s face soured again as he fell back into his defensive personality. He would not apologize for attempting to see his duties fulfilled. This result was Jack Sparrow’s doing, not his own or any others. “Would you have had me turn in a report that proved by my own hand I had ceded a day’s headstart to a pirate? It would have led to this same endgame; it was my fate from the beginning.”

When he had turned his back Gillette was sure this was the end of their conversation, and- painfully- the end of their friendship. So when the former commodore spoke again Will could not stop the soft sigh of relief that escaped.

“Yes. Y-you are a respected officer.” His use of the present tense was deliberate. The man in the cell did not need to be reminded that that statement was no longer true. Gillette, bitter, angry, and full of sorrow for what had been, still held Norrington in high esteem. “The consequences of that could have been negotiated. Governor Swann might have testified in defense of that decision. I-” Will’s gaze lowered to the floor as he gathered his thoughts.

“I apologize. It does not do to dwell on what might have been. You are the master of your own course, sir. Do not let fate steer you into the rocks. The world needs good men. It would be a shame to lose a fine one like yourself.”

[undauntedloyalty]

Don’t forget your old shipmate

[undauntedloyalty]

lt-theodoregroves:

A half hour. Fighting for your life against an enemy that you can’t kill and having to resort to improvisation in order to live. “That sounds too fantastic to be true.” A bit like a Greek drama, trying to hold your own against these powerful beings. “Jack Sparrow? The pirate who robbed a port without a single shot? That pirate, now involved in ancient curses?” Turner was a name he hardly recalled, Miss Swan he knew was the daughter of the provincial governor, but it was Sparrow that caught his attention.

As far North as he usually was, it was smugglers that they normally saw. Blackbeard was the only pirate whose name really brought any fear to people along the Eastern coast of the colonies. Sparrow was the one who sparked a childish imagination for someone who joined the Navy for the sheer fun of it. “He’s the one that your Captain chased into the storm, correct?” And that brought the story full turn, from asking about a commander that would chase a single man into a storm and lose his entire crew, all the way back to that point. 

Theodore was quite for a few moments, absorbing the story and listening to the rowing which was such a calming sound that it was threatening to make him drift off to sleep. Such a fantastic story, he knew that if he did sleep he’d dream of pirates and gold and magic. To keep awake, he studied the sun, the shadows, and the slowly diminishing island over his rescuer’s shoulder and tried to decide how long it would take for them to reach the next island in the chain. “We may need to fashion a water anchor.” He mused after a while of thinking, “I believe it’ll be dark before we reach the next island and…” He stopped before going into details, because of course Gillette would know this and what the anchor was for, he didn’t have to explain like he was a landsman.

“Had I not been there I would think the same.” Gillette remarked, his eyebrows raised in emphasis. “Yes, Norrington let Sparrow have a day’s headstart and it cost him his ship, his crew, and his career.”

Briefly Will envied Theodore. To forget the heartache that came with remembering those events would it be worth also losing the memories of the best years of their life? He studied his companion and the envy faded.

“Good idea, Groves.” It had been a while since Will had fashioned one, but the knowledge had remained. “While we do have light, would you might gathering the materials for one? It would be better to know now than later tonight.”

[undauntedloyalty]

toodamnloyal:

Still quietly laughing to himself Groves couldn’t even manage to drink his own warm mug, he had to settle for wrapping both hands around it just to keep from spilling. There honestly were very few suspects to question beside himself when it came to harmless mischief.

“Bored?” He tried desperately to sober himself and failed, “Who could possibly be bored with him? He will walk into any trap set without fail each instance. I thought only to give him a rest like any good officer should.”

“It’s a well deserved rest to be sure. I was not certain he would recover from that last one.” The cup was pressed to his lips and Will drank deeply, savoring the crisp bitterness of the tea. His cheeks returned to their normal red color as the liquid settled in his stomach.

“Although I don’t approve of the method of delivery, thank you for this anyway.”

[undauntedloyalty]

toodamnloyal:

He rarely remembered to lock the door on his way out somewhere, so finding his Philadelphia apartment bolted when returning meant that Gillette was in. A happy smile was already spread across Theodore’s features in anticipation of his friend and was instead met with a grave look when he entered the sitting room.

Groves’s expression melted away to confusion and he picked up the paper. He shuddered and set it down again. “Not sure actually. That’s the first time he’s signed it. He….he’s been calling, left a few voice messages, and one other note. He um…he’s made it clear he knows who all of we are, Mister Hancock, Jeremy, me, Jeremy, Doctor Morgan. You’re the only one he hasn’t mentioned before.”

“Probably for the best,” Will commented. They sat in the silence for a moment, Gillette taking a solemn sip of his tea.

“What else has this Adam said to you? Has there been any....threats?”

Just the idea of someone threatening Theodore made Will’s blood start to rise. Rationality faded where Groves’ well-being was concerned. Gillette would do anything to keep his friend safe, physically and mentally. 

[undauntedloyalty]

myxcenterxstage:

“Why, absolutely!” He added a chuckle, he was so delighted to share his stories with her, someone who delighted in his company - let alone enjoyed hearing his recounts. He knelt down, reaching to gently stroke her lovely auburn hair.

“Even though the old man loses his only horse, he later finds it again. And on the way home, assists a farmer that later gifts him with a colt as well. So after believing he lost everything, the old man was then blessed with double.” 

Willow hummed her understanding. “I believe it is also about kindness. He helped the other farmer and was rewarded for it. I mean, assisting someone should be reward enough, but one also never knows what else may come of a good deed. Have you ever had that happen?”

A broad smile, unable to be quelled any longer, finally spread across her features. “I have been blessed with your acquaintance.”

[undauntedloyalty]

thcfairest:

Snow’s slim fingers gently played with the emerald pendant of the necklace as she admired it. “It’s an early birthday present. It’s not until next week, but he said he couldn’t wait to give it to me. Theo’s the best brother I could have, don’t you think?”

“Oh!” A blush bloomed in his cheeks. “I was worried I had missed it, or I had misremembered the date you told me.”

Will stopped himself before he started to ramble. “Theodore is a good man, and you’re lucky to have him for a brother. And, he’s luckier to have you as a sister.”

[undauntedloyalty]

@toodamnloyal

Even as bright sunshine filtered in through the windows of the apartment, one could not shake the feeling of unease that had descended. The note- innocent enough in composition- lay on the coffee table under Will’s watchful eye, as if it would suddenly become possessed and walk away.

The door opened and shut, sounds of Groves’s familiar routine drifting down the hallway to where Gillette sat. Theodore followed a few moments later.

“Theo, who wrote this?”

[undauntedloyalty]

toodamnloyal:

He couldn’t even pretend to a straight face any longer and Groves was quickly dissolving into laughter. Flustering Gillette was easily one of his favorite things, partially because the poor man tried to be proper and reserved no matter how angry he was. His face became as red as his hair the more stressed he became.

“I have admitted to nothing.” The younger insisted, “What is this an inquisition? Perhaps if you were to ask nicely I might know where it’s all wandered off to however. In the mean time, why don’t you enjoy a cuppa?” The cup that he’d ‘hidden’ upon first questioning and it’s mate were quickly presented.

Upon seeing the cup Will’s eyes widened. They remained fixed on the steaming mug for a moment before moving to glare at Groves. The older lieutenant’s features softened. A soft exasperated sigh filled the anxious silence in the room.

“I knew it was you the whole time. I’m glad to know I was right.” Quickly he took the offered tea into the protection of his hands before Theo could have the chance to rescind the offer.

“Have you become bored with Norrington and thus must torment me?”

[solesupine]

Ann Blyth as Lenore the mermaid in Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948)

[myxcenterxstage]

@undauntedloyalty

[oopsiewoopsie123]

Send a symbol to prank my muse!

Feel free to add a description in the ask if needed!

🍫- Put their items in a vending machine 📞- Prank call them ⏰- Switch their alarms 🎉- Hide an air horn behind their door ⌨️- Switch the keys on their keyboard 🎈- Fill their room with balloons 🎁- Gift-wrap their room ✉️- Cover something of theirs in sticky notes 📦- Pop out at them from a box 👚- Shrink their clothes 🍰- Throw a pie in their face 👙- Give then a wedgie 🐝- Hide fake bugs for them to find 🖼- Switch their paintings/pictures 🚪- Cover a door frame in clear plastic-wrap 🥛- Cover their floor with cups of water ❄️- Drop and ice cube down their shirt 📱- Change the auto correct on their phone 🥚- Crack an egg over their head ⭐️- Send in another prank not listed

[thccourier]

his patriotism exhibited in the time which tried men’s souls, at the repeated hazard of his life, was never more deep and influential || independent benjamin tallmadge from amc’s turn: washington’s spies

                             art credit

[conquistadoradelmar-deactivated]

A prime reason why a woman joined the navy or marines was to escape the restricted economic and social status assigned to women. It was, however, only the most daring and unconventional woman who was willing to take the extraordinary step of changing her gender role in order to gain the social and financial advantages of a man. On shipboard a woman seaman was able to join the men as an equal….She was no longer treated with condescension by her male peers. ー Female Tars, Suzanne J. Stark

                                                                         Age of Sail ー Indie OC                                                                  POTC || Hornblower || AubreyAd

[toodamnloyal]

@undauntedloyalty

[venusliveshere]