[ Happy that his hug seems to be alleviating the Swede's traumatic memories a little, Thomas continues holding him. If he'd been a little less grubby, the former baronet might have patted or gripped him reassuringly, but as it was, at least holding him seemed to make him happier. ]
[ Difficult questions, these. Thomas still remembers how badly his brainwashing had caused him to 'want to' return to Crimson Peak, after he'd found himself alive again. It had been months before he'd realized the illogical nature of it, and nearly a year before he'd fully grasped why. ]
[ It would be easier to lie, here. To claim that the captain had allowed it. But that would feel unfair to poor Swede, and also might backfire if he was asked to meet said captain, or other similar questions. Thomas still didn't have anywhere the man could stay, either, or a career for him other than to sing on street corners. The hope was foolish and fragile. But it sounded like the straits he was in were dire -- grotesque, even, -- and Thomas still felt that such options were a step up from cannibalism, piracy and bounties. ]
[ It wouldn't hurt, to test his ground, here. It was possible that the Swede was brainwashed or had some other mental ailment that caused him to listen to this Captain Bonnet. ] If the captain would have let them eat you, and then signed you onto Blackbeard's crew... you still trust the captain???
[ He made the query sound like a natural enough surprised conversational detour, kicking himself for how easy the manipulation was. Thomas was trying to help, but poor Swede, whatever the answer. He'd had enough of controlling people, and Thomas hated to do this, even in an attempt to save him. ]
no subject
[ Difficult questions, these. Thomas still remembers how badly his brainwashing had caused him to 'want to' return to Crimson Peak, after he'd found himself alive again. It had been months before he'd realized the illogical nature of it, and nearly a year before he'd fully grasped why. ]
[ It would be easier to lie, here. To claim that the captain had allowed it. But that would feel unfair to poor Swede, and also might backfire if he was asked to meet said captain, or other similar questions. Thomas still didn't have anywhere the man could stay, either, or a career for him other than to sing on street corners. The hope was foolish and fragile. But it sounded like the straits he was in were dire -- grotesque, even, -- and Thomas still felt that such options were a step up from cannibalism, piracy and bounties. ]
[ It wouldn't hurt, to test his ground, here. It was possible that the Swede was brainwashed or had some other mental ailment that caused him to listen to this Captain Bonnet. ] If the captain would have let them eat you, and then signed you onto Blackbeard's crew... you still trust the captain???
[ He made the query sound like a natural enough surprised conversational detour, kicking himself for how easy the manipulation was. Thomas was trying to help, but poor Swede, whatever the answer. He'd had enough of controlling people, and Thomas hated to do this, even in an attempt to save him. ]