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H... how insane are you. Do you also wish you were a mermaid?

That is... unusually specific. [Thomas regards the newcomer with amused confusion.]

That's never been a wish of mine. Although I suppose it would make some things simpler.

Why do you ask?

Sometimes... I want to be a mermaid instead of a pirate? And then... I think... ooh, I be singing all day, I would have mermaid friends.

W... why do you... think you are insane? Y... you look like you are smart. You are handsome but you are insane? [ Is... is that possible? Don't insane people always look strange? ]

[A pirate??? Thomas glances at the other man, a bit disturbed. He'd had more than enough violence for several lifetimes and didn't want anything to do with such antics.]

[The questions are oddly childlike, too. Especially with this man's expressions. It's almost like dealing with someone who is very young.]

[As such, the things which have been done to Thomas, and the things he's seen and lived in, lived with... they don't seem like topics he should broach. They're very adult and this man... wasn't. He was, oddly enough, very perceptive, though, in that same way that many children did manage.]

Thank you. You're quite handsome as well, [Thomas reassures, all cordial speech training and gentleness.]

[Now for the hard part. How to answer without answering?] I went a bit mad, there, for a while. I suppose I'm doing a bit better, now. My living circumstances were... well. Quite painful, but now that's over. I suppose I'm more interested... in making sure others don't endure awful things. Pain and loss and societal... things. They can make odd things... seem very realistic.

M-me? ...oh, you shouldn't tease me... [ He giggles and nervously twirls his hair. The Swede is a real pirate but he is the sweet simpleton of the crew, every crew has one and he is that for The Revenge. He's not the only not so bright on the crew but he is the- the least brightest. Probably the dumbest person Thomas ever met but he is a sweetheart, he's so worried because he definitely feels that Thomas isn't very happy.

He does pick up on people's emotions more easily because it isn't as though he understands most things that come out of their mouth. ]

Oh....... it is okej. I will be your friend... do you want half of my potato? [ He shyly holds it out, only wanting to cheer him up. Going mad and losing things and hurting all sounds like he could do with a nice cooked potato. ]

That looks lovely, but I've just eaten, [Thomas answers. He has not, in fact. But while he's too polite to frown upon eating something that someone else has chewed on, his OCD won't let him even touch the thought of eating it.]

Being friends sounds wonderful. How long have you been here?

[Nope, no need to talk about insanity. Let's steer clear of that topic.]

[ The potato has the Swede's distinctive bite marks right in it. ]

A... are you sure...

Oh... I don't know... I... I think a whole day. [ He smiles shyly. ] I am on shore leave... for the weekend? I don't know how long that is but Mr. Buttons and Roach come get me when shore leave is over. I am not... not being naughty and running away, I promise. [ He probably shouldn't be bothering the fancy man, though. ]

Yes, I'm quite sure. Enjoy it. It's all yours. [Thomas is all friendly smiles but... Ew. Ew. Ewwww.]

Ah I see. Well at least you can enjoy yourself while you're here. A bit of a vacation of sorts.

[ Thankfully, he finishes it... oh... it is hard to make a good impression! He doesn't know any better. ]

Oh... ja... I don't have to swab the deck but- [ He looks down. ] But my crewmates don't like to have vacations with me. [ He's pretty much dumped in the 'nice' or safe part of the city while they're visiting a brothel. ]

Maybe you just need a different crew, hm? Do they let you stop being a pirate? [Thomas isn't all that sure how quitting piracy would really work.]

Ooh... but... but other crews are worse. I used to be on one where there'd always be beatings. [ This is as nice as it gets, it's just... nobody wants to sit around listening to the Swede sing and make friendship bracelets with him. Swede's idea of having fun is different. ]

I don't think... you ever stop being a pirate. [ Poor little guy probably has a bounty on his head, most pirates do. ]

[Thomas winces at the word beatings, and his cheeks strain backwards as though he's fighting off a grimace. After a moment, he sighs in sympathy.] That does sound worse.

[He makes a show of searching for things in his pockets, to try to alleviate his fidgeting. He almost wants to offer to take the man in, but he knows better than to try. Thomas was himself without a proper living space, right now, or income. It's not like he could offer this man more than he was already getting.]

[It's sad though, to realize how much they actually have in common. They didn't fit. They were the gentle ones. Even their intelligence separated them from those around them. Just in opposite directions.]

I'm sorry you've had to suffer that. I wish I could help. I'm here... if you ever want to talk.

[Even just that phrase. Just I'm here rang different to him now. He missed everyone.]

It is okej... I never get beat so much... because I am always just swabbing... and cleaning things. [ He never did anything that got him in much trouble, other than falling asleep on the job a few times. The new Captain is nice but very new to piracy... so there's often not enough food. Swede developed scurvy but he is slowly getting better, eating his oranges. He'd never think he'd have anything in common with this fancy gentleman, he's just kind of staring at him. Just sweetly watching him, it could be unsettling but there's not much energy coming from those little blue eyes, he's just kind of looking at him. ]

P... please be my friend... until my crewmates return? [ He usually sits by himself until he's picked up by his crew, he is very shy but Thomas is so nice to him. ]

[Everything sounds so... similar... Lovely; in another life, maybe he could have been a foolish blonde pirate. The man's plea is quite sad to hear anyway, and Thomas finds himself watching, right back. With concern and sympathy, more than anything.]

[He's quick to reassure,] We're friends, already, remember? I agreed friendship with you would be wonderful. Let's find what there is to do, here.

[And then detach soon enough that Thomas didn't get robbed or worse.]

I'm Thomas. What's your name? [He offers his hand to shake, hating that this is how introductions were done, especially with a fool who had just eaten a potato. But politeness demanded.]

Ja... it is wonderful... I am a good friend. [ He is up to a point, he does get swept up in general pirate excitement easily so if some of his crewmates decide to rob Thomas he will turn on him or at least do what he always does in raids, cheer his crewmates on, just happy to be included. Or he'll hide in his barrel and cry because he's sad about Thomas, which is no help either. ]

Oh... I don't have a name... can I be Thomas as well? [ He does try to take people's names, so far no one let him have their name yet. It is uncertain why he doesn't have a name... he either forgot his original Swedish name or no one named him. ]

I am just the Swede but I wish I have a name too. [ He smiles shyly, twirling his hair and then shaking his hand carefully because he knows his hands are so calloused and sandpapery... oh no, he is so shy. ]

Edited 2022-09-21 10:50 (UTC)

[Swede hiding in a barrel and crying would actually not feel like a betrayal to Thomas. He's had enough similar responses, especially given that insanity he'd mentioned earlier. However joining in would feel like a betrayal, as innocent as Swede's intentions may be.]

You can be, [Thomas agrees with a smile. This was oddly sweet. If heartbreaking and confusing because everyone had a name, even if that name was forced on them. The implications...? Had the Swede only just met other people, to need a name? He seemed to speak English well enough to be understood. That sort of thing took years. Had he forgotten his name?]

Thomas Swede then, hmm? Or whatever else you'd like. Have you ever heard a name you liked the sound of? That you wished was yours?

[ It is hard to tell, he is a complete sweetheart but can't really stand up for himself at all. But he wants to be Thomas' friend very much! ]

Oh... I like Thomas... I don't know any other names... [ He just asks for whoever he is talking to at the time... their name. It is sad he doesn't have a name, he wants to be Thomas but- but Thomas is already Thomas! Won't that make things complicated, if they are both Thomas? He smiles and fidgets with his shirt. ]

If we are both Thomas... who is Thomas? [ He blinks up at him, before smiling and trying to work up the courage to talk about his singing. ] .............. ....I want to sing...

If we are both Thomas, then we are both Thomas, [The former baronet assures with a warm (if awkward) smile.]

And singing sounds lovely, go right ahead. [Thomas glanced around, considering what things he could claim that he needed to do, on the off-chance that Swede's singing was particularly bad.]

Oh ja...

Now I will sing! [ He gets into his little dramatic pose and starts singing. The Swede's singing is considered good... in his time. It is that very baroque soprano style that Thomas probably won't appreciate anymore. His Captain called him 'an angel', he was so happy. He definitely thinks Thomas will love it! ]

I.. I hope you like it... now I am shy again. [ The singing takes the shy away but after the shy is back. ]

[Shocked by how pretty the man's voice is (and how high pitched,) Thomas watches him until he stops singing.]

You could sell that, [Thomas advised, sounding impressed.] I'm sure there are many who might offer you money if they heard you singing on a street corner. Maybe you could go from there... to somewhere... well, better than here, hn?

[He really is trying to help. He's not sure if it will be appreciated, but this man was such a terrible fit with his current career, after all.]

[ The Swede blushes profusely. ] Meee? [ He points at himself, smiling. ] Ooh, you- you are teasing me!

T... thank you... oh... I don't think I can stop being a pirate... because... I think I have a bounty? [ He tries to explain his situation. ] M... my Captain, Captain Bonnet, became Captain Blackbeard's boyfriend... so now we are all Blackbeard's crew so we have very high bounties, even me. [ He sniffs. ]

[ Blinking as the Swede admits to having a bounty out for him, Thomas' eyes go suddenly deeper and more distant. As though he's deep in introspection, except that his face is suddenly a lot more blank, as well. The resultant look to him, is almost as though he's suddenly somewhere else, mentally. ]

[ His eyes flick back and forth, thinking. When he finally speaks, his tone sounds a bit heavier and more restrained. ] That is a problem, yes.

[ Alright and Thomas wanted absolutely nothing to do with a pirate of such renown as Blackbeard. His attentive gaze snaps back to the Swede, upon hearing the name, and Thomas has to focus on his own breathing for a moment, as the air in his chest tightens before he expels it. Lucille was bad enough. He is not going to be captured by Blackbeard. ]

[ But also it hurts to pull away without having helped such a sweet man to get away from such a similar environment to his own. Thomas did not have the resources to handle this, but maybe the Nexus did? ]

I don't think there's a bounty on you, in every timeline connected to this place, [Thomas attempts to convince him, direct and gentle as he speaks.]

It is not a good idea to tell people that you have a bounty out for you. But there have to be other worlds where you will be safe.

I... I will not tell anyone else... but... I don't think... I know what you mean? What is... other worlds? [ He instantly reaches for Thomas' hand as though he's afraid he'll leave, he is too shy to take it but it's obvious the Swede has already grown a little clingy, like most people who are never shown any kindness.

He'd happily come home with him. Really... since Captain Blackbeard joined up with his Captain, it's been less fun. They have already been marooned once and Swede's crewmates nearly ate him. Since then, he hasn't felt as safe. S... should he tell Mr. Thomas? ]

..........m... may I tell you... a secret? It is a scary secret?

[ That tugged at Thomas' heart enough to bring tears to his eyes. He remembered acting this way, in every romance he'd ever had. With each of his friends (especially with Enola) and then again with Edith, when he'd finally discovered what romantic love could really be. He'd been so clingy. So needy for them to be his world and rescue. Edith had just been this bright sunlight that lit up his world and blinded him to any possibilities of failure. She'd just been so strong, so capable and driven. ]

[ But she was a person too, and not his perfect savior. He was the weaker of them, but that didn't make her strength or understanding endless. He'd had to learn that the hard way. And given how this friendship was forming, Thomas wondered whether Swede could ever learn the same lesson about him. ]

[ He could try to save Swede. Embroil himself in the dangerous affairs of others, to try to alleviate the pain of a fellow victim. But that didn't make him Swede's savior in everything. Edith couldn't fill that role and neither could he. But they had to start somewhere. The first rays of sunlight after so long, were going to be blinding. But Thomas was determined to help Swede's eyes adjust. He squeezes the other man's hand back, even though it was probably dirtier than Thomas was fully prepared to think about. ]

[ The former baronet is considering how to answer Swede's question about other worlds, when the next question is asked atop it. The answer to that is both easier and more important, so Thomas agrees, ] You can.

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We're all a little insane. Put us all together and maybe that's why society is more insane than us.

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