[SE] [Training] run baby run

there exists a tipping point between gods and monsters

Jack does roll his eyes this time, but the gesture is almost (almost) affectionate, the captain reminded of the way they'd spoken past one another out at the lighthouse. The difference being, of course, that they'd come through that conversation, misunderstandings and arguments and all, and he's not about to let Flora K-- her way out of this one, if for no other reason than because she'll be insufferable for the rest of the day about it. 

"I've been a villain most of my life - it doesn't bother me," he tells her. "And it ain't about to change any time soon, even with Torchline's queen absolvin' me of the worst of my crimes. You could be a brat, a princess, a villain, a goddess. I don't care, so long as it's a role you've picked and one you're happy to play." Because that's what it comes down to - what it always comes down to, he realises.

Whatever dark blooms are beginning to take root and grow in the Doubletake's mind, as long as they're cultivated willingly, rather than forced into shape in an attempt to be something for him, something other than what she is, Jack will follow Flora down the blackest path available to achieve their goals.

"And I'd kill to keep you, by the way," he adds quietly. "I'd bloody my hands and sleep soundly afterwards."

flora

Okay, but like, would you rather have a fight, or have your girlfriend be silently insufferable and you only know about it because you're a telepath?

"The only thing I'm picking is you." Flora says defiantly, the grove of her thoughts thickening until almost no light could be seen between the gnarled trunks of the trees. "And the only role I'm playing is me." There was no title she'd ever be happy with, no cluster of attributes that would always fit. The Doubletake had never been stagnant a day in her life and likely never would be again if Jack stayed by her side, so why should she be concerned with the brushes others used to paint her? With the labels that they came up with?

"You'd kill to keep the ship's cat fed." Though Flora still wants to be frustrated with Jack, the force of her smile has the words turning cursive as they slip passed her lips. Letting her hand slide from around his neck in order to give his shoulder an admonishing shove as if he'd done something wrong by making her smile, the Doubletake sighs and leans her forehead against his chest.

"Mind if I stay on the Ark tonight?"

Just walk away, don't make me say
The only words I owe you: I told you so, I told you so

there exists a tipping point between gods and monsters

"Good," Jack says, surprisingly earnest as he tilts her chin up so he might catch her eye. "Then we'll get strong enough to keep Torchline under our heels, and gods help anyone who tries to take it." And it really is as simple as that, however tangled Flora's thoughts might remain about it all. For the captain, his hands are already soaked with enough blood to stain the Doubletake merely by association - something she is rapidly learning as people discover what they are to one another.

"I would not - I hate cats," he tells her simply. Which, you know, she may or may not have already known, but given that this particular ship's cat is his companion, it does make for quite the irony. Still, he takes the shove as being off the hook, more or less, his fingers slipping up and through the back of her hair. "So long as you let me work, yes." Suffice to say it is difficult for Jack to get much done when Flora insists on perching on the edge of his desk - often wearing little to nothing.

flora

As the captain lifts her chin, he'll no doubt see the same grit and determination reverberating through Flora's thoughts reflected in the blue-green of her gaze. Maybe it was too early in their just-barely relationship to be talking about the depraved lengths they'd go to for power and each other, but in Flora's mind, it wasn't. However naive it was to think she could just absolve him of the sins he worried would tarnish her good name, she was desperate for his approval of them just the same. Not having received it wasn't a surprise, but still the Doubletake was left wanting to dig her heels into the sand and refuse to be moved until she got what she wanted. Alas, that approach had rarely (if ever) worked with Jack.

'You know what I mean," Flora sasses with a smirk that was impossible to hide. As for letting him work? Glancing thoughtfully over his shoulder as her fingers walk their way back up to loop around his neck, the Doubletake shrugs flirtatiously against him. "No problem. Plenty of your crew I could get to know better." She purrs salaciously, and given her current outfit, she was fairly certain they'd be more than happy to take her up on it, too.

Just walk away, don't make me say
The only words I owe you: I told you so, I told you so

there exists a tipping point between gods and monsters

"Mm, I do know what you mean. I still stand by it," Jack drawls, and as he turns them back towards the rowboat, his arm slips properly around Flora's waist so he might ferry her alongside him. As for getting to know his crew better, the captain can't help but bark out a laugh at that. "Be my guest," he says, a hint of a challenge in his voice. "I know that crew like the back of my hand. You ain't gonna want to spend that long with 'em."

Jack would go as far as to say he'd expect Flora to be knocking at the door to his cabin within the hour, but of course the Doubletake is free to up the ante however she likes. Either way, whether it's harrassing (or being harrassed by) his crew or making a nuisance of herself in his direct presence, Jack hasn't said no. And so, even being so kind as to help her into the rowboat, the captain gets himself situated and starts sailing them back out to The Ark waiting in the deeper reaches of the Arclight.

~FIN