Bienvenue!

[Silken Jack]

(A large and well-appointed filibustier enters the tavern. He wears a black wool coat and breeches, with brass buttons, a red damask waistcoat, a ruffled shirt and cravat, an elegant high tricorn with silver trim, white silk stockings, and leather shoes with chiseled brass buckles. He has a cane in his right hand and an elegant smallsword at his left hip.) His Peruke is curled in the latest Paris fashion, with the tail of his queue enclosed by a small black silk bag and ribbon. If he bears a pistol, it is not visible. Are you a betting man?)

Blessings and salutations, gentlemen and ladies adventurer one and all!

Je suis hereux du faire votre connaissance. Joyeux Noël a tout le monde!

I have the great pleasure to be known as Silken Jack. My family name is unimportant, at least at this stage of my life. I learned the ways of the sea, and its battles, while in the service de la Marine of his Most Christian Majesty. I have since ported out of such various places as La Rochelle, Boston, Tortuga and Hispaniola, Malta and Madagascar. I will meet any man with my sword, and any lady with a bottle of fine Madeira. I am a serious player of Baccarat and Dix Mille, and I'm willing to find, shall he say, - opportunistic employment? - -when letters of marque be scarce or unavailable. On land, nothing pleases me more than the life of le Boucanier – right down to smoking and enjoying the meat! I prefer the more modern guns to the classic boucanier gun,, something more in the range of a barrel of length – how is it you say? – 44 inches and 20 balls to a pound of lead.

Barkeep, a tot of your best rum, neat, s'il vous plait!! And a round for the house!

Edited December 25, 2008 by Silken Jack

[Capt. Sterling]

Welcome to the pub, sir, but tis more than a mere bottle of Rainwater that the ladies be deserving...et très Joyeux Noël à vous aussi et beaucoup plus venir.

Edited December 25, 2008 by Capt. Sterling

[Mary Diamond]

Welcome ~

[Rumba Rue]

An interesting sight indeed.....do be welcome.

Ah, does thy silken tongue speak volumes of time or just stray pleasures?

[LadyBarbossa]

Ooooo... He speaks French! :) Charming.

Welcome, Silken Jack, to th' Pub. Tis a grand establishment it be.

Loverly tale 'bout ye, sir. Eager t' hear more 'bout ye. Especially how ye gained th' nae "silken".

An' bein' tradition - as I tell so many others - ye be buyin' th' first round fo' all. So, m'dear sir, how's 'bout that bottle of Madeira? Hmm? Pity ye missed m' fine roasted lamb on this very Christmas Eve.

~Lady B

[MadL]

Did he just call me a Parlie Voo?! I KNOW fancy pants did NAUGHT just call me a Parlie Voo!!!

Oh, he be buy'n drinks...well then..

Good Meet t' ye fine sir!

::*snif - snif* he be smell'n funny too::

I be have'n a'nuther chug o' Sea Wynde if'n ye donts mind...but will take it back t' me seat o'er thar be'fer some ilk grabs it again 'n I be sit'n on th' floor.

[William Brand]

It is a very large house to be serving a round, Monsieur. We'll be a week at the task at least. Merci beaucoup, et l'accueillez à bord.

[Silken Jack]

And thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this gracious and warm reception!

(Lifting his hat from his head, he bows to the company, sweeping the hat formally before him.)

A couple of the ladies present have asked about my name. The sobriquet "Silken" was given to me by a lady. As to her meaning, I did not inquire as to what exactly she meant. The quality of my clothing, the fineness of my hair, my tongue and manner of speech, and my preference for the finer things of life -what man truly knows the heart of a lady or the subtleties of her conversation? But the name she gave is happily memorable and unconnected with any crimes I may have been accused of committing - so it suits me to use it.

I'm happy to see that a least a couple of the ladies present enjoy the idea of the glass of Madeira. I do enjoy rum, but for a courtly conversation, the wine is gentler and enables one's talk and passions to be better controlled. Also, I find my time more enjoyably spent with human beings who retain their humanity; believe it or not, I've actually met people for whom rum brings out the inner beast, and so makes witty and polite conversation impossible. I do favor betimes as well a glass of hyppocras, well warmed, to balance the blood at the end of a large meal. ( I am so I'm sorry I missed the lamb! T'is one of my favorite foods.)

I'm currently master of the sloop Abenakis,- she is large for her class, and sports a mounting of 16 guns; I have refitted her a bit from the needs of her former owner. I have increased her cargo space, while maintaining berths enough for a large crew . I suppose I could carry as many as 150 souls at need; although in that event we, should be restricted to cargoes that are compact, shiny, and portable in small chests.

Another round for the House! Dice, anyone? And no, I did not ask for a Parley.. we be at peace ashore, non?

Edited December 26, 2008 by Silken Jack

[LadyBarbossa]

Dear sir, ye have indeed come to a good spot nonetheless. There be a few of us pirates who enjoy th' finer things. As well as the not so finer things.

Perhaps another time for the lamb. Or any other prime delight for gluttony.

Tis a fine ship it sounds, good sir.

Sir, I dare to say, ye remind me of a fine British Captain in His Majesty's Navy who be stationed along th' mid-coast shores of the British Colony's. Ye both be so uncanny it's ironic.

And aye, I shall take ye upon that dice and another round.

~Lady B

[MadL]

Dice, *pfffft*

::Mad L heads fer th' local brothel t' play 'Spin The Rum Bottle' with local wenches::

[Black Syren]

How remiss of me to greet such a gentleman whose tongue is charmed silver. Well met sir and we do hope your stay with us is pleasurable indeed. As for that drink, I will accept with grattitude and perhaps a wee touch of wariness. Afterall such a glib tongue oft leads a lady to believe in such falsehoods and leads her into intrigues that can be quite damaging to her moral compass.

[Pew]

Greetings. Welcome to the pub.

[DocF225]

Greetings Sir,

I have been remiss in greetings to the new comers here of late.

I'll be taking a wee dram... fer medicinal perposes of course.

And Syren, which way does yer moral compass point luv?

[Black Syren]

And Syren, which way does yer moral compass point luv?

Why twould be North straight and true. *Grins as she lifts his purse and palms it so he would not notice afore taking her seat.*

[Silken Jack]

Ladies and gents,

Again, thank you for all your kind words.

Good ladies, I would hope I should be not else than a gentleman in your benign presences. Your moral compasses are safe in my hands. I do hope that is an acceptable arrangement?

I do hope I have little resemblance to any British captain. Those heretical sons of dogs deserve only a watery grave with sharks for their mourners. They murdered their rightful kings and ensconced usurpers. It is a thing opposed to all natural justice. One of the great pleasures of my life is to see an English uniform decorated with the silver bead of my fusil. And I seldom miss my target.

Edited December 30, 2008 by Silken Jack

[Capt. Sterling]

Ladies and gents,

Again, thank you for all your kind words.

Good ladies, I would hope I should be not else than a gentleman in your benign presences. Your moral compasses are safe in my hands. I do hope that is an acceptable arrangement?

I do hope I have little resemblance to any British captain. Those heretical sons of dogs deserve only a watery grave with sharks for their mourners. They murdered their rightful kings and ensconced usurpers. It is a thing opposed to all natural justice. On of the great pleasures of my life is to see an English uniform decorated with the silver bead of my fusil. And I seldom miss my target.

HA! Good luck to ye, ye bloody, pox ridden French dog... Edited December 30, 2008 by Capt. Sterling

[Silken Jack]

]HA! Good luck to ye, ye bloody, pox ridden French dog...

Now, good Captain Sterling, sure I am speaking of the Royal Navy and it's ilk, and of the foreign German monarchs who sit on England's throne, and not of hardworking seafarers such as yourself.

And remember, not all of us who have served in the fleets of King Louis were born in his dominions. Some - perhaps some here- still wear a white cockade and hope for better things for those islands in the northwest of the European Continent, especially if we were born there.. hypothetically speaking.

If I have given offense to you personally, Captain Sterling, it was unintentional. May I purchase you a drink of your choice? Otherwise, if you have other desire for satisfaction, I would gladly hear it. But I meant no harm, and am surprised to find support here for the officers of that Crown.

Edited December 30, 2008 by Silken Jack

[Capt. Sterling]

Hmmm, Virginian first, English second, the Crown does issue my papers as a privateer...or as some call me and mine, pyrate hunters. I think ye back down too quickly babber, so I casn't be saying I would wish fer anyting more than a bottle of 25 year old Tawny Port. I shall nay be the marplot, so the smallswords will remain sheathed...this time.

Edited December 30, 2008 by Capt. Sterling

[Silken Jack]

Hmmm, Virginian first, English second, the Crown does issue my papers as a privateer...or as some call me and mine, pyrate hunters. I think ye back down too quickly babber, so I casn't be saying I would wish fer anyting more than a bottle of 25 year old Tawny Port. I shall nay be the marplot, so the smallswords will remain sheathed...this time.

Barkeep, a bottle of the 25 year old Tawny Port for the good Captain here. You may leave the rum bottle as well.

I assure ye, Captain, I was not sailing down on ye, and so in my own mind I have no backing down to do.

But it is a fine thing to meet a literary man in a place like this.. "Marplot" ... yes.. brings me back; I remember seeing Mrs. Centlivre's comedy The Busy Body some years ago when ported in Dublin, I remember enjoying it very much.

I myself would make a distinction between Privateering and Pyrate-hunting, at least in my taste for the two. Privateering is profitable for the privateer, but he needs a state of war to pursue his career; I find the idea of Pyrate-hunting a far less profitable enterprise, tho' indade it can be pursued in times of peace as well as war. But what's the profit, unless a bounty be paid on the heads of the more notorious of that brotherhood? Their ships are small, the fighting desperate; and the skills required of a pyrate-hunter being what they are, I would see it not an uncommon thing for those who had shared a single deck and a common life in wartime to be set against each other in times of peace by poverty, fortune and the desires of the wealthy and powerful to preserve their commerce.

I would myself rather travel the world round seeking letters of marque and adventure - and a living - for there is no end to wars, if you look for them.

Isn't it odd that the same skills and actions when done by the leave of human governments are wicked crimes when accomplished against the policy of those same states?

And some fools say we live in the "Age of Reason!" Faugh!

(Sips rum pensively)

[Black Syren]

Kicks Sterling beneath the table and smiles at Silken Jack..."I like his manners Captain. Silken indeed. A Plunder Me Cherry and extra cherries if'n ye can manage them will be my drink of choice."

[Capt. Sterling]

I am most certain ye would Syren. 'E is all yers, I 'ave more important matters to attend to rather than talking in circles. The payment is there and so are my papers, now I need see to carrying them out...

and no lad, ye did not sail down on me, but ye did back down too rapidly fer my taste when I came at ye...

Edited December 30, 2008 by Capt. Sterling

[LadyBarbossa]

Now now, Gentlemen. French o' English, Colonist o' not... as long as ye don't be sendin' we who seek but a sweet opportunities of this ripe world to dance th' hemp jig wearin' th' hangman's necklace as we dangle from th' gallows... then I shan't care where 'bouts ye cometh.

Oh and this English Captain is much like ye, good sir. For his French is fine as well as his manners. He says th' same about Frenchies as ye say th' same about English Dogs. Yet, I dare say, sir, that either of ye wouldn't dare so as much harm a hair upon either's head if I t'were there in the presense of ye both as ye glare eye to eye. Hmmm? All in all, it's the charming Gentlemen who indeed impress the Ladies as well as peers.

Ye are a breath o' fresh air, Silken Jack. Despite what some may say otherwise. Do, please, regale us with more of thy charmin' tongue an' wit with intreguin' stories about thee. And then perhaps I shall buy thee a drink for thy charming disposition.

~Lady B

[Silkie McDonough]

Silkie, has witnessed the enterance of the newcomer and the exchange of words betwix her dear Friend John Sterling and Silken Jack.

"Come now lads," Miss McDonough has taken the tray with the port and glasses from the bar maid and glides to the table that Jack is seated at. With practiced hand she pours two glasses of the brownish liquid, lifting the first she offers it to the man who has made the purchase. Jack in turn lifts his rhum and shakes his head. Lifting both glasses she carries the one to Captain Sterling, disregarding all propriety she touches his arm after she has set the glass on the table. "Jahn lad," none but John can hear what the woman says quietly to John, "Ray is tryin t'keep 'is famly fed ere, ya best nil bae sailin down on anyone's patron, specialy one wot is spendin his coin." She does not sit with John but turns to the stranger, lifts her glass nd takes a sip. "Dublin seys ya? Eh'tas been sum toym sence I'ave seen d'shurs uv mae ome lawnd." She pauses just a moment, "Carroll. I nil ave ad opportunity t'read The Busy Body, books bein a bit scarace ere bouts, buot I likes wot I ave erd bout her way uv tinkin fer d'mos part."

Edited December 30, 2008 by Silkie McDonough

[Capt. Sterling]

Sterling resumes his seat and mumbles under his breath loud enough for Silkie to hear. "As ye wish, but only because tis ye, Mistress McDonough, who asks."

Edited December 30, 2008 by Capt. Sterling

[Silkie McDonough]

Looking at Jack Silkie continues "Ray wot serves us at d'pub cares nil wot side uv d'coin yer payin frum since boat sides shine equally. I knows yer intention was nil t'offen any round ere." her expression is one that combines a pleasing welcome and the challenge of a woman who best not be defied. "I, like our barkeep Ray, am d'proprietress uv an establishment nay much different frum dis ere n'I knows wot cost's er involved." Jack nods in response as she continues. "Well Mester ....errrr ...Jack. Since we nil ave been introduced proper like m'name is Meereen McDunna."