† second; [text]

[unionjackass]

piracy now isn't so different from piracy as i knew it centuries ago

at the end of the day it doesn't matter a bit how the technology has changed as long as your motivations are the same: money, a misguided sense of yourself and the universe, or if you've simply got problems controlling your impulses.

the sorry bit of it is that when one involves oneself in a dangerous occupation there are often unpleasant consequences. those who live in violence will likely meet a violent end and that's that

i realise aside from the bare essentials the contrasts are exceedingly stark but i can't help but be caught in nostalgia especially after having been lost on this accursed floating deathtrap for God knows how long. weeks i assume

if only i could stand on the deck of a rolling ship and feel the spray of water and the breath of wind that hasn't been recycled and pumped from hand-crafted gardens. recent events have made me feel more at home and yet

there is no natural place for a country to be but on his or her own landmass

i therefore should not be adrift in space

and i do not belong here.

Comments

text;

[picnmix]

[ what the crap is he reading. ]

nostalgic for brutal murders thats lovely
and also youre a country apparently
shouldnt you be back in hospital with all the other psychos

text; i was one puzzle piece away from happiness and then your notif happened. ty

[unionjackass]

who in God's name would be nostalgic for brutal murders
you're the one that's out of your fucking mind
good lord

text; ahahaha this will end well i can feel it

[picnmix]

isnt that a thing pirates do arent you waxing poetic about pirates
oooh it was so lovely when i had a ship and fucked goats
thats what they do on ships and dont you even try to tell me otherwise i saw it on a documentary
but seriously man fuck your pirates

text; /passes the ice cream i don't want it to end

[unionjackass]

no you bloody clod i'm reminiscing about my time in the royal navy [they called it PRIVATEERING and he won't say another word wait what, goats--]
oh my god
most factual reports arent even accurate these days
they're comprised of old fat men who pretend to know what they're talking about
and idiots like you believe them
you have my simultaneous condolences and congratulations for being an idiot.

text; oh my god england

[picnmix]

wow how about go fuck yourself
bloody clod did you seriously just type that jesus i feel like a twat just for typing it there
so if not goats what did you do then was it just one gigantic game of soggy biscuit on a boat
its a long time on those boats with no pussy im only saying
factual!!!!!

and thanks i worked very hard at it

voice;

[logicunlocked]

I hear you on the nostalgia. In a way I guess I was a pirate, myself. It's a dangerous lifestyle and in the end there are things about it that just aren't right, but I can't help but miss the excitement.

voice;

[unionjackass]

Oh, I-- er-- I wasn't a pirate--privateer. State-sponsored, if you will. [This is one lie he can't cover up all that well. Oh, it's more or less a half-truth; being a privateer, that is. But he can't be a gentleman and a pirate at the same time, and because England is a damn good gentleman he's certainly no pirate.

That's his logic.

He clears his throat.]

Things were different centuries ago. That is, centuries from my point in time. I must say I'm not unaccustomed to the idea of time travel but... not interacting with people from varying timelines so regularly.

I don't mean to sound callous you know. Chaos and violence aren't pleasant but they're--well, they're a part of living. Perhaps they enjoyed some sort of that wild freedom and excitement before they... [were brutally killed] ... yes.

voice;

[logicunlocked]

Heh. Don't know that government sponsorship means much sometimes. Sometimes that makes it worse.

But yeah, I think I know where you're coming from. Not real sure I sympathize with 'em, myself, but they chose to do what they did.

permavoice

[unionjackass]

[he snorts. Don't get him started on that. Don't. But oh, does he know exactly what you mean.]

When the government decides it no longer needs licensed mercenaries, it tends to leave waves of armed and dangerous men and women out of a job. Funny how those things work.

--If it's not too personal, may I ask how you were a pirate? An "in-a-way" pirate, that is.

[logicunlocked]

Licensed mercenary's a good word for what I was. Only thing was that the leadership was rogue. Found out later I'd been involved in things I couldn't stand for, so, I found my way out of it.

And when I say I found my way out, I mean I'm still on the run from them, back where I come from.

voice;

[za_rodina]

[there is no natural place for a country to be but on his or her own landmass. It hits him like a brick. But while months and months ago Russia would have nodded and empathized, he's spent much too much time on this ship blurring the lines of Nation and Citizen for it to do much more but make him faintly remember what being a Nation means.

There's a long pause before he even picks up his communicator and answers. But he does, eventually.]

None of us belong here but we are here regardless. [a beat] Nostalgia can't really help you here.

[And, oh, he knows just how useless that is.]

permavoice

[unionjackass]

[...Russia.]

Nostalgia doesn't help anyone anywhere.

[za_rodina]

[There's a huff of laughter despite himself, something he's unfortunately picked up from Netherlands.]

Well, yes, that's a given.

[unionjackass]

[growls softly in frustration.]

Are you answering to mock me or what?

[It isn't spite or anger that creates the edge in England's voice. He is tired and without direction; restless fire that needs something, anything on which to focus.]

[za_rodina]

[There's a pause, considering.]

I wasn't, but if you want me to I think I can drag that skill back.

Video

[servant]

You could stand on a table while I splashed you with water if that would help you with your homesickness.

1/2 PERMAVID AND HELLO we meet again ;3;

[unionjackass]

--That is the absolute stupidest idea I've ever--

2/2

[unionjackass]

... [quickly hides a grin and a snicker behind his hand. God dammit.]

hiya hello!

[servant]

Is that a 'no'?

<3

[unionjackass]

Yes that's a 'no.' [Nope. Nope he didn't find that hilarious at all. You have no sense of humour Merlin.

None.

At all.

Nope.]

All that would accomplish is the both of us being soggy and uncomfortable.

...

Thanks though, I suppose a terrible idea is better than none at all.

[servant]

I've hauled lots of bathwater, I'm used to being soggy and uncomfortable.

[But then, a little more seriously:]

I know it's difficult. It is for all of us, honestly. That's why if there's anything I can do...

[Merlin trails off, because obviously he will. Or will at least try.]

voice;

[handelaar]

[He's so used to skimming the network over smoke breaks at work that he doesn't even look at the number, not at first. And it's text, doesn't give away a thing (because there are more than a few people here who know age and history as well as they do, albeit under different circumstances), and so he skims skims skims looking for a few keywords

stops at ship and water and spray and all of that shit, thinks a poem - and inexplicably gets offended immediately after at the slight to the Gardens.]

They're not hand-crafted.

[Uh. Maybe you should read the rest before responding, Ned.]

voice;

[unionjackass]

... Really. It's not as if I was waxing poetic or anything.

[OF ALL THE THINGS TO ARGUE ABOUT... But sure, why not? Arguing for the sake of arguing is what the nations do best.]

voice;

[handelaar]

[This five second pause brought to you by the realization that he's speaking to England. Oh. Time to memorize that number, Nederland.

Of course, yeah, that means that it's just instant bickering. Nations, man.]

Hope not. Even you've got better poets than that.

voice;

[unionjackass]

At least you're admitting it, finally. How long's it taken?

[Now this is more like it. Hopefully England can bring some ... 'fresh air' to the situation with the nations.

Until the 'new nation' smell wears off or something along those lines.]