Post by Zen on Apr 13, 2021 14:46:23 GMT -5
Treyjen
kevna
He was noticing that it was becoming more difficult to get his tongue to do as he wanted. While he was still able to form thoughts well enough, getting those thoughts from his mind and out of his mouth coherently was beginning to present a bit of a challenge. His accent was thickening more towards a drunken slur, though at least he could still be understood. But that meant it wouldn’t be too much longer until his thoughts started slipping as well. That was half the reason he drank, after all… to suspend unwanted thoughts for a while.
Ah shells. Asirikai had gone and asked for an exact definition. He laughed lightly, more at himself than anything. He’d led him right to the question without meaning to, but that was the danger in mixing their drinking challenge with this game of truths. Particularly as he continued to underestimate the younger man. Treyjen was pretty impressed with how well he was keeping up, and how cognizant he still was, though as the lordling began to shuffle he thought perhaps he might be nearing his limit. Unless he was playing up how much the alcohol was affecting him, which was possible, and even more impressive if so.
Well, he did have a question to answer, didn’t he? Or three, as it was. Only two questions left unknown. He took another drink of his whiskey, seeing little recourse but to clarify their piracy. Unless he wanted to lie, and while it was tempting, he was a man of his word. He laughed softly and looked over at Asirikai, slowing his speech to keep better control of his tongue, “Aggressive negotiations entail... one party bein’ at th’end’uva blade. As I said… my terms are hard t’refuse.”
He took another drink as he considered the other two questions, which were easier to answer now that their piracy would be out in the open, though he couldn’t help but wonder how Asirikai felt about drinking and playing cards with a pirate. He wondered if he’d still take him up on the offer of a bed to rest after this or if he’d be too spooked and suspicious to stay in such a vulnerable state. After all, he would be passed out among pirates. “So y’can see… what’s best f’my crew and f’Mavros differs…. Our… esteemed Holder Elect Vashemin’s happy’nuff t’look the other way.” Treyjen chuckled, “He’s easily bought.” He studied Asirikai for a moment, “But… as we’ve discussed, the piracy about Mavros needs t’end if her reputation with the rest o’Pern is t’improve. Your solution’s more’n fair on that… but as o’yet, I’m unsure if it’s one my crew’n I can partake in.”
He set his glass down, because he didn’t want to force Asirikai to keep drinking to keep up with him if he was on his last legs, not before they’d played a bit more. If the man was still inclined to keep playing with a pirate, at least. “Truthfully, mate… I think y’d be good f’Mavros. Whether y’the best option f’my crew’s another matter. Which is why this drinking game’s rather important.” He grinned, circling one finger over the rim of his glass as he considered the contents again. If he threw his support behind Asirikai without ever speaking to another man in the running, he could very well miss out on someone that would be willing to look the other way, someone like Vashemin who could be bought, but he still had a lot to consider about his crew’s future in this matter. He was sure they’d like to return to a normal life, to leave piracy behind if they could, he just wasn’t sure it was a realistic option. And the fact remained that continuing to tolerate piracy was not in Mavros’s best interest in the end. He wanted to see Mavros succeed, but not at the cost of his crew, and yet his crew had family at Mavros now, he had family at Mavros now, and it left him with obligations that were at odds with each other.
He glanced back at Asirikai, “Most o’my crew’ll trust my judgment when it comes t’votin’. Secure mine’n y’ve secured the better part o’three ships.” He grinned again, “If the support o’pirates is palatable t’ya.” If the man felt so sourly about cheating in a card game, Treyjen couldn’t imagine what sorts of feelings he’d have about piracy now that he was face to face with it and it was a bit more than a concept in discussion. He wouldn’t have made the offer if he didn’t think Asirikai could be a good option for them, if he wasn’t betting on the others in the running to be far too honorable to be bought and so offering them no better option. But Asirikai’s solution would require adapting on their part. He couldn’t make that decision on his own. It would have to be put to a vote later, if Asirikai won out and it became relevant. None of them had entertained the idea of returning to a normal life as traders in turns because none of them saw a way back from piracy, but Asirikai could offer it to them. It was just a matter of if they were too far gone to come back from it now. Was it possible for them to rejoin Pernese society?
kevna