For Weatherby respect is more of an art form than it is a feeling he genuinely prescribes to toward most of whom he claims to hold in high regard. Respect is rather like a dance – there are many motions involved, but none of them really go anywhere. It all stays in one ever growing circle of customs and expectations, rules and manipulations.

Weatherby has mastered the game of respect much like one might master the game of shogi – he knows his expected etiquette and the plays required in order to continue to climb the social ladder or maintain a particular position. It is not that he particularly cares for his company or even the rules of engagement he has to adhere to, so much as he recognizes the strategy inherent in upselling or downplaying one’s interest in the endeavours of others.

That is not to say Weatherby does not genuinely admire others for their accomplishments – rather, it is those he is expected to respect who have done little to earn it that gain the hallow mastery rather than the true article. Those he comes to fully appreciate he must work hard not to favor over much – and in some of these cases he fails abysmally.

Case in point: James Norrington.

Weatherby’s favoritism toward the young and clever naval officer is made abundantly clear by the ridiculous amount of showmanship surrounding the man’s promotion to commodore. Typically speaking such a promotion is not only temporary, but hardly celebrated in such a grandiose fashion –  however, Weatherby dotes upon James as he would his own child and this much is made even clearer by his commission of a newly made sword in honor of the occasion.

These displays of affluence and open preference are thankfully very rare from Weatherby; in fact there are only four people in the world who can boast to being so willfully catered to in every way. His wife, whom he showered with affection and ridiculous displays of grandeur even after they were married for no other reason than to surprise and charm the woman he adored above all others; his daughter, his niece – and his son of heart, if not blood. But this goes beyond respect, and simply into how Weatherby displays his affection and adoration when societal practice dictates he keeps the poetry and heartfelt praises close to his chest.