@intolerablexsacrifice continued from [x]
Some things came without thinking – Theodore was generally the sort of person to act precisely as instinct dictated to be the quickest route to something he wanted, which could at times lead to interesting collisions such as this one. As a very tactile man, it was not uncommon for him to touch people simply out of habit – and with ships being so loud, it was generally easier to gently adjust someone than to shout at them to step aside.
That said, sometimes the response was poor – and even dangerous. He felt the captain jolt under his touch, though he did not do more than keep a steady eye on him and maintain the directing contact. This served the dual purpose of showing he was not alarmed by the reaction, nor was he going to reveal to anyone that it had been strange by responding to it in any outward fashion.
Releasing the man as though nothing strange had occurred ( and as if he could not see the confusion that contorted the man’s features ) Theodore set to work releasing the rope he’d been directed to manage. It did not occur to him to apologize for the action – and indeed, were it not for the clear discomfort on the features of the man who was, for all intents and purposes, now his commanding officer, he might not have said anything at all.
“I take it you’re used to people waiting?” He offered, his tone more curious than judgemental. Captain Flint was not the first man to startle like a horse under hand, nor was he likely to be the last. What mattered now was determining the cause for it – if it were a matter of authority, he could respect that well enough but knowing himself, would likely forget unless there was something more significant attached.
Ocean Archive 