‘there’s a strange kind of ambiance – it’s surrounding you.’ | TF’s Cutler to Theodore

{ Within Temptation’s Enter Starters }

“And is that – a good thing or a bad thing, by your estimation?” Perhaps it was a bold inquiry – if the look on the guard’s face was any indication, at least. Theodore saw no reason to restrain his curiosity simply because Lord Beckett was his superior and employer – a question was not a crime, and no man was so unreasonable as to make a remark like that and not anticipate some form of response! Besides – he was curious as to what the man meant by it, but more importantly, about whether or not it was an assessment worth remembering.

@tidefated

🥪 Set a plate/tray/bowl of food down for my muse | TF’s Cutler to Theo- you know he’s come a long way when he’ll run small errands for Adella like this.

{ Nonverbal Starters }

It was becoming more and more familiar to notice his guest in the corner of his eye, going about some menial task with an odd sort of focus. Adella had spoken with him about it at length, feeling as though Cutler was learning to find some sort of meaning in life and that providing him tasks would help him to settle better.

Theodore had not been so certain at first, thinking as he did of the man who had not too long ago commanded the seas with an untouchable aura about him – but he supposed with all that stripped away, Cutler Beckett was no more than a man who had lost track of his purpose.

There were times when he could see a hint of the old Lord Beckett – but in moments like this, he was simply Cutler. A man welcomed by his sisters, and even accepted by the most discerning member of the Groves family – their admittedly very fat cat, Bumble.

He had long since stopped doubting in his eldest sister’s wisdom on the topic of tasks, though he found himself amused to note that this one was very much a silent scolding. “I did say I would be down when I was done my correspondence,” He remarked, leaning back to smile at the man, “I had not meant to make her so impatient.”

@tidefated

😉 Pull my muse in by the hips | TF’s Joji to Tom P cause apparently we’re here right off the bat jfc

{ Nonverbal Starters }

He’d fallen away again – lost in the memories of a life that was no longer his own. It was the sensation of a firm – and now familiar – grip upon his hips that dragged him back as surely as he was drawn forward. The ghosts of long ago fell away for a time as he looped his arms around Joji’s middle, leaning forward to press his forehead against the other’s shoulder.

“Was I gone so long?” He wondered, worried that he had allowed himself to wither in a dangerous way – he liked to think he had not drifted to a point he could be caught unawares when he found himself torn between what he used to be, and who he had become, but something told him Joji would have something else to say about that – without saying anything at all. And wasn’t that a gift?

@tidefated

🤙 Bump into my muse | Joji to witch!Horatio?

{ Nonverbal Starters }

He shifts aside without much thought, gaze flicking down to mind the man’s hands – all to familiar with how thrifty the locals in this region can be. There is no need to make a scene about the situation as far as he is concerned – and indeed, were it a man of less distinction Horatio might not have said anything at all.

As it was, he did step back a bit so that he would not need to crane his neck too much to meet the man’s eyes, curiosity driving him. He recognized the blade well before he caught sight of the owner, and a small incline of his head showed his respect for the bearer despite not being the cause of the collision.

Of the Brethren, Mistress Ching was perhaps his favored – not that Tia Dalma was particularly fond of any of them. Regardless, he knew enough to show he had no desire for a fight, and that would simply have to do.

@tidefated

👕 Tug on my muse’s sleeve/shirt/skirt | Cutler to Theodore in the Willing Home verse

{ Nonverbal Starters }

The gentle tugging drew his attention as he straightened from putting on his boots, expecting Eudora and her imploring looks for him to stave off his adventures for one more day ( never understanding the difference between the ones he went on by choice and the ones dictated to him as a man who had sworn to the crown to serve! ) and found himself surprised to see it was his guest.

“Ah, Cutler – I was actually about to come and look for you,” He smiled warmly, “Everything is alright, I trust?”

@tidefated

❝ it’s the same story over & over again. you’d think people would know better by now. ❞ [ @ weatherby, from one (1) cynical james mcgraw ]

{ 100 Random Starters }

The smile that crossed Weatherby’s features was a patient one, even if he felt anything but at present. Hands folded behind his back spoke more to his posture than to what he was hiding, which was just as well considering his grip was so tense it announced only too clearly his displeasure with their present discourse.

“You have, perhaps, become quite accustomed to the Hamiltons and their view of the world,” He observed mildly, neither condemning nor condoning said worldview, “But you were not always so understanding of their ideas. Perhaps it would behoove you to think back on your own stances, to the way you viewed the world before, and consider both how and why you shifted your position. If you wish for people to – as you say – know better – then perhaps you should start by considering how information is being introduced or withheld. Not all of us can be so lucky in our enlightenment as to have friends like the Hamiltons, after all.”

[intolerablexsacrifice, for Theodore] 👗 Fix/Straighten my muse’s clothes [ FUSSY DOMESTIC CARROT CAKE REQUIRES AN OUTLET FOR IT ]

{ Nonverbal Starters }

The tugging on his shirt sleeves stills him, and after a brief time finding himself brusquely adjusted, he could not help but smile. “I’ve gotten too comfortable among the crew, I think.” He had not lost his naval discipline by any stretch – rather, he recognized the fact that adhering to it when he needed to appeal himself to pirates would not be at all endearing, and so he had endeavored to relent in certain areas that were more immediately notable, to make it easier for them to accept him. Now, it came without thought – though he supposed there were limits to it. “Thank you,” He offered, making a note of what the captain preferred, so he might be able to replicate it consistently.

@intolerablexsacrifice

[intolerablexsacrifice, for Weatherby, from McGraw] 😱 Make a silly face at my muse [ lbr it’s literally just his ‘you said something that confused/startled me’ expression ]

{ Nonverbal Starters }

Goodness, what an expression! It was actually quite the challenge to maintain something of a neutral one himself in the wake of it. Weatherby would never forgive himself for laughing outright at a misfortunate fellow, but it was a very near thing when he found himself fixed a look that for all the world declared more confusion than a noblewoman’s lapdog tilting its head just so.

“I appear to have lost you, lieutenant,” His amusement was carefully refrained, which was just as well considering the topic of their discussion. “The Hamiltons are attending as well – I thought perhaps you would appreciate being extended an invitation from me, personally.” Otherwise, doubtless, he would get one from Thomas and feel stuck between his duty to the admiralty and politeness toward that idealistic young man, or sticking to propriety and declining on account of the fact the host had not invited him!

@intolerablexsacrifice

‘ i thought i was going to change the world. ’ | TF’s Cutler to Jane

{ House of Broken Angels }

“Do you think so little of the world, that it needs changing?” The question was genuine as she swept over to him, gathering his hands in hers to keep his thoughts anchored on her rather than on his war, and its costs. “Our actions now will not change any of what came before. Those pains – those frustrations – will not be cured no matter what we shape the world into because of them. They will always be part of us.”

Her hands tightened in his, reassuring and firm all at once. “The world has so much in it that is wonderful. So much that is truly beyond imagining – what does it matter how we attained the ability to chase it? We have between us the power to go anywhere – to do anything – why would we need to change anything, when we’ve already obtained everything? Oh Cutler – can’t you see? We have what we wanted! We’re free of them – our lives are our own – what is the world, in comparison to that?”

@tidefated

[intolerablexsacrifice, for Jane, from McGraw] 👉 Point to something for my muse to see [ context is for people who aren’t awake at 5am okay shh ]

{ Nonverbal Starters }

His arrival had been unannounced, and were it not for Diego chances were he would not have made it to her at all. The guards were on high alert, and to say there was little tolerance for his kind ( be it pirate or be it English ) was putting things exceptionally mildly.

This venture that they shared was delicate, to say the least – it was not in de Bac’s interests to be consorting with either pirates or Englishmen in these trying times, but there were things a pirate could do that a privateer would never be able to justify. Among thieves, James was perhaps the only man she could trust to undertake those particular duties – and if he required more than finances every now and again, who was she to turn him away?

Glancing back at him when he made his gesture, she took a moment to look out toward the harbor. Understanding his intention, she nodded and made a motion to her man in the shadows – she had nothing to fear from James McGraw, regardless of the monster he was fashioning by the name of Flint.

“It will be done,” She assured him quietly, gathering the last of what she needed before urging him to sit. “Let me take a look at you – if it was one of the locals, that wound may fester swiftly. Few here work without poison on their blades.”

@intolerablexsacrifice