💓💓 for Jack!

Be a terrible choice all around. Jack falls in love with tragedy constantly. The less likely it is someone will love him back, the more likely it is he’ll find himself rooting for them and adoring them desperately. This, of course, ought to keep him from pursuing them – and generally speaking it does work – but every now and again he has to try, because he’s a fucking idiot, and it goes to hell in a handbasket ever so cheerfully. One time, it even got him killed. But we don’t talk about that.
Be fiesty. Jack loves spirited people. Especially if those people can go toe to toe with him on an intellectual front and get him dancing – he absolutely adores a challenge, and that might be why he has such a lamentable habit of falling in love with his rivals and people who prefer to belittle him and see him as mad rather than genius.
It’s not because he enjoys being talked down to and insulted ( in fact, he hates both of those things! A lot! ) but rather, it is because the stimulus of having someone intelligent enough to actually challenge him – even for a bicker, or a minute, or a single nautical maneuver – thrills Jack to no end.

The more exposure he has to these people who challenge him, the more likely it is that they will end up both becoming quite dear to him on account of the fact they keep him so cheerfully on his toes, but also, that they will in some terrible way, abandon or betray him, or worse, desperately need his help and sacrifices while simultaneously believing both matters to be owed them and thus, not worthy of even an iota of gratitude. But we don’t talk about that, either.

💓 for Jane!

Respecting Jane is one of the fastest ways to warm her to you. While in France her position is rather secure, when she is overseas she so often has to fight to establish her dominance and her rights amid men who look down upon her simply on account of her being a woman. She knows that if she were to send a man in her place, things would get done quicker – but she refuses to use a proxy simply to be heard.

To listen to her and confer with her as though she is an equal is to immediately assure that you will have Jane as an ally in your court. Provided of course that this respect and equal footing was obtained through your initiative, and not because her shadow terrorized you into submission.

💓💓💓 for Julienne!

{ Learn To Make A Heart Flutter }

Be good with his daughters. This does not necessarily mean be good with children so much as it means be capable of respecting young girls as your potential superiors. Julienne’s girls are his pride and joy, and their capacities are something he adores seeing others come to respect. There is no denying the girls are young – but if you deny their skill or their positions on account of that youth ( or, heaven forbid, their gender! ) your chances of earning Julienne’s grace is slim to none.
Have good form. This is painful to include considering his face claim but honestly it is quite an important element in gaining Julienne’s favor. He is a deeply honorable man, and he does not abide by acts of cowardice and cruelty well. He holds a firm belief in civility and it is due to the betrayal of those beliefs, the betrayal of nobility and human decency, that caused him to turn pirate to begin with.
This goes beyond possessing exceptional moral fibre, however. Julienne is very particular about presentation. Being clean and well pressed goes a long way in impressing him, because it takes a great deal of time and effort to maintain an impeccable exterior while at sea. Considering he demands it of his entire crew, one can certainly anticipate him expecting it of a lover.
Sweep him off his feet. Julienne is a hopeless romantic and positively adores the game of seduction. To be the one on the receiving end of such flattering attentions certainly appeals to a small element of his vanity, but mostly the idea that someone might try warms him tremendously. Of course one of the easiest methods is a direct and literal one – Julienne loves to dance, and the more adept his partner is the more likely it becomes that he’ll allow them to carry him off.

💓 for Abigail

{ Learn To Make A Heart Flutter }

Author!Abigail

Being physical with Abigail under certain circumstances can result in her becoming rather shy. She’s not used to tactile comforts, though the longer she is alone the more she realizes that she craves them. She can count on her hands the amount of times she was hugged that weren’t due to it being an occasion ( she would get a hug from her father every year on his birthday, a kiss on the cheek from her mother when it was Abigail’s own birthday, and an embrace from her parents every Christmas. ) and still have several fingers left over. And on only one of those occasions was the person she embraced not a parent – and that, of course, would be Miranda Hamilton. ( Two actually, if we include Joji in their storyline! But from an unconnected standpoint, that’s the facts for her sadly enough. )

Aside from her dancing and deportment lessons, Abigail was simply not touched. And in a life where she now has to dodge the grabby hands of sailors as a waitress, this is somewhat detrimental as she can be overwhelmed quickly in manners that grant the wrong impression. Speechlessness, flushed features and a refusal to meet gazes can unfortunately attract unwanted attentions, so it is lucky for Abigail that she works at an inn that prides itself in looking out for its waitresses.

In these instances though, she is uncomfortable and often times scared rather than she is fluttery. It is when people she knows and trusts become physical with her that she can start to get a little twitterpated. She doesn’t mean to more often than not, but due to her intense loneliness and her isolated upbringing, kind and gentle touches can lead to her falling in love rather easily, and not at all knowing what to do about it.

While she may confront her own jitters and may even bluntly admit to her sense of being overwhelmed from a tactile standpoint, the breathlessness from other causes she will have a much harder time owning up to.

💓💓💓 for Charles!

{ Learn To Make A Heart Flutter }

Be fearless. This is something that takes many forms in Charles’ mind. To him, fearlessness is the only sure chance of survival in this world and to lack it makes a person not only vulnerable, but cowardly. One thing Charles cannot abide by is a coward – but his unique take on the world and the people he chooses to let into his circle shows that he recognizes fearlessness can take many forms.
To him, Rackham’s fearlessness presents itself in his willingness to weave words together among the masses and convert minds into his way of thinking, to turn profit out of any situation and to walk into a room where any man could cut him down in an instant as if there wouldn’t be a single one who would dare.

By contrast, Bonny’s fearlessness presents itself in mute force – she finds her path to victory every time, even if it means taking on substantial damage to herself to make it work. She doesn’t fear pain if it means winning, and she’s not afraid to manipulate a situation into her favor when she needs to.

And then there is Eleanor, whose fearlessness lies alongside her ambition and her will to do anything it takes to obtain her desires. While their ambitions matched one another this was something that made her deeply attractive to Charles – but eventually, her willingness to betray anyone for those ambitions put them at odds. Charles’ particular brand of loyalty could not abide by Eleanor’s willingness to treat every person in her vicinity as disposable the moment they ceased to be of immediate use to her.

Ultimately speaking, the most attractive trait in another person by Charles’ standards, is their willingness to stand up and face the world on their terms, and challenge that goddamn world each and every time their terms are not met.
Share his values. Charles aligns himself with people who value specific things in life. Namely, freedom and a will to live life on one’s feet, rather than on one’s knees. Being anti-slavery certainly goes a long way, and the less fond of Britian’s idea of ‘civilization’ you happen to be the better chance you have of getting along with him – and getting along with Charles is usually the first step to earning his friendship.
Interestingly enough, due to Charles’ stringent beliefs it is possible for him to abandon past rivalries when a greater matter is put at risk. ( Such as Flint being taken as a British victory against piracy resulting in him setting aside years of competition and dislike, even straight up attempts at murder, for the sake of securing Flint and denying Britain that victory )

When these moments occur, the person in question is granted a clean slate in favor of work toward the common goal that united them, making it perfectly possible for even past rivals to become close friends, and people Charles might consider his.
Make him laugh. Considering this is not an easy task, those who can manage it win his friendship almost immediately afterward, as he likes to keep people who can scour away the violence of the world and summon joy from the ashes close at hand. He deeply values humor and those who have good and even theatrical natures, and is quite fond of anyone who can bring a smile to a dour situation.

“How long have you been out here?” | TF’s William to Horatio

{ Isolation Starters }

Long enough for his absence to be noted, it would seem. Smiling to himself, Horatio drew the blanket tighter around his shoulders and continued to gaze out upon the water, drinking in the familiar sights of a sleeping English port with a strange mixture of warm nostalgia and frank contempt. To think he could miss the time that had torn him from this.

It would be at least a week before the Hotspur was outfitted and prepared to sail. He had been sharing a room with William Bush for the past two days, with five more yawning ahead as his friend made constant efforts to assure himself that Horatio was real, and had not disappeared again. It was – endearing, though it chipped steadily at Horatio’s resolve to behave appropriately now that he was back in his time, and meant to be a naval captain rather than the true heathen witch he had become – a truth he could no more reveal than his time among pirates, he was rather sure.

“Not long,” He assured quietly, once he had drank in the last quiet moment. Turning to William, he considered the man’s expression and felt a pang in his heart as he went over to the man. It was bold and downright scandalous of him, but he opened the blanket and wrapped his arms around the other’s waist, drawing him in to share in his warmth as he assured softer still, “The ocean has not taken me again, my friend. I’m still here.”

“How long have you been out here?” | TF’s Edward to Charles

{ Isolation Starters }

He recognized the voice even as he turned to face it, and sure enough he found himself in the presence of Horatio’s commander, captain Pellew. They’d split off nearly two months ago – Horatio to work on maneuvering the frigate to the south side island without cluing this very man into the fact he was ferrying them to tasks both dangerous and incriminating if the admiralty were to catch wind of it. The intention was for Charles to cross the island and meet up with the ship on the other side, taking care of the job on land in the meanwhile.

Things had not gone according to plan though, and Charles had known it when the storm struck that his chances of actually being recovered again were damned slim. Still, he’d gone to the area he was supposed to be at and he’d waited. When he became too hungry and cold to wait any longer he had slipped back into the trees and settled in for the long haul. He knew he would not be abandoned indefinitely, but there was no reason to let himself suffer while awaiting Horatio’s inevitable return.

What he had not anticipated was getting picked up by Pellew – at least, not without Horatio in tow. That told him two things – either Horatio had overestimated Pellew’s goodwill and was now presently hanging at the gallows for witchcraft, or the clever little witch had slipped off to continue their work and Pellew had found him independently in the meanwhile.

This man was a safety beacon to Horatio – the witch would find his way back to Pellew, so it would be wise to linger with him and make it easier. So he answered semi honestly with, “Lost track – more than a month, to be sure, but less than three.” Which was precisely around the time that the Indefatigable had been in this region, stopping for water and game. “Guess I didn’t get back in time for setting sail.” There was no blame in his tone – he hadn’t meant to be on time for it, after all. “I’m guessing you’re not back for me, though.” This was a common trade stop, after all.

In his usual silent way, Joji stepped up beside Thomas where the man sat, and tapped the small book in his hand against his shoulder. It was a book of poetry- English, of course, or some other western place, he wasn’t actually sure. The imagery seemed insufficient to him, but he understood that those born to this language liked it well enough- and Thomas liked to read. Joji tapped again.

Thomas was lost in thought often enough that he had become accustomed to the crew drawing him back into reality physically. He no longer jumped at the grips on his shoulder, or even felt offense at the occasional whacks upside the back of his head followed by commands – more often than not those strikes and orders kept him alive in the long run, and he could hardly expect these men to be patient with him when he was barely tolerant of his own behaviour as it was!

So at first, the tap did not receive immediate response beyond a glance up, an expectation of command shifting to a note of confusion when he saw who it was. The second tap drew his attention to the source, and he realized rather swiftly what was going on.

Charmed, Thomas accepted the book and examined it. The cover was in fine condition, as were the pages. Inspecting the spine, his lips curved in pleasure as he recognized the author. When was the last time he’d held Chaucer in his hands?

Looking up, he offered a warm smile. “This is in surprisingly good condition all things considered. Were you looking for an appraisal or – ?” He did not presume the man wished the book read to him – Thomas had seen him with books just enough times to know he was far more literate than he was verbal, so he could only assume the man was checking the worth of keeping this one. It did not yet occur to him it might be a gift.

🤧 – comforting them when crying | TF’s Joji to Abigail

{ Nonverbal Starters }

His presence so often calmed her that his arrival now did little to bring shame into her heart. He had seen her crumble before and never once had he offered judgement. Today was no different as he came and crouched before her, holding her hands until she gathered herself. So often this was all it took – a gentle touch and a sense that it would be alright, over time.

Her hands tightened in his, for today was her father’s seventh birthday in the afterlife – and his first where she had completely forgotten her tradition to visit the sea and speak with him. Her days were so filled with wonderful routines now – meditation, work, writing, her calligraphy practice and of course, the hand to hand training Joji had walked her through today.

It was more of the same motions she was growing ever more used to, but there had been a new form incorporated today and she’d become so consumed with memorizing it and working it into her present forms at practice, before heading to work, that somehow today had become – just another day. It had not been until she had gone to cross off her calendar at work that it had struck her, and surely seven years was hardly enough time for a daughter to forget her father! Let alone all else that had been lost in the fires that had consumed Charlestown.

She had tried to tell herself then – so as not to break apart at work – that it was understandable. She was allowed to move on, to acknowledge the past and the dead when it suited her and to live her life without being consumed by her ghosts. And it was enough, to get her outside and to the table where Joji would meet her to take her home – but business with Mr. Gallenger must have run late, for he was not there.

She had sat, and acknowledged the true reason she was upset wasn’t that she didn’t believe those things. It was that she hadn’t made the choice on purpose. There was a difference between deliberately moving past her father’s birthday and somehow – somehow forgetting it entirely. Even just this once.

She had not meant to cry, and she hated feeling guilty over something so arbitrary as respecting a day that had always been so selfish in life. Her father’s birthdays were always cordial affairs, with business partners and their wives coming to call for entertainment and discussion, often bringing new connections for him to meet on his special day as though these people were, in and of themselves, a gift just to talk to the once.

And her father never hesitated to treat them that way, so she learned the importance and value of networking would always outweigh whatever small thing Abigail managed to purchase or make for him – but she never found melancholy, for when the guests had taken their leave and the hour was late, her father would always find her in the garden or the library, wherever she had sequestered herself away from the din, and gather her into his arms as if she were his greatest gift. It was her favorite part of the day, and had been all of her life.

Perhaps that was why she was so keen to remember it – when she had been so wounded by his wrong doings she had forgotten so much of his goodness. Missing his goodness that first year had made her feel guilty for all his wrongs, and she’d had quite the bitter things to say to the sea that day. But the second year, she had missed him in all his faults and goodness, and she had wept by the sea for hours, mourning him – and mourning for herself, as well, for all she had lost and all that she feared. Being alone had been so very terrible, that second year.

It had been a different emotional journey every time she had gone to the sea to talk to him. On his birthday, and on two Christmases when she could bear the loneliness of them no longer, and even once on an Easter because she had been so boggled by the fact she was excited to work that day – and it was because she wouldn’t have to be alone.

This was the first time she had not felt any compulsion to honor him or talk to him, and it had caught her by complete surprise. Holding on to Joji’s hands, she supposed it was the surprise that shocked her most – it made sense, in a way, that she no longer felt so obliged. It was very much due to this man, who had done so much to make sure she wasn’t alone, that she was perhaps finally moving beyond the past.

“Sorry,” She couldn’t help but excuse herself, even though she knew he didn’t mind her tears like others did. They didn’t offend him, not in the least, and there were no true words for how much that meant to her. “I just had a bit of a shock – but I’m alright,” She promised, smiling for him and knowing deep down that her words were true. She was alright – and she would continue to be so.

She considered going down to the beach after all, but in the end she shook her head. It was time to make the choice – and she rather liked the notion that this year could mark the start of moving on. Squeezing his hands, she let out a breath before slowly rising to her feet. “I’d best get home – I’d hate to miss my evening meditations.” She could start them late, but then she’d get to sleep late, and she’d hate herself in the morning for it.

🤒 – caring for them when sick/injured | TF’s Joji to Charles

{ Nonverbal Starters }

It was not unusual for Jack to leave someone he trusted to look after Charles at times like these – only generally speaking the one he trusted up until most recently had been Anne. The few times both he and Anne had been out of commission like this, Jack had found a way to tend to them both personally while managing the ship – which was of course among the many reasons Charles kept the man so close regardless of the way others so frequently doubted him.

Now, it seemed there was another that had managed to earn the trust of Jack and the respect of Anne enough to be entrusted with Charles while he was in a vulnerable state. Knowing that this man had their trust was the only thing that kept him calm as Joji handed over the basin he needed to wash up with. He liked this one well enough – he was skillful as he was silent, and he had a no nonsense attitude Charles could get behind.

Still, he was watchful as he washed up, the water quickly turning murky from the dirt and the blood that caked his hands and arms from the fight. This was a shift in routine for him, and one that he felt was understandable to be somewhat wary of.

The worst of the mess washed off, he sat down and debated the merits of this – with a man who did not speak there was little to learn, at least through speech. Instead, Charles nudged the chair before him with his foot, indicating the man should take a seat. He had skin that needed sewing – might as well put the man to the task, and see how well he took to it.