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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 21, 2016 15:23:01 GMT -5
James nodded along, most of it made since. But he didn't understand why they just didn't have one ruler like England. Then again, England did have its problems. Some people getting more money from the crown and others left to starve and beg on the streets. He was very intrigued by Ireland's way of clans and such. "So what are the most common ways of settling clan disputes and making an alliance?"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 15:34:35 GMT -5
Grace slowly glanced in James's direction. "Marriage, although it's more common between allies arranged marriages is a good way. But you can also agree to exchange something of worth to them... Kind of like agreeing to not tax or their ships when spotted in your waters along with use of a nice bay." Adding the last part as it was something she had actually done herself. "There are a lot of ways but sometimes it takes awhile, what might work with one clan won't with another. Some are stubborn and won't agree to anything." She added with a shrug, smiling as she noticed how curious he was.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 21, 2016 15:53:33 GMT -5
James thought, taking in what she said. "I'd hate to go by marriage. Arranged marriage especially, people should marry for love not a peace agreement. But I guess some people are willing to do practically anything for the safety of others." He said thoughtfully. But he had another question that ended that thought. "Why would some refuse alliances. Isn't it smarter to ally. The more ally the more protection and safety of your people? I'd think every clan would be willing to have an ally of some kind"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 16:10:35 GMT -5
Grace merely shrugged at the whole thing about marriage, she didn't really expect him to understand it anyway. "Sometimes you have to do things for the well being of your people ans family." She pointed out softly. Smiling grimly at the second question, turning away from James and looking back off the boat thoughtfully. "Sometimes one of their other allies is at war with your clan so they aren't willing to be involved, other times personalities don't mesh. And most clans do have an ally, it might not be my clan but it could be someone else's or even the English." She explained, studying the stars that were appearing as it got darker.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 21, 2016 20:13:35 GMT -5
A look of shock came across James's face, "The English? I didn't know the Irish allied with some of the English" He said thoughtfully. He didn't mean it in a rude way, but most English didn't like the Irish. James wasn't one of them, of course, but still.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2016 20:18:34 GMT -5
Grace raised an eyebrow but didn't look back at James, chuckling softly at his reaction. "Well seeing as the English are trying to make Ireland theirs it's very easy for a chief to make an agreement with England and all of their problems just seem to go away. Of course there are rebellions but who cares when you have the backing the crown?" Sighing at the thought of it, this was actually common with many chiefs and if their neighbors didn't like it they could get attacked which was a serious problem.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 22, 2016 9:07:21 GMT -5
James frowned, apparently there was alot going on between England and Ireland that he was unaware of. Siding with England didn't sound like a wise idea, mostly because England wasn't trustworthy. "Is it common for clans to alley with England?" He asked quietly, almost afraid of the answer.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 9:20:12 GMT -5
Grace stiffened, curling her hands into fists at the question. The answer made her want to go fight someone or something, but it was a truth she had come to accept. "Yes." She growled darkly, it was becoming too common for her liking and people who came in on the behalf of the crown were determined to make all of Ireland that way; make them civilized like the English. Forcefully exhaling and shaking her head. "It's a mess."
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 22, 2016 9:58:26 GMT -5
James sighed and shook is head. Despite English being his roots, his beliefs were slowly slipping toward the Irish cause. They were slowly being polluted and they didn't even know it. "If all teh Irish clans somehow managed to ally and turn agains the English, do you think the clans would have a chance of winning back all of their freedom from England?" He asked. It seemed hopeful, but he didn't know how willing anyone would be to that.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 10:50:47 GMT -5
Grace glanced back over her shoulder at James with a frown, sighing she shook her head at the question. There was no way that would ever happen. "I really don't know, we might be able to but getting all the cans to unite against the English would never happen. Some of them even want the English way of life and have allowed some to come live among them." She admitted, but truthfully that wasn't going to stop her clan; they loved their old way of life and weren't welcoming to the idea of a new society. And as their chief she shared their views and beliefs.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 22, 2016 11:24:57 GMT -5
James frowned and sighed, "Playing with England is a dangerous game." He said lowly, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "The King is power hungry, he only wants land and money. And he doesn't care how many people he has to kill to get it. Most of the honorable men left the army, deserted because of the King and his ruthlessness. But that just made things worse. The King is takign criminals out of prison and letting them work in the military to pay ff their sentence. Murderers, theives, they are all set loose on every. We can't even trust our own military proective force any longer." He said grimly. "Not that I ever trusted them anyways" He mumbled the last bit with a shake of his head.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2016 11:38:46 GMT -5
Grace shrugged dropping her voice so no one could overhear their conversation if anyone came out. "I managed to get his court to let me out of prison but aside from that they don't seem very pleasant, and they don't like me which puts a nice big target on my back... I'm surprised they haven't figured out that I'm the Red Reaper yet, it's only a matter of time." She admitted grimly, not that she was a afraid of the crown but if it was figured out that she was a dangerous pirate who destroyed a lot of British property and killed their forces the concentration on getting her clan to submit would get worse.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 23, 2016 14:11:39 GMT -5
James looked a bit shocked and then smirked at her. "You really know how to get out of a situation don't you?" He teased, but was clearly impressed. Not many people managed to get out of the English prison. Let alone get into his courts. Grace was obviously more resourceful then he thought.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 14:21:27 GMT -5
Grace smiled awkwardly, thankfully the darkness was covering up the embarrassed blush that was appearing across her face. Lightly shrugging, it hadn't been something she had really thought of as impressive. "I do my best." She replied softly, averting her gaze to the ship's deck. "I wouldn't advise doing the same unless it is completely necessary." Letting out a huff before glancing back up at James. "Well I guess that's enough about me and Ireland." She added deciding to try and change the subject.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 26, 2016 15:51:33 GMT -5
James smiled and laughed at her modesty. The Irish must have stronger prisons then the English if she thought it was an easy feat. He sighed as she moved to change the topic, a sigh of exhaustion rather then annoyance. James looked over at her, "Well then is there anything you'd like to know. About England? Or me? Although the second choice would be much less interesting" He said lightly.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 17:07:34 GMT -5
Grace shrugged, she knew quite a bit about England-not everything of course- but it didn't hurt to learn more. But in complete honesty James did make her curious. Biting her lower lip thoughtfully before coming up with an answer. "Well seeing as I do know about England... I wouldn't mind hearing about you instead." She replied lightly. Hopefully she didn't come off as nosy, but knowing things was her job even if she never did see him again after her fleet was reclaimed.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 26, 2016 17:15:27 GMT -5
James raised an eyebrow. Most people weren't very curious about a pirate and his life. Whether it be his past or his present, they never really seemed to care. It was a bit odd having someone interested in him, but he almost smiled at it as well. Someone was actually curious about him. Normally it was the other way around. He didn't mind sharing information. As long as it didn't go....to deep. "Well then, what would you like to know about me?" James asked in a cheerful tone.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 17:26:02 GMT -5
Grace raised an eyebrow before rolling her eyes with a faint smile, his cheerful tone surprised her. Releasing a soft chuckle that she was unable to suppress. "Anything? I don't really mind as long as it isn't too... odd?" She replied with yet another shrug. She wasn't really sure what she wanted to know about him so anything worked for for her at the moment.
( I'm sorry my RPing is pretty bad right now. )
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 26, 2016 17:34:44 GMT -5
James laughed, "Well my past isn't to 'odd' so it should be alright" He said with a smile. Since she wasn't interested in anything particular, he was free to avoid anything too deep. "We can start with my family then. I was born and raised in England. My father, Sir William Crow, was a knight working for the king. After he got older, he came down with the flu and was eventually sent away from the military, unable to fight any longer. He met my mother, Silva Lestro, and they married and settled on a farm." He started, glancing over at Grace to see if she was following or had any questions.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 26, 2016 17:35:13 GMT -5
(It's alright xD Seems pretty good to me)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 17:54:20 GMT -5
Grace silently listened with interest, she wasn't always the best with English names so it amused her when James said his parents names. "So... Does that make your name James Crow?" She asked cautiously. "Unless you changed your name of course which is fine." She hastily added, not wanting to unintentionally upset him. The more he said the more curious she became, seemingly hundreds of questions popped into her head. "So technically you are a military boy who became a pirate? I've heard that one before." She commented leaning back against the bulwark. "Did you like living on a farm?" The life of a commoner interested her as it was completely different from how she had been raised.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 28, 2016 11:57:01 GMT -5
James nodded, "Yes, I am James Crow. Most people call me James or Captain Crow. The only person who ever called me James Crow was my mother." He said with a slight grin, "And she only called me that when I got into trouble, which was often." James sighed a bit and propped a arm on the siding of the ship. "I liked it when I was younger. We had crops and animals and I enjoyed the hard work, weeding the garden, tilling the fields, milking the cows, and working the horses. But the sea was always an interest to me when I grew older. But I would've stayed on the farm if my father hadn't passes away." He said, avoiding the details of his fathers death.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2016 12:19:10 GMT -5
Grace couldn't help but laugh at his response, her mother had done the same thing when she was a child. "I can believe that." She commented with a teasing smile before going silent again as she listened. That kind of life interested her greatly, it also sounded fun to have a life that wasn't centered around politics and needless warfare. She couldn't help but respect James for leaving that kind of life. A frown appearing on her lips when he mentioned that his father had died. "I'm sorry about your father." She said sympathetically, figuring he didn't want to dwell on it she decided to ask another question. "Were you always a pirate after you left?"
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 28, 2016 12:31:31 GMT -5
James thought for a moment, "No, not always." He said thoughtfully. "When I left I was 16, to young to even own a boat. But I wanted to be on the water. So I got myself a job as cabin boy for the British Navy. I hated it there. Mostly because there was no action. You sat on the water, stuffed yourself full of meat and other rich food. And you slept. Occasionally cleaning the ship when you needed to. There was no need for survival, no adventure." He said flatly. His days as cabin boy were very short, but that was where he learned how to cart weather and waters better then before. So it wasn't all that bad. "I left the British Navy, set on getting a ship of my own and becoming a pirate." James said with a sigh, a slight smile coming to his face.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2016 12:43:17 GMT -5
"16 is too young to own a boat?" Grace asked tightly trying to hide her amusement, it wasn't working. "You must forgive me I was a privileged child." She quickly added, a grin showing on face as her hand moved over her heart. "That does sound excruciatingly boring I must agree." But then again the navy never pleased her with their loyalty to the British crown that could easily be taken too far. "Well you appear to have done that, congratulations."
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 28, 2016 12:57:06 GMT -5
James laughed lightly, "In England 16 is to young for a commoner. I had to get my ship by gambling with some drunken sailors. But their ship's were mostly floating wreckage. So I'd sell them and then I finally bought one for myself." He grinned and patted the railing of the ship as though giving a pet a small, loving stroke. He smiled, "I like to think I did very well for a 16 year-old farm boy" He said lightly.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2016 13:04:51 GMT -5
"In Ireland when your turn 16 it's kind of like coming of age." Grace explained quickly, then raised an eyebrow at James's mention of gambling. "Well that's one way you could acquire a ship." She commented lightly, her gaze quickly running over what all she could see of the ship at the moment. "You didn't do too bad with this one I must say." She complimented lightly, it looked like a nice ship in her eyes. And with the story he had just given she was quietly impressed.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 28, 2016 13:11:00 GMT -5
James smiled a bit surprised. "Coming of age? At 16? Really?" He asked in a bit of wonder. "Well that's hardly fair. In England you come of age at 18" He said lightly with a laugh. The differences between the two countries was fascinating. He couldn't believe things were so different. It was like two separate worlds. Ireland had clans at war and allying. England was all together until a King and Queen. It was a startling difference.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2016 13:24:42 GMT -5
Grace nodded. "It is young, but it is also tradition." She confirmed with a shrug, truthfully she didn't entirely approve of how young it was from past experience. But that was just how it was growing up for her and many Irish children, especially the girls. Glancing at James with a faint smile. "They are quite different places." She noted with a huff of amusement, never had she had a conversation similar to this one before as normally they already knew or easily accepted it.
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Post by DimeStorePoet on Sept 28, 2016 13:28:39 GMT -5
James gave a good natured scoff, "Very different it seems" He said lightly, He looked at Grace curiously, "So do you have any brothers or sisters? I had one sister I didn't know she was alive until recently. I'm not sure if my mother is still alive, but I surely hope she is" James said in a bit more a somber tone.
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