[Audio Parrot from the hold of the Grey Lady]

[detectivewonder]

[The parrot does a remarkably good job of reproducing the creaking, echoing sound quality of the space. The singing, while cheerful, is a little creaky as well, and more than a little jaded.]

When I was just a lad looking for my true vocation
My father said "Now son, this choice deserves deliberation
Though you could be a doctor or perhaps a financier
My boy why not consider a more challenging career

Hey ho ho
You'll cruise to foreign shores
And you'll keep your mind and body sound
By working out of doors

[He breaks off with a weary laugh.]

Well. That didn't work out as intended.

Comments

action.

[detectivewonder]

You can come out, you know. I probably won't be chasing you down any time soon.

action.

[peckish4action]

[Silence.]

[And when he speaks up, the voice comes from a different place than the mosquito-smack was from.]

But you can call on others who will.

action.

[detectivewonder]

And I could have done so already. Or sent a scroll with my parrot, when I sent him. But I didn't.

action.

[peckish4action]

[Still unseen.]

Why didn't you?

action.

[detectivewonder]

Should I? Are you here to sabotage Captain Harkness' ship?

action.

[peckish4action]

... wouldn't that be sorta stupid? Sabotaging the ship you're on?

[Never mind that he could theoretically go back to the shore. It's not an option just now, for him.]

action.

[detectivewonder]

That depends on how well you can swim.

action.

[peckish4action]

That... wouldn't be doing you much good, would it.

But, no, I don't mean to sabotage anything. Other than the yelling directed at me at that place from here on.

action.

[detectivewonder]

Then I've no reason to support you. I'm not crew. A secret passenger, maybe less secret than you. But if you're as canny as you sound, then that's not news.

action.

[peckish4action]

[Okay, that confuses the little stowaway enough that he pauses a little before answering, and there's actually the sound of stirring, even if he's not quite visible, yet.]

Then who are you secret from?

action.

[detectivewonder]

The other captains may have guessed, but we try not to mention me nonetheless. Red Robin was meant to fly, and bird who can't leave the nest is like to die.

action.

[peckish4action]

...

You're Red Robin.

Like... the most secret pirate out in these seas. The brave and dashing and mysterious Red Robin.

[And if Tim manages to get the right direction, he can spot an unkempt black head of hair peering from under an old sail to get a look at him.]

action.

[detectivewonder]

Actually, the writ of outlawry precedes the piracy charges by years. I'm a road agent who lost track of the cobbles, if you believe His Majesty.

But I'm pleased that you've heard of me.

[As he says that, he'll be looking straight at him.]

action.

[peckish4action]

[Gulp.]

... should I-- er, one believe His Majesty? On this question and any other?

And of course I've heard of you. I didn't fall from the moon or anything!

action.

[detectivewonder]

His Majesty knows what his servants tell him. I've fought across the continent for Catholic and Protesant alike, and in that time I've robbed a coach or two, though usually of passengers.

[He sounds very relaxed about it.]

On both sides of the ocean, I've been a master and I've been a servant. Now, I prefer neither. But when I see a master raise a hand in ill temper...

Well. I raise mine. And I suppose that makes me a pirate, after all.

action.

[peckish4action]

Whoa!

You talk like the people in the stories. The ones than make you wonder about everything and anything, and you'd do whatever they want you to.

[The respect in the boy's voice is absolutely unfeigned.]

action.

[detectivewonder]

... And what do you think I'd want you to do?

action.

[peckish4action]

... I have no idea. Just thought that you could.

What would you want somebody to do for you?

action.

[detectivewonder]

Start by telling me what brought you to sea,
and we'll hence from there.