milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

William stumbles into the bar in high spirits - they are sailing again, sailing properly instead of the broken limping they've been doing since the Acheron attacked. He's singing under his breath - a fine high bright voice (except when it breaks mid-word - he will be properly happy when that nonsense stops).

"Come all you thoughtless young men, a warning take by me, And never leave your happy homes to sail the raging sea..."

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Breaking voice or not, the man sitting in the corner and quietly strumming a guitar looks up instantly at the sound of singing. After a second, he alters whatever he was playing, shifting instead to the tune of the song and shooting the complete stranger he's now accompanying a grin. The Balladeer doesn't actually know this one - sea shanties aren't his thing exactly - but he's nothing if not quick on his feet.

William grins brightly - he's never had anyone play for him before, and heavens knows he'll never have the opportunity to learn how to play for himself now. The midshipman takes a nearby seat, hitching himself onto his perch with his one good hand, and sings the whole song through - all about the misfortunes that befall the good English sailors who aren't appreciated for their efforts.

The Balladeer keeps up well; it's a simple enough melody, once you hear the whole thing through once, and this is what he does, in a way. He even adds a little musical flourish of his own onto the end, because how often does he really get to show off a little?

Once it's over, he gives William a little half-bow over the body of the guitar. "Good show!"

"Thank you." He grins, looking his age rather than his rank for the moment. "I've never had anyone play with me before - that was just as good as the doctor's playing."

"They don't call me the Balladeer for nothing." And now people are actually calling him that too! He strums a few idle chords; it's been something of a small victory for him. "You should get this doctor to play with you more. It's always more fun with more people."

"What, Doctor Maturin, play with me? Oh, that isn't very likely, I'm just a midshipman." He stutters, startled. "Midshipman Blakeney, sir. That is. That's my name."

"Good to meet you!"

The Balladeer has basically zero knowledge of anything nautical. Military, a little. Navy? Nooope. "I don't see what that has to do with it," he opines, waving a hand dismissively. Music is music - who cares about a silly little thing like rank?

William's wide-eyed look of incomprehension probably doesn't help - his whole life is the navy, the rank and file, Knowing One's Place amongst the sometimes chaotic world.

"Err... quite a lot?"

The most careless of shrugs.

"Okay, if you say so. Is that...some kind of navy thing...?" He's never even been to an ocean, himself. Or on a boat. He should try that lake here sometime.

There's a wince there, a straightening of his spine to something military-correct, a shift from boy to officer that is not a specific thing but a creation of a different being.

"Not entirely, sir."

"Hm."

He sees that shift, and is silently thoughtful for a moment. Then, apparently dismissing whatever was on his mind, he leans forward to offer a hand. "I'm the Balladeer." Yes, it's the only name he has; he's already decided he's not going to explain himself to every person he meets.

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