Politicking (Finished)

[clyde]

It had been far too long. Clyde was tired of living in this damn slum. In truth, it wasn't that bad. A bit smaller than he was used to, but considerably smaller than where he should be living. He cursed his ancestors under his breath for leaving and going into the mountains. Now he had to work hard to reclaim the estate. But even after all this time, he didn't even know who was there.

Finishing up his letter, he gave it his personal seal and left the small home he had been living in since he moved away. The people he shared it with were kind enough to give him a room in exchange for him paying rent, which he was always sure to do. Making sure the door was locked behind him, he tucked away the letter in his sleeve and made his way toward the center of town.

This better work

[/i] he thought to himself as he dropped off the letter with the postman, who began to run off to deliver it. Clyde's icy gaze watched as the postman looked like an idiot running off. All this time, this had better be the help that he needed, or else he would not be a happy person. Not that he ever was, he was as cold as the mountains he was raised on.[/blockquote]

[Caramon Zero]

I hadn't been to Castle Town this week, so I decided to drop by and check on how my last "raid" had helped with the people around here, and if there were any others I'd missed on my last "visit".
I find that I'd actually missed a few this time and go to the small boat I came in, and get a bit of the money out that I had left over from last time.

I give some of it to each person I find in need of it and on my way back to my boat, I run into a long and lengthy fellow with the coldest eyes I'd seen in some time.

Well, hello.
I'm sorry for running into you, I was trying to get this money to some friends of mine, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give some of it to you, since it seems as though you haven't eaten in days, since your waist is so small for being as tall as you are.[/i][/b]

I take a bag out of my pocket and hand it to the man.

Here you are, use it in any way you please, since I can always get some more later.[/i][/b]

I walk back into the crowd and go back to what I was doing before.

[clyde]

As Clyde had begun to depart from the postal area, he was met by a rather tall man, Oocca at first glance with the enormous wings. Apparently he thought that our cold ice prince was a pauper, who couldn't feed himself. A small amount of rupees in a bag was placed in his hand and the man began to walk off.

How dare he!

Immediately Clyde made a beeline for the man-bird, robes swaying in the slight breeze. Upon reaching the man, he turned him around and thrusted the pouch back into his hand with an icy glare.

"I do not need your handouts you simpleton." Even his voice was cold as he began to berate a man only trying to help. "Do not mistake me for some begging pauper simply because I do not appear to dine on fine suckling pig. Your friends, as you call them need your bribes more than I do." His glare went from cold to smug as he scoffed at the man and walked off.

[Caramon Zero]

I fold my wings into my back and follow him, trying to explain what I was doing.

I'm sorry, I didn't know who you were and I thought you were another of the people who were in need of money around here, so I handed you what I had left of my funds from the last merchant ship my crew and I raided.
It wasn't a bribe, just trying to help another fellow out.
Come with me, so I can clear up this misunderstanding, alright?[/b][/i]

I grab the man and take him to a nearby tavern that serves some of the greatest food around. Well, in my opinion at least.

I'm sorry I dragged you here, but I thought I'd treat you to a meal since I ended up causing you trouble.
I hope you don't mind me treating you, I have more in this pouch than you'd think was in there.[/i][/b]

[clyde]

Now Clyde was really getting upset. He looked poor? Was this man trying to be insulting or was he just that oblivious?

Grabbing Caramon, he held him right in front of his face. Granted, Caramon was probably stronger and could break free if he chose.

"Listen you, I am not simply one of the rabble looking for a handout. Second, I am not interested in hearing about who you decided to raid. You're lucky I don't summon the guard to have you clapped in irons for such activities." He twitched for a moment, part of him wanting to break the man's neck, but the other part intrigued about hearing his justifications for the crimes he had committed.

"Very well. I shall join you, if only to get you out of my skin when this is over." He sighed, his breath in full view despite it not being very cold out. He followed Caramon into the tavern, the smell of stale breath and drunkards heavy in the air. He scoffed again, putting up his hood so as not to be recognized in such a low-class den.

[Caramon Zero]

I order the usual, and ask for the chef to bring out the best food they can muster as I set my pouch on the bar.
The bartender hands me a crimson bottle with the letters "CZ" written on it in black.

I go to the usual table near the back exit and gesture for my acquaintance to sit down as well, since it might take some time to explain, and if we actually start talking, his legs may get tired from standing the entire time.

I'm sorry, I didn't know they'd be serving alcohol this early...
I suppose it's a special occasion or something...

Anyway, I didn't get that money from the raid, and I didn't think you were poor.
You're clothes tell me otherwise to the latter part, since no one with such exquisite robes could be poor, nor could a poor man afford such a priceless headpiece.

I didn't bring you here out of pity, but as an apology for causing you trouble.
I didn't want to leave ill will between us, so I decided to bring you to the best place around where we were so you didn't have to walk to the other side of Town.

Despite this place having so many drunken idiots, the food is the best in this part of Town.
I'd know, since I used to work at almost every restaurant in Castle Town, and I know the tricks of the trade.

On that point, please don't laugh, but I am in fact a "traveling chef" as well as a "Pirate".

I know what you may be thinking "Who can trust a Pirate?", but I'm not the run of the mill kind of Pirate.
I only rob from the men at sea who take advantage of the people and take unfair wages from them, so I take it back and give it to those who need it.

That's the reason the bartender there knows me.
Despite being the owner of this fine establishment, he was deep in debt, and almost had to close his tavern, but now his business is booming.

He may be a little rough around the edges, but he's a trustworthy friend, and a good cook as well who taught me a few things after I helped his place stay running by contributing a bit of money and time working here.

Anyway, I'm sorry to have bored you with those details, but I thought if I was to be able to gain any trust, I had to at least explain a bit of the unapparent reasons behind a few things.

So, what would you like?
I'll treat you to whatever you want and be back with it in a jiffy.[/i][/b][/size]

[clyde]

Clyde sat down across the table from Zero, listening with apathy as the man across the table began to ramble about food and the owner's sob story and why the icy figure was even brought here. The gesture was nice, but Clyde still knew he was talking to a pirate. This could look bad for him down the line, but there were advantages to knowing a ship captain.

"Pretty it up however you like, you're still a pirate. Regardless of who you give it to, piracy is still a crime. A pirate is a criminal, even if the people you steal from are somewhat unethical. You're pushing the wrong buttons with who you're stealing from, and one day it will come back to haunt you." He shifted in his seat. He strongly considered leaving, being company with a pirate who seemed to be proud and vocal about it certainly wouldn't look good, and if the guard showed up it would look terrible.

"I will stay, if only to try the fish special. I won't belittle hard legitimate work by walking out now, even if the drunks here make horrendous company." He leaned back in his chair, waiting for his food to be served. At least the pirate knew hospitality, though it may be because he knew he needed to love-bomb due to being a pirate.

[Caramon Zero]

My friend, you'd be surprised just how right you are.
Anyway, I'm sorry if it takes awhile to bring it out, I've not made the fish special in some time, so it may take me a bit to make it right.

And I'm also sorry for the bad company, since nobody usually drinks around this time of day, which is why I thought it'd be better to come around at this time, but since I've not been here in so long, I suppose that I'd forgotten what happens when around this place.

Well, I'll be back in a bit with your food.
It may not be what you're used to, but I'll try my best.
If you'd like something to drink while I'm away, you can ask the bartender, and he'll give you whatever you wish, since he's what some would call "famous" for the drinks he makes, and never misses a chance to show off what he can do.[/i][/b][/size]

I leave the table and go into the kitchen.
Half an hour later I return with the requested dish.

I'm sorry for the wait.
It took me so long to finish the dish because if you don't cook the fish just right, the whole dish gets ruined...

I tried to make it the best I could, so I hope you're able to at least enjoy it a little bit.
Just tell me anything you think I should do to fix it in the future if you find anything wrong with it, alright?[/i][/b][/size]

[clyde]

(Totally forgot this thread existed DX)

"Very well." Clyde waved him off and Zero went to the kitchen to prepare the food. This was going to be a very long wait.

The half-hour wait to Clyde felt very much like an eternity. Most of it was spent scowling at stupid people. The amount of debauchery here was ridiculous, and he certainly made note of it for the next time he came around this area. But then Zero came back with his dish. It certainly didn't look like anything particularly special, but it did look nice and appetizing.

Taking his utensils in hand, he began to cut into the fish, it was nice and easy to cut, like a fish should be. So far so good. Clyde found himself starting to want to dislike it, but quickly dismissed that. This man tried to make him a good meal, even after being ridiculed. Strangely, Clyde didn't think this man one to poison him. There was little reason to, even for a pirate.

Then Clyde took his first bite. Chewing and swallowing the piece of fish, he nodded approvingly. "Hmm, quite good." He began to continue slowly eating his fish.

[Caramon Zero]

{Hey, it's alright, I almost forgot about it myself...}

I sit down across from the man and watch as he cuts the fish.

So far, so good.
Be I have to wait and see...[/size][/color]

As he puts the fish in his mouth, my eyes grow wide, then relax after hearing the good news.

That's good then, because that's how it's supposed to taste, otherwise I couldn't call myself a chef anymore.
By the way, what would you like to drink?
I got some Lon Lon Milk, but I'm unsure of what you'd prefer.
Sadly, I can't drink alcohol, or I have to pay to have this place rebuilt again.[/b][/size][/color]

I let out a light chuckle after saying this and remembering the time Drayke wrecked the place in a drunken fury and I had to pay for damages.
I sit back and let the man enjoy his meal while I occasionally sip my milk, checking to see if he finds anything particularly different about my dish.

[clyde]

While Clyde finished masticating the piece of fish, he nodded in approval and motioned with his hand towards the milk. "Some milk sounds good" he mentioned after swallowing. Things were looking up. He had a delicious piece of fish and some fresh milk to tide him over until he had to sit around and wait for a response to his letters. The next few weeks would prove to be quite interesting.

Suddenly, one of the drunken patrons decided to get a little hot-headed and upset about something. Clyde simply looked over and rolled his eyes, continuing his meal, readying his staff just in case something bad were to happen.

"Fools. All of them" he muttered under his breath, continuing to enjoy his fish.

[Caramon Zero]

I pour some of the milk into a glass and set it in front of Clyde after he swallows down some more of the fish.
For some reason, he doesn't seem as grouchy as he was earlier, I guess a good meal will make anyone come out of a sour mood.

I turn around after hearing all the ruckus behind me and glare at the poor drunks, but I just can't help but laugh at the expressions they give me, so I quickly turn around and take another sip of my milk.

Directly after doing so I can make out Clyde saying something to himself about "fools", but I decide to ignore it and just let him eat.

[clyde]

Before long the ruckus had quieted down and Clyde was finished with his meal, milk, fish, the lot of it was gone. With a deep sigh of contentment Clyde looked to Zero, not nearly as upset as he was before.

"I suppose I should thank you. For a thief, you make a good meal. And as far as I can tell, it wasn't poisoned. What do owe you?" He pulled out a small pouch, containing his spending money. He didn't think it would be too steep of a price, other than the food this appeared to be a fairly low-end establishment. Besides, he knew a thing or two about haggling.

[Caramon Zero]

Upon hearing the man ask what he owes, my face twists into a look of confusion, then I simply smile and lean back in my chair as I pretend to think it over.
After some time of "thinking", I sit up straight and look him in the eyes.

You owe me.... nothing!

Is it so wrong for someone to do something and not ask for anything in return?
Or do people not do that anymore?

Oh, I paid for your meal too, so you don't have to worry about that either.

I may be a Pirate, but you know, I don't really care for the whole "taking advantage of people" thing, it's just not my style.
I prefer "helping those that need it" over "taking whatever you want".

In your case, it seemed to me that you need something to lighten your mood, so I thought that a little food'd cheer you up, and it seems to have done the trick, though I may be reading into it too much...[/size][/i][/b]

After I say this, I stand up and return the bottle and dishes to the bartender before returning to the table and asking a couple things to my acquaintance.

I'm just curious about his, but why is it that so many people try to arrest me just because of the banner I fly when they don't even know me?
I can understand that Pirates have a certain reputation for causing mayhem, but there's more to some of us than most people'd think.
Look at what happened from when we met awhile ago and now, I told you what I was, and you threatened to call the guards, then you learned a bit more about me and I treated you to a meal, not to keep you quiet, but because I felt is was the right thing to do for causing you trouble.
But if you're insistent on doing something for me, all you have to do is call on me if you need any help with something, alright?[/size][/i][/b]

[clyde]

Clyde wasn't going to argue with hospitality, and it was true that Clyde was sometimes a bit moody and unsatisfied. Besides, he wasn't going to argue with a pirate in this tavern, though it did give him the itch to leave. He was still associating with a criminal, despite whatever justifications he may make.

"I won't object then. Thanks for the food." He kept his words short, his sentences brief. The sooner he could leave, the better.

Then Caramon began to ask about the arrests. As he continued to ask his long-winded question, Clyde's face turned into one of disbelief. Was he still going on about this? It was all so painfully obvious, did he need justification, or was he really confused about it?

"You wear the label pirate like it's a badge of honor. A pirate is a thief, and a thief is a criminal. You may be the nicest person in all of Hyrule, it does overcome the fact that you are a criminal, and as a criminal people, myself included, will want to see you behind bars. I have no doubt that you are a decent person, as you did just serve me a free meal that wasn't poisoned, but you're a pirate, and until you renounce your ways people will call the guards on you. It's as simple as that." He got out of his chair and grabbed his staff, ready to walk away.

"I ask that you do not follow me. If you do, I will not hesitate to have you arrested." He received a few dirty looks from the patrons as he walked out, and didn't look back to the pirate. Their dialogue was over.

EXIT[/i][/u]