[Sometime during AU week]

[the_ex_in_xp]

[meanwhile at the dorms, a half-pirate and some girl who managed a +3 lockpicking skill in her bag of tricks are trying to break in to "their" room]

This lock is way more sophisticated than the others. You'd think they were worried about unsavory people trying to break in...

Comments

[the_ex_in_xp]

[looking a little taken aback, because having someone doing nice things in her defense is something she gets intellectually, but emotionally it's still 404 not found]

Did you just curse again?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[blinking, a little surprised at herself because she didn't even know she was doing it that time]

Oh. I guess I did.

[the_ex_in_xp]

[chuckling in that unrestrained way that suggests she is at least feeling a little of the alcohol's effects]

Couple more days around me and you'll be swearing like a sailor.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Well, that'd make you more effective than actual sailors, then...

[the_ex_in_xp]

I'm way more aggravating than real sailors, so that's not hard.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Hmm, I dunno. Depends on the sailor.

[having some more bourbon]

[the_ex_in_xp]

C'mon, what sailors do you know who make you want to curse? Actual curse, no euphemisms or cutesy phrases.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Rival pirate crews, mostly. I, uh, definitely got so mad that I called one of them a mother-f'er during a fight...

[the_ex_in_xp]

"Mother fucker" you mean. It doesn't count if you don't say it.

[leaning forward with her elbows on the table, interest piqued]

You have to tell me the story. Details, Rox.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

It counts if I said it then.

It was... I don't know, he started this big thing at this tavern on this island, he wouldn't leave one of the servers alone. And then he took a cheap shot at my dad when he got asked to cut it the... heck out.

[the_ex_in_xp]

Oh, he took a shot at your dad. No wonder you unleashed the vulgarity cannons.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

And the other ones.

... I mean my fists. Not literal cannons on the pirate ship. Not over that.

[having another sip to shut herself up!]

[the_ex_in_xp]

Right, your cannon fists. The ones that hit like they were packed with gunpowder.

[smiling wider, finding this cutely charming]

[the_ex_in_excessive]

[grinning back, a little embarrassed but also encouraged by your smile]

I mean, I've never seen a good counterargument against it?

[the_ex_in_xp]

What about "ow, ow, please stop hitting me"?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

And that's supposed to make me not think my fists are like cannons how?

[the_ex_in_xp]

Oh, I never said they weren't. Just that it'd probably be a good counterargument to getting hit if they asked nicely that you stop. Which, I guess, cannonballs can't listen to please so that sort of counts?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

I mean, if they've gotten me mad enough to punch them I'm probably not gonna be swayed, yeah. That's usually after a bunch of lines have been crossed...

[the_ex_in_xp]

Well, yeah, the guy who ragged on your dad would have to say a lot more to get you to stop Inigo Montoya-ing his ass. But maybe one of those guys who got caught in the crossfire of a big tavern brawl because apparently people always have to pick sides when those things start.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Yeah. Usually it's sort of a chain thing. Like, you go with whoever you're closest to is going with...

[the_ex_in_xp]

Unless the person closest to you is the one you're itching to punch. Convenience and all that.

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Well, I was thinking of a different sort of close, but maybe that's a factor too.

[the_ex_in_xp]

[looking sheepish]

...right. Yeah. Okay, you've got a lot of experience with those types dragging you into bar brawls, huh?

[the_ex_in_excessive]

Yeah, I must run with a really rough crowd.

[the_ex_in_xp]

[tapping on her glass, that sheepish smile still wavering on her lips]

Really rough. Hope they make it worth the trouble after the dust settles.