Captain Holmes watched Watson closely as he replied, and wished he had spent more time with him previously; he was almost certain the man was telling the truth, but couldn’t be completely certain. Not yet. Even so, how extraordinary this fellow was turning out to be! Showing unexpected twist after predictable turn and then back to unexpected again, as well as his odd way of speaking and all the other little details that didn’t match up with what ought to have been. It was like finding a present wrapped in many layers, each one another small present in itself.
Of course, it might be that he was simply more kindly disposed in general due to this man’s discovery, considering it had broken the streak of boredom threatening to turn Holmes quite mad with frustration. Nevertheless…
It wasn’t that Watson was being challenging, there was no intentional bravado or provocation in his words – Captain Holmes would’ve wagered on that highly – no, it was that this strange man wasn’t so much refusing to surrender fully as he was offering a sort of conditional truce, in a way. Why this pleased Captain Holmes more than a simple agreement to his demands would have done, he couldn’t wholly say, but he would find out, by the Powers.
In a low, wry voice, Captain Holmes said with a slightly crooked cant to his lips, “Willing cooperation is easier, it’s true, and no, you are not in a position to argue; however, you are not precisely agreeing, either, are you?” Before his captive could comment or reply, Captain Holmes stood upright abruptly, shoulders back and chin at a rather haughty level, looking down with imperiously arched brows at the semi-waterlogged soldier bound before him. “Very well, then. Let us have a sort of truce then, Mr. Watson. You make no promises you cannot keep, and I shall do likewise. You give me the courtesy and obedience due me as master of this ship, until such time as one of my laws crosses your character or obligations; in which case, you will not disrupt the running of my ship nor the disposition of my crew, but come to me with whatever it is that has offended your honour or troubled your conscience.”
Behind Captain Holmes, Mr. Lestrade was trying to hide it, but some of his incredulous expression got out before he caught himself; this sort of compromise with a captive – at least one with no obvious wealth or position to provide a reason – was rather unprecedented. A few of the men standing on guard around them were not as good at hiding their surprise, and glances meant to be subtle were shared around; Lestrade cleared his throat meaningfully, bringing them back in line without a verbal challenge.
~~~
The pause between his response and the captain’s reaction wasn’t long, but still longer than he expected, subtly braced as he was was for displeasure that may or may not be instantly violent. It seemed the most likely response, really, given circumstance and Holmes’ own warnings attached to his demands; demands John could not agree to in honesty without caveats. Instead of harsh reprisal, however, he received a low, ironic reply, questioning the validity of his own answer. John couldn’t help feeling as if he were being toyed with and he raised his chin slightly, lips parting to respond – he wasn’t dissimulating, he was being precise and honest; wasn’t that better than lying outright to give the answer desired? – but the captain spoke over him before the response could even emerge.
Forcing his reaction and his words down, John listened as the captain parroted back his own assertion with a small but significant addition; he would bring any issues to the captain first, without taking any other measures. The demand – and though it was delivered like a request, there was no doubt it was a demand – was completely understandable, but dangerous all the same. It locked him in, removed any other option of recourse if things went badly (which he honestly half expected), removing even his ability to voice complaint openly if his treatment were ‘less than courteous’. He couldn’t imagine the captain would be easily accessible on the whims of a prisoner, even if he were earnest in his offer of fair treatment; particularly after he’d gotten what he wanted out of John.
The thought rankled, and there was something in the captain’s expression, his bearing, coupled with John’s realisation that made him want to comment, sarcasm bubbling up under the surface; however, contrary to popular belief, John did have a sense of self-preservation, and the reaction of the surrounding crew – some hiding their surprise better than others, but all displaying it – was telling enough that this gesture was a rarity; an unexpected leniency. It didn’t make his position any more comfortable, but it did allow him to force his reaction down again, recognizing this was as good as his situation was likely to get.
Jaw tight, John met the other man’s eyes knowingly; focus unwavering, even though the startled, likely agitated shifting behind the captain hadn’t ceased. They both knew this put him very nearly back where he started, left him exceedingly vulnerable, but there was nothing to be done for it; he had no leverage in this. Apparent leniency or not, as he understood it, the wording of their ‘agreement’ was now vaguely specific enough to make any action not explicitly granted a potential hazard, even down to his own defense, effectively tying his hands more completely than literal bonds. Still, there was little choice – there hadn’t been from the start – John had stated his limits and intentions given the situation, Holmes had responded in kind; there was no negotiation to be had, it simply was. So he didn’t attempt to clarify further, seeing the likely end of tolerance on the horizon; merely raised his chin and bit out, “Accepted, then.”
Lady Karasu 