Post by mairi on Jun 12, 2008 20:41:04 GMT -6
[11:21] CaptainJackFlynn: What would Mairi think as the door to the cabin she shared with Jack was opened gently? As he eased in quietly, Mairi would see that he gently cradled Seanna against his chest. It was clear that the wee girl was sleeping, from the way he breathing was evenly and the way she had her thumb into her mouth. There was a soft smile as he caught her eye, lightly touching his finger to his lips. "She's 'ad a big day...." Jack quietly moved toward Seanna's crib, laying his daughter gently in it.
[11:24] CaptainJackFlynn: "I dun think we've taken 'er ta a market before." There was a quietly smile, as he saw that Mairi hadn't moved away from where she sat. When she turned back to the task at hand, the Irishman smiled softly as he retrieved his plain, brown wrapped package from the pocket quietly. As she combed out her hair, the Irishman gently opened it and then moved up behind her. What would she do, as she watched in the mirror as Jack gently draped the sea shell necklace around her gentle throat and fastened it.
[11:25] CaptainJackFlynn: The sea shell's medallion was the very pretty, very colorful sea shell that Seanna had found on the beach. There was a soft kiss to her cheek as he whsipered, "We got you something." (d)
[11:30] Pride of Eireann: Mairi was readying herself for an early evening in when Jack and Seanna came home. Before he came in, she had been sitting on the bed, nearly nodding off, but had moved before the mirror to brush her hair to wait up for them. She nodded at the sight of Seanna, and took a moment to look her over. Dressed in her shift, she was. Though her hair always appeared so wild, Mairi indeed did brush it--usually twice per day--but the curly mass could not be contained, even in braids. "What are ye up to?" she asked softly, seeing Jack handle some object in the reflection. When he
[11:33] Pride of Eireann: at last fastened the necklace around her and she recognized the shell, she smiled--and many of her cares seemed to be lifted from her shoulders. "Ye are me two favorite people," she smiled sincerely and admired the necklace. Despite it being nearly time to sleep, she wouldn't take it off. "I figured ye'd be soon. Dinner should be in soon; I treated one of yer men to supper if he'd bring us back food from the tavern." The table was already set up to eat also. "This is very thoughtful." She smiled and looked lovingly at the necklace in the mirror. "Ye two always have yer heart lookin' to the sea." This time she stated it without resentment. A letter rested on the small table where the dinner would rest shortly. She cast her
[11:33] Pride of Eireann: gaze in that direction and smiled at it, but would wait to see if he asked. (d)
[11:43] CaptainJackFlynn: There was a gentle kiss to her cheek again. "We always 'ave our hearts lookin' ta ye," He corrected softly. Jack smiled softly, slipping his arm around her waist as they moved toward the table. Aye, this wasn't the first time that Jack had seen the letter. It had been in Mairi's hand when Jack had returned from Ulster, but their argument and the reconciliatory after had distracted the both of them from it. The Irishman ignored it a bit for now, gently scooting back one of the chairs so that she could
[11:44] CaptainJackFlynn: sit down. Once she was seated at the table, the Irishman gently moved around to sit across from her. There was an arched brow toward the letter, for he saw it had his name on it. "Tis it fer me?" (d)
[11:53] Pride of Eireann: "Aye, one addressed to ye, an' another to us both. The first to ye is in Declan's hand, an' the second to us I've read...from Carrick." She would leave him to his own letter as she explained the contents of the second one. "Carrick's written about Dunluce," she said coolly, making no attempt to hide the pride she felt in what her brother had done.
[11:55] Pride of Eireann: "He's slyly rebuilding the town, puttin' some money into it. Seems there's a new girl managin' the Golden Harp, makin' improvements of sorts, an' there's a blacksmith..." she raised her brow "a woman. The very same Seraphim who captured his eye so long ago, it seems." Mairi then moved to the table and pushed the letters toward him to read. Carrick also wrote that even Murphy, his scraggly Irish wolfhound, missed Dog, and that he eagerly awaited their return. "He's in a bright mood...methinks it is this lady who has warmed his heart," she said softly, with approval. "He spoke to me before of marryin' her, but he was havin' trouble
[11:58] Pride of Eireann: gettin' permission from her da," she said. "Man lives far away somewhere." She was happy for her brother, and knew that love would increase his motivation to secure the town. "He mentioned that more Irishmen are turnin' up dead...seems there's a sort of Anglishman goin' around, pickin' 'em off one by one as I do to them. I will find and destroy the Anglishman that's doin' this," she said, still cool in tone. It was a war. People died. But Mairi always won. (d)
[12:14] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman almost could not hide his own smile, as he asked (as casually as he could), "An' wot does Carrick be sayin' bout tha fae armies marchin' ta war?" Amongst the Irish around Dunluce, the threat of a fairy army readying for war had struck fear into the hearts of the Irishman that had gone to the English side. The loyal Irish had been craving to go out into the glens and sacred groves to join the fae cavalcades. The Irishman, of course, had spread the rumors near Dunluce. The Irishman was
[12:18] CaptainJackFlynn: scanning the first note, the note that Mairi had read, at best. He trusted what Mairi told him to be true. As for hearing about the woman that Carrick had his eye on, he smiled, "Aye, seemed ta be a loyal ta 'er." There was a smile, "'E would nae e'en flirt wit' a girl in Dunluce...." And, of course, before Mairi could explain the Irishman related the story of the loyal Celtic girl who had turned spy -- needing to be won, of course, by none other than Father Delcan. As he folded Carrick letter closed, the
[12:19] CaptainJackFlynn: Irishman finsihed his own tale, "....an' iffen it were nae fer tha' girl, ye would nae 'ave yer Tara brooch back. When we lay siege ta Dunluce, tha gates shall be opened for us. Tis tha hope, anyway." (d)
[12:22] Pride of Eireann: "Carrick says ye've devised a trick to rouse the loyal Irish an' scare away those that aren't," Mairi said with approval. "So I find meself in agreement with the plan, a cara." As Jack finished reading the letters, there was a knock on the cabin door. Mairi permitted the sailor to enter, with warm food fresh from the tavern. "Thanks for the meal, Ceannfort," he said gratefully, and served the food. "Captain," he bowed respectfully before exiting. There was roast rabbit and chicken within, wine and meade, as well as a healthy serving of vegetables and a large chunk of bread, which Mairi immediately seized. "Honeyed bread," she said of it as she bit, "reminds me of the Golden Harp." (d)
[13:38] CaptainJackFlynn: There was a soft smile as he looked up to her, "I did nae think tha ye liked honeyed breads...." He grinned. Had her pregnancy given her a sweet tooth? After replacing Carrick's note on the table, he took up Declan's note. After breaking the seal, he began to read. Did his eyes acctually start to gaze over? At length, he finally laughed and shooked his head. "Yer brother, tha Fat'er, sure likes ta write. Basically, he tis sayin' what 'e told me in Ulster. Tha' I can be marryin' ye. Sae long as I know
[13:39] CaptainJackFlynn: tha' iffen I miss treat ye er break yer 'eart, he shall be be damin' me ta tha' rings o' Hell." (d)
[13:45] Pride of Eireann: "Aye, that sounds like Declan." Mairi was eager with the bread, but at the same time she set food out for Jack to make sure he ate. "Sit an' eat something," she said with her mouth full. She wanted to take care of him. "I don't recall likin' the honey bread so much as I do now... reminds me of home perhaps, else maybe it's due to the babe. Usually I prefer rye," she agreed with his observation. She pushed her hair behind her shoulders as she ate. It would need to be cut soon, but she wasn't sure she trusted Jack do it evenly. All sailors knew how to braid well enough, though, so after dinner she would have him braid her hair as she wanted. "I am eager to see me brothers; I miss them." (d)
[13:59] CaptainJackFlynn: There was a smile on Jack's features as he joined Mairi at the table. Proving that he was, in fact, a good husband the Irishman went and sat across from her. There was a soft smile upon his features, "Aye. I would like ta see Carrick again, an' Declan tae." (d)
[14:02] Pride of Eireann: "How soon are we to go?" She said, mouth still full of bread as she started on the meat. Mairi poured him a glass of the meade as she chewed, encouraging him to eat and drink. No doubt he'd had a long day at the market. She knew they must have eaten, or Seanna would be awake and cranky rather than soundly asleep as she was. "Me brothers rarely both like the same person," she went on, "they're different from each other, very much so as I'm sure ye noticed. I've always been partial to Carrick...he an' I are alike. If this woman of his is isn't good enough, I'm not sure what I'll do." (d)
[14:05] CaptainJackFlynn: There was a gentle bit of laughter at her comments about Carrick and his woman. Then he said, "Ye sound like yer Ma." He hid his smile. Then he smiled at Mairi, and said, "Tha fleet'll sail, soon as we 'ave the approval o' the Duke an' Duchess." (d)
[14:09] Pride of Eireann: "I'm growin' impatient as I grow with child, a cara," Mairi said with a warning tone. "I want to be a part of this. I don't mind standin' back at some points, but I want to be there, an' I want the people to know I'm there." Mairi was right--it was the best way to rally those loyal...to show them that Mairi was, in fact, alive and there."Will ye eat something, Jack?" She paused in eating, then canted her head to the side. She was already growing a bit self-conscious about how her body would change. Last time it was nothing but natural, of course, but she hadn't had a present h usband to consider, either. She didn't want to gain all that weight without Jack at least putting on a pound or two! (d)
[14:12] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman had been eating, just not at the same speed she was. Which was why he stopped as he had his fork -- ladden with rabbit flesh -- between his plate and mouth and kinda stared at Mairi. Then he started eating again. The Irishman nodded quietly as chewed his meal thoughtfully. "I dae remember our agreement, anam cara. Ye will be there, an' upon tha field o' war. Sae long as ye dae stay back from time ta time." (d)
[14:15] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman paused in his eating, looking at Mairi. Then he said, "I shall tell ye true, when tha armies dae land at Ulster..... tha' while ye will nae be tha' first upon Ulster's shores, tha' ye will nae be far behind." (d)
[14:16] Pride of Eireann: She nodded and watched him eat, then nodded again at his recollection of their discussion. "I just want to make sure I'm not too big to be walkin' around and defendin' meself," she told him, obviously uncompromising on her position. "I want to be the one to kill their general," she said as a matter of conversation as she continued to eat. "Not fer me, but fer Ulster. I want it to be done as an example of what happens to invaders," she explained. "I don't mean to glorify the killin'...though it will be glorious." (d)
[14:18] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman groaned quietly. Most likely, it would be the Irishman himself that would deal the killing blow to the English general. Unless Mairi wanted to play the part of the executioner. "Iffen ye dae nae mind bein' tha exceutioner, then I dae nae mind ye killin' tha Anglish Lord." (d)
[14:21] Pride of Eireann: "Agreed. I want him captured. It will be ceremonial, an' the blood will be given to the Goddess." Mairi ate most of what was on her plate then went for more bread. "Don't mention that to Declan, though," she grinned. "Anyhow, Ulster is twice blessed, in the old religion an' in the new. Declan baptized Seanna; she can go to Mass if he wants, but she'll see every ritual I'm a part of." She said this rather seriously, with conviction, and then actually blushed slightly. "Almost every one." Her eyes widened for Jack. (d)
[14:24] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman grinned at the last part, "I would nae mind bein' watched as we reknew tha Beltaine rights...." Given more pagan times, the Irishman would have seen all gathered around at the time of Beltaine to watch as he proved Mairi -- and the earth -- fertile. Then he said, "I dae nae want Seanna seein' tha Anglishman bein' offered ta Morrginan an' tha Goddess." He met her eyes evenly, "Ye an' I know tha' she'll be 'avin' nightmares o'er it." (d)
[14:32] Pride of Eireann: Finished eating, Mairi pushed her plate forward and sighed over that issue. It would be violent for the child to watch. "Aye. I want her safe, away from the war. But as she grows older an' learns to wield a sword, she will have to understand how necessary it is. An Irish woman has no choice. An Anglishman will likely rape her if she doesn't kill him first, that's the way of it, an' the more fire a woman has in her eyes, the more likely he is to want to put her down." Mairi herself had experienced a few close calls in this area, and did not fancy the idea of her daughter having a naive upbringing in that area. "As for the Beltaine rites, next year we can begin at the fires," she said to him, allowing a wicked smile to grow, "ye can make a show of takin' me into the cove if ye want. Assuming yer my chosen Consort again next year." That last bit was said somewhat seriously. It was not her duty to choose her lover, but to choose the most capable man. She was fortunate in that Jack was presently such. (d)
[14:37] CaptainJackFlynn: Seeing that she stopped eating, Jack wondered if she really was finished eating. Queitly, he slid a bit more of the sweet bread toward her. "I 'ave nae objection fer 'er to learnin' tha blade, anam cara. She can be understandin' it." Jack said, "I just dae nae wish her ta view a human sacrifice.... an' I feel there shall nae be any after tha war." (d)
[14:40] Pride of Eireann: Mairi nodded. "Well enough. I will take the blame fer the one that ends the war. IT would not be the first time I've been called a barbarian, an' I hope it won't be the last." Mairi eyed the bread and reached a fair-skinned hand out to grab it. Her movements, tempered by the sword, were so graceful and womanly, to match her features, but her athletic form set into motion, as Jack had seen before, was brutal and unforgiving towards her enemies. As she began to eat the bread, she looked to him with full eyes. She would need to be alone with him after the sacrifice...she was certain of it. The smell of blood and the taste of victory demanded it. "Ye will be fulfillin' yer obligations as consort after the victory, of course." That was not a question. It was an order. (d)
[14:43] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman smiled softly, "Oh, aye. Nae doubt." There was a smile softly. Before he said, at last, "I shall nae be lettin' ye sacrifice tha Anglishman alone. I am nae a small lad, anam cara. I 'ave slit men's throats before." (d)
[14:45] Pride of Eireann: "I don't have to fight him, Jack. Ye can bind him, bring him to me, an' I will do the killin', I want people seein' I'm not afraid to do what I swore to do, an' that I've chosen a worthy consort who can subdue the enemy and bring me the prize." She hoped that explanation would offer more consolation--for both her safety, if the man was bound, and for Jack's role in the matter. (d)
[14:48] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman had been worried about his role in the matter. He did not simply want to sit idle during the sacrifice, for it would look bad to the people. It would be better if he helped. There was a smile, before he said, "An' I hope tha' ye 'ave mah kilt finsihed by tha' time." (d)
[14:51] Pride of Eireann: "What do ye think I was workin' on inside all this time while ye were out with Seanna? It's too hard to work on it while she's here with me. She wants always to be on me lap, an' I can't have her there with a needle." She smiled lovingly at him. "I'll be proud to have ye wear me colors in battle, an' the brooch. Carrick's a brooch like it, smaller an' made of brass. He's havin' the smaller ones made fer all the men who'll lead others in battle... likely Sara if she's able to be found..." she trailed off, having memories of her friend and former general. "Robb should get one, too." (d)
[15:04] Pride of Eireann: [14:51] Pride of Eireann: "What do ye think I was workin' on inside all this time while ye were out with Seanna? It's too hard to work on it while she's here with me. She wants always to be on me lap, an' I can't have her there with a needle." She smiled lovingly at him. "I'll be proud to have ye wear me colors in battle, an' the brooch. Carrick's a brooch like it, smaller an' made of brass. He's havin' the smaller ones made fer all the men who'll lead others in battle... likely Sara if she's able to be found..." she trailed off, having memories of her friend and former general. "Robb should get one, too." (d)
[15:07] CaptainJackFlynn: Jack smiled softly, "Aye, sounds ta be a good thin' ta hand out tha brooches." The smile grew, however, as he thought of the night they would sacrifice the Anglishman. He in his kilt and nothing else, allowing all to see his flesh so illustrated like an illuminated manuscript. Oh aye, she would have the smell of blood and taste of victory as well. (d)
[15:10] Pride of Eireann: ....Not to mention her consort, her ultimate conquest. She grinned at that, pent-up fire in her eyes, but she looked to the sleeping baby and decided that she didn't want to move her. Finishing another piece of bread, she looked lovingly at Jack: "I wonder what it feels like to live in a land entirely at peace? Livin' with ye on the sea is the closest I have been to that; but Ireland is always in me heart, written there as is me love for ye on the hand." She placed her tattooed left hand on the table then. (d)
[15:11] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman was quiet for a while, before he said, "I have ne'er had a true home, an' 'ave found one through yer tales o' Ulster. It 'as become me 'ome as well." He rested his hand on top of her own, gently offering it a squeeze. (d)
[11:24] CaptainJackFlynn: "I dun think we've taken 'er ta a market before." There was a quietly smile, as he saw that Mairi hadn't moved away from where she sat. When she turned back to the task at hand, the Irishman smiled softly as he retrieved his plain, brown wrapped package from the pocket quietly. As she combed out her hair, the Irishman gently opened it and then moved up behind her. What would she do, as she watched in the mirror as Jack gently draped the sea shell necklace around her gentle throat and fastened it.
[11:25] CaptainJackFlynn: The sea shell's medallion was the very pretty, very colorful sea shell that Seanna had found on the beach. There was a soft kiss to her cheek as he whsipered, "We got you something." (d)
[11:30] Pride of Eireann: Mairi was readying herself for an early evening in when Jack and Seanna came home. Before he came in, she had been sitting on the bed, nearly nodding off, but had moved before the mirror to brush her hair to wait up for them. She nodded at the sight of Seanna, and took a moment to look her over. Dressed in her shift, she was. Though her hair always appeared so wild, Mairi indeed did brush it--usually twice per day--but the curly mass could not be contained, even in braids. "What are ye up to?" she asked softly, seeing Jack handle some object in the reflection. When he
[11:33] Pride of Eireann: at last fastened the necklace around her and she recognized the shell, she smiled--and many of her cares seemed to be lifted from her shoulders. "Ye are me two favorite people," she smiled sincerely and admired the necklace. Despite it being nearly time to sleep, she wouldn't take it off. "I figured ye'd be soon. Dinner should be in soon; I treated one of yer men to supper if he'd bring us back food from the tavern." The table was already set up to eat also. "This is very thoughtful." She smiled and looked lovingly at the necklace in the mirror. "Ye two always have yer heart lookin' to the sea." This time she stated it without resentment. A letter rested on the small table where the dinner would rest shortly. She cast her
[11:33] Pride of Eireann: gaze in that direction and smiled at it, but would wait to see if he asked. (d)
[11:43] CaptainJackFlynn: There was a gentle kiss to her cheek again. "We always 'ave our hearts lookin' ta ye," He corrected softly. Jack smiled softly, slipping his arm around her waist as they moved toward the table. Aye, this wasn't the first time that Jack had seen the letter. It had been in Mairi's hand when Jack had returned from Ulster, but their argument and the reconciliatory after had distracted the both of them from it. The Irishman ignored it a bit for now, gently scooting back one of the chairs so that she could
[11:44] CaptainJackFlynn: sit down. Once she was seated at the table, the Irishman gently moved around to sit across from her. There was an arched brow toward the letter, for he saw it had his name on it. "Tis it fer me?" (d)
[11:53] Pride of Eireann: "Aye, one addressed to ye, an' another to us both. The first to ye is in Declan's hand, an' the second to us I've read...from Carrick." She would leave him to his own letter as she explained the contents of the second one. "Carrick's written about Dunluce," she said coolly, making no attempt to hide the pride she felt in what her brother had done.
[11:55] Pride of Eireann: "He's slyly rebuilding the town, puttin' some money into it. Seems there's a new girl managin' the Golden Harp, makin' improvements of sorts, an' there's a blacksmith..." she raised her brow "a woman. The very same Seraphim who captured his eye so long ago, it seems." Mairi then moved to the table and pushed the letters toward him to read. Carrick also wrote that even Murphy, his scraggly Irish wolfhound, missed Dog, and that he eagerly awaited their return. "He's in a bright mood...methinks it is this lady who has warmed his heart," she said softly, with approval. "He spoke to me before of marryin' her, but he was havin' trouble
[11:58] Pride of Eireann: gettin' permission from her da," she said. "Man lives far away somewhere." She was happy for her brother, and knew that love would increase his motivation to secure the town. "He mentioned that more Irishmen are turnin' up dead...seems there's a sort of Anglishman goin' around, pickin' 'em off one by one as I do to them. I will find and destroy the Anglishman that's doin' this," she said, still cool in tone. It was a war. People died. But Mairi always won. (d)
[12:14] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman almost could not hide his own smile, as he asked (as casually as he could), "An' wot does Carrick be sayin' bout tha fae armies marchin' ta war?" Amongst the Irish around Dunluce, the threat of a fairy army readying for war had struck fear into the hearts of the Irishman that had gone to the English side. The loyal Irish had been craving to go out into the glens and sacred groves to join the fae cavalcades. The Irishman, of course, had spread the rumors near Dunluce. The Irishman was
[12:18] CaptainJackFlynn: scanning the first note, the note that Mairi had read, at best. He trusted what Mairi told him to be true. As for hearing about the woman that Carrick had his eye on, he smiled, "Aye, seemed ta be a loyal ta 'er." There was a smile, "'E would nae e'en flirt wit' a girl in Dunluce...." And, of course, before Mairi could explain the Irishman related the story of the loyal Celtic girl who had turned spy -- needing to be won, of course, by none other than Father Delcan. As he folded Carrick letter closed, the
[12:19] CaptainJackFlynn: Irishman finsihed his own tale, "....an' iffen it were nae fer tha' girl, ye would nae 'ave yer Tara brooch back. When we lay siege ta Dunluce, tha gates shall be opened for us. Tis tha hope, anyway." (d)
[12:22] Pride of Eireann: "Carrick says ye've devised a trick to rouse the loyal Irish an' scare away those that aren't," Mairi said with approval. "So I find meself in agreement with the plan, a cara." As Jack finished reading the letters, there was a knock on the cabin door. Mairi permitted the sailor to enter, with warm food fresh from the tavern. "Thanks for the meal, Ceannfort," he said gratefully, and served the food. "Captain," he bowed respectfully before exiting. There was roast rabbit and chicken within, wine and meade, as well as a healthy serving of vegetables and a large chunk of bread, which Mairi immediately seized. "Honeyed bread," she said of it as she bit, "reminds me of the Golden Harp." (d)
[13:38] CaptainJackFlynn: There was a soft smile as he looked up to her, "I did nae think tha ye liked honeyed breads...." He grinned. Had her pregnancy given her a sweet tooth? After replacing Carrick's note on the table, he took up Declan's note. After breaking the seal, he began to read. Did his eyes acctually start to gaze over? At length, he finally laughed and shooked his head. "Yer brother, tha Fat'er, sure likes ta write. Basically, he tis sayin' what 'e told me in Ulster. Tha' I can be marryin' ye. Sae long as I know
[13:39] CaptainJackFlynn: tha' iffen I miss treat ye er break yer 'eart, he shall be be damin' me ta tha' rings o' Hell." (d)
[13:45] Pride of Eireann: "Aye, that sounds like Declan." Mairi was eager with the bread, but at the same time she set food out for Jack to make sure he ate. "Sit an' eat something," she said with her mouth full. She wanted to take care of him. "I don't recall likin' the honey bread so much as I do now... reminds me of home perhaps, else maybe it's due to the babe. Usually I prefer rye," she agreed with his observation. She pushed her hair behind her shoulders as she ate. It would need to be cut soon, but she wasn't sure she trusted Jack do it evenly. All sailors knew how to braid well enough, though, so after dinner she would have him braid her hair as she wanted. "I am eager to see me brothers; I miss them." (d)
[13:59] CaptainJackFlynn: There was a smile on Jack's features as he joined Mairi at the table. Proving that he was, in fact, a good husband the Irishman went and sat across from her. There was a soft smile upon his features, "Aye. I would like ta see Carrick again, an' Declan tae." (d)
[14:02] Pride of Eireann: "How soon are we to go?" She said, mouth still full of bread as she started on the meat. Mairi poured him a glass of the meade as she chewed, encouraging him to eat and drink. No doubt he'd had a long day at the market. She knew they must have eaten, or Seanna would be awake and cranky rather than soundly asleep as she was. "Me brothers rarely both like the same person," she went on, "they're different from each other, very much so as I'm sure ye noticed. I've always been partial to Carrick...he an' I are alike. If this woman of his is isn't good enough, I'm not sure what I'll do." (d)
[14:05] CaptainJackFlynn: There was a gentle bit of laughter at her comments about Carrick and his woman. Then he said, "Ye sound like yer Ma." He hid his smile. Then he smiled at Mairi, and said, "Tha fleet'll sail, soon as we 'ave the approval o' the Duke an' Duchess." (d)
[14:09] Pride of Eireann: "I'm growin' impatient as I grow with child, a cara," Mairi said with a warning tone. "I want to be a part of this. I don't mind standin' back at some points, but I want to be there, an' I want the people to know I'm there." Mairi was right--it was the best way to rally those loyal...to show them that Mairi was, in fact, alive and there."Will ye eat something, Jack?" She paused in eating, then canted her head to the side. She was already growing a bit self-conscious about how her body would change. Last time it was nothing but natural, of course, but she hadn't had a present h usband to consider, either. She didn't want to gain all that weight without Jack at least putting on a pound or two! (d)
[14:12] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman had been eating, just not at the same speed she was. Which was why he stopped as he had his fork -- ladden with rabbit flesh -- between his plate and mouth and kinda stared at Mairi. Then he started eating again. The Irishman nodded quietly as chewed his meal thoughtfully. "I dae remember our agreement, anam cara. Ye will be there, an' upon tha field o' war. Sae long as ye dae stay back from time ta time." (d)
[14:15] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman paused in his eating, looking at Mairi. Then he said, "I shall tell ye true, when tha armies dae land at Ulster..... tha' while ye will nae be tha' first upon Ulster's shores, tha' ye will nae be far behind." (d)
[14:16] Pride of Eireann: She nodded and watched him eat, then nodded again at his recollection of their discussion. "I just want to make sure I'm not too big to be walkin' around and defendin' meself," she told him, obviously uncompromising on her position. "I want to be the one to kill their general," she said as a matter of conversation as she continued to eat. "Not fer me, but fer Ulster. I want it to be done as an example of what happens to invaders," she explained. "I don't mean to glorify the killin'...though it will be glorious." (d)
[14:18] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman groaned quietly. Most likely, it would be the Irishman himself that would deal the killing blow to the English general. Unless Mairi wanted to play the part of the executioner. "Iffen ye dae nae mind bein' tha exceutioner, then I dae nae mind ye killin' tha Anglish Lord." (d)
[14:21] Pride of Eireann: "Agreed. I want him captured. It will be ceremonial, an' the blood will be given to the Goddess." Mairi ate most of what was on her plate then went for more bread. "Don't mention that to Declan, though," she grinned. "Anyhow, Ulster is twice blessed, in the old religion an' in the new. Declan baptized Seanna; she can go to Mass if he wants, but she'll see every ritual I'm a part of." She said this rather seriously, with conviction, and then actually blushed slightly. "Almost every one." Her eyes widened for Jack. (d)
[14:24] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman grinned at the last part, "I would nae mind bein' watched as we reknew tha Beltaine rights...." Given more pagan times, the Irishman would have seen all gathered around at the time of Beltaine to watch as he proved Mairi -- and the earth -- fertile. Then he said, "I dae nae want Seanna seein' tha Anglishman bein' offered ta Morrginan an' tha Goddess." He met her eyes evenly, "Ye an' I know tha' she'll be 'avin' nightmares o'er it." (d)
[14:32] Pride of Eireann: Finished eating, Mairi pushed her plate forward and sighed over that issue. It would be violent for the child to watch. "Aye. I want her safe, away from the war. But as she grows older an' learns to wield a sword, she will have to understand how necessary it is. An Irish woman has no choice. An Anglishman will likely rape her if she doesn't kill him first, that's the way of it, an' the more fire a woman has in her eyes, the more likely he is to want to put her down." Mairi herself had experienced a few close calls in this area, and did not fancy the idea of her daughter having a naive upbringing in that area. "As for the Beltaine rites, next year we can begin at the fires," she said to him, allowing a wicked smile to grow, "ye can make a show of takin' me into the cove if ye want. Assuming yer my chosen Consort again next year." That last bit was said somewhat seriously. It was not her duty to choose her lover, but to choose the most capable man. She was fortunate in that Jack was presently such. (d)
[14:37] CaptainJackFlynn: Seeing that she stopped eating, Jack wondered if she really was finished eating. Queitly, he slid a bit more of the sweet bread toward her. "I 'ave nae objection fer 'er to learnin' tha blade, anam cara. She can be understandin' it." Jack said, "I just dae nae wish her ta view a human sacrifice.... an' I feel there shall nae be any after tha war." (d)
[14:40] Pride of Eireann: Mairi nodded. "Well enough. I will take the blame fer the one that ends the war. IT would not be the first time I've been called a barbarian, an' I hope it won't be the last." Mairi eyed the bread and reached a fair-skinned hand out to grab it. Her movements, tempered by the sword, were so graceful and womanly, to match her features, but her athletic form set into motion, as Jack had seen before, was brutal and unforgiving towards her enemies. As she began to eat the bread, she looked to him with full eyes. She would need to be alone with him after the sacrifice...she was certain of it. The smell of blood and the taste of victory demanded it. "Ye will be fulfillin' yer obligations as consort after the victory, of course." That was not a question. It was an order. (d)
[14:43] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman smiled softly, "Oh, aye. Nae doubt." There was a smile softly. Before he said, at last, "I shall nae be lettin' ye sacrifice tha Anglishman alone. I am nae a small lad, anam cara. I 'ave slit men's throats before." (d)
[14:45] Pride of Eireann: "I don't have to fight him, Jack. Ye can bind him, bring him to me, an' I will do the killin', I want people seein' I'm not afraid to do what I swore to do, an' that I've chosen a worthy consort who can subdue the enemy and bring me the prize." She hoped that explanation would offer more consolation--for both her safety, if the man was bound, and for Jack's role in the matter. (d)
[14:48] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman had been worried about his role in the matter. He did not simply want to sit idle during the sacrifice, for it would look bad to the people. It would be better if he helped. There was a smile, before he said, "An' I hope tha' ye 'ave mah kilt finsihed by tha' time." (d)
[14:51] Pride of Eireann: "What do ye think I was workin' on inside all this time while ye were out with Seanna? It's too hard to work on it while she's here with me. She wants always to be on me lap, an' I can't have her there with a needle." She smiled lovingly at him. "I'll be proud to have ye wear me colors in battle, an' the brooch. Carrick's a brooch like it, smaller an' made of brass. He's havin' the smaller ones made fer all the men who'll lead others in battle... likely Sara if she's able to be found..." she trailed off, having memories of her friend and former general. "Robb should get one, too." (d)
[15:04] Pride of Eireann: [14:51] Pride of Eireann: "What do ye think I was workin' on inside all this time while ye were out with Seanna? It's too hard to work on it while she's here with me. She wants always to be on me lap, an' I can't have her there with a needle." She smiled lovingly at him. "I'll be proud to have ye wear me colors in battle, an' the brooch. Carrick's a brooch like it, smaller an' made of brass. He's havin' the smaller ones made fer all the men who'll lead others in battle... likely Sara if she's able to be found..." she trailed off, having memories of her friend and former general. "Robb should get one, too." (d)
[15:07] CaptainJackFlynn: Jack smiled softly, "Aye, sounds ta be a good thin' ta hand out tha brooches." The smile grew, however, as he thought of the night they would sacrifice the Anglishman. He in his kilt and nothing else, allowing all to see his flesh so illustrated like an illuminated manuscript. Oh aye, she would have the smell of blood and taste of victory as well. (d)
[15:10] Pride of Eireann: ....Not to mention her consort, her ultimate conquest. She grinned at that, pent-up fire in her eyes, but she looked to the sleeping baby and decided that she didn't want to move her. Finishing another piece of bread, she looked lovingly at Jack: "I wonder what it feels like to live in a land entirely at peace? Livin' with ye on the sea is the closest I have been to that; but Ireland is always in me heart, written there as is me love for ye on the hand." She placed her tattooed left hand on the table then. (d)
[15:11] CaptainJackFlynn: The Irishman was quiet for a while, before he said, "I have ne'er had a true home, an' 'ave found one through yer tales o' Ulster. It 'as become me 'ome as well." He rested his hand on top of her own, gently offering it a squeeze. (d)