Strafe (post: 1418986) wrote:-Jonathan-
He strolled through the city streets, slowly moving from the affluent buildings to the slums. It was the best, dry land was. He truly hated the ocean after all. Even the feeling under his feet felt right on land. And there was no chance of ruining his suits by getting wet.
He walked even slower, enjoying the solid ground. He would probably have to leave it soon enough, though maybe he could convince Song to stay in his hometown for maybe a week or so. It wasn't really much of a rush, since they weren't really doing anything or searching for anything at the moment.
Of course, Jonathan also liked his favorite past time in London, Women. Though he felt that women who wore too much make up looked artificial. He was a fan of natural beauty, that didn't have to be hidden behind a mask of powders and colors. So he walked, tipping his hat to some especially dazzling examples, much to the chagrin of their accompanying men. He really didn't mean anything by it, he just wanted to let the women know what they were. He wouldn't dare steal a woman from any man. That was just not a gentlemanly thing to do.
Of course, there were exceptions. He sometimes saw women who were with men who obviously did not deserve them, so he took it upon himself to liberate them from their captivity. This never ended well, though Jonathan would not admit it.
He noticed a raggedy girl walking behind him, seeming to go the same direction he was going. She was indeed not quite well polished, and her hair seemed to want more care than it was allotted, but an air of slight potential seemed to radiate from her fair skin. Jonathan made no motion to hide his admiration, and slight disappointment that she could not afford to be better groomed. But she walked with no man, and she seemed like she would be attracted by wealth. Perhaps he could pass the time that way. Hrm...
He walked up to her confidently. "Is it just me, or is your skin glowing, dear? I find it hard to not be distracted by it." He paused, smiling charmingly at her. "I was wondering. Are you perhaps a model of some sort for paintings? It seems highly likely to me." He put on a serious expression, as if pondering her figure. "Well I have to say, it's much too crowded in the streets to get a good impression of you. Do you have a moment? If you would like, we could get away and talk more in depth in say... in there." He pointed to a quiet cafe towards the affluent side of the city. "Would you care to join me, love?"
OOC: That's Claira, AC.
Strafe (post: 1419114) wrote:-Jonathan-
"Oh dear me. Where are my manners? My name is Jonathan Hartford, Heir to the Hartford Estate. At your service, dear." He noticed the girl getting slightly flustered, and he smiled warmly, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. "Come along then. It seems you aren't quite caught up with anything at the moment. Now's the perfect time to get a acquainted." He winked, and gently held her hand, leading her to a seat in the cafe.
He ordered them two cups of coffee, and about 15 crumpets, as he guessed the girl would be ravenously hungry if she looked like that. Jonathan took a sip of the steaming liquid.
"Have you ever tried coffee, love? I find it to be a good bit richer and stronger to the tongue than normal earl grey and other teas. But it's a pleasant richness. In fact, the demand is growing quite rapidly. Might become quite the lucrative business. Quite surprising, considering the rather conservative nature of most Brits. I think the East India Trading Company wants a hand in it, though they want a hand in everything. They want nothing but money I suppose. But money isn't everything."
Jonathan noticed people staring at the girl a bit fearfully. It wasn't because of her appearance, but for some other reason. He couldn't see what the problem was though.
"But that probably doesn't concern either of us." He took another sip. "So tell me about yourself, dear. You seem to have an abundance of stories to tell." He leaned back in his chair and smiled easily.
Strafe (post: 1419201) wrote:OOC: Yeah. I'm not too strict about time and daylight. As long as you aren't skipping an important event, you can time warp or call it a flashback.
-Jonathan-
"Well, that's fine dear. We're all entitled to our little secrets. Though it usually is proper to give your name after the other person has given you theirs." He winked. "But I'll allow a breach of conduct this time, since you're just so captivating, love."
He smiled and took a quick glance to notice that people were still staring at them. He looked around pensively. Everyone in the cafe were men, and the young lady in front of him was the only woman within it. He smirked. So that was it? They still haven't repealed the ban on women from coffee shops? These overly conservative Brits... He made a move to stand up and give a flamboyant show of how ignorant the custom was, but he was beat to it.
A couple of navy officers came in and sat down. He instantly put up his guards. His mother always told him, with tears in her eyes, that Navy officers were scoundrels, dogs of the most base and vile stature. They had no morals, and no self control. They were the scum of the sea. But Jonathan never understood why she hated the Navy Officers so much, since she had nothing to do with them in the first place. His family, before they were robbed, was the owner of a rapidly growing private trading company that would soon be in competition with the East India Trading Company. Of course, his father was killed, his brother kidnapped, and his mother had shut herself up in her room, refusing to speak to anyone but her private maid.
He sighed. That didn't matter now, though. There was nothing he could do about the past. It was over. Done. Etched in stone. He could only live for himself now, since it was all he had. The Hartford Estate was dead.
He looked lazily over at the Navy Officers, not really caring about what they were. But then they began talking loudly, though in refined speech and manner, save for the Irishman, of what should befit Royal British Citizens. They were defending him? Perhaps mother was wrong about Navy Officers after all. Mother always was a little bit prone to fits of hysteria after all.
He raised his cup of coffee to them as well, after the business had died down. He was a pirate, but he had not committed any crime yet, so he figured that the Navy wasn't after him in anyway. He walked up to their table to properly thank the gentlemen.
"My Lady sends her regards. Seems they haven't repealed that dreaded ban on Women from coffeeshops, though it seems that even someone of the law finds it quite ridiculous, eh?" He chuckled. "But let me introduce myself. My name is Jonathan Hartford, heir to the Hartford Estate, whatever that means now. What brings a couple of Navy Officers back to London?"
OOC: Apparently, it is historically true that women where banned from London coffeeshops for much of the 18th century. Curious, isn't it?
Strafe (post: 1419222) wrote:-Jonathan-
Jonathan turned back to the girl. "Oh dear me. I apologize if you did not have the same sentiments as I. But still, these men saved us a good deal of trouble just now. At least a small piece of gratitude is in order, no?" He watched the girl saunter off and get back to her food. He smiled, trying to cover up his embarrassment.
"I won't be so pretentious as to apologize for her, but please be understanding. Some people have a bit of... well, hatred for the navy. Don't take it personally." He looked back at the girl, who was still hungrily scarfing down her food. "But my question still stands. What brings a pair of decorated Navy Officers back to London? Is there a need for a large restock of supplies or some important business in the capital?"
OOC: Hint. Tell him about Juan Salvatore's treasure. It's not confidential information, and the public knows about it anyways. But Jonathan hasn't been around and doesn't know about it. It's really important to his character that he knows though.
I LOVE JOHN!! He is so awesome! It's all I can do to keep from cracking up at him!He ordered them two cups of coffee, and about 15 crumpets,
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