Adapt to Survive

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The Evil Queen had won. It had taken a very, very long time to get what she had desired, but it finally happened. Her curse, years ago, hadn't worked as she hoped it would and since then, she'd been working to get revenge. She had found a way, and it hit Emma hard. She watched as her home, her parent's castle was taken over by the Evil Queen and her army. Emma's parents had perished in battle and now Emma had nothing. She was to be murdered as well, but she had gotten away by escaping out of her window - something she had learned to do when she was nine - and she rushed in to town. The Kingdom was in shambles, but Emma managed to make it out without being caught. She had to do some serious hiding though, so she took up the disguise of a boy. 

It wasn't easy to conceal her endowments, but she was able to with a bit of work, hats, and wigs. She knew that Regina's reign wouldn't stay in merely her former kingdom alone.. She would be extending out to other kingdoms, and attempting to find Emma at all costs.. so she did something that she knew would ensure her survival.. she joined a pirate's crew. Or at least, she was going to attempt it. She hadn't even had a chance to mourn her parents' death.. she had been too busy running to deal with her own inner demons and turmoils. While she was eating stew, she could hear the ruckus of the group of pirates, and after very little consideration over what would happen next, she stood up and walked toward them in her best masculine strut. 

"Oy," She greeted them, wincing at herself inwardly. Did she really have to go with British? Was she seriously going to go cokney? It was far easier than speaking in her normal voice to hide that she was a woman, at least. "Might ye gents be lookin' for a new man for yer crew?" It hurt her throat to make her voice sound deep enough to pass for a man who was at least in his late teens, but it would be worth it if it meant she'd keep her life. "I've got nothin' and nowhere to go. I'd be willin' ta do my share of course.." She wasn't sure who to be speaking to.. but there was one pirate in particular who seemed to be listening to her plea more, and he looked far more confident. She guessed he was the captain. 

[Killian Jones]

let me tell you

HOW IT WORKS ON MY SHIP

Hook was enjoying his night at the tavern, engaging in rather good company that provided him with coin, drink, and women. This was all that pirates desired and while he of course enjoyed being out at sea . . . being on land certainly had its perks. He knew that the duration of their stay would only be until the morning when they set out for their next adventure. In the meantime, he was winning this current game of dice, and enjoying a few pitchers of rum.

He grew distracted from his game when someone approached him and the group he was socializing with. He raised an eyebrow as a smile formed on his lips, especially when the man started speaking. This wasn't the first man who expressed interest to join the crew of the Jolly Roger. Nor would Hook give him an easy way in, despite his seemingly poor circumstances of having no where to good. Perfect. He was alone and desperate. Just the qualities that allowed Hook to take advantage of such a state through his cruel bullying.

He eyed the stranger before speaking. "No, we're not looking," he told him, as the rest of the crew paused action and focused in on the stranger, ready to eliminate the threat should be pose as one. But the man seemed rather . . . small. Hook didn't fear him. If anything, he was amused by him. "All the positions are currently filled," he added in a bit of a teasing voice, the crew men slightly chuckling at that.

"Try again next time, lad," he added dismissively, turning away from the hopeful. Keeping his gaze away from the man, he added one more thing. "'Less of course you give me a good reason to allow you on board," he added, clearly looking for incentive. Looking to see what benefit he would derive from the man being here. After all, a pirate didn't do anything out of the kindness of his heart. There always had to be something in it for him.

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Right. He wasn't going to make this simple. She hadn't expected him to, really. He was a pirate..and although she knew relatively nothing about them, she knew that being on their ship was the only way she was going to make it out of the kingdom alive. He told her..or rather him that they weren't looking for anyone to join their crew..better luck next time, he had said. She knew what that meant.. there wouldn't be a next time. Now was her one chance to join this pirate and his crew, and she had to find something that would get their attention. His attention. The captain was the one she needed to impress. 

Her eyes drifted around the tavern until they landed on a wanted poster that had her face on it. She couldn't even recognize it anymore. She looked so clean, so sophisticated, and so pretty. Right now she looked like a guttersnipe...all filthy and dressed in men's rags. Suddenly, it hit her. She knew what she had to do, even though it would likely be dangerous. "I have a good reason," She spoke in her 'masculine' voice, realizing that she was talking quicker than she could think. "The Princess," she nodded toward the poster. "I can 'elp you find 'er. Saw 'er runnin' through 'ere about a week ago, I did." She spoke with a firm nod. What was she doing? How long could she really keep up the charade? 

"I'm a right brilliant tracker. I'll help ya find 'er.. And I don't even need no part of the reward. I just need meself a place to call 'ome for a bit." Her Oliver Twist act couldn't possibly stick! She was in far too deep to get out now, though. Now that she pointed out the wanted poster, if she was discovered, she'd be dead on the spot.

[Killian Jones]

let me tell you

HOW IT WORKS ON MY SHIP

Hook hadn't expected the young man to make any offer that he'd be interested in. He hardly looked like he could afford a drink for himself. And what more could be offered to Hook apart from gold and treasure. The man was soon fading into the background as Killian rolled his dice, a sound emerging from the group when he gathered his winnings from the round. But then, to his surprise, the man revealed something that keenly caught Killian's attention.

He offered to help find the fugitive princess. Hook hadn't really given her a second thought; he had no interest in finding her. However, even he had to admit that the reward was substantial. And well, Hook always loved a good challenge. He paused in his game and looked toward the man who offered his aid. He didn't want any of the reward? Now why did Hook find that hard to believe? And yet, there was something oddly genuine about his lacking desire to share the reward for the bounty.

Killian smirked at the man before him, using his foot to kick a chair next to him that was currently taken, yet it's occupant received the message and rose, finding another stool to sit on. "Have a seat, mate," Hook offered, allowing the man to sit in his presence. He leaned toward him a little, not wanting their conversation to be heard by all for the princess' reward money was a popular subject and many were looking to seek that hefty reward money.

"Now, you're honestly telling me that you want no part of the reward?" He asked again, just to be sure. "All that you require is a place to call home?" He asked, purposely using the same word the man had, only there was a slight taunt in Hook's words, and his smirk remained in place. "Well that's rather precious and all, but if you think I'm just going to blindly believe you, then you have another thing coming, mate." Hook was obviously not a trusting person, so the former part of his words were filled with sarcasm and taunt, while the latter with genuine threat.

"I don't just let any random onto the Jolly Roger. You have do to better than a mere verbal offer. Something more concrete to make me believe you." Killian's belief for him was only to a very limited extent, enough to give him a few moments of his time to hear him out, but nothing beyond that. Not yet. He was giving him a chance now . . . and if the man wanted to be aboard his ship, then he would have to convince him.

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This was it.. It was really working! The Captain must have seen potential in her.. or, him, rather, because he dismissed the man who was sitting directly beside him, and offered her a seat. Knowing she couldn't show fear, she moved to take the seat that he had gestured to, and when she sat down, she had to remind herself not to cross her ankles together like a lady would. Instead, she relaxed the best that she could in the chair, and kept her knees spread apart. She felt so.. wrong, doing so...but she had to act the part. The captain lowered his voice while he spoke to her, asking about the reward. He was curious as to why she wanted no part in it.. and why he should trust her. He needed solid proof.. and she could understand that. In fact, she saw it coming. 

"I understand, all well n'fine." she reached in to her pocket and inwardly winced at what she was about to do. "What would y'say if I had an in with the princess already? I may have told a wee bit of a fib when I said I had just seen her pass through. Saved her life before I knew who she was, I did. She gave me a little bit of a bauble to remember 'er by. Said that I'd always be able ta find 'er. We could give it to the Queen Regina and show 'er that we can find the girl and bring 'er back." From her pocket, she pulled out a locket that held the photographs of herself, and her parents inside of it. It was the only portraits she had left of her mother and father, but if it was the only way in with the pirates.. she'd do it. "I also may have looted a few pockets or two, includin' that of the Princess. Brilliant thief I am, when I get the chance. So I won't be needin' yer coin.. I've got me own." She spoke with confidence, even though she knew that she was in far too deep. She was in the belly of the beast now.. it was either make, or break at this point. 

[Killian Jones]

let me tell you

HOW IT WORKS ON MY SHIP

Hook watched the stranger as he explained that he'd had a run in with the princess; saving her life prior to realizing who in fact she was. Which meant, that the princess was well disguised somewhere. Making her all the more difficult to find, and why they would need a solid lead if they were to embark on this hunt that the pirate had previously held no interest in. He looked at the locket the stranger presented, using his hook to take it by the point, holding it up as he used his hand to open it to reveal a picture of the princess and her parents. A small smile crept onto the pirate's lips as he closed the locket and put it in his pocket.

"Seems I underestimated you," Hook said, not with apology in his voice, but with an ever so slow acceptance of the man's offer. "You appear to be slightly more resourceful than I presumed." Especially as he not only had the locket, but also had encountered the princes . . . both would prove to be helpful in capturing her. "Captain Killian Jones, otherwise known as Hook," he introduced, extending his hand to the young man. "Welcome aboard the Jolly Roger," he added, waiting for the recruit to take his offered hand.

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Emma inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily enough, her story was believable, and the locket only helped the story along. This is what caught the Captain's attention..and it was a good thing that it worked, because she was running out of ideas that wouldn't expose her true identity. She was already playing with fire as it was. When the man spoke of underestimating her...him...whatever, she gave him a small nod. He held out his hand and introduced himself as Killian Jones.. or Captain Hook. She knew that  name, and she wasn't sure if it struck fear in to her heart or excitement. Probably both. She reached out and took his hand to shake it, reminding herself that she needed to grip as tightly as she could. Men didn't have princess grips..they had firm handshakes. 

"Many thanks, Cap'n. They call me Emry." Okay, so maybe that wasn't the most clever of names to give..but it was all she could think of on the spot. "Emry Swan." The nickname that her parents had given her. Their little swan. She didn't even have to choke back the tears when she thought of her parents. She had cried too much, and she was now on a mission. There would be time to mourn later. "How's about I buy my new crew mates and Cap'n a round of drinks, ey?" She mused, pushing the coins that she had in to the center of the table. "A celebration." 

[Killian Jones]

let me tell you

HOW IT WORKS ON MY SHIP

When the lad took his hand to shake it, Hook gripped it tightly, with the intention of causing discomfort as he slightly aggressively pulled the man a bit closer. Lowering his voice, Hook then continued to speak. "If you try to double cross me, then I assure you, walking the plank would be a relief." Meaning, he would do far worse to him than make him walk the plank, that he would be begging him to do so. Hook had to make this very clear, that he did not take kindly to traitors and that betraying him would be most unwise. The seriousness of his tone when making this threat, matched his expression. When it was stated, he then released the man's hand, realizing that he may not be used to such labors considering the softness of his palm. Well, that was certainly about to change.

The young man introduced himself as Emry Swan, and the offered to buy a round of drinks for the crew and captain. "Can't refuse such an offer for drinks," Hook stated with a smirk as he leaned back in his chair a little. The barmaid brought a tray of them, one of which Hook took in his hand. "To a pirate's life!" He announced as he raised his cup in a cheer. "And to those like Swan who have yet to prove themselves worthy of it!" He was still on probation. It took more than this to earn Hook's trust, but he was willing to give the man a chance. Just one.

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