[OOM: The Often Forgotten about, yet none-the-less still there, Gym.]

[mnt_raph]

Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Rest.

Oh sure, Raph could be working out back in Tortall. It's not like there isn't any number of errands, tasks, or chores that he could do that wouldn't result in the exact same amount of exertion. It's just that here in Milliways? He can take a scaldingly hot shower afterwards. The draw of a place with a nigh unlimited amount of hot water is a powerful draw indeed.

He takes advantage of the rest period to shift his position on the work out bench and adjusting his grip on the bar resting on the pins above his chest.
Only four more sets at this weight, and he's done.

Comments

[try_corsets]

Elizabeth is briefly distracted by the towel rubbing. Does he think the extra stimulation will help restore what's been lost?

"Is that so."

She presses her lips together into a thin line. Mike's opinion of her supposed trustworthiness and Raph's dislike of pirates isn't enough.

After all, she's a pirate herself.

He needs a reason to do this for her. Only then will she feel comfortable allowing him on her ship.

"You must not think very much of what Captain Sparrow's done to your brother," she remarks, lowering her voice to just above a whisper as she steps closer.

[mnt_raph]

His eyes narrow. She just had to bring that up, didn't she.
"He ain't exactly on my high on my bff list, no."

[try_corsets]

Encouraging, though she has no idea what a BFF is.

"If I were you," she continues, watching his face closely and then starting to circle around the bench, "I'd want to hurt him back."

Now it's like she's the devil on his shoulder, whispering in his ear.

"Make him pay."

[mnt_raph]

He takes a good long deep breath, that rattles like a growl when he finally exhales.
"Thought had crossed my mind."

But OH how he'd be in SO much trouble.
With Mike.
With Mel.
With Bar.

It wouldn't be the first time, and will hardly be the last...

[try_corsets]

She stops just behind him, and waits.





"What if I was to say I already had?"

[mnt_raph]

...

"what."

[try_corsets]

Elizabeth smiles a little to herself.

"It was me who chained him to the mast-"

She pulls back, then looks up at him from behind his other shoulder.

"-and left him for the kraken."

[mnt_raph]

Now there's a name Raph hasn't heard in some time, not since the day of the siege of Pirate's Swoop.

Kracken.

There's a brief flash of a memory that plays in Raph's mind. An image of Captain Jack as Daine's friend surfaced and released fury upon the sea.

"You didn't."

[try_corsets]

Would a pirate lie?

Elizabeth wisely refrains from posing that question aloud.

"Oh, but I did."

She circles back around, eyes finding and holding his.

"I sent Jack to the Locker."

And helped retrieve him, but that's hardly the relevant point.

[mnt_raph]

Would a pirate lie?
That's like asking if a ninja wouldn't jump out of a shadow and kill someone.

"You did that. To Jack. You left him to be eaten alive by that thing."

There's surprise behind his eyes, but only for a second. It's quickly replaced by amusement. He even cracks a smile.

"You're all right, Kid."

[try_corsets]

"I did what was necessary."

Elizabeth holds her breath, waiting to see if her gamble pays off... and it does.

Amusement softens her expression.

"So the way I see it, you owe me a favor."

[mnt_raph]

"Half a favor," he corrects. "Ain't like the bastard stayed there."

Have to keep an eye on this one. Raph doesn't know what Jack did to piss her off, but clearly she's capable of oh so much revenge.

[try_corsets]

It wasn't a matter of Jack making her angry. It was a matter of survival.

"No, he didn't. We rescued him."

She blinks, face maddeningly blank.

"Then we have an accord?"

[mnt_raph]

"Thanks for that." His eyes roll.
And don't think he doesn't notice that lack-of-emotion thing she's got going on. Because he does.

Again Raph gives her an appraising look. "That like a deal? 'Cause if it is, we do."

[try_corsets]

"Good."

Excited anticipation flashes in her eyes.

"Either I or Mr. Gibbs will deliver what you need in a few days." A small smile. "And I will leave you to your... heavy lifting and offensive noise."

[mnt_raph]

He nods.
"I'll keep my eyes peeled."

It's only after her final jibe at his music that he smirks.

"Have fun bein' Mike's new project."

He can almost hear the sound his baby brother asking Mel if they can keep her.

[try_corsets]

Already on her way out the door, Elizabeth stops and glances at him over her shoulder.

"I think I will."

Beat.

"I'll enjoy proving it to you at the baby shower."

And she's gone.

[mnt_raph]

Raph is...well, crestfallen is really the only word for it.

"A babyshower?
Seriously?
Are you kiddin' me?

...

Fuckin' Milliways."