Going to try to get a roll on things, so here is Chapter 3! I hope you like it!
One other thing, I posted the Kiddway photoshoot on my Tumblr, so if you want to see it, go ahead and check it out! My Tumblr is also Domjiji if you don't know it. Cheers!
"What's all the noise about Edwa—Oh! Well if it isn't Jimbo! Nice to see you again lad. Is the captain here givin' you some trouble?"
"Is there ever a break?" low chuckling passed James before reaching his hand out to give a firm handshake. Long in length, the eldest looking man's scratchy beard adorned with multicolored beads hanging on random braids, bounced as he spoke. For a second, the young man had to question whom he is again. Looking at the pair of drumsticks in the man's big hands helped a great deal, side mindedly, James counted the rings on his fingers mentally. "Mister Blackbeard is it?"
"Aye, but I think we are beyond those formalities since it's our second meetin'. You can call me Thatch, it be my last name. Eddie and I share the same name, so it can get a wee bit confusin'. At least among the wenches" the rumbling thunder of laughter that bellowed from the jolly man could shake the foundations of a house down; deep and full. A gentle giant is the opinion that came to James's mind. Though his outer appearance is that of a brute and mean, forever scowling on both occasions they had met, but when he spoke, his tenderness betrayed the image.
A distasteful look turned James's face sour as the young man repeated the word "wenches?" in an upwards inflection. What an age it is to use archaic language. However it is proper to their reputation, being modern musically inclined pirates that can hold a pitch on their ship, and wenches is the correct term for women to openly spread their legs for any man willing to share coin. Perhaps these wenches they speak of didn't need monetary persuasion due to their celebrity status... Mary paused mid-thought looking beyond the giant wall of man Thatch to see the other band mates coming their way gazing upon the one holding a bass guitar. Yeah—he might need some monetary persuasion. He too has a beard, not nearly as full as Thatch's, but not as nicely kept. Genetics was rough on the man and it showed on his face. Copious amounts of acne scars and droopy eyes possibly from excessive drinking and improper rest, suspected him to be the least laid of the band mates. James's assumptions about the man is confirmed when he opened his mouth to say: "What are you all doing? Rubbing cocks?", absolutely no charm at all to that man-at least Edward has wit. James grew more respect for the rest of the band mates for putting up with that disgraceful man.
"Do you ever have anything right to say Roberts?" the only other man remaining from the group with manners starring the ruffian down in disgust. Though he too has facial hair, it does not touch his chest. Actually his facial hair resembles a man of colonial times. Chops so wide and thick on each cheek cleanly connecting to his sideburns that possibly he could be related to the American Civil war soldier, Ambrose Burnside. Maybe a traumatic event took place that left a long scar clean across his forehead, but that wouldn't deter women, in fact it probably lured women to him out of curiosity. Just like it has James staring in wonder to which he ceased once the owner looked back and nodded with a smile. Out of all the band members, this one seemed the most sensible.
Now that James saw all the men together, each one of them has facial hair. Edward's being the least amount of all the rest, but they each wore their particular set of whiskers. Maybe somewhere in their pockets they hoarded catnip or on nights of a full moon they grew talons. Mary's imagination was running wild at the thought of these men running around hissing at frightful things and catching mice ignoring the bickering they had among themselves. Soon her mind reels back to the mission at hand and glanced over to Adewale whom much to her relief remained in his place behind her. Guilt came upon her, subjecting a man as he to manage this heinous mess. If he hadn't run away by now and quit, surely he will eventually. Nodding in appreciation, a mental note is made to give him a raise should he remain more than twenty-four hours.
"Jimbo here" the sarcasm in Edward's voice held "brought us a gift." The squabbling between the other band mates died down now looking at James and the other man behind him they recently just noticed is there. "Ade here is going to be our manager" Edward glared at James waiting for the groans of his other mates.
Thatch is the first to speak. "Excellent job boy! Been talkin' 'bout gettin' one"
Followed by the instrument lacking member. "This is a great help" James noted during their argument, by cheated when he caught a name drop of the man as Benjamin.
It came as no surprise that the foul-mouthed Roberts would be the one to exasperatingly disagree by dropping his bass on the ground in rebellion making it clear he rejects, "Nope".
"Piss off Roberts. A goon like you knows nothin' of leadership. That's why you gotta pay them wenches to even look at your ugly mug." Ok, James stands corrected. Thatch is an intimidating man and by observation of it all, he is the one pulling the strings behind the group, or rather, Roberts really has zero influence on the others.
"So you agree with this Thatch?"
"Aye. I do Edward."
"And you Benjamin?"
"It's awfully kind of the lad to bring us structure. But we can't afford one at the moment" a statement that earned a grin from Edward taunting the reality of value to Kidd. Managers are expensive to support and keep, the reason as mentioned before why they lack one.
"Mr. Kidd is my employer" Ade interrupted with the truth.
"He's right. I am the one paying the wages."
"Then I guess we are to be grateful for your generosity." Benjamin smiled patting Edward's shoulder.
"Wait a minute men!" Edward shoved Benjamin's hand aside and moved to block James from their view. "I thought we decided we would pick someone of our choice to do it."
"Edward, that's enough." the sternness in Thatch's voice resembling a paternal figure calmly silenced him with a sigh. "It doesn't matter who right now. James here has decided to help us and is doing it out of his own kindness. I trust the lad. He wouldn't stray us from a successful path. C'mon boyo, calm down. The hard part has been dealt with. Now we can focus on ourselves and work harder."
"So you're giving up? Exposing your belly so you can be patted by your master?"
A loud smack ended the argument. Edward grabbed on to his jaw rubbing the stinging James had produced. Mary punched Edward clean on the jaw. Though she may be dressed as Kidd before the men, Mary is the one whom acted. Disrespect is something she does not tolerate, an example proven to Adewale should he try to challenge her. No longer could she stand there and listen to the ignorance their captain spewed. Two men of the group are mature enough to handle the news and welcome it knowing the best interest for them all, one man with no opinion overruled, but mostly because his apathy of wherever they go or future doesn't concern him as long as he's comfortable, yet the very image of the group is the one hindering their growth. Blue eyes darkened in a rage, the whites of Edward's knuckles showing from clenched fists and gritted teeth ready to tousle with James, but he did not strike back. Instead, the hot-headed blonde left them and kicked the exit door open letting it slam shut.
"Sorry for him lad. Edward is rough, but he isn't a bad guy." Thatch looked down in shame offering a heartfelt apology to James.
"It's alright. He had it coming." Mary denied the apology turning to their manager. "Why don't you men get acquainted. Probably best for you to know what they are all about." and with that she patted Ade on the shoulder and headed out for the exit.
The alley way separating the bar from its neighboring establishment puffed with steamy clouds gathering in a light haze nearly smoldering the artificial light shining in the evening. Red bricks and pavement gleamed with a bit of moisture filling the cracks from leaky rain gutters, falsely interpreting the weather. It had been dry most of the day, but still cold. Easing the door closed, James perched himself on the set of crumbling stairs scavenging through the pockets of his leather coat and extracting a cigarette. Watching Edward became a new hobby Mary thought once she lit the rolled tobacco and took a drag. Her eyes scanned him over observing with the greatest curiosity how such a handsome faced man could have an awful personality. Hot headed, womanizer, disrespectful, loose mouthed and recently, a bottle thrower. Whomever is the one to clean the alley surely would curse the name of Edward Kenway seeing the massacre of so many glass bottles shattered. Wild vines growing on the lamp-post in front of James became more amusing than to watching a monkey man have a fit.
Edward had been in the zone. After all the bottles are broken, he resorted to kicking the wall, though in the middle of it he stopped realizing boots can only protect one's foot for so long against brick. Sighing in frustration, Edward hung his head placing restless hands on his hip blindly trailing back to the door when he looked up and stopped in his tracks. There, sitting on the steps watching him with scrutinizing eyes is the cause of his recent problems, James Kidd. Could life be any more cruel? His face expressed.
"Come to mock me?"
"I'm not always cynical Kenway."
"Is that what it is? Trying to control my life." Edward's neck crooked at the sight of James smoking.
An even longer drag inhaled leaving only half of the cigarette left. "You could have left me behind with that woman, but you didn't. You did me a great deal. I'm only repaying the favor." Dark eyes finally peeled away from sparse greenery "You deserved that punch." Edward lunged forward with his fist almost making contact with James's unmoving face, but never followed through. Instead he withdrew deeply inhaling the cold air to calm his nerves. "You're a good man Kenway. Full of shit, but a good man none-the-less. Ade will be a great asset to you all. I promise he won't do you wrong."
"And if he does?"
"I'll fire him and you can hit me with that punch you keep holding back on" James grinned at Edward snuffing out the butt.
"Didn't know you smoke." the older man watched the projectory of the cigarette.
"There are a lot of things you don't know about me mate."
The pair walked back inside shivering from the temperature change. This must be what shocking steamed vegetables is like;a technique often used by chefs to keep the color and texture of a vegetable by boiling it first then dunking in ice water. Rejoining the others and their new manager, James called Ade over, James pulling him away from the band members to discuss what he has learned about the crew and then his loyalties to Ms. Read.
"Are you comfortable taking care of this lot? Find anything good about them?"
"Yes, Ms. Re—I mean Mr. Kidd" James's eyes snapped on to Ade then passed him. In the meantime, Edward stood in front of Thatch remorseful. Earning a smack on the back of the head, Kidd laughed at the captain's surprise soon turning his attentions back to their manager. He deserved that one too.
"On with it."
"The normal daily schedule for them is to sleep in late, eat whatever they can find or is provided for them, and play music."
"That's all?"
" 'Grog' and 'wenches' were enthusiastically brought up sir."
"Jaysus." Hands covered the embarrassment on James's face dragging the skin down creating a deformity to his face. How could they live this way? How could anyone? "Let me ask you. What do you think of their reputation?"
Using the reflection of a body mirror propped against the wall, Adewale drew his eyes on the band members taking a moment to absorb their image before answering his boss. "Bad."
"Right you are Mr. Ade." a gentle pat on the back congratulated him. "So we need to change that. As their manager you have a duty to also make sure they are presentable. Make it so."
"How sir?"
Voices from rowdy fans grew in volume reaching all the way back stage causing everyone to nearly yell to communicate. Demands for the band to show themselves and begin their performance became a chant. 'WE WANT PIRATES! WE WANT PIRATES! BRING US THE JACKDAW!'.
"Better get a move on out there mates" James called out to the band still gossiping as he strides in their direction. "Next they will tear the stage down before you can even earn your coin. Then you can forget about your 'wenches and grog'".
"Lad is right" Thatch announced grabbing four bottles of beer for each man. "best we took her down"
With that said, the men threw their hands in the air raising a toast screaming "Aye!" in unison chugging their drinks down concluding their chant by breaking the bottles on the ground. Through hollering and clapping Edward with his rowdy crew of pirates, took to the stage appeasing their fanatical fans opening their act with Thatch on a drum roll. Even behind the curtains, James still shook his head not believing what he just saw happen, but wait—where did the beer come from? A meek man dressed in a t-shirt and jeans rolled a contraption to where James and Adewale stood using a broom and pan to clean the broken glass. The young man gathered that this must be a ritualistic thing The Jackdaw must from the simple dressed individual muttering curse words under his breath.
"Fuckin bands. Think because they play music can do whatever the fuck they want. Shouldn't even fuckin let people drink back stage. Why the fuck do they let them? Fuckin boss man giving them fuckin beer. Fuck!"
Seven 'f' bombs James counted. Ones that answered his previous question about where the beer came from. Nodding his head in a silent agreement with the janitorial figure, Kidd took a step back facing Adewale; It is back to business. "I need you to take notes for me. Your assignment is to find out about each person's individual fashion and report back first thing tomorrow morning."
Scribbling on Adewale's notepad stopped lost at what James had said "What are you planning?"
"To teach them how to fuckin dress."
Again thank you as always for reading!
I hope this continues to please you all and feel free to leave a review of your thoughts! I would love to know them!