A pirate's life for me (Bjorn)

[Deleted]

It felt like an eternity ago since she'd approached Bjorn for the option of working with him. He'd had more interest in catching up than talking business, which was fine but also somewhat bothersome. Then time got away, she died and the door had seemed shut.

Yet time made her restless and not even illegal books and knowledge kept her restless heart from getting dangerously bored. She missed fighting, running and the thrill of adrenaline. She could never seek it in the law, only in breaking it.

While uniting with Cas had been interesting she knew she had to play her cards differently if she wanted a more or less permanent place amongst the pirates. Both Bjorn and Lotten had never really cared for the rules but if she didn't let them know a part of everything she knew they'd at least consider tearing her to fragments if they found out from external sources. They needed to be able to trust that she would have no interest in working against them.

So she sat in the Hogs Head, large pull of beer in hand, waiting for the Captain to meet her about a letter she'd sent him concerning interest to join his crew. She'd let it shine through their conversation was not to be conducted through text due to sensitive information and she'd stolen one of the most valuable books from her own library as a peace offering of sorts. It was going to be an interesting conversation regardless of the end result but with a little luck she could leave the goody two shoes attitude behind, permanently.

@bjorn

[Deleted]

November 12, 2025
@luthien

The last few weeks had been the best of his life. But alas, good things always came to an end. well, sort of. The ship had returned to the Scottland. Deva had to go back to work. But thankfully, Bjorn didn't have to leave port yet. No, he had a bit of business on land. It wouldn't last forever though. No, in a week he would be a sea again, though thankfully it was only a short trip this time. A few days, max. Though, those days would be horribly lonely and long, without Deva. Bjorn hadn't told her quite yet, as he'd only spoken with the client a few hours ago. And now he was off to meet someone. He'd received an interesting letter. Someone that knew about him, and his... work. While it wasn't exactly a "secret" he tried to keep a low profile with the Ministry of Magic. Most his less law abiding work was in other jurisdictions. In part because of his youngest sister, who had taken up residence here. He didn't want to make her life difficult. Now though, he had a much more powerful reason to not break too many laws in the country. Deva. He wouldn't put her in that position. She was such a straight laced, follow at the rule sort. The type that really didn't seem to mix well with his type. But yet, here they were.

Bjorn didn't know what to think of this person that had contacted him. Obviously, they knew enough about his operation to reach out to him. But how? Overall, this stranger had made life (while Deva was working) far more interesting...

The Hog's Head was always a good place to meet. The employees didn't ask too many questions, and they didn't divulge any secrets (no matter how terrible) they overheard. It was a criminal's sanctuary. He entered the pub, his gaze hard as he scanned the pub. Then, a woman. Alone. While he shouldn't jump to conclusions he knew this must be who he was looking for. Someone that looked like her wouldn't be here alone otherwise. He crossed to her table, taking the empty seat across from hers without asking. He leaned back in his chair. "Waiting for someone?" He spoke slowly. This had to be the woman from the letter.

[Deleted]

Bjorn showed up, much as expected and found her instantly. It helped that she wasn't trying to hide. He sat down with her and she instantly fell into the role. She smiled ever so sweetly at him. "Yes! Bjorn! It's so good to see you again!" Then she shuddered slightly and shook her head. "New habits die hard." It was like a switch had been flicked and her expression had grown a lot harder and colder in seconds. "I'm here to offer up my services on your ship. I am an excellent fighter with many connection to the criminal underworld. I can tell common dark artefacts from rare ones and I can promise loyalty." She smiled a small and cruel little smile. She didn't want to waste time on matters outside business today. She had a boring job to return to.

She motioned for him to grab one of the beer pulls on the table, although she disn't fully expect him to accept the offer. She took a moment to give him time to consider before she picked up again. "I'll give you as much information as I can, depending on what you feel you need to know. My name, for all intents and purposes is Melody and I'm the librarian at hogwarts, currently. It bores me to tears so I figured I'd seek new employment. I ask time until after Christmas to prove myself. At that point I will have given my true name to the one I owe it to most. After that you'll be free to decide to keep or discard me, living on dead." She smiled ever so slightly, although it didn't reach her eyes. "Any questions?"

@bjorn
(Straight to business x.x)

[Deleted]

November 12, 2025
@luthien

Again? Bjorn raised an eyebrow. He didn't recognize this woman. Had they met before? His mind went into overdriving, trying to figure out how they'd met before, and where. Friend or foe. You always had to be caution when someone knew you as a pirate. Did they know you because they were fellow criminals, or were they law enforcement tracking you? She jumped right into her selling pitch though, before he had time to figure out how she knew him, making clear what she wanted and what she had to offer. Well, at least she wasn't beating around the bushes. He respected that. Someone that didn't waste time on pointless pleasantries and got right to the point.

He didn't say anything yet, jsut leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest, taking in her words carefully and sizing her up with a calculating gaze. Bjorn wasn't captain because of his size, or heritage (though the heritage helped). No, he was a calculating man. Weighing his options, the pros, the cons. The risks. He was the type to have a back up plan, for his back up plan. He offered him one of the beers, but he didn't move. No, he wouldn't accept alcohol from a stranger. Not until he'd done a full risk assessment. She definitely sold a good offer. Making it clear that "Melody" wasn't actually her true name, but that she'd give it to him after proving her worth. Making the point of letting him decide what to do with her after Christmas was also quite appealing. "Past what to call you, I need very little to join my crew," he started to explain, pausing momentarily to uncross his arms and lean forward, his elbows resting on knees as he met her gaze with a hard, cold stare. "What little I need is leverage. To ensure if you ever double cross me, you don't walk away unscathed." Some might think it cruel, Bjorn always having leverage on his crew, but it was his insurance policy. Because If he was going to trust them, he needed to ensure that they couldn't stab him in the back. "What are you willing to do to prove you're trustworthy?"

(figured, I'd give her a good opening for the book she stole )

[Deleted]

She merely chuckled as he mentioned leverage. Well of course he needed that. What easier thing for her to give? Yet she wasn't too keen on sharing the biggest piece of information, as she knew she was worth quite a large sum to the law and while he didn't play by the rules she didn't put it above him to cash the reward and not worry about the potential benefits. That wasn't something she was particularly keen on happening but she knew her identity alone would be both leverage and evidence that she wouldn't easily betray him. It was far too great a risk for somebody like her to take. Her list of crimes she was wanted for was a lot shorter than the list of crimes she'd actually committed. So little did they know. "Oh I understand perfectly." She noted as she pulled the book out and put it on the table. "I brought a little gift with quite the high market value as.... evidence." She clearly meant evidence that she was everything she claimed to be. She leaned back in her chair, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"As for leverage, I think it beneficial to both of us if it doesn't consist of information until I've proven my worth. If you're any bit as clever as you used to be in school...." She smiled a wry little smile. "From what I've heard of course," She continued playfully, "you'll have figured it out long before I tell you. Until that time I'm willing to relinquish my most prized and valuable personal possession to you for safe keeping. You can trust I'll do anything to keep it safe." It was very much true. As long as he would have her flute she was easily loyal without any incentive on her own end. The beauty was that she had a far greater interest in loyalty towards him than her flute was needed for. He offered her the kind of life she desired, which was very valuable to have. She'd see if that was enough for him to consider it leverage. Both a display of skill, a willingness to break the rules and an offer of leverage. If that didn't persuade him then he was foolishly cautious rather than clever, but it wouldn't be the first time she'd encountered that problem.

@bjorn

[Deleted]

November 12, 2025
@luthien

There were things about his "job" that he didn't tell Deva. No doubt she would not... like this side of him. The ruthless pirate captain. Despite her having spent time on the ship he'd always been careful to hide it from her. To make sure she didn't see it. She definitely wouldn't approve of him asking for leverage on new crew members. She was too good. Too law abiding. But that wasn't a bad thing. If anything that was one of the things about her he loved. But despite knowing her probable disapproval, it didn't deter him. She knew, while he hadn't given specifics, that there were parts of his job that would make her extremely uncomfortable.

This woman seemed prepared for his request, as she wasn't surprised or phased. She'd planned on proving her uselessness to him already. She pulled out a book and set it on the table. He sat up, uncrossing his arms and picked the book up with one hand. He examined the spine and cover as she spoke. His eyebrows raised. He was a well versed man from his travels, so he recognized rarities such as this. Though, as she explained his curiosity was peaked even more. It seemed she had some very dark secrets, that she wasn't willing to relinquish yet. But, she offered a solution. Giving him her most prized possession. Though that ran other risks. Proving it really was valuable to her. But, this book alone almost seemed to prove her, at least momentary, loyalty. This sort of book would fetch a fortune. You didn't give it up for nothing. Adding something of sentimental value to keep in his possession, and the hints that he would eventually figure things out...

Bjorn set the book back down on the table as he leaned back, armed crossed. He thought. Weighing the risks. Then decided.

"Why me and my crew?" He asked. He wasn't refusing her joining. In fact, his words were almost an acceptance. "What do you hope to gain?"

[Deleted]

It seemed she was playing her cards right so far. She understood business of this kind came with a lot of risks and she appreciated that Bjorn wouldn't take any blind risks, not even on his crew. She kept her calm and collected nature even as he ran his hands along the book. Yes, she knew it was a gem and very valuable and sneaking it out of the school library would have been impossible for just about anybody but the librarian. She certainly wouldn't have allowed others to lay hands on it at the school unless it was to be returned to them.

When it came to relinquishing her flute she knew that very little people would understand, unless they heard her play. She'd been playing since she was a mere child and could compose songs straight from the heart with a snap of her fingers. It was almost like a second language to her, that of the music of her flute and she could at times even manage to communicate with other people by playing. If nothing else it might provide entertainment on deck whenever the captain felt like it but she knew that wasn't why she was relinquishing it. It was his bargaining chip until he figured out exactly who she was, which in theory was possible at a very short term. The flute was such an extension of herself that it wouldn't be much of a surprise if that alone was enough for him to figure it out.

He asked the million dollar question and Luthien couldn't help but smile slightly, an almost smug little smile. "Freedom. A fresh start." She motioned to the book. "Being a librarian is so much more boring than it sounds. Not to mention capital punishments are illegal to use on children." She shrugged. "I know your reputation, I know what you and your crew do and I want in on the fun." She then leaned back with a slight shrug, taking a drink from her mug. "Apart from that you're interesting enough as a person not to bore me to tears within a weekend, meaning that I am less likely to get the pull to change jobs again within two weeks." It was very clear she didn't mean it in a flirty way either. She'd done her research and wasn't all that invested in a relationship to begin with. It was messy and she was tired of getting bored or worse, hurt by those she choose to let get close. No, friendship was all she needed currently. That and some actual entertainment in her life. Murdering people while on business seemed fun enough. The thrill of stealing might also take some appeal again with other people to keep in mind.

@bjorn

[Deleted]

November 12, 2025
@luthien

This woman's answer to his questions would be the deciding factor. HE wasn't opposed to her joining. In fact, his asking the questions meant he wasn't opposed. But if she said something too concerning, then it would change his mind. No, he needed to hear w hat she expected to get out of this arrangement. Because he didn't believe she was doing it just for fun. No, she wanted something. Everyone that came to join his crew wanted something. It was a fact of life. But he needed to know that what htey wanted didn't conflict with what he wanted. As she started to answer, his eyebrows raised. Freedom and a fresh start. It was a very simple answer, but spoke volumes. It wasn't the first time the reason had been given to him either. Some people felt suffocated by regular society, and needed something more. Others needed to get away from the struggles of their past. Take Ri for instance. A banished Druid with no where to really go. Bjorn hadn't been captain at the time, but he'd seen that need for a fresh start when he'd found the young man. The ship had given Ri a freedom he'd never known. Despite his expression remaining quite stoic, there was an understanding and approval in his eyes.

She went on to elaborate further, mentioning how he wouldn't bore her to tears. He couldn't help but smirk. He didn't see the comment was flirting, though even if he had he would have ignored the advance, as he was seeing Deva. "I can assure you, the work itself isn't boring, though there may be slow seasons." Time when they had to lay low, to avoid attention. Or as they built up to a huge heist, they often took lulls of silence. "My ship isn't for the faint of heart. It will be quite different from the life of a librarian." He warned. While she seemed capable, it was always best to put the warning out there. Life wasn't kind on his ship.

[Deleted]

"Oh I'm counting on it." That was all the simple reaction she gave to the assurance the world wouldn't be boring. She figured that slow seaons were for the better. It would likely give her some free time to pursue some personal entertainments that wouldn't quite be possible on the ship itself. She always had need and urges that kept her going around the area. She didn't like setting down in one place, at least not if the idea was permancy or something that was supposed to always be the same. It didn't sit very well with her and her traveling soul. Forever on the move and seeking something to keep her excited.

His warning had her laughing in delight, a genuine laugh with just an edge of wickedness to it. "That's why I chose you, my friend." She said playfully. "If you find me too faint of heart for your crew I'd certainly be surprised, but also only more inclined to see about fitting in. While I might be a librarian now I wasn't always one. I've had a fair share of endevours, some of which would likely even impress you and your crew. I think we'll be great." She said with a big grin, but then her demeanor and expression changed like the flash of lightning. "Thank you so much for talking." The voice of librarian Melody said in the typical way the innocent and bright eyed youth would speak. She bit her lip nervously as she smiled and headed for the door. Just before she left, she shot him a quick wink. On the note she left behind merely a note.... Let me know where and when to board. I'll make sure to be there well on time.

@bjorn
[imma say this fin, but you can do one last post if you wish]