#ricklow

The prince strode down his ships corridor toward a single destination. This was a rare and potentially brilliant opportunity. He had known he was right to send a ship to tail The Revenge, and when he heard about a man being cast overboard he had known he was right to order his men to fish him out, and when they discovered the identity of this man… Well a powerful opportunity presented itself and Ricky wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers…

Upon arrival, the ships doctor left the cabin and gave a brief update to the prince. The man was well, but still unconscious. He was likely to wake soon, though will be very weak after his ordeal. All good news to Ricky. This man was dangerous, in fact, this was an insane risk he was taking even daring to see him. If he was going to do it at all, he was going to do it with the reassurance that the man was incapacitated by physical weakness.

He entered the room and ordered any remaining members of his crew to leave. He was going to have a parley with the infamous Ned Low once he woke, and he didn't intend there to be an audience...

...

He wasn't a very patient man. After a brief attempt at waiting, he began to get bored and wandered around the room. He spotted a blue violin and began to examine it, this was the only thing the man had with him when he was cast overboard.

"remarkable condition, considering." the prince spoke aloud to himself.

Ricky had once learnt to play, idly he plucked at the strings and tuned them before attempting to remember his lessons and placing bow to string, the first sound was harsh. "No, wait" he muttered as he adjusted his hold on the instrument and tried again, another discordant sound, he tutted to himself "no" and tried again. And again. He muttered to himself. And again. Once more.

"You play?"

The deep and shockingly close voice caused the Prince to let out a shrill shout, he turned to face the half-drowned man, who now stood before him and upon whom a sick smirk twitched into place upon seeing his captors reaction.

Ricky almost instinctively hid the violin behind him, reverting to when he was a boy and had been caught misbehaving.

"I-i-" he stuttered trying to find his words "N-no not really, I just learnt when I was young, I-I-I'm not very good at all" he spoke fast and tense, clearly terrified. As Ned listened his smirk grew into a full grin.

"Evidently." He replied after a brief pause.

"Y-you've… Recovered remarkably fast" it was more of a question than a statement, he couldn't believe how this man was already on his feet.

"Wasn't my first mutiny." He replied matter-of-factly, refusing to elaborate.

"Ah" The prince took a hesitant step back as Ned slowly advanced. Eventually he hit the wall behind him and had nowhere else to go.

Ned stared at him for a cruel amount of time before finally speaking. "My violin. Now."

"Right!" The relief in his voice was as palpable as his fear, he handed the violin back to him swiftly.

Ned took some time to admire his instrument before naturally bringing it to position and beginning a gentle tune. It was delicate and masterfully done, Ricky relaxed a little, the tune was rather disarming.

"You play beautifully." he attempted to get on his good side.

"Hm." Ned hummed "You don't."

"Oh." The prince looked a little insulted.

"But you do have a wonderful voice."

"Oh!" He gave a pleased smile.

"Especially when you cry out. It's delightful." Ned played a suddenly shrill and startling note, making Ricky jump a little.

"Oh." He gulped.

Ned ceased his playing and turned to Ricky again, looking him up and down. "You know, I'd love to find out what other sounds I could draw out of you. You'd make a wonderful instrument."

Ricky had no idea how to reply to that, mostly because he couldn't figure out if it was a flirt or a threat. He opted to err on the side of optimism and took is as the former, not least because no one had bothered to tell him that the infamous Ned Low was quite an attractive man.

"I- uh… thank you. I think." He gave a little smile, slightly coy.

Low laughed, almost with a bit of surprise, amused by his current prey. "So." He changed the topic. "What does the navy want with me then."

Ricky almost forgot why he was even there. He forcefully snapped himself out of his daze to reply. "Well! That was actually why I came to speak with you."

"Yeah?" Ned replied, feigning sincere interest. "And who are you exactly?"

Ricky laughed a little as he realised he hadn't even shared that yet "Oh right, of course... Sorry I'm all over the place, let me introduce myself."

Ned gave him a curious look, this interaction started with this man practically cowering before him, but now he was all but twirling his hair and giggling.

He continued his introduction, clearing his throat a little and adjusting his posture. "My name's Richard Banes, but my friends all call me Ricky." He hesitated a little before adding "And I am a minor prince of sorts."

"A prince?" Ned asked as though impressed.

"Yeah, it's-- you know... it's whatever." Ricky attempted to downplay it like a humblebrag.

"That's very impressive." Low's tone was misleadingly generous.

"Thank you"

Low chucked slightly, before shifting the tone suddenly. "So here's what's going to happen, little prince." He pushed Ricky back into the wall again, this time revealing a scalpel knife, evidently something he snagged from the doctor's toolkit. "Whatever plan you had for me? Forget it. You're going to release me."

"Ah." The prince gave an unsure look.

"And I'm going to take you with me."

"Right... I'm... I'm not too sure why I'd be needed" he laughed nervously.

"you said it yourself. You're a prince. I'm willing to bet your family would be more than happy to spare a pretty penny for your life."

"Ah- I see, but I think at this rate they might just cut their losses."

Again, Ned looked bemused "What?"

The prince elaborated "I tried being a pirate before but it all went a little bit wrong" he gestured sadly to his prosthetic nose. "The reason I'm in the navy now is because my parents insisted it as a way to make amends for my poor choices. If I disappear again they might just decide it's easier to declare me dead." He laughed a little awkwardly "But if I could get another chance at piracy, I'd gladly take it..." He glanced expectantly at Ned, who shot him a suspicious look.

"You'd... Willingly come with me...?" Ned's tone accused the prince of astounding stupidity "Well that just takes the fun out of it." He sighed, overtly disappointed.

"You know, it's kind of funny, I was going to propose that you help me feign my death so I could return to the swashbuckling life, so this actually works out pretty well."

"Hold on, if that's really the case then why did you follow through and eliminate Zheng's entire fleet?"

The prince shrugged a little sheepishly. "I didn't like her very much..."

Ned stared in disbelief, and then began laughing. It continued for some time, Ricky eventually joined him albeit somewhat nervously, unsure what was so funny.

"You're insane. I like that." Those words never sounded more like a compliment, Ricky almost blushed. "I still intend to sell you back to your family though." Ned continued menacingly. "And I don't care if you come willingly or otherwise."

The prince yelped as Ned grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and pushed him out the door.

"Oh! Uhm alright then, how should we do this? Do you want me to lead the way or...? You know what, we'll work it out as we go."