“Really?” Javier cants his head in easy humor. “I didn’t think it took much, concerted effort.” Or perhaps it was simply Javier’s observation, from when he had known the Pirate Lord intimately. Unlike her brother or those of similar, noble breeding - Hana Seong floated through aristocracy and courtiers with an effortlessly sharp tongue. Something likely garnered from her precarious lineage, but seemingly built into her very essence. There was a time when Javier took great comfort in her effortless charms. It reminded him of himself. But hers were words that could cut, and his were made to bolsters. A quiet thought passed in between sips of his pitcher of ale - how much of the girl he once knew, still prevailed?
There’s a sardonic laugh as she serves his own jest back to him. “Your Grace” sounded just as it did in his boyhood - stuffy and impractical. A noble term meant to cut the young boy down to size, to better fit with his comrades. Or so it was, when Javier was an unruly and energetic boy taking lessons in Kum Diyari or jaunts to the Lost Coasts to indulge in the sun and sea. With a rueful shake of his head, he clicks his roof of his mouth. “It cuts just as deep as it did when we were children.” He says with false theatricality, a glimmer of truth riddled amidst the smiles and easy company. “How’s about we simply be Hana and Javier?” He licks his lips. “For tonight, anyways.” Their foyer into maturity made it so that the escapism tonight would only ever be that. Come sunrise, propriety and stature would find root yet again. For him, more so than it did for her and her free-wheeling life.
“Correct.” He nods. “Same old premise, but a different tale from your brother’s. The point tends to be the same, though.” It was common knowledge that her adventure-seeking brother had come to his own title unexpectedly. Worse - that the distance drawn between Hana and the ruling Duke, was forged in the divided Lost Coasts. And perhaps it was the permission of vice that evening, or a sentimental feeling where Hana was concerned. But he feels compelled to be truthful about it. “Oh, I get out plenty.” He adds with a salacious wink. He cannot help but frown, Hana’s disbelief taking him by surprise. “I’ve always been honest… There are simply not a lot of people I miss.” Javier was surrounded by friends, lovers, and trusted advisors. Many of whom, he would vow fealty and loyalty to. But he’s also never lost anyone, not truly. Not like he missed her. “You have found yourself on a very short list. I would tell Yasmin the same, but I’m afraid it’ll go to her head.”
“Would you prefer if I said I was born like this?” She asked. A hint of curiosity clinging to her breath as peaked all too observantly over at him. Though, she was fairly certain they both knew that wasn’t quite true. The Pirate Lord may have an effortlessly sharp tongue these days and, even as a child, she was known to give a saucy look or two. But, Hana’s words didn’t used to cut the same way they now do. She used to be a bright doe eyed practically infectious ball of chaotic energy and light. It was practically impossible not to smile at the carefree and pure at heart child whom never ceased to hold her head high despite all of the cruel words and disgusted looks thrown her way. The irony of it all far from lost on her. The tenderhearted young girl she once was, whom had tried so hard to define herself as something other than her mother’s daughter, eventually became her in an attempt to preserve what was left of their fleeting family.
“You haven’t changed, have you?” Hana mused as she took a sip of her drink. Breathlessly, a nostalgic smile found its way her lips in response to not only his false theatrics, but also the reminder of how much simpler things used to be. “For now, Javi,” She nodded in agreement, still choosing to pick her own nickname for him rather than the name he provided, but at least it was a much more endearing one this time around.
“Quite a different tale from him indeed,” She noted, feeling the need to make it clear that whatever heavy head Javier felt, his story was not to be compared to that of her family’s. “Though, in my experience, heavy is the head regardless of a crown or title. All the world's a stage and, like it or not, we each have our own part to play.” Something she knew better than anyone. For Hana played the part of the ‘free spirited pirate’ well, but it was just as much of a role for her as the title of Duke was for him. The nobles needed the outlaws. The crown needed criminals they could point fingers at and direct the masses focus to rather than have their own cracks in their foundation brought to the forefront of everyone’s attention. And Shīqù Hǎi'àn needed a pirate lord. Someone the poor and downtrod could put their faith in when the law betrayed them and someone the nobles could scorn and praise her brother for keeping in check. A balance of scales of sorts. “Though I still don’t see how you’re more damned than anyone else, Duchy. And mhmm. Of course you do. Though, are you sure you’re getting out plenty, or getting under plenty?” She teased, offering up a knowing look of her own as she raised her glass towards his.
“Cheers. Color me lucky then. And who- oh! The Kum Diyari Duchess,” Her eyes lit up in realization. Hana may have grown up around the nobles, but Yasmin’s claim to power happened after her fall from grace which is why the pair weren’t exactly on a first named basis, although she did have a few recent run ins with the curious ex-spy of his. “I’ve heard about that. So, the two of you are still at it, huh? She’s pretty and clever. I bet she drives you crazy, doesn’t she?” Hana couldn’t help, but let out a laugh, smiling to herself at the thought of how she still clearly knew him.
