Snippet #1324083

"It seems we will be spending a lot of time together. Tell me, will you be addressing me as, 'Pretty Elric' every time? To be quite honest, I'm not to fond of that name."

"All the more reason for me to keep calling you that, huh?" She smiled a playful smile, and stood up, taking a step towards Elric. Like the good captain said, to the brig with you! If you cooperate, we won't need the shackles..." Miss Whitmoore laughed, and William couldn't help but chuckle a little to. It seemed that the two of them might get along. They both seemed to be willing to accept the situation at least, which made William's job much easier.

"Very well then. If that is all, Miss Whitmoore, you should be able to get the keys the cells from the Boatswain. Tell him that you have been given responsibility of Mr. Rolance. If he gives you any problems, tell him to come speak to me." With that, William stood up, indicating that the little meeting was over. He turned to look at the windows again, watching the sea and feeling the ship move. It was pretty much the only life he remembered, but it was one he was content with. Both ship and sea could be harsh mistresses, but William had learned to read both well. He knew when to push and also where it was best to just go along for the ride. He considered himself to be a happy man, but today had brought back memories and feeling that he had thought he had long since rid himself of. He thought of what life could have been like, about the life that by all rights he should have had with his beloved Rebecca. The life that had been stolen from him by a vain, egotistical noble. He still had a small portrait of Rebecca buried in one of the drawers of his desk, one that she had given him when they it seemed that they would be spending the rest of their lives together. He should have thrown it out when she had gotten married, but he had never been able to bring himself to do so. Instead he had just buried it out of sight, just like he had done his with his emotions. But unfortunately the events of today had brought them back to the surface.

William closed his eyes against the tears that threatened to overwhelm him, this head bowed from the pain, anger, sorrow, and loss that now tormented him again. Was he content with his life. Yes. He thought we might even be quite happy with. But the ghosts of what might have been haunted him now, making him all to aware of what he had lost. With any luck he might be able to save Mr. Rolance from a similar fate, for he truly did seem to care for the Princess.