driftfleet | put your hands in the air

[That's... definitely theft, Joseph...?!?! All the same, Dany has done some unsavory things herself so it doesn't matter to her overly much.]

I'm sure they're not expecting her at this point.

[Going to just reach out and pet this cute little dog now!! It's been a time since she's had any horses or other things that didn't end up food. Her dragons often ate goats and the like.]

[Cloudy starts awake, lifting her head abruptly and looking mildly alarmed. But alarm is quickly replaced by curiosity as she starts sniffing Dany's hand while also still wanting pats. It's complicated being a dog.]

If they were, they're gonna have a helluva time finding her.

[Yes, yes, he would pretend like he doesn't know what happened and hide the dog to keep her.]

[Cloudy was certainly a lot cuter than her owner, too! Though it isn't her fault he apparently likes stealing puppies. Dany does laugh a bit at his words, though.]

Yes, I'd imagine so.

[She won't press him about what else he might have stolen, for now.]

How long have you been aboard the Caprine?

[Because it's good business sense to learn a bit more about your shipmates, honestly.]

[At least he's not a risk for stealing babies like his boyfriend, okay.]

Since I got here. So uh... [He has to count it out. On his fingers. Hold please.] Seven months, going on eight. I don't think I could be on another ship at this point.

[It's the closest approximation to a home he's got here, anyway.]

I should hope not. You're our captain, after all.

[She was attempting humor? Or at least a compliment. While she may call herself a Queen, that didn't mean she couldn't follow others example. He hadn't killed them all yet so he was alright in her book.]

[Joseph opens his mouth and is about to correct her before he remembers: Mal isn't there anymore. That's going to take getting used to even though he really doesn't want to get used to it. He'd much rather Mal come back already even if he would absolutely never give back the captain's bed when she's not going to use it.]

Yeah, [he says instead, managing a smile.] Just bear with me for a little while though. I haven't exactly been the captain all that long. I mean, I had a good example from the captain before me, but I'm really not used to being in charge of anything.

Some are born to power, others are thrust into it. The fact that you are trying to use her example to learn for yourself what sort of leader you want to be is commendable.

[She had no examples, only stories from her childhood, a strong sense of justice, and dragons.]

Leading people isn't always easy, nor does it always lead to making the right choices. You do what is necessary, no more no less. I learned that much from home, at least.

You lead people back where you're from then?

[Just from the way she talks, it sounds like it, anyway. And now that the idea's been put in his head, she sorta carries herself that way, too.]

I am a Queen. I lead many people.

[But she also was willing to follow others who were worthy of it. He wasn't some vicious person like Viserys had been. He also was no Drogo, either, but still she followed him.]

[Joseph's eyebrows shoot right up.]

A queen? Why didn't you say something sooner?

Why should I have? It is not as if I demand special treatment from you or anyone else.

[She could but she knew that it wouldn't be right. There were kings and queens all over the fleet. Alistair and Robb; Riona was a noble woman. They did not demand things that she was aware of. The only thing she pushed for was not having to wear her awful fleet issued clothing and sometimes she enjoyed hiding in the Communications office to get some peace and quiet.]

[Even if she did demand, it's not like she'd get it. It's good that she's got the common sense for something like that. But even that aside,]

Yeah, but I mean. It's kinda important where you're from, right?

It is, yes. My people need me but I cannot return to them.

[Which does make her a bit sad, but everyone aboard the Caprine has been welcoming and she feels grateful for that.]

[Oh. He definitely did not intend to make her feel sad. Joseph is quiet for a couple of seconds before he speaks again.]

If it makes you feel any better, from what I hear, time doesn't really move while we're here. Back home, I mean.

That does make me feel better.

[She falls quiet herself, for just a moment.]

I want the Caprine to feel as much home to me as Mereen had.

[She feels as if she needs to clarify that a bit. She isn't completely unhappy, but she does miss home. She misses her dragons. She misses Misandei and her handmaidens who took such care with her. She did not have that here to ground her. Only herself and whomever she chose to rely upon. So far it had been no one.]

[She might be a queen, but Joseph sees someone who's just maybe a little homesick, and that's a feeling he can definitely relate to. He's grateful to have familiar faces from home here. He knows how lucky he is. But he still misses his grandmother and Speedwagon from time to time. Nothing in this world can exactly stop that.]

Well, if there's anything I can do to help you with that, let me know, yeah? It takes a lot of getting used to around here, but you can get used to it. And the crew around here, [Joseph says, gesturing a little with his hand,] they're a good one. We try to look out for each other and help if someone needs it.

put your hands in the air

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