Jeff the Accountant Escapes the Wretched Burning Depths of Hades

Discuss!

"Port Royal or New Providence?" Blackbeard offered the destinations up for discussion.

"You'll get a hearty reception either place, Captain." Ivan said.

"It's not just about his reception, though, is it?" Jim questioned, irritation in their voice. "Which one is more likely to put us in touch with someone who can help us find Olu?"

"Help us find the rest of Stede's crew, don't you mean?" Frenchie asked.

"Right. All of them." And Jim uttered something inaudible.

"Ivan's right, boss. Port Royal or New Providence. Both are good." Fang offered.

"Well I'm not gonna bloody flip a coin! I put the choices up for discussion. Now discuss!"

"More people owe you favors in New Providence, Edward." Izzy said. "And more people have something to pay you back for in Port Royal." 

"Oh. I bet there are some stories there" Lucius said provocatively.

"Lucius, focus." Blackbeard said.

"Dios en el cielo!" Jim's impatience was growing. "Which one is closer???"

Blackbeard wanted discussion, but he wasn't sure he could let Jim's impertinence go unchecked. "Jim" he said, " This is an open discussion, yes. But remember, you are addressing me too. When I'm a part of the conversation, you will speak with respect."

Izzy was happy to hear Edward correcting them. Happy that, though there were clear changes in the captain, he still had expectations of his crew; his underlings. His words left that unmistakeable.

"However," Blackbeard said "Jim makes a good point. We are considerably closer to Port Royal. We could head to New Providence later, if a trip there is unfruitful."

"Izzy, I don't think anyone at The Port can dish us more than we can handle, do you?"

A smile that Blackbeard, Fang, and Ivan hadn't seen in a long time broke across Izzy's face. "No question, boss."

Lucius wasn't the only one to sense the changing dynamics. It's not that Izzy seemed softer. Neither did Blackbeard. It was as though an agreement was reached between them that did away with superfluous posturing or challenging.

It was clear who was in charge, and it was clear that Izzy accepted the leadership of Blackbeard, however changed he might be.