Ignite

Chapter Two: The Request

With his feet propped atop the scuff mark covered surface of his desk, Captain Piatt simply studied the irate, child sized girl before him as she recounted a rather interesting tale- of which he was rather certain the majority was overexaggerated. If her story was to be believed, "Fire-Fist" Ace had walked into a popular bar last night and had through his actions- which she skimmed over to an extent- insulted the entirety of the female marine population. Not only that, according to her, but perhaps the entire marine force.

It was with all the control he had over his expressions that he managed to keep a straight face through her entire story. When she'd finished, he picked the important details out of the mess, as well as what he deemed a rather interesting request on her part. Instead of giving her an immediate response, however, he mused the idea over, drumming his fingers on the top of his knees as he did so.

She wanted him to give her permission to take one of the docked boats with a small crew to go after the pirate. It wasn't an unreasonable request, he acknowledged. With the little knowledge he'd managed to gain from the higher-ups about the pirate in question, it was believed that left unchecked the boy might become a bigger problem over time. Not many had given the rookie a second thought- however- considering that reports of him and his currently small crew had only just begun to pour in. As far as he was aware the only current reason that the boy even had a bounty was because he'd set fire to a few vessels and because of reasons that the higher-ups insisted on keeping to themselves.

If he sent her after the boy, they could be heading off a problem. He could also- however- be sacrificing one of his command that had a rather promising future before her, as he had no way of knowing how she would fare upon facing off with the pirate. At eighteen the girl had already climbed to the rank of lieutenant, given time he had no doubt she'd continue to climb through the ranks without problem. Plus, there was the matter of the influence that had helped propel her career so far- her admiral brother. How would the man take it if Piatt simply allowed her to set sail with the ending destination and time-frame unknown?

"Well?" she demanded.

His lips twitched. If Irie had one major fault as a marine it was that when her temper had flared she made no effort to hide her disregard for authority. He had to wonder if that could be faulted to her brother's lax influence. The male was rarely riled- so he found it hard to imagine that she would have been disciplined for insubordination when traveling with him.

"I'm thinking," he answered cryptically.

Behind her, Kennit settled his hand atop her shoulder, a sheepish expression coloring his face.

"Perhaps we should give him time, Irie," he suggested. "Go take care of that hang-"

"Your voice is making forgetting about it difficult," she retorted before her friend had finished.

The boy simply laughed instead of being insulted, something that Piatt could only shake his head at.

"I would think it would be soothing," Kennit replied with a rather playful smile. "What with it being me and all."

"Shut the hell up, Kennit."

"Make--"

"I'll allow it," Piatt announced decisively a moment later.

The two younger marines stared at him- dumbfounded. He couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips at the sight- apparently even his petitioner hadn't actually expected him to grant the request, let alone her partner. His expression, however, changed to serious as he quickly began drawing the rules he'd settled upon to the front of his mind, shifting his hand so that a single finger laid against his knee.