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*she gets an idea from what the Captain said*
Perhaps if they take us in tow we can escape in the cover of darkness in the longboats? Just an idea...
*she stares back at the table in deep contemplation*

"Tea, thank you. I want a sharp mind when we go into action. No muddled thoughts and half-brained schemes for me, no sir. Oh, and nevermind the finger foods. Those who don't make it to mess shall find themselves having missed their last supper. No water to wine parlour tricks in my ship, but I shall feed you upon blood and body of englishmen if I have my way, and if Miss Destiny here sees fit to have time, we'll have a fine meal to proceed our blood bath." Spreading butter over a piece of biscuit, Kurisutofa raises an eyebrowl as his bosun reappeared once more. His face wore an expression of worry. Obviously the scuffle had been between Baxter and himself. Having taken the order seriously, he'd put the Doctor in a right fit with his pistol half cocked. John was a sharp bosun, but had never been one for so full an order. Maybe if he'd left out the wit, this may have been avoided.

But it was of no use; it was far too late now, for Baxter was already at his errands of setting the ship up with scenes fit for Styx herself. It seemed as if he'd refused dinner, but Jack wouldn't have it. He'd send another messenger and if that didn't work, he'd do it himself. He hated to keep the crew waiting on account of one man. Thus, they'd have to carry on without him. Jack would catch him up later. "Have a seat, Mr. John and we shall begin. - You are correct in your mindset, Miss Ares. We could indeed attempt to dissapear from the ship by way of night, but where would we be then, aye? We'd be lost in the Antlantic with no hope of survival. Thus, I have decided we shall stay in the ship. It's a matter of at least surviving our escort. We shall go to England, we really haven't a choice so there's no fighting it, but our plauge shalla t least assure us of no incident. It's now a matter of what will happen when we get to Britannia."

Sweeping her skirts under her she chose a seat near the Captain's right arm, befitting her new rank. Smoothing the folds of her skirt gave her something to do with her hands who's palms began to sweet with worry over the plan.

Picking up a dinner roll, she bit into the staleness. Chewing it made her mouth dry and hard to swallow, but somehow she got through it. This whole thing was making her nervous and her stomach revolt against the food, but as she looked to her left the calmness in the Captain's face reassured her even if she knew it was a well placed mask. Donning her own she attempted light dinner conversation,

"How do you think England shall look, Jack, it has been so long. Do you think everything has changed?"

*She sat quietly at the table listening to suggestions of the few and what the Captain informed the crew of the current situation. Seeing Ilor coming and going so suddenly made her catch her breath somewhat but she remained silent. She purely was not in a jumpy mood and contemplation caused her demeanor to be very subdued. Jaden took a sip of wine from her glass and pondered the information laid before her. In a low but still clear tone, she addressed the captain. She did not turn to him but merely spoke whilest looking into her glass.*

"If I understand you correctly, my dear Captain, you are alluding to disappearing once we are to port, are you not?" she pursed her lips while thinking about the situation in detail.

"It is one thing to slip a person or two underground and onto the streets of England unnoticed. It is something else entirely to move an entire ship's crew off of a boat under any cloak of secrecy." She ran a finger around the rim of her glass as she stared deeply into its contents.

"From your cocksure attitude, Captain, it is no suprise you have already come to both conclusions. This begs me to ask two questions: One; 'When do we move a group this large into the heart of England?' and two, 'Who are you connected with who would shelter fugitives such as ourselves, especially a number this large, and risk the wrath of the English gallows?'"

*It was only then that she turned and looked at the Captain with a curious look behind her dark green eyes. She took a long cool sip of wine and sat awaiting his answer. As she did so, Jaden leaned back in her seat and was lulled slightly by the murmur at the head table from other officers.*

<>

Walking in quietly, Reginald set down the supplies he brought with him and sat at an empty spot in the corner. He was certain to be quiet as there seemed to be a discussion going on that he did not wish to interrupt.

-: Stirring his tea with a spoon, he made little whirlpools in his teacup. Setting the delicate cup on it's saucer, Kurisutofa stared blankly at the tablespread. The shipyard was as delicate a matter as the china upon which they supped. It wasn't safe, but then again what was.

"Press Gangs, my bold lads and lasses. Working the yards is all well and good, but when the boys in the navy lists need to fill their ships compliment, they send out their nasiest blokes to do the work. Packs of Man-of-War's Men take on the form of rabid wolfs; hungry for men. They will descend upon you with no mercy. They will beat you into submission and the next thing you know, you awake in the depths of a crowded ship bound for a faraway unknown port that shant see home for years to come. It is this that I have come to fear most. Lossing my brave and valiant crewmen is the last thing I need. Therefore, as lovely as it would be to have you all work in the yards, it shant work. Let them fix the 'Lady' on their own time and man power. When the time comes, we'll retake her." It was at about this point that Mr. Ilor paced in, said his bit and turned to leave. "You're bound to me by contract, Mr. Ilor. You make a mess of things and I will know of it. Keep your nose clean. Good luck friend."

Miss Midnight had spoken to him on the thought of what England would be like. He'd not said anything of it yet for he'd been pondering over the idea. For most of his men, it had been no more than three years or more since last they struck soundings in their home ports. But for Jack, it had been eons. Last he'd been to London, it was still under the reign of King George I and the House of Brunswick. Long years had passed since these times. England had gone through five monarchs and only recently had William IV died and thus handed the Crown to Victoria, the daughter of the Duke of Kent. The year 1837 was proving to be one of great change, but for a man who was set in his ways and ideals of traditionalism this period proved to be quite difficult for Jack. London would have changed drastically, to say nothing of how much his home town of Bristol should have been effected by time.

"One Hundred and Twenty Three Years... That's how long I've been away to sea. I've ventured home once, but was called away the moment I'd set eyes on Ashgrove Cottage. My, how time takes it's toll. I wonder if my family still owns the residence. Hell, I wonder if my family still exists at all. I may be the last one of us for all I know. It's been ages since last I was sent a personal correspondence from a relative...." Drifting off into deep thought, Kurisutofa seemed worried, but above all, he seemed anxious. Anxious to see what hand he and his crewmen would be delt. Speaking of which, Miss Jaden had addressed him upon what was to be done when they reached Portsmouth. He'd not thought of his connections. He'd been affiliated with many people over the years that would be more than happy to harbour a wanted crew of misfits, but it had been years since he'd heard hinde nor hair of them. He had a feeling that they should be in the same old haunts, but it might be safe to send word to them via Morgaine Celeste. Surely they would remember the raven. :-

Even with the fats and oils burning in the stove, the wonderful aromas of the food could still be smelled.
Destiny jumped up ,and began pulling out all the food from the galley to the tables. With Aeoess's help, the tables were soon piled with a sumptuous spread. The fresh bread smelled wonderful, and the roasts were done to perfection. The veggies were crisp- the food superb. Destiny had tapped the best of the fully restocked galley to make this wonderful meal. She had taken umbrage when some of the crew had called her bread stale- seeing as how she had baked it yesterday morning.

Destiny couldn't come up with any more clever ideas, but the Captain seemed to have a plan in mind. All she had to do was wait till he revealed it.