Dark Water
Chapter 33 : Talon Eye Pt. 1
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There's trouble on the horizon.
cw: light demiphobia, drinking
Getting a straight answer out of pirates when inquiring about a specific supposed Lumrey naval officer was an impossible feat that, in hindsight, Anne should have seen from a mile away. The suspicious glances, however, were extremely obvious.
She left a few times, drink in hand, wondering to herself how in the hell she was going to earn enough; eventually revisiting the bidding war idea. She could auction his body in pieces; a leg for eight silver, an arm for five. What's that? Two gold for the head?
"Ye know a man named 'arper?"
"A pirate?"
"No. Rumor is 'e from Lumrey."
"I don't know anyone from Lumrey, and anyone askin' needs to piss off."
"There's money in it."
"What did I say? Piss. Off."
She found herself in the opposite corner, two days in, surveying the crowd, letting the rum fall into her empty stomach. It was already heavy as lead, sinking from dread and the thought that maybe there was no Harper at all.
"Ye been walkin' 'round askin' strange questions," a woman's voice came from her right.
She glanced over; the older woman was just an inch taller than her, with a stern face, wrinkled into an admonishing glare.
"Ye startin' trouble, Anne?"
"No, Mrs. Cuthbert."
"Then why ye harassin' the customers?"
Anne sighed, looking to her feet with a small smile, "well, I was 'opin' one of them would be able to give me the recipe for ye..." she met her gaze, "mead, was it?"
The glimmer in the older woman's eye led to a mischevious smile.
"Lass, only Richard knows that. It dies with 'im."
"What a shame," Anne looked around, "can't imagine the place without it."
"Exactly," she shrugged, "so why ye really 'ere then? Is it an excuse to..." her head tilted, and eyes moved across the pub to where Burke was sitting. He was talking with two other men; having a good conversation, it looked like, judging from the body language.
"I saw ye two talkin', thought that was goin' somewhere's."
"Oh," Anne looked at Mrs. Cuthbert. Agatha, was her name, but she hated it. "Maybe a little. He's... fine."
"Good with words."
"Aye."
"And other things."
"Now 'ow would ye know that?" Anne's brows raised, and the older woman chuckled.
"I don't, lass. No one does. The girls say ye can tell by the way a man moves."
"Pah!" Anne took a sip, "sounds like someone who got paid ta keep their mouth shut- ow!"
The small slap sent tingles up Anne's bicep, and Mrs. Cuthbert gave a warning glance before relaxing again. Burke looked over and nodded at Anne. She took a drink and dropped her eyes.
"Turns out 'e's more of a romantic," Mrs. Cuthbert crossed her arms, "Needs connection. Hasn't found it."
"Some would call that barely a man," she took a sip, staring at the liquid as it fell to her lips.
"Some find it refreshin'," she leaned closer to Anne, "the lad is keen on ye, so snatch 'im up, or someone else will."
"Is that a threat, Mrs. Cuthbert?"
"A warnin', more like. Get to it!" With that, the old woman walked away.
Anne waited a few minutes; she wasn't sure why. Maybe to not give the old woman the sense of satisfaction? Whatever it was, something was wrong with her; she knew that. Anyone else would be giddy with anticipation that a successful man—a powerful man— had any interest in them, but Anne knew that Burke was only as powerful as he was allowed, just like her. Just like everyone else in the world.
Burke saw her coming and excused himself, standing.
"Anne," he smiled, "this is Jonah and Lionel. Woodsmith's, lookin' to open up a shop, maybe even a mill."
She smiled at them, "Nice ta meet ye both!" then she focused on Burke, "can I steal ye, Burke? Just fer a moment?"
He excused himself, and followed Anne outside where she took a deep breath, unenthusiastically hitting the heel of her boot on the ground as she turned back to face the harbor master. He had gone home; changed clothes, offered her the same though she refused. She was still in the same dress from two days ago, looking more like a maid than a lady by now, as if she ever appeared like the latter.
"Any luck?" He asked.
She shook her head, squinting to block out the sun.
"Seems they're on edge," he pondered underneath the blacksmith's shrill strike on metal, "Probably the rumor."
"Rumor?" Anne finally brought her hand above her forehead, looking Burke in the eye. He reached for her.
She stepped back.
He put his hands up and backed up into the shade of the building, offering her a spot beside him. She sighed, and took it.
"Sorry, ye were sayin'?"
Burke leaned against the wall, "apparently a navy-man found his way on Talon, likely bartered or sold off as a slave."
"So? It wouldn't be the first time."
"So," Burke looked out at the sea, watching people go by his stall and towards the dock, "this particular snake is a killer. Likely why he's even here. Some think he might've been the one that did the Regent's son in."
"Hm," Anne fiddled with the dwindling coin in her pocket. She didn't have time for this. At this rate she would spend a year running around. Maybe now that his brother was dead, that's what Reid really wanted; a workhorse that couldn't complain and had no stake in the Capo name. She could try and placate him... she shuttered at the thought of him anywhere near her.
Burke pushed off the wall and scooped a rock from the ground, not deterred in the slightest by her lack of interest, "Vince says he was recruited from Windover. Imagine that, a farmboy turned assassin?"
Anne stopped fidgeting.
Burke chucked the rock away, then looked at her, "Ye think it's the same lad ye barterin' for?"
"Who told ye this?"
The sudden question surprised him, "it's goin' around. I'm surprised ye haven't heard it-"
"-and ye just thought of tellin' me now?" she rolled her eyes, shaking her head, "c'mon Burke, I thought ye were 'elpin' me. Now I look like a snitch!"
"Ye not a snitch, though."
"It doesn't matter!" she could almost laugh, "if enough people say it, it becomes true. I- I 'ave to right this somehow... and I can't just leave..." she slumped against the wall, burying her face in her hands as she slid down.
Burke kneeled in front of her, "It'll be alright."
"I don't see 'ow," she sniffed, "I'll 'ave ta show up empty 'anded. Who knows what 'e'll want instead-"
"-Don't be rash, get up. Ye tearin' me up, thinkin' like that," he touched her arm, gently pushing his fingers underneath to get a gentle grip, "come on. Let's try again, one more day, aye?"
The rushed sounds of boots approaching made Burke turn. Anne lifted her head to see Vincent, with his hat in his hands, approaching from the direction of the Harbor Master stall.
"Burke!" He called, breathing heavily, "I have a problem."
The Harbor Master stood, spinning on his heel as Vince came to a stop, shoving papers at Burke.
"I-I-I guess my partner didn't like the terms. He drew this up and... I signed it, but I don't remember- c-can ye look over it?"
"That's just fine, um," he looked down at Anne, "Ye comin' in?"
Vince then looked at Anne, and nodded respectfully as he breathed heavily in panic and the effort of his likely long walk.
"Aye," Anne responded, "in a minute. Go on."
Burke nodded, then looked at Vince, "let's go sit down. I'll buy ye a drink."
"No, I'm off the stuff. For good, this time."
taglist: @sparrowsage @kixngiggles @honey-is-mesi @annablogsposts
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Reposting my art from Twitter 8/14: Apr-Jun 2021
Apr 6 2021: Birthday art for @coffeemug34
Apr 8 2021: Fan art for @tracegoldart's OC Shelly
Apr 9 2021: Fan art for a friend's PMTOK gijinka of Tape.
Apr 15 2021: I drew me and my friends in the actual Animal Crossing style.
Apr 27 2021: Fanart of an OC by @/Kyez0ar on Twitter. His name is King Grease.
Unfinished anniversary art for my OC Vector.
Me and a friend in Discord voice chat joked that Waluigi had an N-word pass.
May 8 2021: Another fanart for @coffeemug34, this time pumped up on Australium (because he's Australian).
May 9 2021: A collab between artist friends, featuring the femsonas of @coffeemug34, @Kyez0ar, and I.
It's my mom!
May 12 2021: I got my first commission! (And so far it's been my only one. 😭)
Giving my OCs canon birthdays.
Art trade with @/Kyez0ar on Twitter.
Jun 3 2021: A grandiose celebration for Pride Month! (And to give my OCs canon sexualities)
Fan art of @tracegoldart's OC Arper.
A raffle prize for @coffeemug34 featuring him hugging @/moredeer (of Twitter).
Jun 15 2021: I could not restrain the horny any longer. After all, Gabby was made with the express purpose of boob drawings.
June 21 2021: If you know, you know.
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Cosmote TV HQ and Studios, Athens
Cosmote TV HQ and Studios, Athens Building Interior, Greek Commercial Architecture Photos
Cosmote TV HQ and Studios in Athens
6 May 2022
Cosmote TV HQ and Studios
Design: LC Architects
Location: Athens, Greece
photo © Nikos Daniilidis
Designed by London-based architecture and design practice LC Architects and built in Athens, Greece, Cosmote TV HQ and Studios is a new, innovative building inspired by contemporary media and the constant flow of information.
photo © LC Architects
A fluid, open space designed to meet the highest specification, Cosmote TV HQ and Studios sees the transformation of an existing industrial building into an inspirational combination of hybrid workspace environments and state-of-the-art TV studios, pushing the boundaries of innovative architecture and design.
photo © LC Architects
The building is designed to bring together in one building a number of smaller departments, creating an exciting environment for people to work, collaborate and thrive while promoting communication and connection between different teams.
photo © LC Architects
At the core of the building is The Plaza, a dramatic central atrium with cutting-edge acoustic ceiling, entirely furnished with Arper collections including Loop, Colina, Dizzie and Pix. It is a flexible space where staff and visitors can network daily, encouraging collaboration and interaction.
photo © Nikos Daniilidis
A bridge in the heart of the building connects administrative and creative departments with production and technical spaces, creating a seamless spatial connection which fosters cross-departmental teamwork and team spirit. Arper’s Colina, Dizzie and Pix collections blend in perfectly with the environment thanks to their flexibility, texture, colour and softness.
photo © LC Architects
The quality of space is maximised by a series of collaborative areas within the building, furnished with Saari, Dizzie and Pix.
The architects’ work highlights how design can shape and influence human behaviour and emotions, and is focused on the search of organic forms that are soft and human-centred.
photo © LC Architects
Ermis Chalvatzis, co-founder and director of LC Architects, says: “Space can create emotions through scale, texture, colour, proportions, interactions […] All these qualities make spaces rich and allow people to express themselves, feel relaxed, work, play, learn”.
Arper’s furniture was chosen for this project for its timeless, soft(er) design, allowing the architects to fulfil their vision.
Natassa Lianou, co-founder and director of LC Architects, comments: “We recognize in Arper simple, future-proof design which adds the final touch in each and every project that we do”
photo © LC Architects
Designe: LC Architects
photo © LC Architects
Photography © Nikos Daniilidis and © LC Architects
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