#v: orgullo de la armada espanola

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

perpetuallyadrift// “Please stop this! This is pointless!”

“Pointless?” Salazar echoes, his voice wanting to rise in incredulity. “Pointless. I’ve never heard a more inaccurate judgement.” 

The canon blasts cease as his men take aim at the rats that remain clawing for breath in the wreckage of their ships. 

“The point of my entire career has been to cleanse the seas of this criminal filth, so that the honest may continue their livelihoods without fear. They have no mercy for the innocent, why would I allow them the dignity of the gallows?” 

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

-throws haphazardly at @therapardalis -

He’s a few wine glasses in now- not enough to be incoherent, but certainly enough to lose any remnant of restraint he’d have any other evening. This is why a hand shifts around her waist, why he trails his lips up the back of her neck. 

“No one’s around,” he assures her (as good as a greeting). “Either asleep or on duty.” 

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

starter for @fatherlcss

Though he made all efforts to be as present as possible when on leave from duty, work still called to him in the form of some extensive household paperwork within his study. It was a late, lazy afternoon and he assumed his mother would’ve been fast into a nap by this point. As such, her sudden appearance at the threshold of his door caught him by surprise and he jumped a little. 

“Aún no soy un fantasma, Armando.” 

She scoffed, nudging open the door with her cane. 

“La chica que esperas está abajo. No sé por qué piensas que una gringa está en condiciones de cuidarme. ¿Se espera que hable inglés?”

Salazar sighed and rose from his chair to see to the newest member of the household staff. Before exiting the room he afforded his mother only the passing comfort and suggestion of,

“Calma, mamá.” 

He moved quickly downstairs and to the new arrival with a sense of firm urgency. He didn’t intend to treat her poorly despite the conditions of her joining them, but he did want to make it clear to her that her position was not to be taken for granted. 

“I will assume you have a preference for English,” he said, as close to a greeting as she was going to get. “I admit, I had my doubts about taking on someone of your background, but I think you will find you can acclimate. I am Capitán Armando Salazar and this is my estate. You will address me only as Señor or Capitán. My mother María Salazar will be known to you as Señora or Señora Salazar. My sister Catalina dwells here as well, she will be known to you as Señorita or Señorita Salazar. Do you follow so far?”   

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

"A taste for adventure is by no means a masculine monopoly."

“Not at all,” he agrees. “The pursuit of adventure, however…it’s a shame women are so often kept bound by bodices to the home and hearth. Had any of my sisters been given opportunity with the Armada I have no doubt they’d outrank me now.” 

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

“What’s a pretty thing like you doing out here by yourself?”

He smiled over at her in greeting, albeit not as convincing, as his mind had been elsewhere. 

“Getting some much desired peace and quiet,” he replied. “It’s hard to hear myself think sometimes, even within my quarters. Maybe it’s a matter of quieting my own thoughts. I can’t be sure. As such, I look to the stars when I need clarity.

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

"Perhaps it’s not our friends but… our enemies that define us."

“That is true of me, as I have infinitely more enemies than friends.” He pauses in between the polishing of his rapier. “That is, if we’re considering the dead in this assessment.” 

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

@a-vulparia

With much disgust and repressed frustration, Armando made his way through the grime and drunken fervor of the port town. It was a place of mixed company (the least savory of these being, of course, pirates) and so naturally he neglected his uniform in favor of unsuspecting threads, pedestrian and even a bit ragged so that he could have just been any other sailor of ill repute coming to get his fill of rum. 

He had been told explicitly to look for a tavern wench and deliver the phrase that only she would recognize to hopefully engage her services, so he worked his way purposefully to said tavern (just as, he imagined, most of the men in this port did). 

The tavern was predictably crowded, noisy and reeked of the damp. Hoping he wouldn’t have to be in here any longer than necessary, he scanned the area until his eyes settled on who he felt he might be seeking out. There was only one way to be sure. 

“Pardon me, Miss,” he said as soon as he’d sidled up near to her at the bar. “I’ve heard it said the sparrows fly with the tide, rather than against. Do you find this to be true?” 

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

starter for @babylonwhcre 

Captain Salazar surveyed his work like a master artist, proud of each blast of cannon fire and each vessel-destroying explosion. No sympathy was felt towards the cries of anguish and waves of blood that now crashed around him. It was, after all, fair retribution for the innocent blood these pirates had spilled of merchant sailors, unsuspecting women and children in port cities. He was God’s instrument in these moments, bringing these murderers and thieves to the proper justice. Their greatest judgment lay ahead, at the gates of St. Peter. 

He could not say he wished any mercy on their souls. 

This particular pirate fleet had thought themselves strong enough in great number to corner and take out the Silent Mary. Arrogance in its purest form, but what could really be expected of pirates?  

There were always survivors, rats that would cling to the wreckage of the fallen ship just as they had clung to criminality in life. Sometimes they would even beg, wave a flag of surrender as if it would make any difference at all. The end result was always the same, Salazar didn’t need to say anything as per the order other than a nod of the head. 

It was at this particular juncture, with guns aimed at the survivors, that one of his men called out quite unexpectedly, 

“¡Capitán, hay una mujer!” 

Salazar peered over the side of the ship to confirm this sighting for himself, aghast at the sight that met him. The woman was well-dressed, which indicated that she was likely a noblewoman taken for a ransom...and also, more importantly, that the heavy brocade dress was likely to drown her. 

He didn’t hesitate to have her fetched from the water and pulled to safety, neglecting the left over survivors in the process (though as they were wounded and without a ship it was unlikely they’d be going anywhere). The dress had been pulled from her in the process to better facilitate lifting her to the safety of the ship, as such Salazar swept his uniform coat over her shoulders for the sake of warmth and modesty. 

“There’s no need to be frightened,” he assured, though whether she actually was or not was difficult to discern. “You are now aboard a ship of the Armada Española, Miss. We will see you to safety.” 

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

@buscarparamivida starter

Captain Salazar was seldom far from the responsibilities of duty, whether he was at sea or on dry land. 

He and the crew of El Maria Silenciosa had made port some days ago, an ordered week’s reprieve from the strains of their hunting. His men behaved as most normal men did, taking the opportunity to enjoy the sights and indulgences of the Mediterranean port city. They were navy men when called to duty; Armando Salazar was a navy man every hour of his life. 

It was for this reason that his reprieve time was spent seeking out a specfic someone, a name that had become as infamous as it was synonymous with piracy. Captain Barbossa was all but confirmed to be a privateer in the service of England, but as it was Salazar's job to destroy pirates regardless of their woven excuses or alleged national loyalty, he intended to investigate for the legitimacy of this claim himself.

It was better that he do so at port, as crossing paths upon the sea could be an almost immediate act of aggression. Barbossa did, after all, have the damned Letters of Marque shielding him like a flimsy sort of armor. Salazar, grudgingly, had to respect this.

There were, however, no rules or 'shields' standing between him and a more clever form of underhanded, conversational warfare. This is why Salazar chose not to seek out Barbossa specifically, despite knowing he was here, but instead his reportedly hot-tempered wife against whom he had allegedly committed several indecent acts. Said wife was also rumored to be a fellow Spaniard; Salazar assumed that a combination of shared national pride and his aptitude at charming women would reward him with something he could use, some clue to the fact that the former pirate captain was violating the Letters that protected him. Better to use what he could to end Barbossa's reign before any more damage could be done. After all, Salazar didn't believe privateers to be any less of a lit fuse than unashamed pirates.

He knew he'd have to be discerning when seeking said woman out, as he had nothing to go on but vague descriptors. He was certain though that God or fate or both would cause their paths to cross sooner or later, for the betterment of everyone and everything.

His search was suddenly suspended as he strolled closer to the harbor, along a length of wall that spanned the coast. The busyness of the port city spilled over a bit into this area, and if he hadn't been scanning the crowds he might have missed sight of the woman who was being harrassed by a larger man. He never liked seeing a man impose himself in anyway on a woman, nor did he like seeing a woman in distress, but it was the word that was uttered then that made his blood boil. It was a word he knew well, one that had been launched at him, his mother and their siblings several times despite her mostly successful efforts to keep their identity hidden.

Nothing could hold him back now. He stormed over and imposed himself between the man and woman, caring very little for what the context of the situation was, for the specifics of their relationship, if any.

"Señor, I would advise you offer the lady a sincere apology for your coarse words and, if she wishes it, leave her be. This is the only warning I will give before you will be answering to my sword. I am a Captain in the Armada Española, extensively trained. If you defy me, your death is ensured."

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

"Tell me about Spain, Capitan."

Send me DRUNK questions

“How long do I have?” he asked, partially joking and partially serious, as he poured another glass of rioja with a coordination that couldn’t betray how woozy he was starting to feel. “I could write a whole book on her and I fear I still would not have done her justice.” 

A long, contended sigh as he sat back with his glass, eyes flitting upward as he thought on how best to condense his thoughts of home. 

“It is...the seat of all things beautiful; art, literature, music, people. We have a true passion that I find isn’t shared quite the same way anywhere else. It is the same that drives our need to protect and conquer.” 

He’d gone a bit glassy eyed from a combination of the wine and waxing lyrical about his home country. In reminder that this was a two-sided conversation, he broke himself from his reverie with a throaty chuckle. 

“Was there something specific that peaked your curiosity?” 

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

✝

send ✝ to find him in a church

“Te pido que me guíes en mi misión…si está en su voluntad para permitir mi éxito.”

He crosses himself and stands to leave, his counsel with God as concluded as it can be at this juncture. He feels fairly confident that he has been chosen and that success will meet him in the end, but it’s neither favorable in the Lord’s eyes nor wise to assume before all is said and done. 

Turning, he realizes he wasn’t alone. It jars him only a little bit, as the things he said he thought were done so in confidence. 

“Ah, my apologies. I’d thought I was alone. Had I known there was another present I would’ve kept silent for Senor’s genuflection.” 

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

intoxicated ask: Do you have any regrets? (can be both ic and ooc)

“Doesn’t everyone?” 

If he wasn’t already impaired by the drink that response might have been a bit more defensive. As it was, he was already sort of swaying and his tone of voice lacked much conviction for anything severe, so he chose to let go of whatever stood between him and his vulnerability. 

“That is...yes. Everyone does, I’m no exception. A man can work his whole life to rectify the wrongs of the world, but there are certain things that can never be fixed. Never be taken back. My mission is to ensure that similar wrongs are prevented from happening in the first place. It’s the only real line of defense.”

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

(intoxicated ask) Salazaaaar, What did you think of me when we first met?

Send me DRUNK questions!

“Perhaps my English is failing me but if there is a word for being both afraid and annoyed, I don’t what it is. But, yes. That.” 

Floating somewhere in an abyss of drowsiness and too much drink, he meant neither offense nor complete sincerity in what he was saying. But then again...

“You did put my entire crew to sleep. I suppose I should be thankful you didn’t lure us into a cliff face, hmm?” 

If he still harbored any ill-will for that first meeting it was lost in sleepy intoxication. He laughed and smiled wearily before taking another drink.

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

"I think it’d be rather exciting to meet a pirate." {Screams 'no'}

“Exciting?” he repeats, somewhat aghast. “What part of this encounter do you fancy will be exciting? Perhaps when they seize you and every belonging on your person? When they keelhaul you for sport? Pirates are savages, little better than wild animals. Don’t let the romanticism of fools blind you to the truth of the matter.” 

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

married ( RIP Sal she's the worst! )

His head is pounding when he blearily opens his eyes (and the hard sunlight pouring in through the porthole window isn’t helping). He tries to gather his bearings as he wakes up, tries to remember exactly what it was that happened the night before. It’s not often that he drinks to excess- there’s a very good reason for that. 

Said reason seems to be the woman lying in bed beside him. He all but jumps up, afraid of waking her as much as he is afraid of her. 

“Ay dios…” he sighs as he tries to carefully pull back the sheet to look at her, to see if he at all recognizes her. 

But why is he wearing a ring…? 

[mariasilenciosa-blog]

@leftinashcs continued from x

He was somewhat aware of the audience he had gained in the time he'd begun practicing, but as it was imperative to keep a clear head and a steady focus he paid her no mind until she was talking to him. This he didn't really mind either, it was his pleasure to indulge the curiosities of those who took to his work. If not for the eager look on her face, however, he might have thought she was just asking to be polite, to pursue casual conversation as most people of her background would have. He was pleased to see otherwise.

"Everyday," he replied. "For several hours, depending. I like to keep my talents and my blade sharp in the event I must face hand-to-hand combat...even as El Maria Silenciosa has yet to meet a foe that does not fall to her cannons."

He smiled somewhat cheekily and added, "What would your father think of such curiosity? Is he aware that his daughter's cheeks flush in excitement at the sight of a blade?"