Q

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot was feeling pretty... uneven, about literally everything on this ship. He'd made a friend in Winter, which was lovely, and assumed that John was on his side as well, considering he'd been the one to bring him here. And Guy... well, whatever that was. Eliot really had thought that his smartest move was to get on the captain's very good side, but despite feeling like the man had been undressing him with his eyes, it had ended with... report to the quartermaster. He'd thought it best not to ask what that entailed. To just do what he was told.

So he dutifully showed up in the workroom. Looked around. "Ah, I'm looking for the quartermaster."

Comments

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Tanner was still watching Q closely, concerned about the younger man's head since the injury. He looked Eliot over curiously, then nodded towards the dark haired boffin over at his workbench.

"If you're hoping to start things off on his good side, I'd suggest bringing him a fresh cup of tea," Tanner offered. "His will be cold by now. The pot in the corner is fresh."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Oh... thanks," said Eliot.

A few minutes later, he walked over. "Tea?" he offered, holding a cup in his hands.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q glanced up, wondering if this was someone he was supposed to know. Since the accident he was struggling to trust his memory at all- But he knew to maintain his position here he had to remain confident- Or at least appear as though he had everything under control.

"Thank you," he said with a small nod, taking the tea. It was his brew, he could tell from the scent, and Tanner seemed relaxed where he stood taking note of current inventory. Whoever the stranger was, he apparently wasn't a concern. That was enough to put Q at ease.

"What do you need?" he asked simply.

[eliot_thespectacular]

It was less obvious to Eliot now how to impress him. He was like eighty percent sure that Bond hadn't sent him here for sex. So... what was the play? He didn't have enough information to know.

So he offered a small smile, but all he said was, "The captain told me to report to you. I'm Eliot."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"...Oh. Bond didn't tell me he was sending anyone down," he said, though now he wasn't sure that was true. Maybe he had? Q had been looking for more hands down here after all.

"You know, given that I'm, apparently, practically married to that man, he's not very good at communicating with me," he muttered, sipping his tea and then looking thoughtful.

Getting to his feet, he cleaned his glasses with the hem of his shirt, then looked Eliot over. He wasn't some water rat, that much was obvious... Ah, wait, he did remember this one. John had brought him aboard. Magic user then.

"What school of magic do you use, and what's your specialty?" he asked as he slipped his glasses back on.

[eliot_thespectacular]

... okay, definitely not for sex, then.

"I was studying at Brakebills," Eliot said. "I was specializing in physical magic. Telekinesis, illusion, battle magic..."

Was. God, that felt like a long time ago.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"How's your enchanting?" Q asked, perking up a little. It had been a while since any promising mages had come through. "Could really use some extra hands at the moment. I've created a spell that enchants an arrow to track a target and explode on impact, however, it doesn't work in bulk. At most I can enchant 5 arrows at a time without the enchantment becoming unstable. Bond, of course, wants hundreds of the damn things. I could use extra hands."

He smiled then, pushing his glasses back up his nose before offering his hand. "I'm Quinton, by the way. Most just call me Q though."

He was young, just shy of thirty, his hair a short dark mop of hair that seemed unruly. He had mannerisms that made him seem... Well, posh. Any of the crew would gladly tell you he'd come aboard still a child, and was only just a man when Bond had moved him into his quarters. It was something a lot of the crew still whispered about, but Q had proven himself more than once over the years, and no matter what people thought of his relationship with Bond, they still seemed to respect the young quartermaster.

[eliot_thespectacular]

"I know how to do enchanting," Eliot said. He just found it dull. "It's nice to meet you."

He shook his hand. The man was about the same age as him he guessed. Not wha the would have expected as a lover for the captain, but then, he didn't really know what he would have expected instead.

Q hadn't flinched at the mention of Brakebills, and Eliot had no idea how widespread the news of its shutdown was. He was more than happy to not have to explain, though. Despite actually telling the whole story to Guy for some reason he didn't entirely understand, he had no intention of spilling his life story to anyone else on the ship unless he had to.

"I, ah..." He hesitated. But it was bound to come on, and strategically it seemed better to be up front. "I should mention that when I started studying magic I found out that I have a streak of... wild magic." And it wasn't as if he knew what that meant anyway. Probably some fae or demon blood somewhere, but his parents were shitheads who had dumped him as a kid so not like he could ask them. "I think I'm getting a better handle on it, but surges are also... usually harmless."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Concerning, but good to know. Just try not to blow anything up," Q shrugged.

"Yes, Q's already done that once this week," Tanner said, bringing Eliot over a set of robes that would help set him apart from the rest of the crew. Similar to what Q wore, but where Q's were a dark green, Eliot's were a soft gray.

"It was a very small explosion," Q assured Eliot.

"Yes, it only knocked out Q," Tanner replied, giving Q a look. "I'll let Bond know Eliot's getting settled in," he told them both, before turning to leave.

Q watched him go, then looked like he might say something to Eliot- Before seeming to decide against it and say something else instead. "The robes are charmed, you can make them whatever colour you like," he noted. "The only thing that doesn't change is the insignia. It lets the rest of crew know you're part of my team. Tanner's idea."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot was a little relieved when Q didn't seem overly concerned by he wild magic thing. He also looked noticeably grateful when he took the robes. They weren't exactly stylish, but they were better than the typical crew garb, and it was starting to get burdensome to wash the few good clothes that Eliot had here.

"Thank you," he said. "Truly. And ah, I don't suppose this changes my... housing situation? I was hoping that perhaps the cot I'm sleeping on was a temporary arrangement."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Oh, hmm... Well, actually- My quarters are down here, but since I board with the captain, I don't see why you couldn't use them. At the moment I'm storing some equipment in there, but you're welcome to sleep there if you like," Q offered.

Part of him was reluctant to give them up, but James had made it clear he wasn't going to be using them- It would be selfish to keep them. He gestured for Eliot to follow, leading them over to the room. "It's not very big, but it's certainly nicer than a cot."

It was a modest room, but the bed was nice. It hadn't been made in some time, but a fresh set of sheets sat folded atop it. There was an empty trunk at the foot of it and a desk in the corner. As Q had warned, there were some random bits of equipment too, the cauldron being the most notable. "If you ask, Tanner might help you clear it out."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot's eyes went a little wide.

It certainly wasn't luxury, nothing like what he'd been used to, certainly not in Fillory, and not even in Brakebills, but the conditions on the ship so far had him in a bit of despair to be honest. And this seemed like the best he could hope for. And he wasn't having to fuck anyone for it.

"Thank you," he said hastily, the gratitude obvious. "I really appreciate it."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Of course. ...I remember what it was like, bunking with the others. Some people on this ship are wonderful, but- I was young when I boarded. Just fifteen. ...Some of the men could be- Unkind, let's say."

Eliot was young, attractive... Q had no doubt there was unwanted attention.

"Look, um, just know if things ever get uncomfortable, there are three men on this ship you can always trust. Tanner, Hex, and House. There are other good souls, don't get me wrong, but if someone's bothering you, that's who you go to."

He paused a beat, then added, "And me. You can come to me, and I'll take care of it if I can."

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot nodded in understanding, and then set the bundle of robes down on the bed. "Not Bond?" he asked, curious by the omission because it could mean multiple things.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Captain has other things to worry about," Q replied, because despite the gaps in his memory, this he was sure of. "When I was at the castle I'd never go to the king with my troubles. ...That's how Bond sees himself, you know. This is his castle."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Oh, I see," said Eliot. "Yes, that makes sense. Well, I don't anticipate... I mean, I'm used to taking care of myself. But I appreciate that. And I hope that I can be of use to you."

He paused. "You were at court? I suppose that's the kind of thing I was training for, before."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"I never actually made it to court, I was training to be the king's wizard though," Q said, not really wanting to talk about his time at the castle. "The man who trained me was brilliant, but- Well, I decided it wasn't for me after all. As I said, I was only 15 when I joined the crew. Didn't exactly leave behind an illustrious career," he joked.

[eliot_thespectacular]

"Neither did I," Eliot said with a small smile. "Look, I should warn you I bore easily, but it's not like I can't power through it. Just tell me how I can be useful."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

Q nodded and offered a smile. "I'm afraid right now it's all enchanting. Boring, but... The good news is that after Bond has his things, we can start working on developing new spells and potions. I personally prefer inventing over grunt work."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"And do you join the crew in fights?" Eliot asked.

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"Me? Rarely. I provide the tools, I prefer to overlook the battle from afar," Q admitted.

[eliot_thespectacular]

Eliot could understand that. "Well, I've done... a lot of fighting. If it's helpful. I mean I can't say I enjoy it but I guess I've gotten pretty good at it. With magic, I mean. Not with a sword."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"If that's what you'd rather do, I can put in a word with the captain, but I promise you this is a far more comfortable position. It's your choice though, I make no demands," Q assured him. "Wouldn't you rather use your powers to help develop things that would aid those in battle? Things to keep them safe? Things to ensure a win? I know they say glory is on the battlefield, but I assure you there's plenty to be found here as well. ...And it's a lot safer."

[eliot_thespectacular]

"No, I just.... want to be useful," Eliot said hastily. "If that's enchanting arrows or whatever, that's okay with me. I'm not a danger junkie, trust me."

[bibbidi_bobbidi_boffin]

"I promise, right now you couldn't be more useful," Q assured him. "I'll make you a copy of the enchantment, with your help I should be able to get this done before we make port."