Jack takes the command at ease further than most others would, crossing his arms with a huff and a roll of his eyes. Explaining the scuffle with that last soldier would spark a whole tirade of who started what, and why it's absolutely not Jack's fault that no one else in the military has a sense of humour, and how it shouldn't matter what he does when he's off-duty as long as he's a good sailor — but for all that he's happy to drag his feet until the mission actually sets off, now isn't the time for an argument like that. He can get into his complaints for the hundredth time after the mission goes well.
"Excuse me? Don't you give me that cool and aloof thing. You're the one who was looking for me, I saw you." He does glance around the room, though, looking to see if anyone has noticed him missing from the rest of the sailors yet. Although he's fairly sure (okay, about 70% sure) that the General will vouch for him, he'd still rather not get caught dawdling by any of his superiors that really have it out for him. While he checks for any glaring officers, he says idly, "Maybe I just wanted one last memory of your voice before I head off to certain death, sir. You know, to carry me through to the end and all."
No amount of scolding or slaps upside the head from fellow troops has ever gotten him to drop the morbid humour; it comes through less often around serious missions, but even then he can't cast it off entirely. There are probably better coping mechanisms than jokes and sarcasm, he knows. Still, it's always worked for him, just like the off-duty pranks and everything he does to lighten up the atmosphere of the ship whenever there are people that don't come back from a mission.
There is something he came to General Pitchiner for, a genuine question that had been on Jack's mind all throughout the speech. He doesn't ask it. He stalls for the moment, scuffs at the floor with his boot toe and shifts awkwardly. It just seems cowardly, fearful, to ask Pitchiner how bad the danger they're expecting really is. It isn't like that at all in its intent, he only wants to head into the fight with an honest view of the situation; Jack as a young man may be a mess of anxiety and insecurities, but in a fight he's fearless, brave often to the point of a reckless disregard for his own safety. But it still feels childish to ask.
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"Excuse me? Don't you give me that cool and aloof thing. You're the one who was looking for me, I saw you." He does glance around the room, though, looking to see if anyone has noticed him missing from the rest of the sailors yet. Although he's fairly sure (okay, about 70% sure) that the General will vouch for him, he'd still rather not get caught dawdling by any of his superiors that really have it out for him. While he checks for any glaring officers, he says idly, "Maybe I just wanted one last memory of your voice before I head off to certain death, sir. You know, to carry me through to the end and all."
No amount of scolding or slaps upside the head from fellow troops has ever gotten him to drop the morbid humour; it comes through less often around serious missions, but even then he can't cast it off entirely. There are probably better coping mechanisms than jokes and sarcasm, he knows. Still, it's always worked for him, just like the off-duty pranks and everything he does to lighten up the atmosphere of the ship whenever there are people that don't come back from a mission.
There is something he came to General Pitchiner for, a genuine question that had been on Jack's mind all throughout the speech. He doesn't ask it. He stalls for the moment, scuffs at the floor with his boot toe and shifts awkwardly. It just seems cowardly, fearful, to ask Pitchiner how bad the danger they're expecting really is. It isn't like that at all in its intent, he only wants to head into the fight with an honest view of the situation; Jack as a young man may be a mess of anxiety and insecurities, but in a fight he's fearless, brave often to the point of a reckless disregard for his own safety. But it still feels childish to ask.