I've made no attempt to fool you. I told you, I was a Navy man myself, when I was young. I know how they operate. [ More than a hundred years have passed, but his confidence that it's changed is rather low. He hasn't asked Hickey about his scars, but he's sure he could get it in a few guesses. New ships, same shit. ] But it's more than the Royal Navy. It's all of civilization. It hinges on each and every one of us giving up an essential part of ourselves, our desires, our pride, any number of things. If being ashamed of myself is the price I must pay to take part in it, I have no interest.

[ That's probably a bit radical for him. Dial it back, Jack. He orders another round, a good enough excuse to let the issue rest, if that's what Irving wants. It's after the server walks off, when the other man reaches out for him, a warm hand on his wrist that surprises him. Is he too deep in his cups to realize that anyone could see them? ]

I'm glad to hear it. [ Honestly. He's looking to gain this man's trust for his own ends, sure, but he would like to listen to fewer soapbox rants in the process. Carefully, Jack twists his wrist palm-up, letting his rings scrape against the table, with no intention to shake him off. He takes a drink and just looks at him, considering. There's a lot going on with him right now, but he does not want nor need to unburden himself to Irving about it. Something small, should suffice. ]

There is one thing. I lied to you, earlier. [ He squints and tilts his head, looking apologetic enough. ] If Anne knew what we'd done, she wouldn't care. She fucks women. Did it back home, too. Sorry. I liked seeing you squirm.

[ He smirks, amused with his own clever joke, but there's no bite to it. It's flirtatious, almost. ]