The man is right - a calculated, carefully curated lie. One that even he feels is out of character for himself in some ways. He doesn't usually act with emotion at the tip of his tongue and maybe it's the sharp stuff they drank, but he doesn't flinch when the Captain speaks. Takes it with a dutiful grace. He goes above and beyond to make certain Crozier has no additional work added to his scales every day and yet here he is, muddying the works.

"It is my hope he's learned that even on a ship in the middle of the sea, no man is truly alone. Mr Chambers might prove me a fool, however he does work hard and he's learning, from what I've heard below."

Though he has his own meager private space thanks to his title, he hears a lot at the dinner table and in passing, when he's able to join in with the lot of them.

"It's quite early in our voyage to break his spirit - I can weather the lashes well enough. I'm not certain that he would."