Ellen sat beside the captain, following her sister's orders.  His brow furrowed, seeming surprised that she had the nerve, but not fighting her on the point immediately.  The captain's eyes narrowed, staring at the young girl with a certain distaste.  An awkward silence ensued as he stared the younger girl down, curious if she would forcibly vacate the seat or not.  The silent glare didn't seem to fade when Joanna returned, but rather was diverted between the two.<br/><br/>The captain watched the girls savoring the stew like it was the most delicious, filling meal they'd had in their lives, enjoying it slowly, sound in the knowledge that no one planned to take it from them.  Then Joanna let slip that this was their first meal in years, and the hard stare he'd bored into both of them softened slightly, taking another spoonful of his own meal.  "You're welcome to eat your fill of each meal as long as you work on this ship," he explained.  "Louie routinely cooks too much, and if there's any left --... well, you may not find its reincarnation to your liking."  A small smirk escaped his pursed lips.  "Last week we had had chicken soup with leftover relish.  It was...<i>subpar.</i>"<br/><br/>The captained listened to Joanna's requests for her sister, to prevent her from being held like a prisoner in the cell.  Harrington's expression seemed bored as he continued his meal, though when Joanna asked for his approval, he looked up a mite impatiently.<br/><br/>"Young miss, I think you'll find that you and your sister both have free roam over the ship.  You're more than welcome to take her and leave her wherever you please, but you should know a few things about your situation first."  He took another bite of the stew, staring at both girls intently until he swallowed.  "The first is that just because my men know I'll gut them and drop them in the drink if they touch you, doesn't mean they won't touch you."<br/><br/>He leaned closer to the girls.  "Do you know how many men I've butchered in the past year for insubordination?  Attempting a mutiny?"  Taking another bite, he waited for guesses.  "<i>Six,</i>" he finally announced.  "So you should understand -- you were given that cell as a<i>courtesy.  </i>To help<i>mitigate</i>these risks.  Whether you choose to avail yourself of these securities is of no consequence to me."<br/><br/>"Second -- and this is perhaps as important as the first -- I don't care if she follows you 'round the ship as you work.  I<i>do</i>care if the work doesn't get done."  His eyes hardened as he stared at Joanna.  "You already know the penalty for that.  So if you believe your sister will not be a liability for your workload, then she may stay by your side."<br/><br/><i>"But,"</i>he added with a heavy caveat.  "I'll extend your punishment to any man who neglects his own work to help you achieve yours.  That<i>includes</i>the first mate."  Harrington made the gravity of his threat clear in his voice.  "You should consider telling him this, the next time he offers to lighten your load."<br/><br/>He finished off the last of his dinner, looking up to the girls.  "I trust there is an understanding between us.  I don't play games, girls.  And I don't tolerate accusations that the rules are unclear.  So, do we have any questions?"