It's difficult to be totally sure since he doesn't know Raju well, but it seems he's calming a little, which is good. Although James is entirely willing to press when he wants to know something or otherwise thinks it's worth it, he doesn't actually like to upset people, and he certainly doesn't want to do so to someone who both means a lot to someone James cares about and can set things on fire when he's emotional.
It's interesting that, of all people, Raju mentioned Billy first; of course he'd mentioned him earlier about the fire power, but James had figured he'd found that out in passing or when someone else serious had happened here. But it seems like he might be one of the expedition members Raju had spoken to most, which is very interesting. But he doesn't touch on that either, focusing on the lighter topic for now.
"I don't mind. It's simply..." He considers the easiest way to explain for a moment. "'Captain' isn't truly my rank, but the title is also used for Commanders when in command of a ship; as I have no ship here, calling me captain is neither warranted nor necessary." It isn't something he minds at all, and in fact it's kind of nice that the men have continued addressing him that way, as they're well aware they don't have to and so it's likely either out of habit or as a purposeful sign of respect.
But if Raju doesn't know that and is just going with what Francis called him, then the respect isn't earned. And although James is entirely willing to let people believe things that make him look better or more impressive than he is, he does so for a distinct reason that doesn't apply here, and so it feels a little like taking advantage of Raju attempting to be polite.
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It's interesting that, of all people, Raju mentioned Billy first; of course he'd mentioned him earlier about the fire power, but James had figured he'd found that out in passing or when someone else serious had happened here. But it seems like he might be one of the expedition members Raju had spoken to most, which is very interesting. But he doesn't touch on that either, focusing on the lighter topic for now.
"I don't mind. It's simply..." He considers the easiest way to explain for a moment. "'Captain' isn't truly my rank, but the title is also used for Commanders when in command of a ship; as I have no ship here, calling me captain is neither warranted nor necessary." It isn't something he minds at all, and in fact it's kind of nice that the men have continued addressing him that way, as they're well aware they don't have to and so it's likely either out of habit or as a purposeful sign of respect.
But if Raju doesn't know that and is just going with what Francis called him, then the respect isn't earned. And although James is entirely willing to let people believe things that make him look better or more impressive than he is, he does so for a distinct reason that doesn't apply here, and so it feels a little like taking advantage of Raju attempting to be polite.