AU: The Pirate and the Stowaway [Lucas]

[Lucas Blacke]

The morning was slow, excruciatingly so. The crew had been standing at the ready with a clear lack of sleep amongst them and no hangovers to be seen. Real men, piece by piece, all waiting for the inspection to finish so they could begin their day, the inspection mainly consisting of saying good morning to the crew and the captain before Blacke could be off again to start his day of being cooped up in his quarters. And right now he wouldn't be alone in his own quarters, even. She would be there providing some needed distraction when asked for or even when not asked for, and it was the not asked for part that got him to doubt his decision of keeping her on board.

He hated that she looked like she did, like she was a valuable bargaining chip if she needed to be. And he was also beginning to fall back on his word, even if just in his mind. He just wanted her to mind her own business, though if it kept her silent he supposed she could look through his stuff as well, not that he really had anything worth keeping from her.

Wait, why was he thinking that again instead of thinking about violating her and telling her what to do like the harlot she was? She had the looks for it, so why not have a little fun, that was what he usually did with women, so why was this one different? He shrugged as he went on his way back to his quarters, stifling a yawn and getting ready to write and think of some rules. New year, new crew, new rules.

He opened the door and saw her crawl off to a corner of the bed looking different than she did before, prettier perhaps. Instantly Blacke noticed her change of clothing, the change in her hair and the way it looked.. nice.. something a pirate wasn't supposed to think. He shook his head and without saying a word, sat down at the desk once more, pulling a small metal canteen from his belt and putting it on his lips, taking a gulp before reclosing it and throwing it in the direction of Karalie.

Surely she'd take it, even with him having drunk from it. If not, he'd just force her to drink from it as he turned his head slightly.

'''S wa'er me beaut. It'll keep ye nice an' shiny.''

[Karalie Heise]

The man was silent as he entered his chambers, Karalie's eyes focused on him as he made his way to the desk.  At this point all she could do was sit and watch silently.  Dozens of questions brimmed below the surface; how long were they expected to stay at see? When could she bathe? Would she be able to wash her clothes at all? Was she trapped in this tiny room with nothing to do until they docked? Though she wanted to ask them all she sat silently, watching him as he pulled a canteen from his hip.   She was parched to say the least, and she hoped he'd spare her some.  When he'd had his fill he tossed it on the bed and she grabbed it like a starving cat being thrown a scrap. 

Karalie realized she didn't know the canteens contents when she twisted it open, wondering if it were spirits.  He quickly put her mind at ease.  Water.. just what she needed.  She brought the canteen to her lips and drank heavily from it, a little trickling down her chin as she went.  She all but drained the canteen when she pulled it away, gasping for air.  She physically relaxed, feeling better now that she'd been hydrated.  She wondered if the salt in the air drew out liquids in the body. It was a question she might not ever know the answer to, for she certainly wouldn't ask the pirate.

"Thank you." She said softly, placing the canteen back down on the bed, twisting it shut.  She watched him again for a moment as he scribbled on the paper and then turned to the porthole instead.  There was nothing but water.  No land in the distance, no waves or whales or any sign of life.  Even the gulls didn't come out this far.  Karalie sighed and drew her knees to her chest, wondering where they were going.  Dare she ask? She turned and looked him over once more, torn between asking and keeping silent.  Self control had never been her strongest suit.

"Where are we going?" She asked in a soft, curious voice.  She supposed it would be good to know how long it would take to get to their destination, and what she might expect from the new city she was about to call home.

[Lucas Blacke]

When he finished one more page of rules, most of the being written down as he himself thought of them and very few actually being enforced by the captain himself, he put the written rules on a small pile of other papers that also held the rules he had thought up, and those the captain had thought of. He had no idea if the captain would deem his ideas okay but that would only really matter for a small portion of the time, Blacke had the last word anyway since the captain was usually too busy to be seen amongst the crew, unless there was a raid going on.

He kept his seat though and turned to her as she thanked him. He found it oddly nice to be thanked, he blamed the moments he spend on shore that got him accustomed to landlubber manners. Not knowing what to do that exact moment he just kept on sitting, putting his arms on his knees and taking a relaxed position. He had questions he wanted to ask, and she had some too, he knew. yet he refrained from posing them because he felt it would be odd to ask anything of her when he said she had to remain silent, not that she adhered to that rule, but still.

That was when she threw him the question of where they were going, and truth be topld it made Blacke chuckle a bit though he tried to keep it inside. He was laughing at her, not with her. She knew they were pirates by now, right? It wouldn't take a fully functioning brain to know that pirates barely docked, and thus never really knew where they were going. He figured that they'd just dock at the nearest port when their supplies ran out, but if they encountered another ship with the supplies they needed they wouldn't have to stop to dock.

''Lass, we ain't goin' 'nywhere.'' He told her with a smirk. He was under the impresssion still that she had jumped aboard their ship under the guise of it being a normal docking-every-week ship, but she'd be mistaken if she did.

''Be''er get comfortable. Yer no' ge''in off any day soon.'' Her only chance of survival right now was if she kept quiet and knew her place. And questions like these weren't helping.

[Karalie Heise]

She didn't know what to expect in way of response from him and waited with bated breath.  When he smirked she frowned.  What did he mean by they weren't going anywhere.  It was a ship after all and the grand sea, surely they were headed somewhere.  Perhaps he meant they weren't heading anywhere in particular? Perhaps he was unaware of their next destination because they only stopped when necessary.

The pieces were clicking in her mind, if not a little slowly.  Pirates didn't dock for supplies, they plundered it from the good ships of the sea. They were thieves and crooks who would sooner kills you rather than look at you, and if they just stopped, and intended on pilfering supplies from other ships, that mean..

His words confirmed the thoughts forming in her mind and her head slowly shook, a defeated, panicked look crossing her sweet young face.  This was a nightmare! Why had she chosen this ship? She had gone from a bad situation to worse and her mouth opened in protest, but before she spoke she thought better of it and looked away.  A hand came to her mouth to hide the sob that hiccuped through her, her eyes shutting as the tears surged forward of their own accord.  She couldn't stay there! She couldn't! This wasn't a life for a lady, a cabin wench on a pirates ship! She was too good for that, she was better than this all.

"How long?" She choked out, reddened eyes turning back to the pirate, her fingers still covering her lips but barely.  If she had a time in mind perhaps it could be more bearable, like a prison sentence.  She'd do her time and then she would be free.  

Or so she hoped.

[Lucas Blacke]

How had he gone from telling her not to talk and threatening her to answering her questions without even thinking of pulling his gun in such a short amount of time? Maybe the thought of being surrounded by nothing but men on the ship got to him already, thinking that talking to her instead of commanding her would earn him points. But for now that only meant having her talk back, even if hesitant. She was hesitant, right? He'd hate to have to whip out his pistol and waste even a single breath on threats to her as they would all be nothing but hollow words, and he was beginning to think she had picked up on that with how easily she responded, though not seeming all too happy with his answer.

He grinned at the face she made. Women were such easy targets, they cried within minutes of talking to Blacke, and now was no exception. Or was it? Was she crying because of Blacke or because of the answer? No matter, fact was he knew how to break her and how it'd come in handy if it came down to it. '''Ow long? Really?'' He responded way nicer than intended. For one he still hadn't whipped out his pistol, so she could keep responding. Though in due time he was sure pointing a gun at her held little to no power.

..maybe she'd make a good pirate. The thought gave him mixed feelings due to the rank he had, being quarter master meant having to feed every mouth on the ship, and while he would be able to cut some rations here and there to give her more if she became part of the crew they wouldn't have enough food and be reliant on other passing ships holding enough food for them. Still, nothing would keep him from teaching her a few things here and there, make sure she could hold her own despite having a coin on her person that made her his. Perhaps if she knew how to handle a sword she'd be able to contribute or something.

Perhaps she could clean his sword or gun for him, who knew?

''Th' ship be stocked fer six moons. An' with th' inevitable ships we be raidin' we be able ta stay a lo' longer than tha'. Yer lookin' at a journey o' a year at th' least.'' She would do good to get comfortable, perhaps stop shying away from him.

He got up from his seat and took out his pistol as he sat down on the bed. '''D ye feel safer wit' a gun?'' He asked suddenly and uncharacteristically as he offered it to her. ''I will be needin' it back, bu' at leas' ye'll be able ta feel safe.''

It was odd, relying on violence to be safe, but somehow it helped.

[Karalie Heise]

How she wished he would wipe that silly grin off his face! As if this were a matter to be amused about.  It was obvious she wasn't interested in staying aboard for long, but he didn't need to mock her so.  She'd never had someone talk to her this way, other than William of course.  But at least William had due reason; he was to be her husband and that meant he had a certain amount of power over her, like it or not.  The pirate had some power over her as well Karalie realized.  The two men weren't so different, really.  At least she didn't think the pirate would want to force into bearing his bastard children. Hopefully.

Six moons.. her stomach dropped lower and the cheese she ate earlier seemed to curdle in her belly, feeling heavy and thick.  At least six moons, probably more when they began raiding.  A year.. a year! A year at the hands of this marauder! How would she survive? How could she? On a ship like this, it was certainly no place for her.  She'd get ill and who would care for her? How would she be able to keep herself properly clean?  The depression sank around her like a heavy rain cloud.


Her red, moist eyes followed him as he moved closer, instinctively pulling away from him as he sat with her on the bed.  The nerve! She knew it was his bed, but to sit with her there when they were nothing short of strangers was rude at best.  What she wasn't expecting was his pistol.  Would he really hand her a gun? She had never touched a gun let alone fired one and here this man was, her captor, offering her protection.  Dare she use it against him? No, it would mean certain death, unless of course he came at her.  Still it seemed a bit odd for him to hand her a gun when he'd threatened her with it not twenty-four hours before.  She eyed him warily before giving a short nod, sniffing back the heavy tears that still threatened.  She wiped the dampness from her cheek, trying to get her breathing back under control.  "I've never used one before." She admitted sheepishly, suddenly feeling drained again.  She'd never survive a whole year.

[Lucas Blacke]

Handing someone his gun.. it was one of the dumbest things he could think of when he actually gave it thought, she'd never used one so what if she misfired? What if she shot him on purpose, was it really in his best interest to give the woman he threatened a gun? Somehow having a woman in his quarters made him act differently.. nicer almost. Still, he'd have his sword in case of emergencies. He never used it but he could do quite the damage with it he thought.

He put the pistol down on the bed and withdrew his hand. If anything though, he later thought of, her not having touched or used a gun before would mean she could benefit from practice, and if Blacke was the one to give it to her perhaps she'd listen to him a bit better without him having to think of stray bullets accidentally hitting his cranium.

He smirked and brushed her cheek as creepily as possible. He might have told her of his ulterior motives for later, but just having the skin of a woman to touch and nothing more would do the job just fine for now. She wouldn't hurt by it and he wouldn't, win-win. ''Be''er pick up th' gun. Ge' used to somethin' big in ye 'ands.'' He said. ''Though I reckon a wench lookin' like yerself 'as 'ad plenty o' stiff ones. Consider them mere practice.''

If not now, he would be doing what he had hinted at before, he was now just giving her a heads up. Which might not have been a great idea considering he just all but gave her his gun. He wondered.. he could still take it back, but what would that make her think of him? Wait, why was he considering her thoughts on him? She was his, she obeyed him and there was nothing mutual between them! She would be nothing but a mere toy for him. Someone to keep him sane, he needed to keep that in mind.

''..why'd ye wanna ge' ou' anyway? Wha' can be so bad tha' it warrants a trip wit' pira'es?''

[Karalie Heise]

Karalie looked to the gun on the bed between them, unsure what to do with it.  How did one even hold a firearm? She flinched when his hand came to her cheek, eyeing him uncertainly.  His words made her want to pick the gun up and use it on him.  Not really, though.  Murdering someone, honestly! It would give her protection but she could never use one, not on a person.  God may forgive some sins but she was certain taking a mans life was not one of them.  

She quite literally bit her tongue, glaring at him when he dare call her a common wench, insinuating she'd spread her legs for plenty of men in the past. The audacity of this man presuming she were some whore! She certainly didn't look like or act like one and she resented him for assuming she was one.  Had she been more quick witted or accustomed to talking back to a man, she might have made comment about his girth but truth be told the thought didn't slip her mind.  She wasn't the type of woman to ever say such things to a man.  She'd been raised far better than that.  Instead she kept silent; he would neither believe her or care if she spoke the truth to him so what difference did it make.  She had an entire year with him, perhaps more, or even less if her life was compromised before landfall.  

She wasn't expecting his question.  It was the first time since he'd found her he'd shown any real interest in her at all, other than some hostage. Unsure if it were a joke or not she hesitated, reaching out and touching the cool metal of the pistol. It felt strange and awkward in her hands and truthfully she didn't like it.  


"I was meant to be married." She admitted, her voice soft as her eyes remained downcast. "Tomorrow.. tomorrow I was supposed to be a bride, but my fiance.." She licked her lips and then chewed gently on the inside of the bottom one before shaking her head.  "Some men don't deserve wives." She added quietly, recalling the harsh promises.  "Had I known what sort of ship this was I wouldn't have climbed aboard.  I thought I was escaping, that this was a trade ship, but it seems I've only made matters worse for myself, haven't I?" She only looked at him briefly before peering out the porthole.  Either way she was damned.

[Lucas Blacke]

''So th' lucky guy did no' treat ye right 'nough? Shit ha''ens.'' He shrugged as he heard her story and commented on it. Were they conversing? This was what a conversation was, wasn't it? It felt odd, and as she took his gun, it felt awkward knowing she could turn on him. Though the reason he had been seated next to her was because of the 'splash zone' as he liked to call it. If she did shoot him right now for some reason she'd undoubtedly get pieces of him on her, and not to mention she'd feel the recoil to someone untrained. That and if she killed him she'd have nothing left keeping her and the crew seperate.

''Some men deserv' wenches an' mead.'' He corrected her with a nod. ''I 'ave no need fer a wife, as lon' as I 'ave plenty o' wenches an' 'nough mead ta fo'get th' day.'' This of course only applied to his time on land, his time on the seas.. well he needed to stay sober. He could drink, but a drunk quarter master was a big no-no. ''So w' do plenty 'a tradin', lass. Might even find ye a frien' ta boss 'round.'' He knew that wasn't the trading she meant though as his version consisted of slitting throats and loaning things indefinitely. ''An' worse? Ye met me 'aven't ye? T'ink 'bout havin' met a simple swabbie first. Ye'd be keelhauled th' first day.'' He assured her he was one of the best things to happen to her, on the ship anyway.

He looked at her and smirked, slowly getting up and moving over to the desk, opening it and pulling out an apple, shining it on his chest and taking a major bite from it. He looked out the porthole then and saw that the afternoon was still at hand, he would soon be expected to be on the deck for another inspection. He wondered if they'd realize he missed his gun. No matter, he'd corner a deckhand and take his gun. Until they looted another ship of course, he'd find a good gun for her so he could have his back.

Moving towards the door he swallowed and briefly looked at the prisoner.. slave? Stowaway? Karalie? And pointed at the gun he noticed she was hesitant to pick up.

''Get so'e rest. Tonigh' when e'ryone's asleep I'll be on th' deck, I'm givin' ya choices. Sleep th' night away or I'll give ye so'e pointers on 'ow ta use th' gun.''

[Karalie Heise]

Lucky guy? William was, she supposed lucky in that he'd been given her, but not so lucky in the sense that she'd run off before he could make an honest woman of her.  And it wasn't a matter of being treated "right enough".  He promised to force himself upon her, that she need to be ready whenever the mood suited him, that if she disobeyed him or stepped a toe out of line even once that he'd give her a lashing so severe she would never think to defy him again.  She didn't expect a low life pirate to understand.  He would never be expected to take a mans name and succumb to his every desire at the drop of a hat.  She shuttered to think of the things William would expect of her.  No, the pirate wouldn't understand.  He believed women were objects, toys, meant for their own personal use and when they were finished cast aside like an empty bottle.  Still, she supposed he made a fair point about finding him first.  At least she had her life and her virtue intact.  For now, at least.

Their conversation ended when she refused to reply.  Nothing she said had any value or weight, so what was the point.  Instead she focused on the cold metal firearm on the bed in front of her.  The same one that had been to her head just the day before.  He got up and opened his draw, pulling out an apple.  Her head turned slightly to watch, still stroking the pistol absentmindedly.  He instructed her to get some sleep so they could be up late to practice with the gun.  She supposed she should be grateful though she didn't openly say she was again.  Instead she looked out the porthole, waiting for the room to be her own once more.  He didn't disappoint, retreating with a shut of the door.


Once alone Karalie let the tears run again, pulling her knees to her cheeks, her face buried against the hard joint.  Nothing was simple, but she supposed things could be worse.  Just a year.. a year was such a long time.  How would she survive? Could she? Could he really keep her secret for so long? Trapped there in his quarters? There was but one bed and two bodies.  His threat hovered heavy above her; she would need to share his bed with him.  They weren't even married! What a mess she'd put herself in!

Nothing made her more tired than a good cry.  When she'd finally calmed herself down she did as he told her and tried to get some rest.  It took a while for sleep to home, laying there on his musty bed with the gun lying there beside her like a child's stuffed toy.  When her eyes opened once more the sun was dwindling in the sky, the clouds a vibrant pink and lavender.  She gazed at it through the porthole contemplating her predicament for the thousandth time since she'd set foot on the ship.  It had been nearly two days since she'd climbed the wooden plank.

She busied herself with holding the gun and reading more of the old pirate code, trying to pay attention to it, but her mind wandered easily, listening for the familiar footsteps.  Finally they sounded and she climbed back onto her spot on the bed, holding the gun defensively, her finger nowhere near the trigger as she eyed the door.  She had no intention to shoot him, but if it were someone else, she needed to be prepared.

[Lucas Blacke]

After having been on the top deck for a while past supper with the crew and the nightly telling of stories he did what he had thought of, he cornered a simple member of the crew and took his gun. It wasn't anywhere near his own in terms of shape and weight -this one was much lighter, but it'd do for now. At least he could defend himself at range. He looked down the barrel and aimed it at the man who had just given it and thanked him. He had his finger on the trigger of course, but that was just what he did, expect the worst of people.

Though in that sense he had dropped everything near Karalie. For some reason he couldn't find anything bad about her. Hence why he gave her his gun. He talked some sense into a few other crewman and instructed them to clean the ship, or what they could see of it. He told one of the crew to climb the crows nest and scan the surroundings, see if they had any incoming traffic, if they needed to get ready for a fight. No such luck, it seemed after a while.

He went back to his quarters and broke out in a silent chuckle when he saw her holding, or trying to hold the gun. ''Lass, ye might wanna keep yer finger at th' trigger. Looks mo'e menacing.'' He told her as he pulled out the less impressive gun and pointed it at her with his finger resting on the trigger. Her reaction to seeing him do that made him think twice and reassure her nothing was going to happen. ''Keep calm. Th' thing isn't even loaded.''

..now why did he tell her that? So she would calm down? He never ever told anyone his guns weren't loaded, certainly not people holding a loaded gun right at that moment. Still he smirked, moving closer and pressing the gun she held to his own forehead. Risk-taking, yes. Sure she wouldn't do anything, yes. He deemed her smart enough to know that if he wasn't around anymore she'd have nothing keeping the crew away, and seeing how the captain knew about her but said nothing was a pretty good failsafe.

''C'mon, stop shakin' th' thing. It tickles.''

[Karalie Heise]

The trigger.  Yes, she supposed it would.  dark chocolate eyes went to the pistol in her hand, lowering it some as she put her finger there on the trigger, but just barely.  What if she squeezed?  The thought alone terrified her.  She'd never thought she'd find herself in a situation where she would be holding a gun, but there she was.  When she looked back at him he had another one in his hands, this one aimed at her.  She audibly gasped, her eyes widening as fear gripped her.  Had she offended him? He'd given her the gun! She wasn't going to use it! Was she? Not on him, not now! Likely not ever.

She eased some at his reassurance though she felt the aggravation bubble deep inside.  He shouldn't be pointing weapons at her like that! she didn't care how good a shot he was , it was just in poor taste, even for a crook.  Thankfully he lowered the firearm and left her bristling there silently on the bed.

Karalie was growing to hate that smirk of his, wishing she could wipe it from his smug face.  He moved closer and this time she didn't find herself flinching.  She was, after all, holding a pistol and if he wanted a scuffle, well he would risk a bullet becoming embedded somewhere in that lean body of his.  Instead of a scuffle though, he took the gun and put it to his own forehead.  Confused and frightened Karalie felt herself begin to shake again.  Why was he doing this? What was he trying to prove, that she wouldn't do it? They both knew she wouldn't! She didn't even know how the bleeding thing worked and they both knew she was more safe with him alive than dead.  Killing the quarter master of this ship would buy her a one way ticket to heaven's gate most likely after the crew had their way with her, making her wish for the sweet release of death.

She pulled her hands from the handle, letting him hold the neck of the weapon and curling her hands across her chest, holding them tightly there.  "Don't!" She scolded, her brows furrowed and her voice as shaky as an autumn leaf in the wind, clinging to its branch for dear life. "I'm not like you.. you.. scoundrels."  She swallowed hard, tears threatening once more, shaking her head.  She'd never felt so lost, even when she was engaged. Was she still technically engaged? His engagement meant nothing out there so what did it matter?  "I'm a lady, not some wench or.. or whore.  And I don't believe in murdering people! What you do is dreadful."  She choked through her sobs, not believing she was going off on him like this.  It was a fool mistake, but it felt good to get out.  

[Lucas Blacke]

He laughed as he listened to what she had to say. As he lowered the gun from his forehead and placed it back on the bed near her he tilted his head slightly. Normally he would punish anyone who talked to him like that, especially stowaways, which was technically still what she was. Just in his quarters and a good bit prettier than most. Which had only meant for her she was a personal toy instead of a toy for the entire crew, yet he didn't act upon in despite having told and warned her time and time again. Everytime he tried thinking about what he could do he felt a weird sensation in his gut, like one of those moral compass things. Was she really changing him?

No, he kept telling himself. He wouldn't let her. ''Us scoundrels?'' He repeated with the same smirk he had been wearing the entire time. ''Funny comin' from th' one who left 'er life behind. Also funny 'ow ye think we be a worse lot than th' ones givin' ye away as gift.'' Granted, he wasn't doing much better by keeping her to himself and making promises on how he would have his way with her later, or how he took bribes to let her be and even with how he was treating her.

''An' ye be free ta call yerself a lady, but I be callin' ye 'tever I damn well please.'' He told her as she seemed to be venting in his direction, it was odd that he took this without pistol whipping her to shut her up or anything. ''An' I'm no' askin' ye ta murder people,'' He motioned to the gun on the bed. ''I'm askin' ya ta keep livin fer a bit longer.''

''An' what w' do be indeed drea'ful. But it be what we do, an' it damn well pays better. Jus' need ta pay a bounty to Davy Jones e'ery now an' again.''

[Karalie Heise]

How could he possibly be laughing at her! The absolute nerve.  Here she was, practically hysterical and he was amused as if this were some enormous joke! His words struck a chord, though.  She hadn't thought of it that way.  A sobering point, really.  Her parents had given her to a brute of a man for their own personal gain.  What sort of parents did that? They didn't know about William, but that didn't change anything, did it? Of course it did! They thought they were doing this for her! Though they pushed her fears and protests aside as immaturity.  She bowed her head, her eyebrows knit as she thought it all over.  How dare he be right!

He could call her whatever he wanted, but she knew what she was and who she was. She was better than him in every sense of the word, and as long as she kept that in mind she would be fine. Well, maybe not fine, but she would at least know she wasn't on his level and nothing he could do would turn her into a wench.  Even as she thought it she knew it wasn't true.  He could turn her into anything he damn well pleased.  The man was stronger than she could ever hope to be and at the snap of his fingers an entire crew of men could force themselves upon her.  He could even take her life. She didn't like knowing he had so much power over her fate, but as long as God knew she was virtuous he would wait for her and accept her into his loving embrace when at last she entered his kingdom.

"Well I for one never care to meet his Davy Jones." She all but muttered, figuring it was probably the captain of the ship.  He sounded worse than this pirate, who she still didn't know what to call.  Master. he had instructed.  Master indeed! He was no more her master than she was his mother.  She wondered if he would really make her call him that, as if she were a dog.  

She refused to look at him, angry and hurt and sad all over again.  She hoped he left, hoped he gave her some time on her own. She supposed the best part of the arrangement was how little time he spent in there with her.  The quarters would be a lot tighter if he were there more often.

[Lucas Blacke]

Looking at her reaction confirmed for him that he had stuck a chord, and he laughed once more about getting no more backtalk. If he knew it was this easy to shut her up he'd have an extremely easy year ahead of him.

He did wonder what she was thinking, and whether it was good or bad. Probably bad, she wasn't really in the position to think badly of who she thought was a scoundrel who had probably saved her life, but she did strike him as the stubborn type, someone who would act like they owned people even if it was the other way around. The difference between them? He knew his place. She did partially, though she did speak her mind when she shouldn't. Like her tirade mere seconds ago. He took it without moving to punish but she'd stretch his limit to the max sooner or later and he would come down on her. Hard.

''Ye an' me bot'. I 'ave ne'er met Davy Jones an' tha' is probably a good thing, as meetin' him woul' mean dyin'.'' He wasn't sure if she had never heard of him like she seemed to imply or if she was trying to joke. He tilted his head internally. Bad moment to joke, and she wasn't even allowed to joke yet. He tightened his grip on the neck of the gun in his belt and almost removed it from his belt, a deep breath the only thing keeping him from lashing out.

It would be time for another inspection soon, for him to go to the top of the deck and see if everyone had been retired to the sleeping hold. As he was up there and saw nothing but the stars in the sky and the outline of the ship he wondered if Karalie would stay in and get rest or get out there to train with the gun like he had offered.

In any case, he would stay on deck for a while, sitting down on a slight elevation in the wood and watching the stars as he involuntarily began cleaning the pistol he had ''loaned''